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Templar, a new wine bar and sharing plates restaurant from the team behind Darkhorse, will open on 1st March in Stratford Cross.

From Lee Glen and Ian Goodman, Templar is set within London’s new Cultural Quarter and will become home to a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar, serving seasonal creative dishes and an emphasis on low intervention wines, many to savour by the glass.

Nestled in the burgeoning area of Stratford Cross, Templar is embedded within a cultural hub with neighbours including the new Sadlers Wells East, the V&A, UAL and BBC Music Studios.

Stratford Cross is set between The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The London Stadium and has undergone a transformation, welcoming locals and visitors alike into a new creative area.

Upon entering the restaurant, guests will be greeted by an open dining room and opulent bar stocked with fine Italian spirits. Inspired by Italian Modernism with mid-century design, the dining room has signature blue accents, reclaimed terrazzo floor, dark cherry seating and leather burgundy banquettes, complemented by vintage lighting reminiscent of 1950s Italy.

Up above in the rafters is a mezzanine which is home to a wine cave filled with bottles predominantly from the old world, and a semiprivate dining room overlooking the restaurant.

At the helm of the kitchen is Richard Sinclair who hails from Italian restaurants Terra and Lardo, along with a 2-year stint at Pied à Terre under his belt. Richard’s menu is a celebration of modern European dishes.

Small plates include Watermelon radish, taramasalata, and Richard’s baked crispy focaccia; Pig’s head croquette, fennel and Muscat grape salad; Sea bass crudo, Amalfi lemon, cucumber, wild fennel and coriander.

Larger dishes will feature Truffle and ricotta ravioli with pecorino and sage; 12-hour BBQ lamb shoulder which is cooked over charcoal and served with hispi cabbage and red wine jus; Chargrilled monkfish tail, white wine sauce, sea herbs and pickled mushrooms.

Puddings won’t go amiss with Yorkshire forced rhubarb, yoghurt mousse, gingerbread biscuit; Hot chocolate fondant, pistachio, banana, vanilla ice cream; and Mandarin semifreddo with blood orange and gin jelly.

Alongside the wine comes a capsule cocktail list including Olive Oil and Sea Salt Martini comprising olive oil washed vodka, vanilla liqueur, a dash of cream and Maldon salt; Honey Bee Good, a heady blend of Avallen Calvados, Chartreuse, Park honey, apple juice, absinthe; and a Maple Old Fashioned made from Four Roses bourbon, nut brown butter wash, aromatic bitters, Maldon salt and maple syrup.

Co-founder Lee Glen says, “After the success of Darkhorse, we’re thrilled to open Templar in nearby Stratford Cross. The area is buzzing and we’re really proud of the menu that Richard has curated – come along for sharing plates and a glass of wine or join us for larger dishes and an evening of cocktails”.

Ian Goodman adds “The name Templar derives from the history of this brilliant location in which Knights Templar owned the land back in the 1080s building wooden watermills on the adjacent river Lea to grind the locals’ cereal crops. This is also referenced in the nearby Temple Mills Lane. Discovering the local history of the area, it shows a long- forgotten connection to use of the land in the distant past which many people will not know about. Fast forward to the present where we are really happy to be a part of the new development here as it continues to be regenerated as London’s new Cultural Quarter.”

Templar will officially open from 1st March, serving lunch and dinner seven days a week.