Top city chef to open new restaurant in church crypt
ONE of Birmingham’s best chefs is set to open a new restaurant in the crypt of an old church. Brad Carter, who founded Carters of Moseley, is currently cooking at ‘Eighteen’ in 103 Colmore Row until the end of May and has plans to open his first London restaurant this summer.
The chef and his wife and business partner Holly will launch Undercroft in the space underneath 16th-century St George’s Church, off Hanover Square, in Mayfair.
The church has a rich history, with US president Theodore Roosevelt marrying there, and Carter’s new 107-seat restaurant will honour the past by serving up dishes that have “disappeared off menus”, including creamed snails and offal.
A statement said: “Undercroft will centre around the promotion and preservation of cultural historical relevance through both food and establishment.
“One of Mayfair’s great institutions, St George’s has a rich musical legacy and history – its imposing portico frontage is a landmark in the area.”
Carter recently confirmed that his flagship restaurant, which was in Moseley for eight years, will find a new permanent home in Colmore Row once the Eighteen residency comes to a close.
No announcement as to opening dates or plans for the relaunch have been formally made, though the chef said on a podcast recently that he would be opening this year and had intentions
of bringing back kebab joint One Star Doner Bar, too.
It will be a busy year for the business if they are to open three new spots, but Carter said that his team has gone “from strength to strength”.
He said: “Holly and I have loved every moment of establishing Carters in Birmingham – it has been so rewarding to watch the restaurant and team go from strength to strength over the years.
“We’ve always been keen to make the move to London and spent years searching for the right place to open and the undercroft at St George’s Church couldn’t be more perfect.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in and create a menu that reflects the history, character and magic of this incredible building.”