For the next 60 days, Nuno Mendes will rely on his fans and supporters to fund the revitalisation of the Michelin-starred Viajante.
So far, the crowd funding scheme has raised only 2% of the target figure of £1.75million, however Nuno believes that if enough money is raised, the restaurant could be opening as soon as autumn 2016.
The proposed location for the resurrection has been revealed as a Victorian riverfront warehouse at Metropolitan wharf.
Talking on a new Instagram account, Nuno said:
“I am extremely happy and proud to announce that we have secured a stunning location and set the wheels in motion to launch a new Viajante.
As you may know and perhaps had the chance to visit, I have opened several projects that have hopefully had an impact on the London dining scene over the years including Bacchus, The Loft Project, Corner Room, Chiltern Firehouse, Taberna do Mercado and of course, the original Viajante in Bethnal Green."
He added: "For many years I have wanted to build a true world class destination restaurant in London and I believe that I have found the right space to make this possible. Our new site looks out onto the riverfront in Wapping, a beautiful and interesting neighbourhood with some of the most impressive properties in our beloved city.
We chose a new area and also a new approach to funding for this special project. Via crowdfunding, we would like to give you a chance to support us by contributing with a little or a lot to make this dream come true.
We hope that this excites you enough to want to participate and make the vision of creating a true world class restaurant a reality. Thank you enormously for your support.”
Nuno expects to see investors and diners from all over the world, as investors will see a 33% equity stake and some will even receive extra benefits such as from guaranteed bookings to VIP invitations, and meals where the bill is already taken care of.
In 2010, Viajante opened in Bethnal Green. It was awarded a Michelin star after only eight months and in 2011, the restaurant was crowned ‘best new restaurant’ by Hardens. After four years of operation, the site was taken over by Lee Westcott’s Typing Room as Nuno moved on to André Balazs’ Chiltern Firehouse to take up the role of executive chef.
The new Viajante aims to target lunchtime clients working in creative industries, but mainly banking and finance professionals, as the building is in close proximity of London’s main financial hub. Lunch will be available from Monday-Sunday, and dinner is an option for those dining between Monday-Saturday. Drinks pairing will be available for both menus, where lunch is expected to cost between £50-£60, and around £140 for dinner.
Within the new development, Nuno also plans to host one off dinners with guest chefs from around the world.
The designs for the new restaurant have been finished and all permits have been acquired in order for work to begin immediately after the funds have been sourced. The plans outline an open-plan kitchen which will allow 12 guests to sit in the heart of the kitchen itself on the chef’s table. The dining room has been planned to create separate seating areas for up to 38 covers, with an extra 16 permitted in a private dining room.
With word of a cookbook being released, Nuno hopes to show London what he has taken from his time at Chiltern Firehouse, Taberna do Mercado and the Corner Room since leaving Viajante in 2014.
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