Dinner, dinner Batman: DC-inspired Park Row to open in Soho

12-Feb-2020 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 12:44 GMT

A huge multi-faceted restaurant inspired by the DC Universe will open in Soho later this year in the art deco building that was once home to Marco Pierre White’s Titanic restaurant.

Called Park Row after the area of Gotham city where Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed in the Batman story, the 18,000sq ft basement venue will comprise five restaurants and three bars with a total of 330 covers when it opens later this year on the Brewer Street site that was most recently home to MASH steakhouse.

The ‘immersive’ restaurant will feature a design that will reference the various elements of the Batman world with space including Pennyworth’s - named after Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred - which will serve British sharing dishes; The Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge that will offer an international food menu and feature live entertainment; a Harley Quinn-inspired omakase restaurant; and cocktail bar Old Gotham City, which is described as a ‘villainous speakeasy’.

Park Row will also feature fine dining restaurant The Monarch Theatre that will serve a ‘multi-sensory tasting menu’ within two spaces in the centre of the building that will use projection mapping technology said to explore the psychology of heroism through food.

The restaurant will be the first launch under the newly formed Wonderland Restaurants group, which was founded by chief creative officer James Bulmer together with private equity investors. The restaurants will be overseen by group executive chef Cláudio Cardoso, former group executive chef at Sushisamba’ Mark Garston, former head of central development at The Fat Duck who is innovation director; and creative director Mike Bagale, former executive chef of three Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago.

“We are delighted to partner with Warner Bros to create their first immersive DC-inspired gastronomic restaurant experience found anywhere in the world,” says Bulmer. “This is a project many years in the making, with every detail carefully thought out to deliver a unique experience for our guests.

“Trends in our sector are moving towards fun, immersive and experiential dining and our aim is to demonstrate this on a grand scale with exceptional food and drink to match. I am still a child at heart, inspired by the greatest stories and storytellers. For me, great food experiences are about unlocking guests’ emotions and creating edible memories.”

Average spend per head starts from £45 depending on the restaurant and £120 per head at the Monarch Theatre.