The group, which is behind landmark London restaurants including The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel, has taken on the former Carluccio’s site on St John’s Wood High Street for its new restaurant, which is described by co-founder Jeremy King as “think Colbert meets Fischer’s but with its own identity”.
Colbert, based in Sloane Square, is described by the company as being inspired by the great French pavement cafés and ‘is an informal, neighbourhood rendez-vous’, while Fischer’s, in Marylebone, is ‘evocative of Vienna in the early twentieth century’.
Writing in the company’s newsletter, King said: “One thing that doesn’t change, though, is our enjoyment of opening new restaurants and I am delighted to let you that we have just received the keys to a new site in St John’s Wood – on the High Street.” He added that the restaurant would be bespoke, “and not the beginning of a chain”.
Corbin and King, which is now backed by Minor Hotels after acquiring a 74% stake from Graphite Capital last year, is also believed to be making it regional debut later this year in Bicester. Under the name Café Wolseley, it is expected to open on the current Villandry site and feature a takeaway counter and shop as well as a brasserie.