Everything There Is to Know About P. Franco’s New (and Proper) Restaurant

Updated 4.5.2018: With opening date and hours, plus booking details

Eater London’s restaurant of the year, P. Franco, has released new details about its forthcoming project, which is scheduled to open at the base of Netil House, on the edge of London Fields in Hackney. The restaurant, which replaces the now-closed Ellory, will be called Bright.

Bookings for the restaurant, which will open in the evening of Wednesday 9 May, are now being taken, the restaurant has confirmed on Instagram.

As reported last month, William Gleave (the wine bar’s first game-changing guest) will be instated as head chef. It has now been revealed that he is being joined by another of P. Franco’s past chefs, Giuseppe Belvedere.

An announcement today describes Gleave as having an “affinity for thoughtful, nourishing food and a commitment to championing Britain’s many artisan producers.” He has long been considered by the London restaurant industry as one of the best chefs without a place of his own. Belvedere who goes by the name “Peppe” was formerly head chef under Ed Wilson of Brawn on Columbia Road. His Sardinian heritage and knowledge of Italian ingredients and traditional recipes — including his own for fresh pasta — will, Bright’s owners say, “add another string to our bow.”

The food will “be guided by the seasons and will be cooked simply with care.” Where at P. Franco chefs are forced to be creative on two electric induction hobs, at Bright a charcoal grill will provide the kitchen’s foundation. “With a real kitchen to play with, the guys are particularly excited about cooking whole fish, birds and larger cuts and as was the case at P.Franco, fresh pasta will remain a both a passion and focus,” the announcement says.

As at the wine bar in Clapton, the wines will be handled by general manager, Phil Bracey, who over the past three years through selecting wines for P.Franco has visited and “developed close relationships with many of Europe’s best winemakers.” Bracey says he will pen a list “which draws from the cellars of both P.Franco and their wine shop on neighbouring Broadway Market, Noble Fine Liquor, giving him access to a deep collection of older vintages and rare cuvées.”

A rotating cast of wines by the glass will feature, while the house wine will be properietory — a rosado Bracey and co-owner Liam Kelleher made in old vineyard high up in the hills of Catalunya last year. Bright will also continue to host the winemaker dinners for which P.Franco has become known in not just the wine, but food industry, too.

The restaurant will comprise: a small terrace, a bar area with high tables and stools that will provide space for up to 20 walk-in customers; at the back an open kitchen will overlook tables which can be booked in advance, where there will be space for 30 guests. The restaurant will be open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and, at for the time being, for lunch only on Saturday and Sunday.

On behalf of the team, Bracey said:

Our aim is to become a part of fabric of London Fields, for Bright to be a restaurant that those in the area will want to visit regularly. While the full menu will be served throughout, we want people to feel as comfortable dropping in for a quick glass of wine or a bowl of pasta at the bar as they would booking a table for a special occasion and really getting stuck into the menu and the cellar.

Opening hours: (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

Wednesday — Friday: 5pm – midnight
Saturday — Sunday: midday – midnight
Dinner: 6pm – 10pm
Lunch: midday – 3pm (Saturday and Sunday only)