Marco Pierre White to open Wheeler's in City of London
Chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White is to launch a new restaurant in London's Threadneedles hotel under the Wheeler's brand.
The Wheeler's Rib Room & Oyster bar will open in the hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, this March.
The new venture, where Stephen Smith will take the role as head chef, will serve classics such as Wheeler's fish pie alongside a collection of Pierre White's favourite dishes, such as grilled Dover sole a la salamander and quail eggs maintenon.
The site will also feature a dedicated oyster bar.
The opening has been billed as a "revitalisation" of the Wheeler's brand. It follows the celebrity chef's decision last year to sell his flagship Wheeler's of St James's restaurant, which is now set to become the new home for Chutney Mary.
More recently, Pierre White's Horatio Inns, which operated four pubs of which three traded under the Wheeler's name, went into administration at the start of this year.
Unlike previous businesses using the Wheeler's brand name, this new venture will be operated under the Black & White franchising portfolio, which already runs nearly 20 restaurants under the New York Italian and Steakhouse Bar & Grill brands.
It will be the first Wheeler's site for the business, which is 70% owned by Marco Pierre White and 30% owned by Nick Taplin and Caroline Wilce, both of whom are directors of hotel development company Sanguine Hospitality.
Pierre White said: "The Wheeler's brand was originally created in 1856 by Captain Wheeler in Whitstable. It was later brought to London's Old Compton Street by Bernard Walsh and was regularly visited by, among others, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Walt Disney.
"It has a fascinating history as the oldest fish brand in the world and it's great to be bringing it back to the City after a 20-year absence. As custodians of the name, the tradition and history will remain at the restaurant's heart, but we've tweaked and evolved the menu to create an offer that is more in tune with what today's customers want with lots of meat choices - it's not just for fish lovers. I'm truly delighted Threadneedle Street will be the location for this new venture."
Taplin added: "The importance of Wheeler's Rib Room & Oyster Bar to Marco cannot be underestimated. He is passionate about the brand and extremely excited about the launch, hence his close involvement. We feel privileged in bringing this new restaurant to the heart of the City."
Lawder Smith, area general manager at Threadneedles hotel, said: "It's been incredible working with Marco and his input will position Wheeler's Rib Room & Oyster Bar as one of the City's best restaurants."
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