Crispin team to launch Bistro Freddie concept after acquiring Oklava site

Bistro Freddie is described as a concept that will offer ‘generous old school London hospitality’ and will be led by Crispin co-founder Dominic Hamdy, alongside head chef Anna Søgaard and head of wine Alexandra Price.

Søgaard joins the Crispin team from Manchester restaurant Erst, and previously also spent time training in Copenhagen kitchens in her home country of Denmark.

The launch menu for Bistro Freddie is still in development, but is expected to feature grilled pork loin with leek soubise and trotter broth; fried skate wing with curry sauce and capers; and a rabbit, bacon and apple cider pie to share.

Price, who also oversees the wine at both Crispin and Bar Crispin, is developing a classic all-French wine list to accompany the food menu.

As with the group’s previous two sites, the focus across the food and drink menus will be on small and predominantly independent producers and growers.

“This project has been a long-time coming and I am thrilled to bring it to fruition,” says Hamdy, who launched Crispin in Spitalfields back in 2018 with Oliver Hiam, and Bar Crispin in Soho in 2021​​.

“We want to do this site justice with an optimistic design and a team to match it.

“Anna is an exciting chef who brings an ambitious dedication to Bistro Freddie. My dad, Freddie, taught me hospitality, to have a warm plate and a glass of something for anyone who walked through our front door.

“I want to emulate this generosity through deeply delicious menus and the warmest welcome in an impressive yet familiar space.”

The team will once again partner with Jermaine Gallacher, of the Jermaine Gallacher Studio, to create the restaurant’s interior, which will feature leather banquettes and a lacquered wood bar.

In total the site will hold 45 covers including a 12-seat counter overlooking the kitchen.