Jun Tanaka to open first solo restaurant

Former Pearl executive chef Jun Tanaka is to launch his first solo restaurant - The Ninth - on London’s Charlotte Street in November.

The Saturday Kitchen star will serve a ‘casual French-Mediterranean’ sharing menu celebrating seasonal produce, as well as raw and cured dishes.

“I am hugely excited to be launching my own restaurant in one of London’s most popular dining neighbourhoods,” said Tanaka.

“I really want guests to feel like they’re coming to dine at my home – it will have a very casual, friendly and approachable feel too.”

At 2,750 sq.ft the restaurant will feature 43 ground floor covers, an eight cover terrace, 43-cover first floor and a 12-cover semi-private dining space.

A ‘concise’ wine list will offer 25 red and 25 white bottles and a small selection of rose’ and dessert options.

Tanaka began his career at Le Gavroche aged 19, training for a decade under Michel Roux Jnr, Marco Pierre White, Nico Ladenis and Eric Chavot.

He was executive chef at Pearl in Holborn from 2004-2012, and launched street food concept Street Kitchen with his business partner Mark Jankel in 2010.

Street Kitchen opened its fourth venue and first permanent site at Broadgate Circle earlier this year, with plans to launch 15 fixed sites across the capital over the next five years.

Tanaka told BigHospitality earlier this year that despite his forays in to street food he hadn’t turned his back on fine dining.

“As most chefs will tell you, finding a decent restaurant property in London is incredibly competitive and it has been very challenging trying to secure the perfect site,” he said.

The Ninth will open at 22 Charlotte Street in mid to late November.