1776 will open on 22 October, so-called in celebration of the date of the earlier recording of the Grade II-listed bank which was also once home to Charles Dickens’s first love, Maria Beadnell. The new venue will comprise a 40-cover dining room with its own entrance from Mansion House Place.
“My desire is to create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere where customers come to be spoilt,” said Jessen, who previously worked as a banker. “The emphasis will be on elegance and simplicity but most of all flexibility.
“The London restaurant scene has changed remarkably in recent years and customers now expect innovation without sacrificing on quality. My aim is for 1776 to embrace this.”
On the menu
Overseen by head chef Juri Ravagli (whose culinary experience includes The Drone’s Club and Harry’s Bar), the menu at 1776 will be ‘classic, simple and flexible’, with dishes made at the table to the customers’ preferences; including oysters with orange and ponzu and hand-carved patanegra and steak tartare with carasau bread and quail eggs.
Signature dishes will include fillet of Black Angus with breadcrumb crust and garlic snails; pan-fried black cod, pak choy and ponzu sauce; and Mazara El Vallo red prawns with carpaccio baby salad.
A highlight of 1776 will be the hot carving trolley serving a selection of daily changing seasonal meats. The drinks menu will be accessed on iPads at the tables and include a diverse wine list with detailed descriptions of each bottle.
The restaurant’s interior draws on the history of the building; large windows flood the restaurant with natural light and warm wooden floors and banquette seating give it a welcoming feeling and that of understated luxury.