Clove Club first UK resto to go pre-paid

Michelin-starred British restaurant The Clove Club in Shoreditch is to be the first restaurant in the UK to ask diners to pay for their meal in advance of their visit.

As reported by Bloomberg, The Clove Club joins the likes of Alinea in Chicago and Per Se in New York, both of which have already adopted the “Tock” system.

Bringing the dining experience closer to that of a night at the theatre, those keen to dine at The Clove Club need to buy a ticket in advance. The move comes in a bid to prevent no shows and fewer diners showing up than the number stated in their booking.

“It’s going to ruffle a few feathers, but everyone has a problem with no shows and short-seated tables. The more ambitious your restaurant, the more money you spend on ingredients and staff, and you want to keep prices down,” head chef Isaac McHale told Bloomberg.

The Tock system will be implemented at the restaurant this year, with diners able to purchase tasting menu tickets for £65 and £95 via The Clove Club website.

While food needs to be paid for in advance, wine and other drinks can be bought on the night. The Clove Club won a Michelin star last September for its seasonal British cuisine.

Housed in Shoreditch Town Hall, dishes on the current menu include raw Orkney scallop, hazelnut, clementine and Perigord truffle; roast Cornish pollock, carrots, seaweed and orange butter; and Yorkshire suckling pig and south Indian spices.

Last December, db reported that American chef Thomas Keller’s three Michelin-starred restaurants Per Se in New York and The French Laundry in Napa Valley are to go pre-paid this year.