We’re huge fans of Bonnie Gull’s ‘seafood shack’ – which opened to critical acclaim in Fitzrovia in late 2012. Little wonder then that we can’t wait for Bonnie Gull’s Seafood café to open in Exmouth Market this April.
Details regarding Danny Clancy and Alex Hunter’s new venture are beginning to trickle in and it looks as though the emphasis on the Exmouth Market branch is about grabbing a quick bite – there will a dedicated fast-paced shellfish table, where diners can enjoy oysters, cockles, langoustines and smoked mussels, all served on newspaper.
“This is going to be something slightly different for us – a bigger site with a more informal 1960s British seaside café feel,” confirms Alex Hunter, MD and co-founder of Bonnie Gull.
Alongside the shells, you’ll find Rolls – including a Cockney Po’ Boy (Bonnie Gull’s take on the Creole classic) as well as native lobster rolls, fresh picked crab milk-rolls and fish finger sandwiches.
That’s not to say that you can’t linger… If you’re dining in, you can look forward to the following:
Starters: Grilled Dorset crab with avocado on beef dripping sourdough toast; Beer-battered Manx Queenies with paprika mayo; Channel salt ’n’ pepper squid.
Mains: Smash your own 1Kg Cock Crab with flame-grilled brown meat; Newspaper baked Cornish mackerel with choucroute and bramley apple; and their famous Beer-battered North sea haddock, beef dripping chips, scraps and mushy peas.
Desserts: Homemade whippy ice cream in a cone, Blackpool rock and bags of Cornish fudge as well as proper ‘puddings’ such as Millionaire shortbread with candied hazelnuts and milk ice-cream.
Drinks: expect a small selection of cocktails and yes, the cult Bonnie Mary (infused vodka with homemade clamato juice and an oyster garnish) from the original restaurant will feature.
There’ll also be a weekend brunch menu.
Celebrated designers, Fabled Studio, have once again been charged with conjuring up a seaside vibe: the restaurant – with its open kitchen – will have an oyster chest made out of parts of a pinball machine and vintage jukebox featuring the original sounds of the 60s.
Anchors away!
Bonnie Gull Seafood Café will open at 5-57 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, EC1 this April
