Pont St. seafood restaurant replaces Hix Belgravia at Belgraves hotel
Opening next Wednesday (11 September), the 80-cover restaurant will showcase 31-year-old Michell’s ‘distinct style’ of healthy and light seafood, as inspired by her time spent in California and Australia and living in the Mediterranean.
Belgraves’ owner Aron Harilela said: “Sophie’s experience and passion inform her cooking, with her dishes succeeding in being healthy yet delicious.
“Pont St. will be the perfect platform for Sophie to showcase her fresh approach to food."
Dishes at Pont St. will range from crudo, small plates, starters and salads to mains comprised of fresh seafood prepared ‘a la plancha’. Menu highlights include sea urchin, chilli and garlic spaghetti with bottarga shavings; baked spiced Cornish crab with jalapeno hollandaise and sour dough croutes; and poached sea trout with oyster mayonnaise, cucumber pickle and warm crushed new potatoes.
A selection of meat specialties will also be on offer, such as the Gloucester Old Spot pork chop with celeriac gratin, apple jelly and Waldorf salad. Desserts include elderflower jelly with honey parfait, strawberries and shortbread.
Young Chef of the Year
Michell began her career at the age of 14 and since worked at some of London’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants including The Greenhouse and The Lanesborough. At 19 years old, she was nominated for The Craft Guild of Chefs ‘Young Chef of the Year Award’. She has also released several successful cookery books and has been a regular food columnist in top magazines and newspapers worldwide.
The design of Pont St. will feature charcoal emerald velvet banquettes and cream leather chairs, with a mixture of tables in studded dark mahogany and white marble throughout. White linen curtains and smoked mirrors will frame the room. There will also be a private dining room for up to 24 guests.
The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will introduce a weekend brunch. A small café-style bar within the restaurant space will serve coffee, fresh juices and cakes to go.
In October last year, BigHospitality reported that Mark Hix was to part ways with the Belgraves hoteland HIX Belgravia and Mark's Bar closed at the end of November. In a joint statement the chef and restaurateur and Thompson Hotels said Hix's involvement with the hotel had not met up to the high expectations that were held by both parties.
Throughout the time between Hix Belgravia and Pont St, New York-based Thompson Hotels has been running the 81-bedroom property’s restaurants and bars.
