After a year spent restoring the 18th-century Simpson’s Tavern, the team behind Cloth in Farringdon has announced the open date for its reprisal of the historic chophouse, which has been renamed Cloth Cornhill. New custodians Joe Haynes, Ben Butterworth and Tom Hurst will open the restaurant – which has sat closed since 2022 – on October 1. It sits in Ball Court, down a tiny lane off historic City street Cornhill.
“It’s such a mad rabbit warren – a higgledy-piggledy collection of buildings and roots. It just felt so soulful and full of character,” Haynes told Broadsheet when Cloth’s takeover over the space was announced last year. “As soon as we saw it, we thought it was perfect. We just couldn’t resist.”
The Grade II-listed building’s historic details, including wood-panelled walls, tiles, fireplaces and boxes – high-backed timber booths with brass rails for hanging top hats and overcoats (or, these days, gilets and gym duffels) – have been restored, and the tavern will comprise multiple parts. A ground-floor pub will have a standing room-only space, Amy’s Bar, which will open to the courtyard, as well as seating for 40 in the former grill room. The main restaurant will feature two dining rooms on the first floor, with counter seating for eight and most tables in the historic wooden boxes. There’ll also be two private dining rooms.
In the pub, beers (including cask ale) will be on the pour, and a wine list – a condensed version of that in the main dining room – will also be available. Bar snacks like coronation crab beignet and pig’s head brioche will bolster the drinks menu.
Meanwhile, the restaurant – which will open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday – will see chef Hurst focusing on the contemporary British cooking that has won fans at Cloth in Farringdon. His menu, naturally, will include sharing chops and steaks as well as dishes that riff on Simpson’s history, including a sausage with beer mustard that comes from a 1940s recipe book that was found during the renovations. There’ll also be dishes like devils on horseback with smoked chillies, capers and parsley; a venison, bacon and bone marrow pie; and a savoury rarebit custard tart. From Monday to Thursday a lunch set menu will offer two courses for £24 or three courses for £29.
As at Cloth Farringdon, wine will play a starring role, with drops from Haynes and Butterworth’s (both wine importers) own collections, as well as those from other importers, private cellars and auctions. Expect classic French producers, rare bottles, 19th- and 20th-century port and madeira, and magnums for boozy lunches or celebrations. Cocktails include “quick” Martinis, a rotating house spritz and vintage cocktails like a Negroni made with aged Campari, gin and vermouth from the 1970s.
“We’ve worked extremely hard over the past year, preserving all 269 years of this beloved institution’s history, whilst pouring new life into it,” the Cloth team said in a statement. “The City has long missed the hubbub of Ball Court and we feel extremely privileged to bring it back to life.”
Cloth Cornhill opens on October 1. Reservations will open in the coming weeks.
