MICHELIN STAR chef Tom Sellers is celebrating ten years in the business this year, and to mark the occasion in style, his signature restaurant, Restaurant Story has undergone a landmark refurbishment.
Housed in a former Victorian public toilet block in Bermondsey, the restaurant which had been closed since February 2023, is now open, after an extensive £2.5 million refurbishment. This major refit, which includes the construction of an upper level and an outdoor balcony, marks the latest chapter for the restaurant and, as Tom says, the beginning of ‘Story 3.0’.
In the pursuit of excellence whether via food, venue, or experience, it remains his raison d’etre.
Interior of Restaurant Story
Interior of Restaurant Story
The new second floor features an intimate lounge area, seating 6-8 guests and is the ideal spot for a little aperitif or nightcap, alongside a new open kitchen—akin to a chef’s table experience.
Overlooking the kitchen is the largest table in the restaurant which seats 16 guests, available for both public and private use, and it’s topped off with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that opens out to a balcony, offering views of The Shard.
Interior of Restaurant Story
There’s also been a substantial expansion of the restaurant’s wine programme, which previously sat at around 300 bottles, and now stands at 400 bottles consisting of exciting old new world, new world, classic bottles, plus bottles exclusive to them, led by Jonathan Kleeman, Group Beverage Manager – Story Group (Restaurant Story and Story Cellar) and supported by a best-in-class sommelier team.
He says, “The wine list still very much keeps the style of the food at Story in mind. We have been able to expand the selection of New World and other European areas like Austria as well as adding emerging regions like Serbia and Bosnia. Along with this, I have been securing small parcels of top and cult producers while Story has been closed to help build a solid foundation for the future of the wine program.”
Tom Sellers
Over the ten years, Tom’s added to his fine dining flagship with the Story Cellar, the Parisian-inspired rotisserie style neighbourhood eatery, complete with counter dining that opened to acclaim last year, and Dovetale that sits within the 5* hotel, 1 Mayfair.
And, with the Michelin Guide Ceremony in London last month, Tom’s two stars have been carefully retained, which he says is “a testament to the whole team and the work they put in day in, day out.”
Turbot
What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt over the past 10 years?
Over the course of the past ten years, working in kitchens and starting my own businesses, I’ve learnt that perseverance and resilience are the two most important qualities you need in order to be successful.
Langoustine
Tell us about the revamped Restaurant Story?
Story 3.0 was all about creating an environment where the team felt motivated and focused on continuing to improve daily. The addition of the upstairs is an extension of the style downstairs. There’s a huge demand for private dining spaces and we wanted to create one that felt like us, it includes a kitchen that overlooks the huge 16-seater table, a terrace with views of the Shard, an intimate lounge area for aperitifs, as well as the space needed to expand our wine programme.
What were the biggest challenges?
Throughout a building process, you are constantly faced with challenges outside of your control from delays in receiving materials to design issues.
Rhubarb
What can we expect from the menu?
The menu is an evolution of the very beginning of Story and guests should expect constant refinement of the mother product.
What’s next, 4.0?
What’s next is the right now! Staying in the present and delivering what we promised to ourselves, that’s what’s key for us.
by Felicity Carter
Restaurant Story, 199 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX