Two Charlotte Street restaurants have been recognised in the Michelin Guide 2015 published this week, adding to the collection of Fitzrovia eateries that have previously received an award.
Receiving one Michelin Star is Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs which “serves an innovative, no-choice set menu” says the announcement. Kitchen Table is to be found at the back of Bubbledogs where head chef James Knappett and his team prepare a menu to represent the best products of the day for up to 19 diners seated around the open kitchen.
“The 14 new stars in our 2015 guide highlight the enormous richness and variety of the UK’s restaurant scene. They range from country pubs to hipster hangouts, from counter-restaurants to classic dining rooms”, said Rebecca Burr, Editor of the Michelin guide.
While the Michelin reviewers may have enjoyed the food served up, the extraction and air conditioning system at Kitchen Table was not up to standard. Prior to 2012 the building in Charlotte Street was in use as a financial services office. A planning application was then granted to allow a change to restaurant use providing a further application was submitted and approved detailing the extraction equipment.
However, in 2013 Camden Council discovered that works to the rear of the building had been done without planning permission. A retrospective planning application was also refused permission because equipment would harm the character and appearance of the building and the Charlotte Street Conservation Area as well as a neighbouring listed building. The council also refused the application because “insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the ducting and plant would comply with the Council’s noise standards”. Camden issued a warning that enforcement would be taken. Finally in July this year another planning application was submitted in order to enable the continued operation of the ground and basement floors of the building as a restaurant. This application is currently pending.
Bubbledogs and Kitchen Table are not the first restaurants to come into conflict with planning permission, nor will they be the last. Camden are currently taking out enforcement action against a restaurant in nearby Cleveland Street after complaints about noise, kitchen smells and lack of planning permission.
As well as the Michelin stars, this year’s selection sees 26 new Bib Gourmands, 9 of which are in London. This award recognises establishments offering good food at affordable prices (the limit being £28 for three courses, €40 in Ireland), and is hugely popular with our readers.
Ollie Dabbous’ new project Barnyard on Charlotte Street was awarded a Michelin Bib. Last year his eponymous restaurant received its Michelin Star.
New restaurants to open on Charlotte Street this autumn include a branch of Herman Ze German and pop-up restaurant The Wild Game Co will open its first permanent home.