Flat Iron and Oklava to be part of eclectic new Food Theatre in Centre Point
The 12,500 sq ft space will feature seven open kitchens, hosting an eclectic assembly of London restaurants including Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie’s Turkish concept Oklava; Chotto, a ‘more accessible adaptation’ of Kurt Zdesar’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion brand Chotto Matte; and Mexican concept Pastorcito, the latest project from the Harts Group.
There will also be a coffee and bakery counter occupied by artisanal Islington bakery Pophams, three conceptualised bars, and an outdoor terrace.
An ‘incubation-focused’ mezzanine kitchen named The Loft will also feature, designed to showcase emerging culinary concepts beginning with Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng’s katsu-sando brand TŌU.
Other brands that have been announced for the opening line-up includes steak restaurant group Flat Iron, which is to open a workshop space ‘dedicated specifically to working on new dishes and specialist cuts’; and piri-piri chicken bar Casita Do Frango, from the team behind Algarvian restaurant Casa do Frango.
Promoting itself as a space where ‘top culinary talent can experiment and thrive’, each kitchen space will have dedicated counter seating to help emphasise the sense of theatricality.
“Theatrical dining is a growing trend that is here to last and is something Arcade London’s exciting concept will do so well," says Leo Feldman, partner at property agent Shelley Sandzer, which acted for Arcade London.
"We were briefed to use our knowledge of central London to find the ideal location for the brand, placing Arcade London in a vibrant area that suits the brand’s dining and retail offer.
"In the very heart of the West End, this energetic area is the perfect spot for Arcade London, benefiting from the vast footfall captured by the recently renovated underground station.”
Arcade Theatre’s impending launch marks another stage in the growth of Centre Point’s food scene, which will also house Chinese restaurant brand Din Tai Fung’s second London site at some point this year.
The growth of food-hall style operations in the capital also continues at pace.
Later this summer Andy Lewis Pratt and Simon Anderson will open their 37,500 sq ft Market Halls site in the West End, dubbed the largest food hall in the country.
Meanwhile, Bishopsgate is to house two new ‘food hubs’, with the opening of The Market (owned by hospitality group Rhubarb) and Italian food hall brand Eataly’s first UK location; and 2021 will feature the launch of the 32,500 sq ft Time Out Market in Waterloo.
