TV's Dermot O'Leary to open fish restaurant
TV and radio presenter Dermot O’Leary will turn restaurateur this summer when he opens his first restaurant in Brighton.
The X Factor presenter, together with friends Paul Shovlin and James Ginzler, will open Fishy Fishy, ‘a brasserie dedicated to providing local, affordable, seasonal fish and seafood’ in a grade 2 listed building near the seafront in June.
O`Leary said: "For years we’ve talked about opening and running our own restaurant, how it would work, where it would be, why it would be different. One day we got together and thought, let’s just do it."
Fishy Fishy will serve locally-caught fish `wherever possible` with the menu to include Mussels served three ways, Chargrilled Mackerel with Citrus Butter and Grilled Lobster with Garlic & Herb Butter.
Ginzler said:“I’m keen to make sure that, as we live by the sea, we use the fish on our doorstep wherever possible. I’m a bit of a fish obsessive and don’t believe that seasonal fish should be brought in from other places. Working with the local fishermen and suppliers as much as possible means the fish will be fresher, more affordable and have little or no food miles.”
Shovlin, who has managed countless bars and restaurants in Manchester, including Bar 38, The River Rooms at The Lowry Hotel and Lounge 10, said the friends had wanted to build a relaxed environment with welcoming service.
He said: "I`ve worked in all sorts of restaurants and bars and it makes me proud when people come back again and again. I want people in Brighton to enjoy it here and to feel part of it. And, if people from outside Brighton hear about it and like it, they’re very welcome too.
O` Leary, who challenged Gordon Ramsay with his Irish stew recipe in an episode of The F Word in 2006, will not be donning chef whites however.
"I wanted to be a chef, but when I’m at Fishy Fishy I’ll work front of house. We’re all skilled in very different areas and I’m really looking forward to seeing Fishy Fishy come together in our own style and making it a great place to eat," he said.
Brighton has become a hot spot for celebrities wanting to enter the restaurant industry. DJ Norman Cook part owns Japanese restaurant Oki-Nami with chef Mike Dodd while Heather Mills is also planning to open a vegan restaurant in a former fish restaurant there.
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