4/11/23 - updated with the Botanica Hall opening date
If you’ve been wondering what’s in store for Arding & Hobbs, the beautiful Grade-II-listed department store in the heart of Clapham Junction that’s been somewhat quiet since the collapse of Debenhams, we have some promising food (and drink) news. Botanica Hall is on the way: an all-day restaurant, a late-night bar, and even a vodka distillery.
It’s the sixth London opening from the team behind Canova Hall in Brixton, Serata Hall in Old Street, Allora Hall in Crouch End, Martello Hall in Hackney and Teatro Hall in Ealing. Which is all to say that they have their coal-fired Italian-pizza-oven action and homemade pastas down to a fine art. You can also expect a bottomless brunch that has already been credited as one of London’s best by CN Traveller, Grazia and Elle.
If the menu here proves to be similar to their other sites, you can expect the following highlights:
- Tartufo tagliatelle: truffle cheese sauce, crispy shallots, hazelnuts, lemon zest and Parmesan crisp
- Beetroot gnocchi: pistachio pesto, walnuts, rocket and sage
- Queen Bee pizza: goat’s cheese, roast sweet potato, red onion, walnuts, Botanica hot honey and pistachio pesto
- Buttermilk fried chicken: hot mustard, watermelon, jalapeño mayo and jalapeños
- Bag of bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) with Nutella
They're taking over what sounds to be a great space - a large team of consultants and architects working for W.RE have been busy sensitively restoring the grand building for the past few years, exposing its old metal warehouse doors, original mosaic floor and incorporating bespoke lighting and furniture. Let’s hope it stands up to the partying, with DJs expected to play vinyl from the balconies, with the site open until 2am on weekends.
But what about that vodka distillery? In a first for the group, which prides itself on its cocktails and gin already distilled on-site at Serata Hall and Teatro Hall. They’re bringing in a 200-litre copper still (‘Henry’), where they intend to distil and bottle a vodka by hand under the brand of Tiny Tower Liquor. There’ll be a wax seal and everything.
More about Botanica Hall
Where is it? 1 St John’s Road, Clapham Junction, London SW11 1QN
When does it open? 22 November 2023
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @botanicahall.
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