Former QC restaurant will reopen as Pearl

An opulent new look is the aim of a major refurbishment of the restaurant and bar at the Renaissance Chancery Court hotel in Holborn, London.

The QC restaurant will close on 23 March and reopen under a new name, Pearl, in mid-May following the redesign by Keith Hobbs of United Designers. Lavish soft furnishing, intimate lighting and handmade mother of pearl-inlaid tables will be among the key features, together with a curtain of a million hand-strung pearls, which will be the first thing diners see on their arrival.

The name Pearl is inspired by the original use of the room as the banking hall of the Pearl Assurance Building.

Head chef Jun Tanaka, who has headed the kitchens at QC since its opening in September 2001, is writing a new menu for the restaurant. It will essentially be a classic, seasonal French menu with some modern touches.

"We will be opening in May, which is a fantastic month for produce, with new-season lamb, morels and peaches, all of which will feature on my new menu," said Tanaka. "The dishes will be light and have clean flavours - perfect for spring."

The 70-seat restaurant will incorporate a 52-seat bar and a private dining room, called Silhouette, for up to 10 diners.