This new eatery inside Sydell Group’s Freehand hotel, is the eight venture from veteran restaurateur Gabriel Stulman.

Stulman is also running Studio, an all-day restaurant on the hotel’s second floor, which opened this month. Serving modern American food with global influences, in a relaxed and casual space, former Fedora chef Matt Griffin dons the white at Simon & The Whale, assisted by head baker Zoe Kanan and head butcher Joe Geinert.

The menu features several raw seafood starters, followed by simpler options like a fish sandwich with coleslaw, and spaghetti with clams, and a roast guinea hen served two ways: breast alongside leg-meat sausage, with turnips and apples.

Designed by Roman & Williams, the décor is warm and welcoming, reflecting an Arts and Crafts look, with an 18-seat wraparound bar, a glass-walled private dining room, and outdoor seating available in the summer.

Look forward to more openings at the Freehand hotel soon. In addition to the Stulman businesses, a branch of Smile to Go will take up residence in a street-level storefront, and another bar, the Broken Shaker, will be installed on the roof. 

Ideal For

Hanging low

Signature Dishes

Snacks include smoked gouda and bacon-stuffed zeppole; starters feature a confit squid with smoked mussels; main courses include monkfish in paprika broth with braised beans and wagyu flapsteak.