Richard Corrigan to take over former Nuala site

Irish chef Richard Corrigan is to take over the former site of Irish restaurant Nuala in London’s Old Street and will launch a new restaurant later this year.

Richard Corrigan will open Daffodil Mulligan in Old Street this September

As reported by Hot Dinners, Corrigan’s new venue will be called Daffodil Mulligan, and will have a direct link to his Irish farm at Virginia Park Lodge.

Daffodil Mulligan is the daughter of Biddy Mulligan, a legendary Irish street seller immortalised in the 1930s song Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe by Seamus Kavanagh.

The restaurant is due to open on City Road in September and will see Corrigan at the helm “in the fire pit”. The bar will offer a long drinks menu made with fruits from his orchards.

Little is known about the food offering so far, but the restaurant is set to have a coastal focus, so we’re imagining Corrigan will shine a light on seafood.

“There is a great team being assembled,” Corrigan tweeted. Hot Dinners reports that the chef is partnering with fellow Irish restaurateur John Nugent on the project.

Tony Gibney, from iconic Irish pub Gibney’s of Malahide, will be looking after the drinks at the venue, while Peter Millican of Kings Place will be in charge of the music.

Modern Irish restaurant Nuala closed at the start of 2019 just over a year after opening. The restaurant opened in December 2017 to rave reviews, and was listed in last year’s Wine List Confidential rankings as one of the best for wine in London.

Dishes, devised by co-owner and head chef Niall Davidson, included smoked beef tartare from Torloisk Highland cows; clams in a pistachio beurre blanc; and black leg chicken with anchovy purée and chanterelles.

The wine list was overseen by sommelier Honey Spencer, and included unsung varieties like Garganega, Trousseau and Zweigelt. Beneath the restaurant was a cocktail bar that stocked over 50 bottles of Irish whiskey.

Davidson left the venue four months into his tenure and was soon followed by Spencer, who went on to launch drinks event company Bastarda.

Corrigan is best known for Corrigan’s Mayfair and Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill in Mayfair; he is also a regular judge on the Great British Menu.