London venues Crocker's Folly and 125 Church Street set to open

Crocker’s Folly restaurant and bar, in St John Wood, will offer a range of “flavoursome and fuss-free” dishes with a seasonal emphasis.

Bought by Lebanese restaurant chain the Maroush Group in February, the menu will also feature a selection of contemporary Lebanese dishes.

The venue will open on Saturday (25 October) after being closed for a decade.

It will have three distinct spaces – a large bar in the front that will offer its own separate menu, a restaurant in the middle, and a more intimate dining room at the back.

Head chef​

The Crocker’s Folly’s menu has been designed head chef, Arek Bober, formerly of Pollen Street Social, where he worked under owner Jason Atherton.

Dishes will change according to the time of year, but diners can expect starters such as: crab gnocchi;, courgettes & chilli; and beef tartare with charred, pickled onions & chanterelles.

Standout mains will be: sea bass with cauliflower couscous; cauliflower purée & truffle; miso marinated lamb shoulder, kale and potato mousseline; and pork belly with butternut squash and Sichuan coleslaw.

Diners will also be able to choose from 28-day-aged sirloin or bavette or 35-day-aged côte de boeuf, all served with triple-cooked chips. A Josper grill will be used to cook the steaks.

A Grade-II listed former Victorian gin palace, the venue has a saloon bar that features 50 kinds of marble, along with Romanesque columns, cut glass chandeliers and carved mahogany.

Original elements will be offset by contemporary additions, including bespoke Venetian glass chandeliers and furniture imported from Italy.

125 Church Street​

Meanwhile, 125 Church Street – described as a café bar and events space – will open in Stoke Newington next month.

It will offer a selection of snacks, including a menu of US-inspired sandwiches such as grilled cheese and Cuban, along with a range of speciality doughnuts.

Behind the 125 launch are Marc Dalla-Riva and Matthew Rix, who also own and run Clerkenwell pub the Blacksmith & the Toffeemaker.

The café will serve coffee during the day, and craft beers, wines and premium spirits in the evening.

The ground floor will have banquette-style seating and a sofa area overlooking a terrace and 25-foot garden.

Downstairs, 125 will have a separate bar with bookable seating nooks. The floor will host anything from DJ’s and open mic nights to poetry and comedy.