Merchants Tavern, Charlotte Road, London
Michelin-starred Murano chef Angela Hartnett partnered with British restaurant chain Canteen for the opening of Merchants Tavern restaurant and bar in Shoreditch earlier this month (October).
The 130-cover venue, situated on the former Cantaloupe site on Charlotte Road, offers a modern European menu, devised by Harnett and head chef Neil Borthwick, who previously worked as a sous chef at The Square and is a former winner of the Nestlé Toque d'Or.
“We spent a long time searching for the right space, and we knew this was it,” said Hartnett. “It’s the old Cantaloupe site, which was one of the first restaurants and bars in Shoreditch, before the area became so popular.
“There’s a real sense of history and community here which is important for us to maintain, and we hope to make Merchants Tavern part of this.”
Hartnett and Canteen’s founders Dominic Lake and Patrick Clayton-Malone are equal financial partners in the new venture, with Hartnett responsible for its operation and recruitment.
Merchants Tavern, Charlotte Road, London - 8 October.