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Poon's at Somerset House

Poon’s will open its first restaurant in Somerset House this autumn. Located in the New Wing, facing Lancaster Place, Poon’s at Somerset House will be championing Chinese home classics, using seasonal local produce, alongside fine Chinese ingredients.

In Feb 2018, I launched the first Poon’s pop-up in Clerkenwell, on a characterful square, between a bookie and a post office, opposite a laundrette and the best bacon sandwiches in town. People came, every single day, for its three-month duration, so I didn’t have an excuse not to continue on this journey to resurrect my parents’ legacy.

After seven years of pop-ups, collaborations, guest chef events and temporary residencies (what I have referred to previously as half-arsed efforts), I am demonstrating uncharacteristic full-arse commitment. Last week, I signed a ten-year lease for our first permanent restaurant site, Poon’s at Somerset House. I don't think I've ever signed up for anything lasting ten months, not even a gym membership, let alone ten years. Yes, I am elated and excited, but anxious and apprehensive in equal measure, so as I pop the cork on my last bottle of Jacquesson GVS 1996, I find myself sipping nervously.

This time last year, we moved into our railway arch at Spa Terminus. I think that set me on the path of conscious dedication. I wrote then that I was shitting bricks. I think brick-shitting should become the index for endeavours of the Susan Jeffers philosophy - feel the fear and do it anyway. I mean, are we talking Battersea Power Station levels of brick or a mere Newby-McMahon? Regardless, on a plate of bacon and eggs, I'm the pig, not the chicken - committed, not merely involved.

The contractors start mid-July. Between now and then, I get to write some big fat cheques which hopefully I can cash. So I am asking you, lovely people, to be chickens to my pig, to be involved. Come eat and drink and be merry when we open, come often, come alone and come with many. I'm doing what I know to do, home cooking with love from my family kitchen and feeding people with food from the heart. I'm building it - finally, so come pitch in my field of dreams...

With edible love, as ever
Amy

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