Latest opening: Arcade Battersea
What: A sprawling, multi-faceted food hall that’s one of the prime new additions of the recently-restored Battersea Power Station development in south London. Encompassing a 24,000sq ft space, Arcade is big, really big, and incorporates a total of 13 food brands and seating for up to 500 covers. Alongside the food hall element, Arcade Battersea also includes two branded bar areas and three standalone restaurant spaces.
Who: Originally it was believed that London restaurateurs du jour JKS was leading the opening of Arcade Battersea. The group, whose portfolio includes the likes of Gymkhana, Brigadiers, Sabor, Lyle’s and Kitchen Table, was front and centre of the launch of Arcade Centre Point when it opened on Oxford Street in the spring of last year. However, it appears that JKS’s relationship with Arcade has changed. Arcade itself is understood to have been spun out as a separate entity that is now led by Cokey Sulkin, the co-founder and non-executive director of New York-inspired restaurant group Dirty Bones, and his business partner, Dipak Panchal. JKS, meanwhile, which is run by siblings Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi, is now only credited as working in partnership with Arcade’s owners on Arcade Create, a platform that 'helps chefs and creators with great food ideas’. Brands that have been developed by Arcade Create include Shatta & Toum, Hero, Tipan Tapan, and Manna; all of which feature on the roster at both Arcade Centre Point and Arcade Battersea. That being said, JKS still has a very visible presence at Arcade Battersea, with its Taiwanese brand BAO occupying one of the three standalone restaurant spaces and also featuring on the wider food hall menu.
The food: The bulk of the brands to feature on the Battersea line-up have crossed over from the Centre Point food hall, but there are five new concepts to have been developed through the Arcade Create platform to feature. They include Cantonese brand Siu Siu, which is inspired by the roast meat shops of Hong Kong and features sorrowful rice on its menu, a popular dish in Chinese culture made famous by the 1996 film God of Cookery that sees oven-roasted char siu Iberico pork finished on the grill and served on steamed rice slicked with sweet soy, pickled mustard greens and a fried egg. There’s also Phed Power, developed by chef Luke Farrell, which is inspired by the street food staples of Bangkok and Issan; Flat Bread by Thomas Straker (pictured below), which build on the success of the Tik Tok chef’s flatbread offer at his Notting Hill restaurant; and dessert concept Leccami Gelato. As mentioned, BAO occupies one of the three standalone restaurants, with US-style smash burger brand Manna taking over another one. The third, which was closed at the time of Restaurant’s visit, is set to open under the name Solis, a new grilled chicken and steak brand developed by TĀ TĀ Eatery founders Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng.
The drink: As you would expect given the extensive bar space, the drinks offer at Arcade is vast. The main bar, called the Tap Room, boasts 32 tap beverages including beers, cocktails and soft drinks. The beer list is a balance of recognisable international breweries, UK craft beers, and a changing list of local beers labels within five miles of Battersea Power Station. The second bar, called ABC Bar, takes its inspiration from the American Bar Cocktail book (hence ABC Bar). Drinks to feature on the menu include a rhubarb Americano; elderflower Hemingway; and house martini.
The vibe: Like Arcade Centre Point, the Battersea food hall features an innovative direct-to-table ordering system, which eliminates the need to queue at food stands and allows for what is arguably a much smoother customer journey. It’s a bright and buzzy space that feels roomy despite the extensive number of covers, with tables, booths and bar seating all available. The interiors, overseen by architects Red Deer, take inspiration from the two eras the Power Station was built in, merging the glamour of the 1920s with a brutalist 1950s mid-century style. Reclaimed items from the original Power Station, such as the light fittings and the reused oak timber flooring, have been neatly incorporated into the design throughout, adding to the unique aesthetic.
And another thing: As well as it’s huge indoor footprint, Arcade also has a presence – at least for the summer - in the outdoor area in front of Battersea Power Station, on the bank of the River Thames. This includes an Arcade bar; and a pair of food trucks operating under the Manna and Shatta & Toum brands, respectively.
1st Floor, Boiler House, Battersea Power Station, 330 The Power Station, Circus Rd S, London SW11 8DD
https://www.arcadefoodhall.com/battersea
