Martin Blunos to open Cardiff restaurant with Crown and Thistle

21-Feb-2011 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 12:38 GMT

Martin Blunos is the new executive chef for Crown Hotels & Restaurants

Celebrity chef Martin Blunos is to oversee the new restaurant at The Parc by Thistle in Cardiff, following a new partnership between the hotel and South Wales-based Crown Hotels and Restaurants.

Blunos, who recently joined Crown as executive chef with a view to expand the business into new areas, will officially launch Crown Social at The Parc next month.

The restaurant will serve a contemporary take on classic Welsh dishes, and will also feature a Champagne bar.

Darren Patt, regional operations director for Thistle, said: “We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with such a credible restaurant group already renowned for their excellence in award-winning fine dining.

“The Parc by Thistle has the ideal city-centre location and naturally-lit space to create an inviting, eclectic dining experience - we’re confident that with the joint reputations of Crown Hotels and Restaurants and Martin Blunos, we will quickly establish Crown Social as one of the finest dining destinations in South Wales.”

Creative menu

Crown also operates the Michelin-starred Crown at Whitebrook and the three AA Rosette Crown at Celtic Manor.

Richard O’Riordan, general manager of The Parc, who is working closely with Blunos on launching the restaurant, said: “Crown Social is set to be the ideal after-work and weekend venue. We’re sure guests will respond very well to our unveiling of the creative menu – Martin’s inventive cooking style and attention to detail with quality ingredients will no doubt bring further success to The Parc hotel.”

Blunos, who gained two Michelin stars in 1994 for his Bristol restaurant Lettonie, is known for his appearances on Iron Chef UK and Saturday Kitchen.