US operator the Church Group to open first London site
New York-based independent bar and restaurant operator, the Church Group, is to open its first Ninth Ward restaurant in London.
Set to appear in early 2015, Ninth Ward London is expected to open in Farringdon Road, having secured a 2,500 sq ft site across two floors, via property agency Shelley Sandzer.
The brand specialises in Cajun and creole-style food from the deep American South, with options such as fried pickles, Cajun chips, buffalo wings with blue cheese dip, gumbo chicken with shrimp, burgers, "po'boys" sandwiches, and salads.
There is also a wide choice of draught beers, including several from Louisiana, plus a list of original and classic cocktails, including the Mint Julep, Bloody Mary and "the Hurricane", said to have been invented by the owner of a New Orleans tavern.
Along with Ninth Ward, the Church Group's other sites include the Jamaican-style Kingston Hall, South-East Asia-esque Uncle Ming's, and Scottish-pub-inspired Shoolbred's, all located in Manhattan's East Village in New York.
All feature distinctive interior décor that aims to provide customers with what the group calls a "transportive atmosphere".
