Medlar team to open first restaurant in 13 years

The team behind Medlar in London’s Chelsea are set to launch Cornus in London’s Belgravia, their second restaurant in 13 years.

The 70-cover restaurant is due to open in mid-July on the rooftop of Grosvenor’s Ice Factory at Eccleston Yards, a repurposed warehouse dating back to 1830.

Founders David O’Connor and Joe Mercer-Nairne have partnered with chef Gary Foulkes to create an à la carte menu combining British and European ingredients with French techniques.

Foulkes was most recently at the Michelin-starred Angler, where he was executive chef from 2016. Prior to that, he had worked with chefs including the late Gary Rhodes, Philip Howard at the two Michelin-starred Square and John Campbell at the Vineyard at Stockcross, which had two Michelin stars at the time.

Suppliers to Cornus include Johnny Godden of Flying Fish, Arnaud Tauzin via Maurice Fitzgerald at Le Marché des Chefs, and David Swain at Primeur.

O’Connor, another Square alumnus, will work alongside his wife and former colleague Monika on front of house.

The central bar at Cornus will offer a selection of classic cocktails and signature serves such as the Clarified Coffee Negroni under bar manager Mario Aranguez, who was previously at Medlar.

He is joined by fellow Medlar head sommelier and Taittinger UK Sommelier of the Year semi-finalist Melania Battiston, who joins as wine director.

She is supported by Lukasz Gorski, World Young Sommelier of the Year. The duo will offer both wine and sake pairings to Foulkes’ food.

O’Connor and Mercer-Nairne have collaborated with Day Studio, the interior designers behind Trullo in London’s Islington, to create a space that pays homage to the native dogwood shrub from which Cornus takes its name.

O’Connor said: “For me, service is one the most important and undervalued elements of a restaurant, and I’m looking forward to matching our strong customer service philosophy with Gary’s food and Melania’s wine program at Cornus.

“Medlar has become embedded in the Chelsea neighbourhood since opening 13 years ago, and now we’re looking forward to bringing Cornus to the Belgravia community - building relationships with new visitors, who we hope will soon become returning customers.”

Image: Ian Tuttle