New chapter for fine dining with Nichola's cool new speakeasy

THE owner of an exclusive fine dining restaurant that has taken Nottingham by storm is set to open a second venue, drawing inspiration from a speakeasy bar.

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

Nichola Thompson, who is also the chef, has embarked on Chapter 2, the name of her new venue hot on the heels of Table 47, in Bridlesmith Gate in the city, in May 2024, a restaurant which regularly has a waiting list of up to four months.

Chapter 2 will open on Pavilion Road in West Bridgford at the end of April.

Nichola described it as another dynamic addition to Nottingham's exclusive dining scene.

She said: "Chapter 2 will be a destination restaurant and bar, with an emphasis on locally sourced quality food, sustainability and exclusivity, but with a twist."

Table 47 and Chapter 2 are not traditional restaurants that attract walk-in customers.

Instead, they offer pre-booked dining experiences, either hired for events or intimate dinners, with bespoke menus, tasting menus or canapés, which showcase cooking as part of the experience.

The Nottingham-born chef, who trained in the restaurants of Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes, and shone locally as the chef at award-winning venue Larwood & Voce as well as the Nottingham Forest academy player chef, said: "Our West Bridgford venue will be next level. We hope it will widen the appeal of a bespoke dining experience."