This Autumn, Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold will bring Rochelle Canteen to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, creating a brand new cafe, bar and restaurant.
The pair, known for their Shoreditch canteen (pictured), hidden within the walls of an old schoolyard, will bring their ‘no rules, and everything will be great - we like parties and we like to have fun’ attitude to the space.
The launch of Rochelle Canteen at the ICA coincides with the announcement of the Autumn programme by recently appointed director Stefan Kalmár, who is reclaiming the famous organisation as a daring and outspoken centre for radical culture and progressive thought.
Housed between the centres of institutional power on The Mall, the building has been recently stripped bare to reveal original elements of Jane Drew’s modernist architecture. The upstairs dining room will have two sweeping skylights, three large windows overlooking St James’ and a raised podium with an indoor garden.
Margot and Head Chef Ben Coombs have written a menu including Pumpkin Soup, Braised Cuttlefish & Fennel, Quail Escabeche, Pheasant & Trotter Pie, an Old Spot Chop with Chard & Lentils and a feast of whole Pig’s head to share, as well as vegetarian dishes including Roast beetroot, red onion, soft boiled egg and spinach.
The cafe and bar will share a counter, and is furnished throughout with Alvar Aalto, serving Caravan coffee and homemade daily bakes. The bar, to be headed by Melanie’s son, Fin Spiteri, will have a focus on classic drinks. Fin has designed a concise wine and cocktail list, with beers from The House of Peroni, and an all day bar menu of snacks from Pork Belly & Kimchi Buns to Montgomery Cheese & Chutney Toasted Sandwiches.
Arnold added, ‘When I first moved to London the ICA was one the places I was desperate to visit. It was exciting, it made a statement, it was a precursor to practically all of the best art spaces around the world. The Canteen here will be a place for people to meet for dinner, share a drink and stay into the evening once the exhibitions close and cinemas dim’ says Margot. ‘Sometimes the food will reflect the exhibitions, sometimes the seasons will be the inspiration, but the aim will always be to feed people first.’ ‘And of course mix them a good gin and tonic.'
Institute of Contemporary Arts director, Stefan Kalmár, said, ‘I could not be happier to have Margot and Melanie joining me at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. For me the ICA is an organisation, a social body, and this social body needs to be fed - and it needs to be fed well, fed by the same passion and integrity that you will find in our programmes.’
Henderson and Arnold, synonymous for feeding the art and fashion pack, will also take over The Nash and Brandon Rooms. The two Grade I listed rooms on the first floor of the Institute, accessed via a grand staircase, will be available to hire for weddings, dinners and parties, catered by Arnold & Henderson.