CONFIDENTIAL has got its hands on the first few snaps from inside Grafene - the new £1m Modern British restaurant taking over the old Brasserie Blanc site on that curious drag between King Street and Chapel Walks.

And while the restaurant's inspiration may be incredibly light, their brigade carries some serious weight

The 190-cover restaurant - which opens fully to punters on Friday 22 July - features an open pastry kitchen, a champagne/cocktail bar, two private dining rooms and an outdoor terrace, and will offer a selection of small plates and a ‘market-based’ a la carte menu alongside a more elaborate seven-course taster menu.

Inspired by the 2D wonder material founded at the University of Manchester in 2004, Grafene comes from Paul and Kathryn Roden, the husband and wife team behind the 2 AA Rosette Orangery restaurant at Losehill House in the Peak District.

And while the restaurant's inspiration may be incredibly light, their brigade carries some serious weight. Over 800 people applied for around 30 jobs at the new restaurant, including former Grill on the Alley manager, Kelly Wimbledon, who takes up the role of General Manager; former Manchester House head bartender, Chris Jew, who will become bar manager; and ex-Volta senior sous chef, Damien Cunliff, who'll take up the role of Head Chef under the watchful eye of Executive Chef, Darren Goodwin. The pastry kitchen, meanwhile, will be run by Cristina Molteni, formerly of The Ritz in Paris, whilst another former Living Ventures employee, Amir Manouchehri, will become restaurant manager.

You can make a booking at Grafene here, but in the meantime here's how it looks...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Grafene opens Friday 22 July at 55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ.