Media firm set to lauch first restaurant in Essex

Next month sees Loughton’s biggest employer, privately-owned events and media company, Media 10, open its debut restaurant, Tom, Dick & Harry’s, below its HQ on the town’s High Street.

Opening on 8 July, the 2,000sq ft all-day, 60-cover dining operation will be open for breakfast and coffees right through to cocktails and dinner, serving Saturday brunch and Sunday roasts at the weekend.

As well as the main dining room, there is a lounge area complete with baby grand piano, counter dining at the bar and an al fresco terrace seating 16.

Head chef Michael Carter’s signature dishes come in the form of Nibbleinis – modern small plates that mix Mediterranean flavours with impeccably sourced British ingredients, many from local producers. Choices will include British burrata; fried crisp Cornish squid; and chargrilled prawns. More substantial mains come in the form of grills from the charcoal Kopa oven.

The wine list features the county’s largest selection of pale Provence rosés, from established names and boutique growers. Available by the glass, bottle, magnum or jeroboam, there will be a changing weekly special purchased by the magnum but charged by the glass, and measured at the table, so guests only pay for what they drink.

In addition, there’s an extensive gin and tonic list and cocktails inspired by some of the world’s most famous Toms, Dicks and Harrys such as the Dirty Harry with Wild Turkey Bourbon, Frangelico and Angostura Bitters.

Additional features include a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar (on Sundays) and a permanent Gin Bar featuring 20 different varieties displayed on a flavour wheel ranging from ‘juniper rich and robust’ through to ‘fresh and floral’ alongside a selection of tonics.

There will also be regular acoustic performances from local musicians and a Sunday Roast Club offering whole joints carved by the head of the table and served family-style with all the trimmings.

The name was inspired by the three escape tunnels in The Great Escape – a code the founders of Media 10 used when leaving their corporate jobs to set up their Loughton agency.