Having given London one iconic restaurant – Bob Bob Ricard in Soho – restaurateur Leonid Shutov has chosen the landmark Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ designed Leadenhall building, the tallest structure in the City of London, for his second opening.
Opening in spring 2017 and located on level eight, the new project, with the working title Bob Bob Exchange or BBX, is set to break new ground in both design and culinary offering.
Complementing the pioneering architecture of the building itself, the triangular glass-skinned silhouette of which resulted in it being nicknamed the Cheesegrater, will be an interior that is at once urban and contemporary whilst also being maximalist, luxurious and warm.
Set to become the definitive expression of its time and location, the 180-cover restaurant will comprise an all-booth dining room divided into seating for between two and eight people.
There will be a further 120 covers in a collection of private rooms that will accommodate from four to 40 guests. These will be available in Standard and Executive Class, with the latter featuring their own bar areas, private jet-style seating and cutting edge presentation technology. BBX’s modern British grill menu will feature only the best locally sourced, seasonal produce – be it Cornish lobster, game or Scottish beef – all cooked over an open flame or smoked in-house.
In addition, an intimate, nine-seater restaurant-within-a-restaurant in the form of an opulently decorated Japanese dining room will serve the finest Edomae sushi. Food prices in general will be similar to those at Bob Bob Ricard, where most
mains cost between £16 and £30.
With regard to its drinks menu, BBX will share Bob Bob Ricard’s policy. The latter is known for offering some of the most keenly priced wines in London, even featuring some of the charges of rival restaurants on its wine list.
Bob Bob Ricard’s famous ‘Press for Champagne’ buttons will also be an integral part of BBX. House champagne will be served from Methuselahs (six litres) at around £14 a glass.
In addition a display at 30 minute intervals will show auction bids whereby diners can compete to buy fine wines starting at cost.
The Leadenhall Building is a joint venture by British Land, one of Europe’s largest Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and Oxford Properties, the global investor, developer and manager of real estate.