(Updated 15/10 with menu details)
It had been a while since we heard from chef Bjorn van der Horst. There was a lot of love for his Eastside Inn when it opened where Burger & Lobster now is in Farringdon. And Bjorn was one of the first chefs we ever interviewed. But the fact that B&L is now there shows that sadly things didn't work out for him.
But now the chef is back in the country and has joined up with the ultra-luxe new Rosewood Hotel opening in London where the Chancery Court hotel used to be.
“I am thrilled to join Rosewood London” says Bjorn who'll be responsible for the restaurants (plural!), bar, events and private dining in the new hotel. “It promises to be one of the most exciting openings of 2013 and the food and beverage will play a huge part in establishing the reputation of the hotel."
He'll be overseeing the food for the bar and the Mirror Room restaurant - which mixes lounge bar and restaurant, along with a couple of spectacular private dining rooms (one with its own kitchen). Food at the restaurant includes a mixture of hotel classics (so you'll find a blub sandwich and a 36 day dry aged burger on the menu) alongside some more adventurous fare. We like the sound of rose veal tartar (£16), milk-fed lamb, sweedbreads and Guinness pie (£11) and particularly the slices roast beef, horseradish, soft roll and consommé dip (£16).
In addition to the mirror room, the bar (which looks spectacular and is bound to be a draw in an area which is in need of a good bar) will be serving up Indian fare (curries and casseroles).
And that's not all - as the Holborn Dining Rooms (which will be under another chef) will be opening in February 2014, just in time for the centenary of the building.
The Rosewood London will open its doors on 15 October 2013. See our story for more details.
