Jason Atherton unveils plans for Tower 42 restaurant

The venue, which is being dubbed ‘City Social’, will feature a 90-cover restaurant with spectacular views of London, an art-deco inspired interior and a large free standing black and steel open kitchen in the centre of the dining room.

Paul Walsh, previously sous chef at Royal Hospital Road, has been appointed as head chef for the venture and is working with Atherton to develop a menu featuring ‘creative yet simple dishes’ which showcase ‘the best of British ingredients’.

“You will walk into my restaurant from the lifts and immediately see the Gherkin, The Cheesegrater, and all those iconic buildings that have shot up in London over the past decade, right in front of your eyes," said Atherton.

“The restaurant will serve beautiful cuisine in a glamorous environment.”

A separate 85-seat bar area will serve short, classic drinks and cocktails inspired by the 1910-1930s prohibition era. A range of champagne cocktails will be on offer alongside Scotch and American whisky, gin and cognac cocktails designed by award-winning mixologist Gareth Evans, who is the head barman at Atherton’s bar The Blind Pig.

Sommelier Christopher Delonde, formerly of the Conran group, will oversee the wine list, while Andy Downton will join the team as general manager.

Tower 42​

Restaurant Associates, the restaurant arm of Compass Group, announced Gary Rhodes would be leaving its Tower 42 restaurant last May​, after the chef came to the end of his ten year contract with the company.

Managing director Andy Harris said Restaurant Associates was 'thrilled' Atherton would be taking over the reins of the site.

“The magnificent views that this London landmark has to offer, combined with Jason’s international culinary experience is sure to delight diners," he said.

“The opening marks an exciting time for the City of London and its thriving food scene and I can’t wait to welcome people to City Social."

Expanding empire​

Atherton launched his first UK solo venture, the Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social​, in 2011 and has since opened three more London restaurants: Social Eating House, Little Social and the recently opened Berners Tavern within The London Edition Hotel.

He has also opened restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore​ and was recently revealed as the backer of a new 40-cover restaurant​ being opened at the five-star Town Hall Hotel by Lee Westcott, former chef at Atherton’s Hong Kong Ham & Sherry restaurant.