Mendes to reopen Viajante via crowdfunding

Chiltern Firehouse’s executive chef, Nuno Mendes, is to reopen his beloved Michelin-starred Viajante restaurant concept via a £1.75 million crowdfunding campaign.

Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes

The Portuguese chef, who also runs Taberna do Mercado in Spitalfields, announced the news yesterday via an email that set out his plans to create a “world-class destination restaurant in London”.

The original Viajante at the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green closed last February and became the Typing Room run by talented young gun Less Westcott.

Mendes has secured a location for Viajante 2.0 – a riverside Victorian warehouse in Metropolitan Wharf in Whapping.

“For many years I have wanted to build a true world-class destination restaurant in London and I believe that I have found the right space to make this possible.

“Our new site looks out onto the riverfront in Wapping, a beautiful neighbourhood with some of the most impressive properties in our city,” Mendes said in the email.

“We chose a new area and also a new approach to funding for this special project. Via crowdfunding, we’d like to give you a chance to support us by contributing with a little or a lot to make this dream come true,” he added.

The minimum investment in the project is just £10 per person, though perks will be available for those who put in more, including free meals and private dining events.

Mendes aims to open the new Viajante, which will pay close attention to texture, next autumn. “Viajante” means traveller in Portuguese.