Nicholas Balfe, Mark Gurney and Matt Bushnell of South London neighbourhood restaurants, Salon, Levan, and Larry’s, have just announced they will be opening Holm, their first rural outpost, set to launch this autumn in Somerset.
Located in the idyllic village of South Petherton, the opening represents not only the evolution of hospitality in a post-pandemic world, but also a coming of age for the founding team, in particular Chef Director Nicholas, who will be relocating to the South West to oversee the project and take a hands-on approach in the kitchen.
With their London restaurants now well established – Salon is approaching its tenth anniversary, whilst Levan has set up firm roots in the heart of Peckham – the team felt there could never be a more suitable time to look beyond the bustle of London to pastures new.
Situated in a handsome former bank, and sat on a quarter acre of land, Holm will boast an impressive outdoor grill and dining terrace, making it a destination for visitors from near and far as well as a welcoming spot for locals to get together. As with the team’s London restaurants, the menu will be driven by the seasons and have sustainability at its core.
Nicholas will use his time in the country to forge a deeper connection with local growers and producers, sourcing ingredients locally in a way that’s inconceivable in the city, not to mention growing many ingredients in the onsite kitchen garden.
The sleek 30-cover dining room will be centered around the bank’s original vault, now housing the restaurant’s collection of organic, biodynamic and low intervention wines from UK and European producers.
Meanwhile, the restaurant’s open kitchen will be surrounded by an intimate dining counter, giving six lucky guests a full sense of the action. Housed in the rear of the space will be a 10-cover private dining room, which will double up as a pantry and larder, storing the house-made ferments, tinctures and preserves.
The space will lead straight out to the leafy garden and terrace, which will be home to a purpose-built brick hearth and wood grill, where upwards of 50 guests can dine, surrounded by greenery and Holm’s own produce.
Open from early morning, Holm will offer a concise menu of breakfast dishes, including caramelised apple & miso bun or a Montgomery cheddar croque, accompanied by freshly pressed juices and coffee.
Moving through lunch and dinner, diners can choose from the seasonal la carte menu, starting with a selection of small plates such as Brixham mussels with lovage, creme fraiche and cider; Somerset ex-dairy tartare with pickled mushrooms and cured egg yolk as well as wood-roasted leeks served with Ogleshield cream and walnuts.
To follow there will be larger plates including coal-roasted celeriac with garden brassicas and seaweed bernaise, or Saddleback pork, butchered in-house and served two ways, with burnt pear sauce and biodynamic radicchio from nearby Pitney Farm.
Desserts will also follow the seasons, showcasing the best local treasures, including dishes such as wood-fired plum clafoutis and miso ice cream; caramelised honey tart and Westcombe ricotta hotcakes.
In addition to the a la carte will be Holm’s signature Chefs tasting menu, representing the very best of the produce available to the kitchen on that moment in time, with dishes often changing from one service to another.
Levan and Salon are known and loved for having some of the best wine lists in London and the newest site from the team will be no different. Co-founder Mark Gurney will be creating a focused and accessible list of exciting, forward-thinking biodynamic wines, as well as local ciders and perries from artisanal producers.
There will also be a selection of classic cocktails alongside a range of soft drinks made in house using herbs and botanicals picked from the garden.
Nicholas Balfe said, “Having spent my early years in Somerset and Dorset, that part of the world has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve been in awe of the richness and vitality of the land there for as long as I can remember and have spent many a holiday exploring the countryside and coastline in the South West.
'I can’t wait to take some of the wonderful energy, passion and creativity that define Salon, Levan and Larry’s and transpose it to the countryside.”