Rare Restaurants lines up new concept

By James McAllister

- Last updated on GMT

Martin Williams' Rare Restaurants lines up new concept The Crane Tap on former  M Bar & Grill site in Twickenham

Related tags Martin Williams Restaurant Gaucho M Restaurants

Martin Williams's Rare Restaurants has launched a new 'casual neighbourhood' concept on its former M Bar & Grill site in Twickenham.

Called The Crane Tap, it will 'showcase signature dishes by M; a beef offering through its partnership with Rare Restaurants's other sister brand, Gaucho; and burgers inspired by the group's lockdown delivery service Meat & Bun'. 

The restaurant will have 80 covers and feature 'vibrant artwork', soft furnishings and greenery throughout; while the bar will hold a further 80 covers with low-level seating, bar stools and shared tables, as well as a pool table.

À la carte options have a gastropub flavour and include chicken schnitzel with tomato sauce, rocket salad, parmesan and a fried egg; ginger-baked cod, grilled scallions and shiitake; sweet potato rendang with sourdough flatbread and pineapple salad; and a Burmese chicken salad with papaya, carrots, spicy peanut dressing. 

Gaucho and M specials to feature include a Wagyu scotch egg with a watercress salad and smoked ketchup; and a beef and malbec pie. While Meat & Bun dishes consists of sandwiches and burgers such as the 'Crane Club' with chicken, maple bacon, avocado, tomato and a fried egg; the 'Tap Burger' with a beef patty, fried onions, tomato, ham and cheese, served in a brioche bun.

The drinks menu promises 'an affordable range' of sparkling, wines, spirits and local beers from Twickenham and Wimbledon breweries. 

There will also be a curated selection of wines, beers and cocktails served ‘by tap’. 

“We are delighted to be opening The Crane Tap in Twickenham and trust that it will become the perfect hangout for the local community," says Williams, Rare Restaurants CEO.

“The opening of The Crane Tap marks the start of an exciting growth period for all our restaurant brands and can only be attributed to the talents of the teams and the guest loyalty we enjoy at Gaucho and M.”

M Bar & Grill opened in 2017 and was designed as a neighbourhood offshoot of the M Restaurants concept. Further expansion was mooted, but it only ever had a single location. 

In early 2020, prior to the pandemic, Williams called the site’s performance 'disappointing' and described it as a 'work in progress'​.

He said: “It’s more about Twickenham being a tricky village. I’m happy with the offering itself and think it offers excellent value for money."

Related topics Restaurant Openings Fine Dining

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