The Mayfair site is getting a new concept and a new chef
We were big fans of HUMO, where everything was cooked over various types of wood, but the restaurant is no more, having closed towards the end of last month. The site isn’t lying empty for long though as Creative Restaurant Group has brought in ex- chef Theo Clench to open new concept IGNI, with a 34-cover dining room and a 10-seater chef’s table.
As you might deduce from the name, cooking over fire and the use of smoke is still going to be central (the kitchen will still not use electricity or gas), but this time there’ll be a focus on seafood, with produce coming from trusted suppliers like Henderson Seafood. Drawing inspo from his childhood memories of being by the water, Theo’s menu (available in only of eight, five and three courses) will include dishes like:
- Ember-cooked oyster with cucumber sauce, soft herb oil, fermented cucumber, nasturtium and bronze fennel
- Aged turbot on brioche with charred lettuce, smoked bone caramel and teriyaki turbot fins.
- Aged tuna hutoro with foie gras, shiso and wasabi, and tartlet of akami with lapsang ponzu jelly
- Smoked silken tofu with madong chocolate, roasted koji and wheat leaf tuiles
The wine list, curated by Head Sommelier Alessio Ragusini, will feature some big bottles from Burgundy and Bordeaux, whilst the rest of the drinks offering will resemble a ‘liquid kitchen’, drawing influence from and using the same ingredients (including trims and by-products) as Theo’s dishes.
Speaking about the opening, Theo said: “I am incredibly excited to be opening IGNI with Creative Restaurant Group. I have been with the company for a few months and realised our vision of hospitality, people, culture and restaurants align. As CRG is always evolving, the opportunity to open IGNI arose. We are building an incredible team, full of young, passionate cooks who are essential to the future of the industry. For me this is the culmination of years of experience and I am incredibly excited to be back cooking in the heart of London, we are creating something truly unique, we are looking forward to showing everyone what we are creating in Mayfair.”
Key Information
Opening date | Weds 22nd April 2026
Address | 12 St. George Street, London, W1S 2FB
For more information | @ignilondon_
