Margaux founders to open Southern French restaurant Bandol

11-Oct-2015 - Last updated on 12-Oct-2015 at 10:31 GMT

Bandol co-owner Sylvia Kontek: Bringing the food from a French region she loves to London

Sylvia Kontek and Vittorio Monge, the founders of Chelsea-based European restaurant Margaux, will open the doors to their second restaurant - Bandol - this week.

The restaurant on Hollywood Road in Chelsea will serve Nicoise and Provencal sharing dishes alongside a predominantly French wine list.

Chef Zsolt Ferencz, formerly of Scott's in London, has created the menu which features dishes influenced by the flavours and traditions of Southern France, including Petits Farcis Nicoise filled with Foie Gras; Bandol Boullabaisse with red mullet, gurnard, tiger prawns & mussels; Roasted Sea bass with pistou smoked tomatoes and Fig Tart.

Kontek told BigHospitality she saw Bandol as complimentary to Margaux, the restaurant she and Monge opened in 2013 on Old Brompton Road, which has a more European focus.

"Margaux serves European classics, with a strong French influence but also a touch of inspiration from Italy. My husband couldn’t live without pasta. While Bandol will definitely be more regional, in that it focuses on one specific theme; Nicoise and Provencal dishes, with a strong Mediterranean influence.

"Simple, fresh ingredients are the centre of our menus and we’re proud of our extensive wine lists at both restaurants."

Regional showcase

Kontek said she saw Bandol as a chance to showcase the food from Southern France, a region close to the hearts of she and Monge, most notably as it was the location of their wedding.

"We wanted to showcase not only the food, but also the wine and the spirit of Southern France, the colours, the conviviality, the joy of living. Mealtimes in France are a joyful affair – a celebration, and by serving dishes designed for feasting and sharing, we hope to capture the essence of the region," she said.

Kontek said she and Monge were keen to expand their restaurant portfolio further, but it would be slow and there would not be a roll-out of one concept or another.

"Margaux has been a wonderful journey, our ‘first kid’, and it is exciting to be embarking now on a new project," she said.

"Right now I’m focusing my attention on the opening of Bandol and on further establishing Margaux as a premier destination in Chelsea. I hope our guests are as enchanted with the region and the food as I was.

"We definitely look forward to expanding further our restaurant portfolio.

"To us, maintaining our individuality and delivering a unique offering - and am not only talking about food, but also the interior design and the atmosphere) is absolutely critical - and part of our value proposition."

Bandol opens at 6 Hollywood Road, Chelsea on 13 October.