Team behind Perilla prepare to launch latest venture

The team behind a popular Newington Green restaurant will launch their latest concept near Exmouth Market next month. 

Following the success of their first restaurant Perilla, Ben Marks and Matthew Emmerson, with Daniel Fletcher also joining the duo, will unveil their latest venture Morchella on 20 February. 

The new restaurant and wine bar will offer a modern interpretation of classic Mediterranean dishes, with executive chef Ben Marks – recipient of the 2017 Food & Travel Breakthrough Chef of the Year awards and former chef at NOMA and The Square – at the helm.

Marks will be joined by head chef Daniel Fletcher, a Great British Menu finalist who has also worked at The Square, as well as Sky Garden and 28 Market Place. Seasoned restaurateur Emmerson, former GM at Polpetto, will lead the team front-of-house. 

The menu will focus on sharing dishes and seasonal produce, sourced from both artisanal and Mediterranean suppliers and small, independent British day boats and farmers. Dishes will include octopus luciana, salt-baked poussin and hake with sobrassada sauce. 

The restaurant itself will offer 68 covers, with an open kitchen at its heart and a wine bar to its left. A staircase will lead guests down to the basement, where a hidden private dining room will have space for an additional 14. A 24-seater outdoor terrace, overlooking Exmouth Market, will also be open during warmer months. 

Marks says of the upcoming opening: "We are absolutely thrilled to be opening in Clerkenwell, we feel we've found a beautiful site and put together a really talented team."

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