New brasserie Sael by Jason Atherton to open in London

In September, restaurateurs Irha and Chef Jason Atherton will launch Sael, a new brasserie in St James’s Market. The 85-cover establishment will offer a menu that celebrates the rich diversity of the British Isles, combining traditional flavours with global influences, and focusing on hyper-seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Sael’s approach deviates from the conventional three-course meal, presenting instead a mix of small and large plates, with prices starting at £85 per head for dinner. The restaurant also offers a set lunch menu for £35 and a pre-theatre option ranging from £30 to £35. The Athertons, who are also behind the recently opened HotDogs by Three Darling in Harrods, aim to provide a dining experience that remains accessible to a broad audience.

Executive Chef Dale Bainbridge, previously head chef at the now-closed Pollen Street Social, will lead the kitchen. Bainbridge shared, “Sael will depart from the traditional and constrained three-course meal structure and feature a diverse array of small and large dishes, showcasing modern culinary innovation at affordable prices. Sael will pride itself on sourcing the finest local meat and fish, ensuring every dish reflects the quality and authenticity of our regional ingredients, with a particular focus on woodfire cooking.”

The menu will allow guests to select a base ingredient, either vegetable or protein, to be cooked on a wood-fired grill, with a variety of sides to complement the dish. Highlights include Orkney scallops, Cumbrian lamb, Carlingford oysters, and Highland wagyu, alongside inventive offerings like a mixed grill of British meats and a hundred-layer heritage snail and ox cheek lasagne.

Sael’s beverage program promises a variety of options centred on affordability and local sourcing, including wines from the British Isles and a selection of Britain’s finest beers and ciders on tap. The restaurant’s design, crafted by Rosendale, features intimate lighting and natural materials, creating a welcoming atmosphere underscored by a hand-drawn mural depicting the four seasons.

Above the restaurant, the Athertons will also inaugurate Apples & Pears, a bar that blends art with a relaxed vibe, offering snacks from Sael and a cocktail list that evolves seasonally.

Food Desk

Bookings for Sael will open in mid-August. For further updates, visit the restaurant’s profile on social media: @saellondon