Food and art, art and food – the two have always gone hand in hand. This is precisely the inspiration behind Jon Spiteri’s new Clerkenwell restaurant, Sessions Arts Club. The co-founder of the much-loved British restaurant group St John has partnered with renowned painter Jonny Gent (whose work has been widely exhibited across the world) and architect Russell Potter of award-winning design studio SODA to create a space that celebrates the harmonious fusion of art, people, food and wine.
The trio have also worked alongside brothers Ted and Oliver Grebelius (Satila Studios) to transform the restored 18th century, Grade II-listed courthouse on Clerkenwell Green into the striking 60-cover restaurant it is now.
Leading proceedings on the food front is chef Florence Knight, best known for her work at Polpetto. Knight’s menu is a refined, seasonally led offering which takes its inspiration from British, French and Italian cooking and is underpinned by simple dishes made with carefully grown and sourced ingredients. On your visit, you might find dishes such as potato and chard croquettes with lemon aioli, followed by pork belly cooked with fennel and orange and finished up with sweet treats such as a ricotta and cherry tart.
In keeping with the all-encompassing artistic spirit of the restaurant, the team behind Sessions intend the space to be used for events and exhibitions from all corners of the creative industry. With everything from art displays, fashion shows, live music, wellness demos, design expositions and theatrical performances, the venue is set to become a platform for any upcoming creatives seeking to showcase their work to an appreciative audience of fellow artists.
Look out for a yearly programme devised by distinguished gallerists David Southard and Darren Flook which will champion both established and lesser-known artists.