Having launched bar-café-deli-diner Giant Robot in May, Jonathan Downey, owner of the Match Bar Group, has opened Redhook, a New York style steak and seafood venue in Farringdon.
Situated on the former St Germain French brasserie site on Turnmill Street, Redhook offers a wide-ranging menu featuring the likes of oysters, lobster and Wagyu beef alongside mid-market dishes such as burgers and chips.
Downey, who launched Giant Robot on the site of his Match EC1 Bar using a small budget of £80k, said he had aimed to do the same with Redhook.
“It was a site driven deal, an opportunity to take over a fully-fitted bar/restaurant in a very short space of time,” he said. “But with relatively little money we wanted to open what looks and feels like a million pound restaurant.”
Redhook features a 130-cover cocktail and oyster bar at the front of the premises, with the 70-cover restaurant sitting to the rear.
Robot bars expansion
Last week Downey revealed plans to expand his Robot bars concept by a further four sites this year, looking at sites in Spitalfields, London Fields, Westbourne Grove and Dalston.
The group also operates Milk & Honey, The Player, Trailer Happiness and Harlem and the two Match Bars in London. It’s Shoreditch bar/ restaurant Sosho and private members club The East Room have remained closed since a fire, started by an unattended tealight candle, gutted the premises in March. Downey is currently battling to secure compensation from his insurers.