Mere, Fitzrovia

Monica Galetti, best known for her no-nonsense judging on BBC2’s Masterchef: The Professionals and as a senior sous chef at Le Gavroche, has finally opened her own restaurant. Mere has a refined focus on seasonality, highlighting six thoughtful dishes per course on a regularly-changing menu.

Mere is a collaborative venture with Monica's husband David, and given their combined wealth of experience (he is the former chief sommelier at Le Gavroche) our expectations are high.

The restaurant is pronounced ‘Mary’ and takes its inspiration from both the French for ‘mother’ and the Samoan for Mary, paying homage to Galetti’s own mother. In keeping with the family theme, Galetti has announced her aim for a casual environment where guests can relax and enjoy a fuss-free menu featuring a mix of classics and new dishes.

The restaurant will be split across two floors with a bar at raised ground level and a larger dining room (seating up to 70 guests) downstairs. A separate bar menu will suit more relaxed walk-ins.