Founded by Chris Frichot and Saba Tsegaye, and joined in the kitchen by Jake Boyce (former Head Chef of Jason Atherton’s Social Wine and Tapas), Minnow will embrace the pavement culture of Clapham Common, overlooking the park situated at the heart of the Old Town.
Growing up at the Michelin Starred Knockinaam Lodge Hotel in Scotland, owned by his parents, restaurants are very much in Chris’ blood, spending much of his childhood in and around the kitchen.
Having also spent time gaining hands on experience in the industry, working at Caravan, Hawksmoor and Hoi Polloi, Chris will run this new venture with support from his fiancée, Saba.
“We’ve decided to call ourselves Minnow because we know that we’re going to be a small, but fiercely independent fish in a big pond – but it’s something we’re proud of,” says Saba.
“We have been working very hard alongside Jake to make sure we’ll be bringing something different and delicious to the neighborhood, which is what we’re most excited about, living just around the corner ourselves.”
Just around the corner from Clapham Common tube station, the ground floor will be a bright and fresh space with indoor trees, greenery and a long marble bar looking out over the Common where Granitas (soft and hard) will churn out all day throughout the summer months.
A hand tiled monochrome mosaic floor will lead to a small door, tucked at the back of the restaurant, where a quiet walled garden will provide space for guests to dine outside.
Downstairs, an open kitchen will make for an intimate dinner setting, where a vaulted booth, illuminated by a stained glass light box, will sit inside a repurposed wine cellar, and outside, tables will spill onto the pavement for sun soaked days, with Minnow’s honesty box stocked with juices as a pick me up for Clapham residents.
Cocktails will take inspiration from local heroes and landmarks including, The Clapham Sect and The Temperance Fountain, which the restaurant overlooks, and a concise wine offering, served in ‘pay as you drink’ bottles will be accompanied with local beer on tap.
