Fancy steak chain Hawksmoor will take over the stunning dining rooms that were once part of George Gilbert Scott’s Midland Grand Hotel.
Late November is the estimated date for when Hawksmoor will open up shop at the former Victor Garvey at the Midland Grand restaurant — a breathtaking picture of soaring coffered ceilings, sweeping leather banquettes and pink marble pilasters. The restaurant only lasted for half a year in its previous incarnation, closing back in July. Before then it was the Midland Grand Dining Room.
Not only will Hawksmoor — which already has seven London addresses — take over the restaurant space, but also the adjoining cocktail bar — formerly Gothic Bar, which will become simply The Martini Bar. This is another splendid neo-gothic space with ceilings to die for. Alongside the likes of The Booking Hall and St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar, it’ll be yet another swanky spot to sip a cocktail before boarding a Eurostar to the continent. Or indeed an East Midlands service to Leicester.
Says Hawksmoor co-founder Will Beckett: “There are very few buildings that Huw [Gott, the other cofounder] and I have always spoken about as dream Hawksmoors, and this is one.
“As we approach the 20th anniversary of our first Hawksmoor restaurant, it feels perfect to be able to bring everything we’ve learned in London and beyond back to one of the most dramatic and gorgeous buildings in our hometown.”
Another grand Victorian restaurant is set to reopen imminently; Simpsons in the Strand will be relaunched by restaurateur Jeremy King this autumn.