After much speculation, it has now been confirmed that the father-and-daughter team Juan Mari and Elena Arzak - whose Basque restaurant Arzak is ranked 8th on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list, will open a second restaurant at the Halkin hotel in London next February.
The name - Ametsa - was chosen because Ametsa means dream in Basque. But in a telephone interview, Juan Mari Arzak was quick to add: "It is a consultancy job, done by the consultancy outfit we just created, called Ametsa with Instruction. It won't be at all like our restaurant in San Sebastian, although we're thinking up a few dishes for them".
The space is being designed by London-based AB Rogers and will incorporate Basque elements in a contemporary way. Juan Mari said it will be "a luxurious space" and that he is not sure that he'll be able to attend the opening. Another restaurant where the Arzaks have signed on as a consultants is Sandó, in Madrid.
