Something of the Manchester buzz inspired launch of Anglo-French restaurant

London-based property and restaurant entrepreneur Jamie Poulton has told how the vibrancy of Manchester prompted the first launch outside the capital of Anglo-French eatery Randall & Aubin.

The 48-year-old businessman spent two years alongside the restaurant’s co-owner and head chef Ed Baines preparing the opening of the restaurant which opened on Bridge Street last week.

Specialising in oysters, crabs scallops and other crustacea Poulton and Barnes reckon their offering will be a hit with city foodies.

“When we started in Soho 20 years ago, it was quite a creative and vibrant place,” he told TheBusinessDesk. “That was the feeling when I got off the train here.

“My sister was at university here and I remember visiting the Hacienda (nightclub) and was completely confused by it.”

The restaurant does big platters of French-style crabs and oysters which have proved a massive hit in Soho.

“We’ve haven’t been open long, but we’ve got some very good feedback so far,” said Poulton. “There seems to be a lack of seafood restaurants in Manchester.”

Poulton agreed that an important ingredient to the success of a restaurant is consistency and integral to this is the training of his staff in line with his beliefs in promoting sustainability and knowledge about where the food Randall & Aubin offers comes from.

He said: “Training is a very important because we want our staff to be able to explain our customers about the food. We want the food and where it comes from to be respected.”
Sourcing the food is not easy.

“The restaurant sources its food predominantly from the same places as its London restaurant.

“We specialise in oysters, but there are up to four different types as well as scallops and delicate crustacea, which are not easy to get in bulk,” said Poulton.

A keen interior designer himself, the impressive interior of Randall & Aubin is Poulton’s creation.