If there’s one thing we know about The Maine’s founder Joey Ghazal, it’s that he likes a challenge. Who else would manage to open a chandelier-strewn it-eatery at The Opus by Zaha Hadid during a global pandemic? Not content to stop there, as London limps out of lockdown, Joey’s ready to reveal The Maine’s first international location, 20 Hanover Square in Mayfair, ahead of its September opening. The recently renovated Hanover Square is about to get a taste of Dubai as The Maine is set to takeover the former home of the Duke of Montrose only surviving Georgian Grade II listed building in the area dating back to 1720, and turn the townhouse into three levels of decadence with five distinct rooms hosting 350 diners. The only question remains, is London ready? GRAZIA catches up with Joey Ghazal to find out…
Why is now the right time to introduce Dubai’s most beloved home-grown restaurant concept to London?
I started my career as a waiter in London 20 years ago, so this has been a long time in the making for me. Our eyes have been set on London for the past two years and we literally considered every neighbourhood and location, but this property was too good a location to miss.
What can The Maine offer Londoners that doesn’t already exist in their already very rich restaurant landscape?
London is an extraordinary dining destination and particularly Mayfair is home to the iconic restaurants in the world. The location 20 Hanover Square is a dream property for any restaurateur and The Maine Mayfair will graft the past onto the present, with a blend of period fidelity and contemporary gloss.
Have you modified the concept for a new market?
Each restaurant is always a reflection of the neighbourhood it’s in, whether that’s in Miami, Singapore or Mykonos. Our London outpost will embody the rich heritage, and grandeur of its new home.
What can Dubai diners expect from their first experience at The Maine in London?
The Maine Mayfair is an evolution of its predecessors. The experience will always be rooted in a classic brasserie experience but guests can come to expect the unexpected, with more of a nightlife element and lots of entertainment – and always resonating with a sense of event and celebration, ensuring it’s a mainstay in the dining landscape of Mayfair for years to come.
