Following the success of Netsu in Dubai and Strawfire in Abu Dhabi, the chef is heading back to London with a brand-new concept.
Dubai and London share a close relationship when it comes to innovative dining, with many celebrated names opening restaurants in both metropolises. This year, Chef Ross Shonhan is seeing a fruitful synergy between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with plans to open a new dining destination in London called Lilibet.
After the successful opening of Strawfire in Abu Dhabi late last year, chef Ross Shonhan is heading to No 17 Bruton Street in London's Mayfair. Speaking exclusively to FACT earlier this year, he shared that he's bringing a brand-new seafood restaurant, which is expected to open in 2025. While he didn't share finer details — including the name — at the time, news is now out and the restaurant will be called Lilibet.
The inspiration behind Lilibet's lies in its historic address at No. 17 Bruton Street, which was once the birthplace and family home of the late Queen Elizabeth, known by her childhood nickname Lilibet. The restaurant pays homage to her by imagining the life and travels of the young princess.
Step inside and the interiors will transport you into a reimagined version of what the Bruton Street mansion might have looked like if it had remained a private residence. Each dining area gives a different vibe that's often found in a standard English home. Expect wallpapers inspired by the local area to floral patterns, reinterpreted with modern flair.
The food at Lilibet's follows this storytelling theme with a menu inspired by a Grand Tour of the Mediterranean. Indulge in dishes like anchovy eclairs, fried crab thermidor, whole turbot pil pil, and Fish Triptych. The highlight amongst the desserts will be the Princess cake.
Given his track record with the wonderful warayaki concepts Netsu at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai, and the recently launched Strawfire at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, expectations for Lilibet are already sky-high.
Ross Shonhan hails from Australia. He grew up at a cattle farm in Queensland, where he developed an appreciation for high-quality ingredients and food made with passion. His career has since taken him across the globe, from the USA, where he was Executive Chef at Nobu Matsuhisa's Dallas outpost, to London, where he made waves as Executive Chef at Zuma.
In London, he has already built an impressive restaurant empire. He founded Bone Daddies, a rock' n' roll ramen joint with multiple locations across the capital. He also introduced Flesh & Buns, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant in Covent Garden and Oxford Circus, as well as Shack-Fuyu, a wildly popular Yoshoku concept.
With Mayfair being one of London's most prestigious dining destinations, it's the perfect setting for chef Ross Shonhan's Lilibet.
GO: Visit https://lilibetsrestaurant.com for more information.