Opening at 33 St James’s Street -where Hartnett climbed the ranks from sous-chef to head chef at Pétrus - the as-yet-unnamed 80-cover restaurant will serve regionally focused dishes at a widely accessible price point, in a relaxed atmosphere.
Head chef Sam Williams, who has worked alongside Hartnett at Murano for the past two years, is helping to develop the menu, while current Murano head chef Diego Cardoso will also be on board to oversee the restaurant’s launch.
Interiors will be designed by Russell Sage, with the standalone bar serving traditional aperitivi and antipasti.
The venue’s launch comes after The Crown Estate announced details of a £500m investment programme for the St James’s area; to redefine its reputation as a destination for shopping, culture and dining.
Merchant’s Tavern
Gordon Ramsay protégée Hartnett will have her hands full for the next couple of months, having recently partnered with British restaurant chain Canteen for the upcoming opening of Merchant’s Tavern restaurant and bar in Shoreditch.
That 130-cover venue, situated on the former Cantaloupe site on Charlotte Road, will offer a modern European menu, devised by Harnett and her partner Neil Borthwick, who previously worked as a sous chef at Canteen.
Hartnett remains chef-patron at Murano in Mayfair, which is within walking distance of this new venture. She also consults at the Whitechapel Gallery and Dining Room in Tower Hamlets.