A new wine bar, deli and bistro is to launch in Shoreditch next month from a team of hospitality up-and-comers.
Clara’s will be led by George Hartshorn, who most recently oversaw The Farrier pub in Camden, while Rochelle Hutchinson, formerly of the River Café, has been appointed general manager.
The kitchen will be overseen by head chef Elie Fourcroy, whose three-year tenure at Artusi in Peckham saw the restaurant awarded its first Michelin bib gourmand this year.
By day, Clara’s will operate as a neighbourhood deli and café, with high-end coffees, pastries, and breads from Dusty Knuckle bakery.
Lunch time will bring the likes of mortadella and pistachio buns, a changing roster of salads and varying focaccia sandwiches. These alongside modern deli classics such as Ortiz anchovies, Perello olives, charcuterie and fine wines.
After 7pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the space will transform into a wine bar, with a focus on low-intervention and artisanal producers across the UK and Europe.
An announcement name-checked the likes of Les Caves de Pyrene, Tutto Wines, Ancestral Wines, and newcomer importer Nabeeth Wines, which works with select producers from Palestine.
As for food, Fourcroy has put together a menu that calls on suppliers such as Flourish produce, Provisions, HG Walter and Neal’s Yard Dairy.
In the 45-cover dining room will be snacks such as oysters, rillettes, bruschetta and salad nicoise, while larger dishes will include conejo en salmorejo, or rabbit braised with peppers and herbs, and manchego fritti, a “hero dish” that sees the Spanish cheese fried a la panisse.
Clara’s Deli opens on October 13 and as a wine bar and bistro from October 17; at 17 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch E1 6LA, claraslondon.com
