The Crown Estate’s Grand Restaurant project proving to be hugely successful
The restaurant scene in St James’ will burst into life this spring thanks to esteemed restauranteur Philippe Le Roux opening Villandry, his flagship restaurant, and spearheading what restaurants in the area have to offer the diner.
6 Waterloo Place is near to Piccadilly Circus, and one of a group of venues with a rich and colourful history that have been restored and brought back to life by the Crown Estate with their Grand Restaurant programme.
These stunning venues would have been lost forever had their interiors not been removed and then meticulously restored and reinstated. Now that they are viable commercial work spaces, the public can one again enjoy this little pieces of history.
The Grade II listed building on Waterloo Place, which has experienced a £5million redevelopment by The Crown Estate, is set to serve up to 600 covers a day in three dining areas. Villandry’s main restaurant will offer a menu comprising of Italian, French and Spanish cuisine with ingredients of the highest organic quality from local sources. However, Villandry will act as more than just a dining venue, the addition of a deli area will sell a variety of products including salads, sandwiches and groceries as well as high quality, affordable wines.
Philippe Le Roux said, “Villandry is delighted to be part of The Crown Estate’s redevelopment of St James’s. This beautiful building flanks the entrance to Waterloo Place and provides an ideal location for the Villandry Grand Cafe.”
Other restaurants in The Crown Estate’s Grand Restaurant development include Brasserie Zedel on Sherwood Street, whose 1930’s art deco interior was restored last year. Jeremy King, founder of Rex Restaurants says, “We were very impressed with The Crown Estate’s overall approach and vision for the Quadrant development which meant we were able to embark upon the Brasserie Zedel project in an area previously unconscionable. It is fair to say that without The Crown Estate’s capital outlay in restoring the basic interior we could never have afforded the refurbishment – especially as we were keen to make it an accessible and affordable restaurant”.
St James’s has also recently seen the opening of Italian restaurant Cicchetti, located on Piccadilly, the first London location for the San Carlo Group. The interior of the restaurant has been designed by Bernard Carroll with Ralph Lauren fixtures. Added specialist touches include the leather seating dyed to the specific yellow reminiscent of lemons from Sicily.
Café Royal has also recently re-opened on Regent Street as a contemporary, luxury hotel. Café Royal comprises of 104 luxurious rooms, 55 suites, 5 restaurants and bars including the elaborate and ornate listed Grill Room.
77 Brewer Street, which used to be the Titanic Bar of the Regent Palace Hotel has also recently undergone a renovation by The Crown Estate balancing the buildings original architecture with a contemporary interior, and now houses Danish steak restaurant MASH.
For more information on St James’s visit: www.stjameslondon.co.uk
