Roganic
Roganic first opened its doors in 2011 in Marylebone as a two-year pop-up restaurant. Now, five years after closing its doors, Roganic has returned to Marylebone as a permanent space. Bigger than before, Roganic has taken a residency on Blandford Street, Marylebone â home to its original pop-up version.
Speaking to Premier Hospitality magazine about bringing Roganic back, Penny Rogan told us: âWe were in the very same street with a restaurant of the same name a few years ago [2011-2013] and that was a chance for us to test the London market. Roganic was very well received and we did say we would love to come back, find a permanent site and do it again. Between that finishing and now, we got involved with Fera at Claridgeâs and so after a three year stint we decided to go back and revisit Roganic.
âWe knew that it had to be more than what it was before because this is a slightly more grown up version. There are similarities to the original but I would say it is also quite different. We have tried to bring a bit of Cartmel to London so there are links between Roganic and LâEnclume, Simonâs original restaurant in the Lake District. Elements such as the herbs on the tables, which we have grown on Our Farm, to the staff serving the food who have worked for us at LâEnclume, means that there is a cohesive, natural connection between the North and London.â
Roganic has taken over the site of former French restaurant LâAutre Pied, and has been transformed into a pleasantly, simple dining room which is all neutral white and brown with white-washed table cloths. The 40 cover restaurant opened on 9th January 2018.
The team at Roganic is comprised of the original Roganic line up, amongst other past and present employees of UMBEL Restaurant Group. Heading the kitchen is Oli Marlow, who is producing a âforward thinking and imaginativeâ menu using only the freshest and most exceptional array of produce from around the country, including Simonâs âOur Farmâ in the Lake District.
Simon Rogan said: âIâm made up to be back in Marylebone, we really enjoyed being there first time around and it feels so right to be back. Itâs a great site that I have always admired and itâs the perfect location for us. In Oli I have one of the most talented guys who came up through my kitchens and likewise James is an excellent appointment. Iâm very excited for what the future holds with them and Harry Guy heading up London operations. We had so much fun last time Roganic was in London and Iâm sure second time around will be no differentâ
Roganic joinâs Simonâs existing sites â two Michelin-starred LâEnclume, neighbourhood restaurant Rogan & Co, development kitchen Aulis at LâEnclume, all of which are in the Lake Distrct, as well as the newly launched Aulis London, based in Soho.
âThis site is very important to us because there is a lot of expectation,â added Penny. âIt is very difficult when you do something the second time around because you will always get people who say the first one was better. We are lucky as the general tone is really positive and overall it seems that things are better. It is also important to us because it became quite apparent that we needed a London platform â to help cross-pollinate the business.
For more information visit: https://www.roganic.uk/