Elena and Juan-Mari Arzak are to open a new restaurant in London's Halkin Hotel. Contrary to early rumors, it will not be an outpost of their San Sebastian restaurant Arzak, which holds three Michelin stars and ranks eighth on the World's 50 Best List. Instead, as Caterer and Hotelkeeper reports, it'll be called Ametsu (that's "dream" in Basque). Says Elena Arzak: "The place is a dream. The dream of a kitchen beyond our frontiers, in the middle of London, in the heart of the Halkin hotel." The restaurant will replace an outpost of David Thompson's Nahm.
Five chefs have been tasked with working on the project and translating the Arzak experience to a new context. That the full name of the restaurant is Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, however, suggests that it'll be more of a consulting gig. Arzak Instruction is the brand name usually applied to their consulting projects. More details as they become available.
· Halkin Hotel confirms London opening of Basque restaurant Arzak [C&H]
· All Arzak Coverage on Eater [-E-]