This summer, Paul Michaels, owner of Hexagon, one of the finest Classic Car dealers in Europe, opens The Engine Rooms. Combining beautiful classic cars, a more than impressive modern art collection overseen by Michael’s late wife, and a Mediterranean inspired all-day dining restaurant complete with events space – the site on Great North Road, creates a truly unique lifestyle experience like no other in London. Opening softly in July with outside space only and officially in August, the quirky exterior story of The Engine Rooms underpins an exciting and thoughtfully curated space.

Food

Michaels’ vision for the restaurant was to create a simple, regularly changing menu that encapsulates the joy of Mediterranean dining whilst using the best of seasonal British ingredients. 80% of the menu will be made up of UK ingredients but the team are committed to sourcing and serving the best quality European produce. Head Chef James Harrison, formally of Taka Marylebone, will be running the state of the art open-plan kitchen, launching a menu with a specific focus on fish and vegetables. Meat, supplied by Aubrey Allen, will be limited year-round, preferring to focus on the best of seasonal fish such as grey mullet, which is abundant in the British Isles, all sourced from Capital Seafood, a small family-run business which supplies just a handful of London restaurants. One of Harrison’s star dishes is a grey mullet ceviche with confit tomato dressing, cured egg yolk, samphire, and pistachio, with tomatoes sourced from The Tomato Stall on the Isle of Wight producing some of the best tomatoes in the country.

The all-day menu will be split into starters, seasonal salads, and stone-baked pizzas alongside main courses of fish, vegetables, and meat. Diners can opt for a relaxed lunch in the courtyard of Rainbow chard pizza or a Kent Mixed Baby Beets salad. Those looking for more of an occasion meal can choose from Steamed Cornish hake, fennel & carrot escabeche, smoked cod roe mouse, salty fingers, shellfish oil or Salt marsh Cornish lamb rack, toasted fregola, peas, broad beans, green sauce, rosemary cooking jus. A vegan offering will feature Mandilli pasta with wild garlic dressing, West combe salted ricotta, white and green asparagus, broad beans, snow peas and toasted pine nuts.

Those with a sweet tooth will be thoroughly indulged, Head of Pastry Darren Cafferty, who honed his skills at London restaurant institutions including Brown’s Hotel, Trinity in Clapham, and Roux at Parliament square, has created a seasonal dessert menu. His signature Apricot Frangipane Pudding with orange blossom Breton, apricot jam, pistachio and jersey clotted cream is a must-try. Other highlights include: Pistachio Cream Mille-Feuille with pistachio and walnut baklava bites, candied walnuts, sherbet orange peel and crispy cinnamon pastry. Or, for those who prefer to end their meal on a savoury note, try the cheeseboard which features all-British cheeses from La Fromagerie.

Wine

With expertise at the core of The Engine Rooms, Michaels has brought in wine specialist and author Bert Blaize to curate the exceptional wine list and bar menu for the restaurant. Making his name as sommelier at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and The Clove Club in Shoreditch, Blaize’s integrity shines through in the thoughtful selection of suppliers with wines sourced from small, sustainable vineyards. Guests will try out new labels by emerging wine makers on his recommendation and be surprised by his food pairings. Also on site, is an already established luxury bottle shop, Bottles ‘N’ Jars– curated by Bert, it is home to hundreds of wines, freshly baked breads and artisanal deli goods.

Art

Combining luxury furnishings with exposed industrial materials, art is front and centre of the building, adding to the overall charm and atmosphere of the space. Meticulously sourced by Michaels’ late wife who also oversaw the interior design, and curated by Natasha Michaels and Ben Mclaughlin, the art on the walls further tells the story of the family’s motor history. The entrance of the building exhibits an extraordinarily rare ex-motor show Jaguar engine.

Originals pieces from the Ferrari Museum sit alongside racing car memorabilia as a nod to Michaels’ time, first racing D-Type Jaguars in Formula 5000 before Hexagon entering Formula One in the 70s with driver John Watson who in a Brabham BT44 and took home six points in the championship – making them the most successful privateer team to enter the championship. Modern works of art complete the overall look.

Space

The establishment comprises of extensive indoor and outdoor space with an intimate mezzanine dining level and a heated courtyard area with electric canopy roof allowing for all year dining. During the daytime there will be a relaxed coffee bar which transitions into a wine bar with sophisticated bar snacks in the evening. Diners can perch on a bar stall and enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the array of beautiful classic cars.