Somerset’s 28 Market Place set for January opening

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The Somerset venue from ex-Soho House director Ben Crofton and his wife Vanessa will open its doors on 3 January.

Plans for 28 Market Place in Somerton were revealed earlier this year, when Great British Menu finalist Dan Fletcher was named head chef.

The venue, housed in a group of 17th and 18th century buildings, comprises a restaurant, bakery and wine shop.

Fletcher, formerly of Michelin-starred The Square in Mayfair and Fenchurch at Sky Garden will be joined by senior sous chef Matt Heeley, who worked with Fletcher at The Square.

The pair outlined example dishes from the January opening menu, including: fallow deer, beetroot, red cabbage and preserved black currants; and pollock with wood-fired leeks, St Austell bay mussels and sea vegetables.

Prices will range from £8 for starters, £22 for mains and £8 for desserts. The restaurant will also serve 'decadent sharing roasts' on a Sunday. 

“Since making the move to Somerset, I have been so inspired by the produce being grown and reared across the West Country,” says Fletcher.

“I’ve spent the last few months seeking out the very best this region has to offer, to develop a menu that lets those ingredients shine.

We’ll play around with dishes as new ingredients come into season, but can’t wait for our guests to try out our first menu which makes the best of winter veg being produced at the farms at Plotgate and Bengrove.”

The bakery will be managed by Alba Lage, formerly of Soho Farmhouse, alongside bakers Ettore Mello, (ex-Nopi) and Arthur Stokes, who used to work at The Bread Station in London Fields.  

The wine shop will carry around 100 wines not found on the main wine list, that can be served in the restaurant or taken away.