The Laundry, a new modern neighbourhood bistro and wine shop from award-winning hospitality entrepreneur Melanie Brown (pictured left), will open in the heart of London's Brixton on 1 November at 4pm.
Head Chef will be up-and-coming Australian talent, Dylan Cashman (pictured right) from Sydney institution Seans Panorama and Pilu at Freshwater.
The Laundry will occupy the striking Edwardian building, Walton Lodge on Coldharbour Lane and be open all day, everyday to serve the thriving local community and offer a welcoming space steeped in historic character.
The menu will focus on classical dishes and techniques and understated new world flair applied to the very best British produce from Natoora, Pesky Fish, and The Cornwall Project.
Plates include Hereford beef tartar, fermented chili, prawn oil, mustard seeds, beer pickled onion and beef fat potato chips; Croque madame on sourdough with gruyere béchamel and free range egg; Chicken liver parfait, duck ham, pickled mushrooms and housemade milk bread; Vesuvius tomato, aioli, pickled shallots, cheddar, rocket on crumpet.
The Laundry will offer a concise selection of 50 wines on the main list including eight served by the glass. The list aims to represent the very best from old and new world regions to guide guests to try new varietals, as well as providing exceptional representation from classic and well-loved makers.
The list will feature Brown’s first collection of wines, New Press, three wines created to represent a true expression of New Zealand terroirs and styles. This first collection of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Rosé and Pinot Noir will launch exclusively at The Laundry and be available by the glass and bottle.
An additional and ever-changing selection of wines will be also be served from The Laundry’s premium private cellar collection, The Cleaner’s Diary, which is managed by Brown. Designed to ensure fine wines remain accessible to those dining at the restaurant, the list ensures guests enjoy affordable, mature bottles from some of the world’s greatest estates thanks to access to some of the largest private wine collections in the UK.
The Laundry will offer laid-back, cosy banquettes alongside elegant bar and counter seating, providing the perfect spots for solo diners and intimate dinners, through to group celebrations in one of the two lower-ground private dining rooms, accommodating up to 25 guests.
Outside, a south-facing Parisian-inspired terrace sits next to Brixton Village, offering plenty of café seating perfect for a bite to eat, glass of wine and people watching. Interiors at The Laundry will be a mix of antique mirrors, plush emerald greens and vintage furniture sourced by Brown, original brick walls and tiled-floors.
Well-known and respected within the capital’s hospitality industry, New Zealander Brown previously trained and worked as a chef with Peter Gordon at his restaurant The Providores & Tapa Room in Marylebone, before founding award-winning wine bar and online retailers The New Zealand Cellar and The Australian Cellar.
Brown brings more than a decade of restaurant experience to the project also, having also worked at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, Raymond Blanc’s Le Petit Blanc and Vinoteca.
