Atherton takes Social to Soho

Jason Atherton launched his third London restaurant venture last night, the Social Eating House.

With its cool, New York-style atmosphere and Soho location, the Social Eating House is more casual than Atherton’s Michelin-starred Pollen St Social and offers a different feel to his French bistro-inspired second Mayfair outlet, The Little Social.

Spread across three floors on Poland St, the Social Eating House features a chef’s table in the basement, a bistro and bar on the ground floor, then finally the top floor’s Blind Pig bar, whose reclaimed furniture, exposed brick walls and weathered leather seats continue the vintage feel of the rooms below.

Heading up the kitchen is Atherton’s long-term colleague Paul Hood, who has put together a menu that includes smoked duck ham, egg and chips; ravioli of wild boar bolognaise; and a “CLT”, or crab, lettuce and tomato vinaigrette.

Upstairs, mixologist Gareth Evans has compiled a creative drinks list, full of talking points such as “popcorn whisky” and signature cocktail the “Thermonuclear daiquiri”,

A two-page wine list is weighted towards the Old World, with a by-the-glass selection that extends from Champagne right through and handful of white, red and rosé options to sweet wines, Sherry, Madeira and Port.

A full profile on Jason Atherton’s growing London restaurant empire will appear in a future issue of the drinks business.

A Tennyson (mis)quote on the staircase of The Social Eating House