Koya Bar, Caravan and JKS Restaurants Among Big Names to Open in Bloomberg Arcade

The Bloomberg Arcade in the City of London will open from October this year — with ten independent London restaurants open seven days a week.

Running through the site of Bloomberg’s new European headquarters, the covered pedestrian arcade will see a second Koya site, as well as expansions from all-day cafe Caravan, wine bar Vinoteca, Homeslice pizza, Ahi Poke, Bleecker Burger and a new concept from the JKS Restaurant group — Brigadiers, an Indian BBQ tavern which will show live sport in private and semi-private areas, have a pool room, 30-40 beers and serve Amrut whisky sodas from a trolley.

Karam Sethi told Eater London that the “deco-designed” Brigadiers “is an exciting new challenge for us and the JKS Restaurants team. It will capture the sense of conviviality and hospitality of a traditional Indian Army mess tavern, serving classic Indian barbecue dishes.”

Elsewhere, John Devitt, who owns the iconic Japanese udon noodle bar, Koya told Eater London: “We’re delighted to be there in an iconic building. It’s a spectacular place to be. I used to work [in the City], so I’m delighted to back — it’s almost like going home.” Devitt confirmed that Shuko Oda would open the new site as head chef and “probably be there for six months, before taking on an executive head chef role at both restaurants.” He also suggested that they may open further sites, but said “we won’t set up a chain. I’ve got my eye on a couple of others, but can’t imagine more than three or four restaurants in London.”

Koya [Official Photo]

Although it has not been confirmed, Eater understands from sources that Andrew Wong of A. Wong in Victoria could be moving into the location with a new concept, backed by investment service White Rabbit Fund. Eater also understands from sources in the City that Sourced Market and a restaurant by chef Pierre Koffmann could be set complete the roster of food and beverage operators.

The restaurants moving into the development have been curated by Bloomberg food critic, Richard Vines together with Financial Times restaurant critic and adviser, Nick Lander. Vines said in a statement: "We wanted people doing something creative. We didn't want another sandwich shop, another coffee bar; we wanted something original, people with new ideas and fresh approaches to food. Second, we wanted diversity: Cuisines from different parts of the world and different styles of service. Choosing the restaurants was like playing a food version of fantasy football and we've got some of the biggest names in the business."

Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and 108th Mayor of New York City, said in an official statement released this morning: “Bloomberg Arcade reflects London’s incredible diversity and our commitment both to our employees and the City. It will be a culinary destination unlike any other in the City, and it will bring new jobs and life to the area.”

The design of the development has been in conjunction with Foster + Partners. Bloomberg’s new £1 billion European headquarters, comprised of two nine-storey buildings, occupies 3.2 acres between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England and will provide approximately 1.1 million square feet of office and retail space.

The announcement comes just two months after the Soho House and Sydell Group’s Ned development opened — with nine restaurants — in the old Midland Bank, also in the City. The level of the operators confirmed suggests a new benchmark for future so-called “glass-box” developments in the city.