Critically Acclaimed Mayfair Restaurant Has Closed [Updated]

Updated 4.6.2019: with a statement from chef-owner Mark Jarvis.

Mark Jarvis, chef patron of modern British tasting menu restaurant Anglo in Farringdon closed Stem on Princes Street, in Mayfair. The restaurant closed on Saturday, 13 months after it opened.

Stem, which Jarvis opened with head chef Sam Ashton-Booth, (formerly head chef at Anglo) offered minimalist, “modern seasonal British dishes.” Jarvis said at the time that “Stem will be a bit of Anglo heading west to Regent Street — informal, but precise in terms of its modern British food.” That precision earned the restaurant a glowing review from The Observer’s Jay Rayner, who wrote last August: “This is precisely cooked food in a smart location at a fair price. It restores your faith in humanity.”

Updated: Mark Jarvis’ statement regarding the closure.

“I have closed Stem restaurant for the time being, while we re-evalutate our plans for the site. It has been increasingly difficult over the last few months trying to trade successfully with intrusive ongoing building and street works right in front of the restaurant. No decisions on the future of Stem have been made as yet.”

À la carte and short tasting menus reflected the style of Jarvis’ interpretation of the neo-bistros of Paris, but has evidently not been embraced in Mayfair — a wealthy neighbourhood with a fondness for glitz, Michelin stars, and raw fish. Between opening Anglo in March 2016, his team opened Neo Bistro, near Bond Street, in June 2017. Jarvis announced his departure from Neo Bistro in December 2018. A statement released on behalf of the chef said: “Effective immediately, chef Mark Jarvis has announced that he is no longer involved as a consultant to Neo-Bistro in Mayfair. The management and staff of that restaurant will continue to operate the site until further notice. Neo Bistro closed at the start of this year.

Neo Bistro [Official Photo]

The statement last year distanced Jarvis from the ownership team, stating: “Mark had been advising the restaurant on menus and kitchen operation since its opening in June 2017. Mark is owner of two restaurants — Anglo (in Farringdon) and Stem (in Mayfair), but concentrates his time at Anglo where he is in the kitchen full-time, while collaborating with head chef Sam Ashton-Booth at Stem.”

Ashton-Booth recently departed Stem, along with general manager Emma Underwood, who has taken up a position at Robin Gill’s Darby’s at Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms in Battersea.

A spokesperson for Jarvis confirmed the restaurant closed but did not comment on the reasons for its closure.

More soon.