London & South East

New venture for Jamie

Jamie Oliver's Cocktail Bar , Angel Islington

High street restaurant chain Jamie’s Italian has launched its first Cocktail and Spritz Bar in Angel Islington.

Jamie’s Italian, a chain first launched in Oxford in 2008, has been a successful and expanding chain, now offering an Italian dining experience to more than 30 high profile locations spreading across the United Kingdom. The restaurant itself serves up both traditional Italian dishes and modern takes on fine Italian dining, as well as steaks. With something for every course and options for the whole family, it’s no surprise that the chain is developing further, opening more restaurants each year.

The Cocktail and Spritz Bar – which held its launch night in April and is the first of Jamie’s cocktail bars – is set to boost the appeal of the store to the proposed audience of the trendy north London area. The launch night was hosted by Jamie Oliver himself, who greeted guests and helped serve cocktails from the bar.

Jamie’s Italian Angel Islington is situated in a prime location, close to shops as well as the local theatre. Embracing Italian traditions, the bar will serve Apertino between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays, presenting customers with delicious complimentary antipasti, to accompany their choice of beverage. There are also additional bar snacks available to buy; an eclectic mix of meat, fish and arancini, making the bar ideal for a pre meal drink or a place to meet for an evening with friends.

Jamie Oliver's Cocktail Bar , Angel Islington

On the launch night, Jamie said: “Until now we haven’t taken cocktails super seriously, but we wanted to make it part of what we do. So we wanted to get the drinks right, the glasses right, the bar design right. In Islington we’re very busy and people expect a lot.”

The menu for the bar consists of an appetising array of cocktails and spritz, Bellini’s, Margarita’s, Daiquiri’s and Mojito’s, including Jamie’s own mojito amongst other classics. For those who enjoy a different taste, wines , craft beers and soft drinks are available, as well as non-alcoholic cocktails, ideal for drivers. All of the cocktails are reasonably priced, making it suitable for a nice evening on any budget.

Interior Designer of the project, Blacksheep, have a long running contract with Jamie’s, and have worked on a number of projects previously with the company. Blacksheep designed the Angel Islington restaurant with main contractors Tekne Shopfitting.

Creating the bar area seems a natural step for both companies to take on; creating a space for comfortable drinking and enjoying snacks with bar seating, drinks perches and lounge area seating.

Emma Freed from Blacksheep said:

“From what we’ve heard from Jamie’s, it’s much busier than it was, they said that on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays it has a really good atmosphere.”

Jamie Oliver's Cocktail Bar , Angel Islington

Emma added:

“Our strategic approach includes local market analysis, brand positioning, innovative concept creation / implementation and integrated graphics and branding. We’ll even advise you on culinary direction and where you’ll find the most traction in a busy market place. We believe the little details matter. Get this right and the result is a successful business.”

Previous projects by Blacksheep include both national and international successes. The company have worked with Five Guys, Nandos and Novotel in the UK, as well as completing prestigious projects in Italy, India, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Africa to name a few.

Taking outside inspiration, Emma said: “The bar itself led on from our original concept of an artist’s studio, so this is an entertaining space which added on to the artist’s studio, and took its inspiration from the local area.”

The area is designed around a rectangular bar, acting as a centre piece, surrounded by bar stools and a tall bar, then further surrounded by more comfortable seating for larger groups. Brick tiles, exposed concrete, chalk boards and a scaffolding-esque light feature make the location comfortable and sophisticated, whilst still modern, edgy and exceptionally well suited to its north London audience.

With more Jamie’s Italian restaurant openings in the pipeline, the next one being in Harrogate, the chain is still growing, perhaps the Cocktail and Spritz bar will follow suit and be another success.

For more information and for restaurant bookings visit www.jamieoliver.com.

Jamie Oliver's Cocktail Bar , Angel Islington

Craftwood Interiors

Established in Dorset in 2000, Craftwood is the leading specialist in the design and manufacture of bespoke banquette seating.

The company’s extensive portfolio includes Jamie’s Italian, Nando’s, Centre Parcs, GBK and Gordon Ramsey restaurants alongside designers such as DuBoulay Contracts, Martin Brudnizki, Morgan Lovell, Blacksheep Creatives and Harrison Design, to name a few.

Having collaborated with Jamie’s Italian on a large number of restaurants, and installing the original seating back in 2011, Craftwood was delighted to work again with Blacksheep on this particular project. Craftwood created bespoke Chesterfield style banquettes in a luxurious leather which embodies the perfect blend of comfort, style and sophistication with a twist of tradition in this trendy North London location.

Craftwood pride themselves in 100% passion, reliability & commitment from design to installation, delivering beautifully manufactured seating on time and to budget.

Jamie Oliver's Cocktail Bar , Angel Islington

Art by Eoin

Irish artist Eoin specialises in the production of work in scenic locations with a main focus on adding something to the setting which fits organically. Eoin has been working through his own full time company ‘Art By Eoin’ for the past four years.

Since the company’s inception Eoin has worked with a number of clients in the technology and hospitality sectors. Projects to be undertaken include interior feature wall projects and creating exterior murals as focal points within lots of different communities. Currently Eoin is working on large scale original canvas commissions and conceptualising a completely new photography project, which is set to launch in July.

Art By Eoin played an integral role in Jamie’s Italian in Angel; he created original artwork which now acts as a feature wall in the newly redesigned cocktail and spritz bar. Eoin said:

“Having worked on the Dublin Jamie’s Italian last year this was another great project to be involved with; working alongside Jamie’s team and Blacksheep was a pleasure.”

When asked what it is that Eoin prides himself on, he answered:

“I simply pride myself in the quality of my work.”

 

 

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