Russian hospitality group to make debut in Soho as part of UK expansion

Russian-based hospitality group Table Talk has targeted the UK for its first venture outside Moscow and St Petersburg and is to open a French-style cafe wine bar in Soho. It plans to launch its Jean-Jacques format in the 3,554 sq ft former Spanish and Moroccan restaurant El Cantara split over three levels at 45 Frith Street, W1.

Currently, Table Talk Group has 15 Jean-Jacques cafes in Moscow and St Petersburg. All Jean-Jacques cafes feature traditional French cuisine using uncomplicated recipes and unpretentious wholesome ingredients. They serve breakfast lunch and dinner and offer a range of fine wines. Restaurant Property and Spectrum Property Consultants advised El Cantara on the deal. Restaurant Property surveyor Sally French said: “The success of the Jean Jacques concept in Russian is demonstrated by the fact that the ‘middle-class revolution’ there is known as the ‘Jean-Jacques revolution’.

We expect to hear lots more about the expansion of Jean-Jacques as its backed by a very experienced team.” Table Talk Group was founded by Dimitry Yampolskiy, a founding partner of Moscow-based law firm Sedov & Yampolskiy and Mitya Borisov, a well-known leisure sector entrepreneur behind stylish Russian venues such as Club Mayak, Apshu, Gogol and Flat 44. Its other formats include five traditional British-style pubs under the John-Donne brand. Café Mart in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and Café Mercato, Italian style restaurants in Moscow’s public parks. Jean-Jacques was created by Borisov, French designer Muriel Rousseau and an artist Nicholas Ovchinnikov.

The first Café Jean-Jacques opened in Moscow in 2004. Jean-Jacques is taking an assignment of the lease, which expires in 2026, at a rent of £108,000 per year.