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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Entertainment
Lynette Pinchess

One of Nottingham's tiniest cafes is on the move to larger but hidden site in city centre

One of Nottingham's smallest cafes - which has just 18 seats at a squeeze - has proved so popular that it's on the move to a new bigger location in the city centre.

A rustic converted mill will become the new home of No.12 Hounds Gate with space for three times as many customers, who have fallen in love with the award-wining vegetarian and vegan menu over the last two years.

The property was previously Le Mistral in Eldon Chambers off Wheeler Gate, a French restaurant which closed in May.

Around 60 diners will now be able to experience exciting new options including a new breakfast and brunch menu and small plates every Friday and Saturday nights, with dishes such as '5-week blue,' a vegan cultivated blue cheese.

The restaurant will also be opening on Sundays for food and live music from the in-house piano and tasting events will be held in the New Year with wine pairings.

Lauren Nally and Ritchie Stainsby outside their new venture in Eldon Chambers (Pammy Alexander)

Ritchie Stainsby, who runs No.12 with his partner Lauren Nally, said: "The past two years we've been running No.12 Hounds Gate has been a whirlwind adventure.

"Our tiny eatery has transformed from tea and cake into a killer all-day brunch menus and evening tasting events.  We have always been limited by the size - the kitchen was tiny and getting people in. We could not be more excited."

The bar will be 100% vegan, with locally sourced beers and wines, and a seasonal cocktail menu will focus on quality ingredients and classic recipes.

Since opening in September 2017, No.12 Hounds Gate has won awards including Best Vegetarian Restaurants in the Midlands two years in a row and has made it into various top ten lists in magazines including Time Out and Sainsbury's.

The biggest focus will be on sourcing local and eating fresh. Seasonal single-origin coffee will be supplied by Outpost Coffee Roasters, in the heart of Nottingham, and bread baked using flour ground at Green's Mill, in Sneinton, will be provided by the award-winning Bake Off and Pie.  

They will also be partnering up with Carbon Free Dining, meaning sales will help to plant new trees every month.

Work is currently under way at the new location, a building full of character with open red brick fireplaces and rustic charm. Original features will be renovated and brought back to life.

Le Mistral before it closed down at Eldon Chambers (Paul Saxby)

Customers can expect 1900s art deco/nouveau, lush colour schemes, antique decoration and Parisian-style outside furniture. 

The new restaurant is scheduled to open early November and will be taking bookings from mid-October. Previously named after its address in the historic city street, the new venture will simply be known as No. Twelve.

No.12 Hounds Gate will temporary close while they get the new site off the ground but the couple have exciting plans for it next year.

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