Jason Atherton rebrands Mayfair’s Little Social restaurant

Jason Atherton and The Social Company have announced a new concept for the group’s French bistro, Little Social, following six years of trading. The new restaurant is to be called No.5 Social and will celebrate seasonal British produce under the leadership of executive chef, Kostas Papathanasiou and restaurant manager, Nils Cassignol. Little Social will close for a major refurbishment on Friday 19 April and will reopen with a new look and menu to match on Wednesday 8 May. Atherton said: “Kostas has been an important part of The Social Company for the past three years and Irha and I felt it was time he was given his own project to run. We are sad to say goodbye to Little Social. It has been a hugely successful restaurant since its opening in 2013, however, we felt it was time for a new direction and know Kostas and Nils together, will make a great team and success of No.5 Social.” Formerly, senior sous chef at Atherton’s Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social, Kostas has worked in a number of UK establishments including The Ledbury and The Fat Duck. The new menu will draw from his experience and focus on accessible, seasonal ingredients while championing the best of British produce. Menu highlights will include; English heritage tomato salad with goat’s curd, almonds and fennel; poached Hebridean halibut, celeriac truffle emulsion and purée with pickled mushrooms and a black truffle beurre blanc; roasted Herdwick lamb chop and cannon fillet served alongside crushed Jersey Royal potatoes, spring peas, cucumber and mint. Dessert options will include Richmond Park honey, oat crumble, milk ice cream and meringue and a chocolate fondant served with homemade blackcurrant sorbet. The ever-changing menu will also be illustrated with a celebrated British ingredient to mark each season - linking back to the restaurant’s dedication to supporting homegrown produce. Kostas added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be working on this exciting project with Jason; to be given the opportunity to launch a new restaurant that reflects my cooking style is a real honour. I’m really looking forward to reopening in May as No.5 Social and hope our guests enjoy the new menu and interiors.” The wine list will encompass both English and international selections with a focus on lesser known varieties from Europe. Bottles will start at £28, with 14 available by the glass from £10. The cocktail list has seasonal British ingredients at its core and was curated by the group’s bar manager, Jay Doy. Drinks will include; Dandelion, a combination of dandelion root, nettle tequila and agave finished with a sorrel solution and Rhubarb, a blend of rhubarb wine, sloe gin, and rosehip cup. The restaurant interiors are being led by Rosendale Design to create a “relaxed yet elegant” dining space. The 60-cover restaurant will be brighter than before and feature a neutral colour palette with accents of earth tones, pale pinks and deep blues. Rattan light fittings and timber feature panels will create a natural warmth while the intimate banquette seating will be reupholstered with a duck egg blue fabric. Little Social will officially close on 19 April and reopen as No.5 Social on 8 May.