Chef Adam Stokes to open The Oyster Club in Birmingham
Stokes, who has run Michelin-starred Adam’s in the city with his wife Natasha since 2013, will launch The Oyster Club in February.
The 30-cover restaurant will serve British seafood dishes such as Stokes’ take on fish and chips, while fresh oysters will be shucked at a 24-cover bar in front of diners.
The Oyster Club takes its name from a group of intellectuals and scientists who used to meet in Edinburgh in the 1770s to debate and exchange ideas over dinner.
“It seemed the perfect name for this place,” says Stokes. “I want to encourage a neighbourhood feel – we will offer a friendly relaxed service and have regular diners who do see The Oyster Club as a club; where they can meet up and catch up with each other over a plate of oysters.”
Design agency Faber, which collaborated with the chef on Adam’s, is working on the site.
“The idea is for the bar to be more informal than the restaurant, so people will feel comfortable to walk in after work without a booking,” says Holly Trehearn, lead designer on the project.
“There is a window in to the kitchen so guests can watch the chef at work.”
Birmingham now has five Michelin-starred restaurants - Simpsons, Carters of Moseley, Peel’s, Purnell’s and Adam’s. The city holds more stars than any other UK city outside London, which has 71, while Edinburgh has four.
