Jean-Georges Vongerichten to open new restaurant at the Connaught
US-based French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is to open a restaurant at the Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London, in spring 2017.
It will mark a return to the Maybourne Hotel Group for Vongerichten, who previously operated Vong restaurant at the Connaught's sister hotel, the Berkeley in Knightsbridge. Vong closed in 2002.
Vongerichten had a presence in London more recently with the opening of Spice Market at W London, which was launched by Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2011, but is now closed.
Hélène Darroze will continue to operate her two-Michelin-starred restaurant on the other side of the hotel.
Designed by architect John Heah, the restaurant intends to be "a relaxed, informal style neighbourhood" eaterie offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Vongerichten said: "I am excited to make my return to London, one of the most vibrant and dynamic food destinations in the world, and I hope to create a new restaurant at the Connaught that reflects both my signature farm-to-table cooking style but with a few surprises. The Connaught was the first London hotel I ever stayed in and continues to hold a special place in my heart."
Massimiliano Binda, general manager of the hotel, said, "The Connaught has always had a distinguished and celebrated culinary history, and we believe that Jean-Georges with his forward thinking vision will add something special to the hotel and together with Hélène Darroze create an unbeatable double act in the heart of Mayfair."
Vongerichten operates more than 30 restaurants worldwide including legendary names such as Jean-Georges, ABC Kitchen and the Mercer Kitchen in New York. He is also located in Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo.
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