Opening late November 2013, Steam & Rye is a new one-stop destination venue by London entrepreneur Nick House, co-founder of (Mahiki, Whisky Mist and Bodo Schloss). Teaming up with British model and national sweetheart Kelly Brook, they have created a spectacular 550 capacity space harking back to a bygone era, encapsulating America’s Gilded Age, a time of glamour, decadence and idealism in the old Bank of New York building in Bank, the heart of the City of London.

QUOTES FROM NICK AND KELLY

‘It was love at first sight when I set eyes upon the old Bank of New York on Leadenhall St and immediately the concept sprung to life in my head. In a few seconds, an amalgamation of movies ranging from ‘Hugo’ to ‘Gangs of New York’ started to take form and I knew then that I had to make Steam & Rye a reality.  My journey started almost a year ago as I began to source film set designers, alternative thinkers, illustrators, chefs and mixologists who could help shape my vision into something special and incomparable!’ – Nick House

‘I have always been inspired by the glamour and opulence of 1940s Americana, and am thrilled to be collaborating on this project with Nick House. This is my first venture into nightlife hospitality, and we’ve teamed up to deliver something extraordinary – there is nothing like it in London’. - Kelly Brook

Inspired by the United States of the 1940s, the decadent bar and restaurant will offer live music and dancing with a classic Americana theme open Monday-Saturday from 4pm-3am. The grand living of the Great Gatsby era will be met by the old ways of the Wild West and travelling shows will be fused with the stirrings of the new, young sound of rock ’n’ roll. Upon entering the grand building guests will receive an all-American warm welcome in the dark and mysterious reception area with a hint of things to come.

To fully ensure visitors are transported to another world, House has enlisted upon the help of production designer Jonathan Lee, who won the Milan Film Festival Production Design Award for Head in the Clouds starring Penelope Cruz and Charlize Theron and has a wide array of film and TV credentials.  

‘My brief for Steam and Rye was to create a journey of escapism through the eccentric and eclectic world of the C19th American Railroad Titan, Beamish Bettenbaum. The design theme that I developed is based on wealthy eccentricity from a period of great invention, exploration and decadent style.  As in designing a film, I set out to have the “audience” immersed in this world and take them on a journey through it.’ – Jonathan Lee 

Steam & Rye contains four main elements. The Main Hall and Station Gardens are modelled on New York’s Grand Central Station and offer an over-whelming assault on the senses. The room features a beautiful sculpted bar, a stage, living clock, and its very own Eastern Pacific Steam Train Dining Carriage. Mirroring the land that was opened up by the mighty railroads, Steam & Rye will feature classic Americana fare including USDA Grain-fed beef from Greater Omaha, BBQ spare ribs & beautifully flavoured steaks cooked on the Josper Grill. Additionally, crab cakes, clam chowder and smoked pulled pork give a hint of what’s to come, all prepared by a team led by celebrated chef Andrew McLeish (of Michelin starred Chapter One, Kent). 

Britain’s top bartender and finalist in the Diageo World Class competition Andy Mil (formally of London Cocktail Club) is heading up the bars which will serve both classic and bespoke cocktails, created by one of Britain’s leading mixologists. 

Explorers will find a winding stairwell leading to the mezzanine level and the Cargo Hold; an impossibly crammed collection of ephemera, taxidermy, flotsam and jetsam with a glass fronted wall offering a bird’s eye view over Grand Central Station. Dimly lit, it takes time to explore the treasures accumulated over a lifetime of travel to extraordinary destinations.

Finally the basement 1st Class Cocktail Carriage is a luxurious retreat whilst crossing continents. Rich sumptuous velvet and intimate leather-lined booths create an opulent den to savour extraordinary and exotic cocktails from the richly-laden bar. Ideal for private parties and outlaws hideouts.

With Nick House’s hospitality credentials, Kelly Brook’s old-school glamour, one hell of a venue by Jonathan Lee and a concept unlike anywhere else, Steam & Rye is an American Dream on very British soil.

Jump on board and prepare for the ride of your life!

**ENDS**

FOR PRESS ENQUIRES PLEASE CONTACT PURPLE: JASON@PURPLEPR.COM / 0207 434 7063 

KIMBERLEY@PURPLEPR.COM / 0207 434 7066

NOTES TO EDITORS

For reservations: reservations@steamandrye.com

Website: www.steamandrye.com

Address: 147 Leadenhall Street EC3V 4QT

Capacity: 550

Available for private hire: Private parties of all sizes welcomed.

Jonathan Lee

An enduring love of film motivated Jonathan’s move to London in 1986 where he began working in Film Art Departments on projects such as BEING HUMAN, RIFF RAFF, RESTORATION, THE SAINT, TOMORROW NEVER DIES and STAR WARS EP2. He began working as a Supervising Art Director in 1997 on ELIZABETH (which garnered a prestigious Art Director’s Guild nomination), ALI and XXX. 

Experience with drawn and painted images was pivotal in helping conceive set designs as well an ability to render these designs in a technical, drafted form. Jonathan’s best work reflects the idea of bringing paintings to life.

Jonathan has been working as a Production Designer since 2006 on films such as HEAD IN THE CLOUDS, (he was nominated for a Genie Production Design award and won the Milan Film Festival Production Design award), STEALTH  and FLOOD, He has also designed TV dramas including COLDITZ, CRUSOE, STRIKEBACK: PROJECT DAWN and STRIKEBACK: VENGEANCE. This work covers a wide range 

The core belief that dominates Jonathan’s work is that the conceived image comes first and that any and all technologies, old and new, are the tools to help the designer deliver memorable cinematic worlds.

As a designer, Jonathan relishes the process of exploring the subject of a film as widely as possible then distilling all this research and inspiration to make the world of the film compelling and potent for the director, actors and the audience.  Drawing concept art has always been his most powerful method of showing directors his vision and finding a visual language that drives the film.

Andrew McLeish

Andrew has overseen and consulted on the all American menu at Steam & Rye, he is the driving force behind our commitment to culinary excellence and has been the Executive Chef at Chapter One since March 2000. Andrew has held a Michelin Star since 2001 and four AA rosettes since 2003 taking Chapter One into the top 25 restaurants in the UK.  As well as creating inventive menus that harmoniously blend fresh, seasonal ingredients in sensational dishes, he also leads and inspires a team of talented kitchen staff who share his passion for the art of cooking. Andrew began his career working with the renowned chef Nico Landenis at Chez Nico in London's Park Lane. He honed his management and private function skills at London's premier five-star hotel, The Ritz. Prior to being headhunted for Chapter One, Andrew was Head Chef of the Dining Room at The Landmark in London, one of the capital's most prestigious hotels.