Bonnie Gull | Luke Robinson

Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar is set to reopen in Exmouth Market next month with Jamie’s Fifteen graduate Luke Robinson continuing to head up the kitchen following a refurbishment.

Executive chef Luke will be joined by head chef Gavin Gordon, who has moved across from their Seafood Shack on Foley Street and will help create a new menu which will focus on small sharing plates and bar snacks ranging from £2.50 to £10 with selections from the ‘sea’, ‘shore’ and ‘land’ such as: flame-grilled Newlyn cod collars, Salt n’ Pepper Channel squid with jalapeno mayonnaise and flamed ox-heart with homemade piccalilli. Previously known as Seafood Café, managing director and co-founder of Bonnie Gull, Alex Hunter, explained the reasons behind the changes. He said: “After eight months trading at Exmouth Market, we’ve decided to make a few tweaks to the style of the restaurant. “Moving to a small plates menu will allow diners the option to pop in for a quick glass and plate of something delicious at the bar as well as a full sit-down lunch or dinner. “We expect Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar to be a lively, energetic bar & restaurant showcasing

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the best of British seafood and more.” Other dishes which exemplify this focus on seafood dishes will include jellied eels and Bonnie Gull classics such as ‘smash your own’ 1kg Dorset Crab with flame-grilled brown meat and the famous beer battered North Sea haddock with beef dripping chips. Sweet dishes will also be available including the favourite Jersey cream soft ice cream, Mille Feuille with pear, salt caramel and Cambridge burnt cream.

Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar features some new design elements including a reclaimed 1950s gymnasium floor, an ‘oyster table’ and stunning marble bar, which will retain its original vintage jukebox playing a selection of Northern Soul, 60s Ska and Rock N’Roll. Ed Francis, who taken over as the new general manager, has overhauled the drinks list with a focus on more expansive wine offerings while head mixologist Damien O’Leary has created a new cocktail list featuring long drinks, shots and aperitifs. Bonnie Gull Seafood Bar will open its doors on February 3rd and will take diners Monday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner.

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