The group, run by Carlos Maidana, has taken over the Star Pubs & Bars-owned Twickenham Tavern on London Road and will reopen it as Blues Smokehouse following a £300k investment.
The restaurant and bar will feature a 90-cover dining area, a 45sq.m bar, an ‘open servery’ where diners can watch meat being carved and talk to chefs, and an Italian/American ice cream bar.
The Blue's Smokehouse menu incorporates a wide range of American BBQ favourites including ribs, brisket, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, sausages, burgers and hot dogs.
Two smoking ovens have been imported from the US for the site, with the capacity to cook 120 kilos of meat.
Maidana believes beer is an ‘essential ingredient’ for a good BBQ, and the Twickenham site will feature Heineken’s smart dispense system, with a wide range of Continental lagers, craft beers and real ales also available.
The interior of the restaurant has been designed to inspire the American deep South and the venue will play specially compiled selections of Blues, soul, Bluegrass and country music, with some live music nights.
Blues smokehouse roll-out
Maidana is now on the search for further sites to roll-out the Blue's Smokehouse concept, with the Southwest of London, Oxford and Staines all target areas.
“While an increasing number of restaurants are offering smoked food as a part of their menu, there are still relatively few where the whole focus is on BBQ,” he said.
“This specialisiation has proved an enormous draw in Bracknell which is in the process of extensive development. Yet even though this hasn’t been completed we have exceeded our targets. We are therefore very exited about our new Twickenham site which is in the heart of a busy conurbation and will have a high passing footfall from day one.”
The Blue's Smokehouse Twickenham will be the fifth venue for PS - the Pub Company, and its third Star Pubs & Bars site.
Adds Chris Jowsey, trading director Star Pubs & Bars, said: “It has been exciting to be involved with such a dynamic brand from the start. Heineken is the best selling beer in Blue’s Smokehouse and with Heineken’s sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup this summer it will be great to have such a high profile bar stocking their brands close to Twickenham Stadium.”