Constancia pops up in Shoreditch with plans for permanent site
The new, 40-cover venue opened last week next to Yalla Yalla’s shipping container on Shoreditch High Street– another pop-up which is looking to become permanent.
Constancia’s founder Sebastian Harguindey said: “Shoreditch is one of London’s most exciting and vibrant areas - these are key characteristics that we associate with Argentine cooking.
“We are growing with popularity and we are looking to open a new, permanent restaurant in East London.”
Harguindey is apparently already in discussion with the land owners about opening a permanent restaurant when Shoreditch Village – the 150,000 sq.ft development just off Shoreditch High Street – opens in 2015.
Shoreditch Food Village’s leasing agent Richard Kingston added: “Constancia will be a very popular addition to Shoreditch. They are offering fantastic cuisine at an affordable price for everybody.”
Pop-up to permanent
Couillermo Araufo is heading up the pop-up, with Sebastian Biscione managing the operation. The concept, which was founded in 2009, is based around steak sandwiches prepared using prime Argentinian meat and served with rocket, grilled peppers and ‘chimchurri’ sauce.
The stall will also be selling ‘Choripan’ (an argentinian sausage roll) along with Quilmes (Argentinian beer) and red wine from Bodega Escorihuela Gascon.
Constancia and Yalla Yalla will be working together; organising dance nights throughout the summer. The ‘pop-up to permanent phenomenon is by no means a new one - the past year has seen a number of pop-up venues being used by up-and-coming talent as a platform for full-time operations.
A temporary site allows an operator to trial a concept, raising awareness of the brand and themselves and making a pitch to a potential backer or landlord much more credible. Read more about this in our full report here.
