Boisdale moves eastwards and upwards

Scottish restaurant Boisdale is launching its largest project to date with an outlet in London’s Canary Wharf financial district, scheduled to open early next year.

With a capacity of 430 spread over two floors and a terrace, the new venue overlooks Cabot Square and should open in January 2011.

Costing £2.7 million, the 12,000 square foot development is being managed by John O’Neil & Partners with designs by Rupert Charles-Owen.

The new venue will remain steadfastly Boisdale in essence, with a wide range of cigars, whisky and live jazz sets, albeit significantly larger than the other restaurants in the franchise and employing 125 staff.

Ranald Macdonald, owner and founder of Boisdale, said “Canary Wharf represents one of the fastest growing and sophisticated markets in the world but, we found, workers still wanted a restaurant with a little more tradition.

“It will have a-state-of-the-art ventilated cigar club and big smoking terraces, London’s largest collection of whisky, a selection of private dining rooms and nightly performances from some of the world’s leading jazz, blues & soul musicians. It’s an extremely exciting time for the Boisdale restaurant group.”

Macdonald also promised “something for everyone”, with the menu including an £8 burger and £16 bottle of wine alongside the best of Scottish salmon, beef and whisky.

Rupert Millar, 15.06.2010