Léon de Bruxelles is the first of a Belgian-style brasserie franchise to open in the UK, with a prestigious location on Cambridge Circus in Soho, London, and furniture sourced almost entirely from leading hospitality furniture supplier Andy Thornton Ltd. The restaurant serves a whole range of typical Belgian dishes, including the signature mussels, frites and waffles.This flagship restaurant is part of a well-established continental chain, which can trace its history back over 100 years to the world famous Chez Léon in Brussels. The European franchise, Léon de Bruxelles has 67 restaurants across Paris and the provinces of France and has been brought to the UK by Duncan Shakeshaft , CEO of hospitality for asset management company Triangle.
The brightly lit interior, described by its designers R Interiors as a continental period brasserie with a modern twist, features traditional and contemporary furniture, fabrics and finishes by Andy Thornton.
In the main restaurant area bentwood side chairs stained dark wenge, with seats and backs upholstered in rich green leather, are combined with stainless steel table bases and a mix of square, rectangular and round marble and dark wood veneered table tops. The furniture mixes well with the medium oak flooring and red leather upholstered fixed seating.
Fronting the gloss black restaurant bar counter Andy Thornton have supplied Miami bar stools, upholstered in poppy red leather with dark walnut frames. These bar stools have also been combined with high poseur tables in an adjacent area, thus creating interesting variable height seating options.
For the outside pavement area of this prominent corner site in the busy West End, the designers went for a Parisian street feel, using folding slatted hardwood terrace furniture from Andy Thornton, to contrast with the striped awnings and green barriers.
Location: Cambridge Circus, London | Client: Chez Léon | Designer: R Interiors Ltd
