Freak Scene opens permanent site in Soho

Ex-Nobu chef and Kurobuta founder, Scott Hallsworth has opened a permanent iteration of his pan-Asian pop-up, Freak Scene, in Soho.

Freak Scene opens permanent site in Soho

After selling Kurobuta – the “rock n’ roll” Japanese eatery inspired by the “under-promise, over-deliver” dive bars in Tokyo – in July 2017, Scott launched Freak Scene as a pop-up in Farringdon. Whilst considered a success, the chef’s crowdfunding campaign to open a permanent site earlier this year failed to hit its £22,000 target, so when the news hit that a new brick n’ mortar venue was set to open at the end of March, we were thrilled!

Freak Scene will shake up London’s Soho with its ‘curious Asian plates’, at a premises previously occupied by Barrafina. The new site will take inspiration from bustling Singaporean hawker centres and have a South East Asian-inspired menu. Several of Scott’s signature Freak Scene dishes will make the move from Clerkenwell to Soho, such as:

Miso-grilled black cod tacos with sushi rice and scorched red chilli

Chilli crab and avocado wonton bombs

Chicken-fried chicken with peanut soy and cucumber pickles

Honey-hoisin grilled pork belly, mussels and chilli jam ssam wrap

Freak Scene opens permanent site in Soho

New additions to the menu include:

Foie gras croissant with star anise jus

Crispy nori cone with tea-smoked beef fillet, pickled onions and wasabi cream

Fermented Thai sausages and Pumpkin som tam with pomegranate

Freak Scene opens permanent site in Soho

Upon entering the restaurant, guests will be able to choose whether to sit on stools around the concrete bar and open kitchen, or grab a spot at the ledge circling the edge of the restaurant. For those who don’t wish to watch the chefs at work on the flaming robata grills, replays of the infamous Japanese gameshow Takeshi’s Castle will be projected onto the wall. In the summer months, outside tables will provide the perfect Soho spot to grab some rays.

From the bar, guests can order from an irreverent drinks list including Scoby yeast-based cocktails with a rich umami hit; sake bombs; and such blends as the cheekily-named Wet Pussy (peach schnapps and vodka, with a twist of lemon and lime).

Freak Scene opens permanent site in Soho

Scott says,

‘I’m thrilled that we’ve found a permanent home for Freak Scene, and I think Soho is the perfect spot for us. We can’t wait to fire up the grills and introduce our take on Japanese small plates to a whole new part of London.’

We can’t wait to see whether the new spot lives up to the Rock n’ Roll chef’s reputation.

 

Freak Scene, 54 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4SL

To book please email: reservations@freakscene.london  or phone 07561394497.