MasterChef judge, Monica Galetti, left her job as senior sous chef at two-Michelin starred restaurant Le Gavroche to pursue this venture.

The move comes 12 years after she started as a commis chef and ended up as the senior sous chef at London's culinary institution. Backed by WSH chairman, Alastair Storey, this is her first solo restaurant that she plans to open in London’s Fitzrovia in January. Mere – pronounced 'Mary' – comes from the French for ‘mother’ and the Samoan for Mary, Galetti’s mother’s name.

The venture occupies the ground floor and basement of a site on Charlotte Street. Expect a finely tuned menu that is seasonal and ingredients-led and inspired by a personal take on some old classics. Menus feature a choice of six dishes in each course that change with market availability.

The interior features a modern, textural palette of blues and greys, with accents of deep yellow. The bar area on the raised ground level, accommodates up to 20 guests and features a mix of blue velvet and leather seating, with an Indian granite-topped bar edged in patinated zinc, soft lighting and a contemporary bespoke rug. The lower ground restaurant is accessed from a curved walled staircase and seats up to 64, with wide-plank, dark oak flooring, mirrored glass wall panelling and a secluded private dining room.

Mere is open Monday to Saturday, 12 noon to 2pm for lunch and 6-10pm for dinner.

Ideal For

A masterclass

Signature Dishes

Scallop with black curry, basmati, lime, kumquat and puffed rice; squab roast breast with confit leg pastilla, cauliflower, rhubarb and ras el hanout; and citrus and yogurt – blood orange mousse, yogurt sorbet, lemon confit & sparkling grapefruit.

Signature Drinks

Sauvelle Martini (Lillet White, Sauvelle vodka, lime juice and sage); and the Rum Passion – Passoa, Havana Club three years old, cranberry, strawberries and violet syrup. Or order one of the whiskies and gins from both New Zealand and France.