Could Penhale's (from the Camille team) be Smithfield's new St John?

Their Borough Market restaurant Camille has quietly forged a stellar reputation for its French food. But when the same team opens B. Penhale in Smithfield, they're moving instead to Britain and Ireland for inspiration. The restaurant, whose name they're already shortening to Penhale's, is just across the road from London's historic meat market. So it stands to reason that it'll focus on a whole-carcass approach in the kitchen.

But we're intrigued by the idea that they'll also be focusing on super traditional dishes from the Victorian era. "Shining a light on the food, stories and cultural history of Britain and Ireland" is how they put it. Offal and lesser-known cuts of meat will feature on the menu, all of which makes us think of St John, which is only just on the other side of the market.

The history tie-in also chimes with chef Elliot Hashtroudi's own family connection to the area. The restaurant is named after his grandmother, who had links to the market. Plus, his great-grandmother was a butcher there too.

They've taken over the former Club Gascon restaurant and, in a lovely note, they've already had a vote of confidence from its previous owner, chef Pascal Aussignac, who said: "I wish the Camille team and their opening of Penhale’s the same success that Club Gascon had over a generation." The room will be split into a 60-seat restaurant, but they'll also have a small bar for walk-ins, which will run off a different chalkboard menu, sounding kind of similar to the split at nearby Quality Chop House and Quality Wines.

It's certainly an exciting time for the area, with the recent arrival of The Horses and the imminent opening of the new Museum of London with all its restaurants and bars.