Jason Atherton restaurant group is set to open their sixth London site this June with the main focus on the wine and the sommelier rather than the food. Jason’s The Social Company and executive sommelier, Laure Patry, will open the 70 cover Social Wine & Tapas on James Street in Marylebone, London.
The bar and restaurant will offer quality, rare and fine wines accessibly priced alongside a tapas and snacks menu, created by head chef Frankie Van Loo (formerly Social Eating House). The venture will also incorporate a sizeable wine shop.
Set over two floors, the ground floor will house the wine shop and tapas bar, which will have an open kitchen with a dining counter; banquet seating for up to 9 covers and an elevated wine tasting table for 10. A narrow staircase will lead to a basement wine bar, with additional seating, a second tasting area, a corner bar and a preparation kitchen counter.
Laure Patry, who has worked with Jason Atherton for over 10 years and has been an instrumental part of all the restaurants opened by The Social Company. She is creating a dynamic wine offering with an accessible list of wines from around the world, whilst also championing small growers. Prestigious vintages and fine wines will be available through the use of the Coravin system. Notably, all serving staff will be sommeliers, offering each customer a personable and informed experience when ordering both food and wine.
Together Jason Atherton and head chef Frankie Van Loo are developing a menu of modern tapas style dishes, made with the best of British produce and reflecting London’s vibrant food and drink scene. In addition to the tapas menu, a seasonally changing selection of cheeses and charcuterie will be served via the basement kitchen counter.
Jason Atherton is working closely with award winning designers, Russell Sage Studios, to create an urban and contemporary interior with metallic finishes throughout. The walls will be adorned with copper artwork and an industrial chandelier will be a focal point at the entrance to Social Wine & Tapas. On the ground floor, tables will be deep polished wood, with chairs and banquet seating in green polished leather, whilst at basement level tables will be timber with chairs upholstered in red leather. Lighting in the basement space will create a glimmering room by night, with bespoke wall lights made from an original 1920s theatre chandelier.
The Social Wine Shop on the ground floor will have trained sommeliers on hand at all times to offer tastings and guide the buyer. In addition, the shop will also stock glassware, Coravin wine systems and wine accessories. Social Wine & Tapas will be open seven days a week, from midday to late (the wine shop will open at an earlier time of 10am), and will operate a no reservations policy.
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