St. JOHN Restaurant Is Popping Up At Fortnum & Mason
By
10 months ago
Two iconic London food names are joining forces
When most restaurants undergo a revamp, they use the time to get a bit of hard-earned rest. But not St. JOHN, which is instead relocating its acclaimed Smithfield eatery to a pop-up in Fortnum & Mason for three weeks this February.
St. JOHN x Fortnum & Mason: The Pop-Up Making History
Although Fortnum & Mason has run numerous events and pop-ups at its Piccadilly flagship in its 317-year history, this will be the first time the store will host a restaurant residency. St. JOHN will be setting up camp on the ground floor of the building, which is being given a makeover for the occasion. St. JOHN is known for its minimalist interiors and white-washed look, with signature wooden coat pegs lining the walls, and this aesthetic will be reflected in the pop-up. The chairs and tables from St. JOHN are even being brought over to make regulars feel really at home.
Matthew Hague
The menu, too, will focus on St. JOHN classics, whizzed up by head chef Steve Darou and his team, with dishes including bone marrow and parsley salad, and suet-crusted pies. A much-missed favourite, the St. John Bacon Sandwich, will also be making a temporary comeback, alongside an array of freshly baked pastries and desserts. All this can be paired with own-label wines and cocktails.
St. JOHN co-founder Trevor Gulliver said: ‘Smithfield may be closed, but it is not absent – for these three weeks we must not neglect our duty to provide our community with their vital St. JOHN fix, from a flying rarebit and a Fergroni in the bar to rolling courses in the dining room. This little jaunt feels rather frivolous, which is Fortnum’s forte. Painting it white is a bit cheeky – and a bit of cheekiness is always a good foundation for an extremely good time.’
A London stalwart, St. JOHN was founded back in 1994 by chef Fergus Henderson. It was a pioneer of nose-to-tail dining, and two more branches followed, alongside a now-revered bakery.
St. JOHN at Fortnum’s will open from 6 – 22 February 2024, from Tuesday – Sunday for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner too on Friday and Saturday. Bookings are open now at stjohnrestaurant.com
