Award-winning Scottish chef Mark Greenaway is set to open his first London restaurant on Thursday 14 October.
Housed within 3 Henrietta Street, a five-storey townhouse in the heart of Covent Garden, Pivot will bring a menu of playful yet refined takes on classic dishes inspired by his childhood. Greenaway’s first eponymous restaurant won numerous culinary awards after opening in 2013, celebrating his use of the best Scottish produce.
Greenaway then went on to open Grazing by Mark Greenaway in the Waldorf Astoria - The Caledonian, in Edinburgh, where he continued to champion the best suppliers in Scotland.
Pivot will be his first restaurant in London, marking a new chapter for the chef. Both the four-course (£65) and six-course tasting menu (£85), along with the wine list and cocktails, will change month by month, reflecting Mark’s inspiration.
Launching with a menu that elevates recognisable classics, every meal at Pivot will begin with the unassumingly-named bread course, Mushrooms on Toast (pictured), comprising shiitake mushrooms, served on the tree log they grew on, roasted whole and dotted with a vibrant green parsley emulsion. The fairytale-esque creation comes with whipped truffle butter, toasted sourdough and a variety of tools with which to detach the mushrooms from the tree to pile onto the warm bread.
Moving through the courses, diners can expect Mark’s inventive takes on dishes from his upbringing. This begins with snacks: the quail kiev presents as a bitesize bonbon filled with a punchy garlic and tarragon butter; or the beef tartare served in a pastry shell. The ‘Onion’ course is a nod to Mark’s Scottish roots: a Roscoff onion, stuffed with haggis, atop potato mousse.
Another family staple, the Sunday roast, is transformed, as a roast fillet of Hay-aged Aberdeen Angus beef served with a confit potato, topped with onion cream, alongside Mark’s fluffy Yorkshires.
A sweet course brings memories of the childhood ice-cream van, when an ice-cream sandwich was a real treat for Mark. At Pivot, the seemingly simple ice cream sandwich takes the essence of Parma Violets from candied violets, with caramelised waffle encasing homemade bramble ice cream sprinkled with Rice Krispies.
Located on the first floor of the beautifully restored townhouse, Pivot offers unrivalled views over Covent Garden’s historic piazza and will offer space for 30 guests across the dining room and at the counter of the open kitchen. The minimalist space will boast high ceilings and wide, bright Victorian windows, providing a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Henrietta Street.
Inside, countertop dining at the open kitchen will give a unique experience for those lucky enough to book them, up-close to Mark and his team, giving guests the chance to watch the chefs first hand.
For the first two months of opening, the proceeds from two of the countertop seats each night will be donated to Burnt Chef, a charity that aids and promotes good mental health within the hospitality industry. These seats – the best in the house – are situated at the end of the counter, at the heart of the action.
“Opening a restaurant in the heart of London is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and 3 Henrietta Street feels like the perfect home for Pivot alongside the three other creative concepts that will be joining us in the townhouse. The menu will be an expression of the seasons, and we will only be using the best of what is available at any time – hence why the menu ‘pivots’ every month. I can’t wait to welcome people into the restaurant” says Mark Greenaway.