Former L'Enclume chef Mark Birchall to open restaurant with rooms
The former Roux Scholarship winner has acquired Moor Hall, a Grade II listed 16th century house set within five acres of land in the village of Aughton, West Lancashire.
Over the next year the Tudor site will be restored to include a 50-cover restaurant, 12-cover private dining room, and seven large bedrooms.
It is the chef’s first solo venture after nine years working at Simon Rogan’s flagship restaurant.
While still in the early planning stages, Birchall told BigHospitality the site was ‘going to be special’.
“I felt like I’d achieved quite a bit at L’Enclume,” he said.
“I started looking for a site 12 months ago and when we found Moor Hall we knew straight away it was perfect. It’s steeped in history and Grade II listed so it’s of national importance – so there’s plenty to go at.”
The menu is set to feature produce grown and created on-site, including vegetables, aged meat, cheese and beer.
Birchall explained that while Moor Hall would be very much his own concept, dishes would reflect a similar style of cooking to that seen at L’Enclume.
“My food is my food. I’m still to decide on menu concepts but it’s going to be what my dishes have always been really,” he said.
“[Having a Michelin star] obviously helps with business, but I’m just going to do the best I can and see what comes with that - touch wood that we can aspire to that.
“I don’t want to give too much away about the restaurant just yet, but it’s going to be special.”
