Following the launch of Fishy Fishy in Brighton last year, TV presenter Dermot O’Leary is to open a second restaurant in Poole, Dorset next month.
The second outlet of the mid-market fish brasserie will open on Poole’s Dolphin Quays, on the former site of Bamboula Café that has been unoccupied for eight months.
Following a refurbishment, the 130-cover restaurant will adopt a similar design to the Brighton branch while incorporating a ‘local Poole twist’ into the décor.
Operating locally
O’Leary, who presents the X Factor on ITV, said he and business partners Paul Shovlin and James Ginzler felt ‘ready for the challenge’ of opening a second site of Fishy Fishy.
“Opening our own restaurant was something that we’d dreamt of for a long time,” he said. “The three of us are totally committed and very passionate about everything Fishy Fishy. Everyone on the team, from our suppliers to the guys front of house, works really hard to keep standards high and the feedback has been fantastic. We know that there will be a lot of hard work involved in making a success of Poole and maintaining Brighton’s reputation.”
Fishy Fishy will serve locally-caught fish `wherever possible` with the menu to include Mussels served three ways, Chargrilled Mackerel with Citrus Butter and Grilled Lobster with Garlic & Herb Butter.
Shovlin, who has previously managed Manchester bars The River Rooms at The Lowry Hotel, Bar 38 and Lounge 10, will oversee the general operation of both restaurants, while Ginzler will continue to head up the Brighton site.