“Operating in London has been increasingly challenging” - Greg Marchand closes Frenchie Covent Garden

In a statement on Instagram​​, Marchand thanked the restaurant’s guests, suppliers, landlord, and team who ‘worked tirelessly to make Frenchie rock’, adding that the decision to close had ‘not been made lightly’.

“I am saddened to announce that after eight wonderful years, we have decided to close Frenchie Covent Garden,” Marchand said.

“This decision has not been made lightly, however as a family-owned restaurant, the last year operating in London has been increasingly challenging and although I wish we could continue, it is time to close our doors and focus on our restaurants in France.”

Marchand opened Frenchie Covent Garden on Henrietta Street back in 2016 as a sister restaurant to his revered, Michelin-starred Frenchie restaurant, Frenchie To Go, Frenchie Wine Bar and Frenchie Wine Shop on Rue du Nil in Paris, France.

The London iteration was notable for causing quite a stir when it launched having positioned itself as an unmistakably Gallic venture that played with the idea of a modern French brasserie.

Marchand’s menu reflected his wide-ranging cooking career with signature dishes including a bacon scone with maple syrup and Cornish clotted cream inspired by the West Country; lamb ragu pappardelle with kalamata olives, espelette and preserved lemon, which recollected his time cooking at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen in London; and foie gras apricot pressé with verbena and almonds, which very much had its roots in Paris.

Frenchie Covent Garden has been a regular on the National Restaurant Awards top 100 list, and is currently ranked at number 94​​.