Nick Gilkinson to launch Maene in Spitalfields this March

Nick Gilkinson says Maene will be ‘evocative of European bistro culture’ and relaxed, offering modern cooking using British produce. 

The new site will be set atop a 14,000 Sq ft four-storey Victorian warehouse on Fashion Street with its own private lift entrance. 

The restaurant will be open in design with an open kitchen, 18-seater sharing table, cocktail lounge, a mixture of counter and banquette seating and a terrace with views of the capitals skyline.

The three floors below Maene - which takes its name from an old English word with connections to community - will be occupied by Mission; the modern yoga studio and movement space.

The 54-cover restaurant will be open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

A chef is yet to be confirmed, but dishes from the launch menu include Mersea oysters with pickled Jalapeno and sorrel; allotment fritto misto with smoked chilli aioli; Springfield Farm chicken, rosemary, garlic and burnt lemon, green goddess sauce; and Yorkshire rhubarb with set Bermondsey honey cream. 

Design is by Fare Inc., the space is described as understated and relaxed with a focus on natural textures. 

“I am really excited to see Maene come to life, it is something we have been working on for a little while now,” Gilkinson says. “The bones of the building are so beautiful and I wanted to make sure we kept the integrity of the space whilst adding some softer touches to it.’ 

“The food will be creative and unfussy with the chefs placing a real focus on working closely with our suppliers to make sure we are showcasing the best produce possible.”

Set within Whitechapel Gallery, Townsend was launched by Gilkinson, an alumnus of London's Anglo, and Garden Café, in 2020 just before the first lockdown and is pitched as a seasonal British restaurant and café.