It doesn't matter how long a Waddington-Flack creation pops-up for, you can count on its being a serious tour de force. The latest venture from the duo behind East London's Bistrotheque is Shrimpy's, a Latin American seafood restaurant, which takes up residence in the dramatic King's Cross Filling Station.
Perched on the edge of Regents Canal, the former disused petrol station has been given a makeover by award-winning young British architects Carmody Groarke, with whom Bistrotheque teamed up with for the transitory Studio East dining venture in 2010.
This being only a semi-permanent fixture, the work is largely cosmetic, but the results are glowing. That glow comes partly from the cinematic Ed Ruscha-esque roof signage, partly from the illuminated fiberglass walls surrounding the station, and it's this decoration that gives the Filling Station a landmark quality.
Within the walls, the erstwhile forecourt provides a social space; the petrol station kiosk has become Shrimpy's. The 50-cover diner style restaurant has the air of an upmarket bistro - all white linen and crystal glassware, with an injection of the tropics in the form of pineapple lamps and colourful wall doodles by Donald Urquhart and Jonathan Trayte. These reference Waddington and Flack's muse; a fictional spinster called 'Shrimpy' who they met on an imaginary road trip down the west coast of the Americas.
The trip also inspired the flavour of the menu, which was created by chef director Tom Collins. The signature soft shell crab and avocado burger commands the menu, though you'd struggle to slip up with what else is on offer; from veal hearts and Peruvian Ceviche to a bit of Skirt… chimichurri style.
We were tempted enough to join forces with David Waddington and Pablo Flack to welcome some of our local friends from the worlds of art, design and fashion, to toast Shrimpy's opening on a rare sunny evening last week. Chips and dips accompanied by Habanero Margaritas were enjoyed on the forecourt before we squeezed into the dining space to sample a starter of Ceviche with avocado, tomato and cucumber salad.
Mains of fried chicken, sweetcorn and red pepper polenta, and octopus with potatoes and paprika, were served with a Mendozan Sauvignon Blanc ('La Flor', Pulenta Estate, 2010). The all-Americas feast was topped of with poached quince, crème fraiche and almonds.
Those still milling at the end of the evening were served a very spirited tea by Waddington himself - a tea that, although poured from the spout of an elegant white teapot, had more than a hint of tequila and lime about it.
Shrimpy's is intended to last at least a couple of years- an aeon by pop-up standards but don't expect it to get much easier to land a table in that time.
Housed in the all-new King's Cross Filling Station, the 50-cover restaurant is diner-style, with a central bar, plus banquette seating
Perched on the edge of Regents Canal, the former disused petrol station has been given a makeover by award-winning young British architects Carmody Groarke
The space has been given an injection of the tropics in the form of pineapple lamps and colourful wall doodles
Wall art by Donald Urquhart and Jonathan Trayte references the muse of Bistrotheque's David Waddington and Pablo Flack: a fictional spinster called 'Shrimpy' who they met on an imaginary road trip down the west coast of the Americas
Carmody Groarke has enclosed the building in curvaceous fibreglass
The outdoor seating area, framed by the scalloped translucent wall which defines the site
The Filling Station, lit up with neon signage and forecourt lighting
A simple table setting, with all white linen and crystal glassware
The dining and arts venue is set to inhabit a corner of the King's Cross redevelopment site for two years before new homes are built there
Wallpaper* were tempted enough to join forces with Waddington and Flack to welcome some of our friends from the worlds of art, design and fashion, to toast Shrimpy's opening
Chips and dips accompanied Habanero Margaritas on the forecourt before dinner
Guests enjoyed a starter of ceviche with avocado, tomato and cucumber salad
Our intimate dinner, hosted on a rare sunny evening last week, in full swing
Shrimpy's wait staff are dressed in a distinctive uniform comprising a white coat, shirt and tie
Clockwise from left: Gallerist Maureen Paley, artist Donald Urquhart, designer Tom Dixon and Wallpaper* features director Nick Compton
Clockwise from left: Wapping Project director Jules Wright, actor Richard Madden, Wallpaper* Editor-in-Chief Tony Chambers and Carmody Groarke's Kevin Carmody
Design curator and writer Gareth Williams
Fashion designers Richard Sorger and Charlie Casely-Hayford
Richard Madden
Musician Mr Hudson and Ben Langlands of artistic duo, Langlands & Bell
Amanda Wilkinson of Wilkinson Gallery
From left: Publisher and editor Robert Violette of Violette Editions, Wallpaper* art editor Sarah Douglas and designer Paul Cocksedge
From left: Wallpaper* office manager Rosa Bertoli, Carmody Groarke's Anna Nilsson, Wallpaper* beauty and lifestyle director Emma Moore, Fredrikson Stallard's Ian Stallard and Richard Scott of Scott & Co
Vogue's Tilly Macalister-Smith
Mains of fried chicken, sweetcorn and red pepper polenta, and octopus with potatoes and paprika, were served with a Mendozan Sauvignon Blanc
The all-Americas feast was topped of with poached Quince, Crème Fraiche and Almonds
Designer Bethan-Laura Wood and Nikki Bell of Langlands & Bell
Tilly Macalister-Smith, Wallpaper* interiors director Benjamin Kempton and designer Asif Khan
Richard Scott and Malcolm Young
ADDRESS
Kings Cross Filling Station
Goods Way
London N1C 4UR
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