Updated 9/4/13 with booking line info
We've had a lot more details come in about Bonnie Gull's second venture at Exmouth Market - now named Bonnie Gull Seafood Cafe. Their previous "seafood shack" has proven a hit in Fitzrovia, after making a name for itself with some successful popups and this second restaurant will be making its debut in April.
The Seafood Cafe is really embracing the idea of being a seaside fish bar transplanted right into the heart of Exmouth Market - it'll be bigger than the original (seating 82 inside and a further 20 outside) with "a more informal 1960s British seaside cafe feel”. There's also much more of a focus on grabbing a fast bite at this new restaurant. They'll have a shellfish table where they'll have oysters, cockles, smoked mussels and langoustines all served on newspaper (and "an oyster chest made out of parts of a pinball machine"). Alongside these "shells" they'll have "rolls" on offer which include their take on a southern US shrimp sub, a "Cockney Po’ Boy" as well as lobster rolls, fresh picked crab milk-rolls and fish finger sandwiches.
If you're stopping a while, the main restaurant will have:
- Starters including: grilled Dorset crab with avocado on beef dripping sourdough toast; Beer-battered Manx Queenies with paprika mayo; Channel salt ’n’ pepper squid.
- Mains including: Smash your own 1 kg cock crab with flame-grilled brown meat; newspaper baked Cornish mackerel with choucroute and bramley apple; and coming over from the Seafood Shack their beer-battered North sea haddock, beef dripping chips, scraps and mushy peas.
- For desserts, there will be homemade whippy ice cream in a cone, Millionaire shortbread with candied hazelnuts and milk ice-cream
Finally - sticking to the seafood cafe theme, they'll have Blackpool rock and bags of Cornish fudge too. And in the weekend, they'll be adding a brunch which will add an omelette Arnold Bennet with Arbroath smokie and the full Bonnie Breakfast.
Drinks-wise, they'll have a small selection of cocktails including a favourite from the original restaurant - the Bonnie Mary: infused vodka with homemade clamato juice and an oyster garnish.
Bonnie Gull Seafood Cafe will open at 55-57 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL seven days a week for lunch and dinner (and brunch at weekends), on 22 April 2014. Booking lines are now open on 0203 122 0047. For more information, follow them on Twitter @BonnieGull.
