Chris Galvin to launch new restaurant

Chris Galvin, executive chef of Galvin at Windows has told BigHospitality of his plans to renovate the old chapel at Spitalfields Market into a new restaurant.

Speaking at The Restaurant Show at London’s Earl’s Court, Galvin hopes the 120-year old chapel will be the home to his third restaurant, although a name has not yet been decided upon, when a deal is struck in the next couple of weeks. A mezzanine platform will sit above a Ferrari kitchen with a woodfire oven that will be encased it in glass, making it visually accessible to diners.

“The reason we’re working this way is we want customers to be part of the kitchen, so people are able to actually interact, especially with the smells,” he said. “It’ll be something stunning, something beautiful. I’ve got no prospective names yet, names are really hard. It has got a beautiful church-like windows and a friend of mine said, `I got it, Windows at Galvin`. I said `no`.”

The chef’s restaurant at the London Hilton, Galvin at Windows which was launched in 2006, has been tipped to win a Michelin star next year after being mentioned in the 2008 guide. With Andre Garrett as Head Chef the restaurant has already received a Remy Martin restaurant award.

“I believe they deserve a Michelin star, but I’d never chase it because if they want to award one they’ll award one, if they don’t they won’t. I’d be devastated if they don’t get it, because it`s two years they’ve been a rising star.”

Galvin also told BigH of plans to re-launch the restaurant at the London Hilton with a ‘beautiful new stove’ worth £130k in January.

The Spitalfields site is hoped to open next Autumn, but until then Galvin and his team will continue to ‘polish’ his other two restaurants, which includes Galvin Bistrot de Luxe, commenting, “It’s vital we get them right.”