Former Providores chef to head up new London gastropub

The Clifton will offer a lighter and ‘more adventurous’ take on pub grub when it launches in St John’s Wood on 2 May.

It is the brainchild of brothers Ben and Ed Robson, who ran The Horseshoe pub in Hampstead for three years and launched Austrian restaurant Boopshi's in Fitzrovia in 2013.​​

Calvert, who has also cooked at Caravan and Beef & Brew, will make use of overlooked cuts of meat such as ox heart, mutton and pork neck in his menu. The pub will shun the traditional Sunday roast in favour of weekend brunches, as well as serving an all-day menu and selection of small plates to be enjoyed with a drink.

Dishes will include haggis sausage roll with Famous Grouse ketchup; roast cod with arrocina beans, fennel, sea vegetables, saffron and aioli; and mutton rendang croquettes with banana raita, lime pickle and curry leaves.

As well as offering an extensive list of craft beers on tap the Robson brothers also plan to brew their own Clifton beer.

The Clifton has stood empty since 2013 when its owners sought planning permission to turn it in to a mansion with a basement extension, gym and media room.

But its planning application was rejected by Westminster Council after thousands of people signed a petition to preserve its status as a community pub.

The Robsons signed a 20-year lease in 2016 to turn The Clifton in to a 65-cover gastropub, with space for 25-covers outside.

The Clifton will open on 2 May.