After breaking the mould at Nobu and Kurobuta, Scott Hallsworth has settled in London's Soho with Freak Scene – a bar and restaurant that perfectly displays his penchant for in-your-face Asian flavours.
Japanese food may have a reputation for subtlety, but Scott Hallsworth – despite being head chef at world famous Japanese restaurant Nobu for six years – is anything but subtle. After leaving Nobu, he scraped together enough money to open a pop-up restaurant – Kurobuta – on the King’s Road in Chelsea, where his pull-no-punches approach made him an overnight sensation. Once Scott parted ways with Kurobuta, he came back with something even better – the brash, bold and delicious Freak Scene.
Like Kurobuta, Freak Scene pays homage to Japanese izakaya drinking dens – somewhat the equivalent of American diner or British pub culture. You won’t find any white tablecloths or hushed service here – rock music blares, the seating is all at the counter and the staff bounce around in jeans and vintage rock band T-shirts. Freak Scene is all about conviviality, so much so that you may find yourself sharing a few drinks with the staff before your night is through.
Whilst Kurobuta was a predominantly Japanese menu, Scott has widened his gaze for the food at Freak Scene and taken inspiration from all over Asia. The menu leads you on a glorious messy tour of Asian street food, from Thai pork sausage buns with scotch bonnet mayo and chilli crab to avocado wontons and chicken-fried chicken with peanut soy and pickled cucumber. It’s tantalising, mouth-watering stuff. Like the music, all the flavours are turned up to ten here – your palate is bombarded with sweet, savoury, spicy and sour, all moshing away together in perfect harmony. Some of Scott's signature dishes from his time at Kurobuta (think miso-grilled aubergine with candied walnuts and his renowned salmon sashimi pizza with truffle ponzu) have also returned, so if you’re looking for an old flame, you might still find it.
There are a few wines available by the glass or bottle, but the drinks menu isn’t really about the vino – it’s about beers, cocktails and shots. Freak Scene keeps a selection of craft beers on hand – including its own Freak Scene American IPA – alongside a nicely-curated list of Asian-inspired cocktails, including the sake and vodka-spiked Bonzai Kitten and the Thai Morning Jacket made with gin, makrut lime leaves and lemonade.
