Issolah aiming for a star at new venture

Ibi Issolah, owner of French restaurant L'Etranger in London, is extending his portfolio south of the river with the acquisition of Belair House in Dulwich Village.

Issolah bought the listed property from former owner Sam Hajaj late last month, and aims to win a Michelin star there within a year. He said business would continue as usual for the near future, with a £500,000 refurbishment planned for February/March next year.

Jerome Tauvron, head chef of L'Etranger, is now executive chef at both restaurants, with residing Belair head chef Riadh Zaik, formerly at the Stepping Stone in Battersea, south-west London, remaining. Issolah said he would continue to work with the current brigade.

Henrich Zitney, formerly at Racine and Hakkasan, has taken over as restaurant manager.

Issolah said menus were already being adjusted to focus more on French cuisine, but more dramatic changes would take place after Christmas. Lunch menus have been reduced from £26 to £14.50 for two courses and brunch from £32 to £22. The wine list has gone from 42 to 1,100 bins.

Issolah said he was still looking for another site to launch a new Parisian brasserie concept called Miel.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 9 December 2004