Soho restaurant SOLA to double in size

Californian restaurant SOLA is to undergo a refurbishment which will see it double in size.

The refurbishment will add a completely new lower-ground floor with lounge area and private dining room.

The private dining room will seat 18, with concertina doors which can be opened to transform the entire lower-ground floor into an exclusive-hire events space.

The ground floor, which currently comprises the entire restaurant, will house the main dining room.

The capacity will increase from 24 to 32, with new banquette-style seating as well as a much-enlarged, open service-kitchen.

Victor Garvey, chef patron, said: “I’m stoked that the team will now have a much bigger kitchen, as well as a prep kitchen downstairs, in which to experiment, innovate and of course execute the very high standard of food we’ve become known for.

“It’s amazing that we’ve achieved everything we have to date in the limited kitchen space available to us. With so much more room to work in, and even better equipment, we can really push things towards attaining the kind of standard we want to and that I know the team is capable of. I truly think we can make SOLA a world-class dining destination.”

John James, managing director of landlord Soho Estates, added: “Soho Estates has always championed the neighbourhood’s unique, independent businesses, and we are particularly committed to the ongoing, post-pandemic recovery of Soho’s hospitality sector.

“We believe that Soho is London’s greatest gastronomic destination, with many of the capital’s best restaurants calling it home, and we also believe that Victor’s ambitious plans for SOLA will contribute to this, which is why Soho Estates is supporting this transformation.”

SOLA will close on Tuesday 12 September and will reopen “in time for Thanksgiving” in November.