The announcement precedes the opening of two new venues, Candour and Hjem, this summer
There seems to be no better signifier of an F&B industry in revival than the creation of not one, but two hospitality groups in the month of May alone. Hot on the heels of Shane Osborn's The Arcane Collective, restaurateur Nelson Htoo of Club Rangoon has taken the wraps off of Common Abode, co-founded with partner Elin Fu and set to encompass two new openings this summer.
Deriving its identity from an ethos of "family and the importance of bonding, morals and codes," the creation of Common Abode precedes the imminent opening of Candour, a bar and lounge space that takes over the former confines of the 65 Peel gastropub in Soho. The all-day concept will place an emphasis on its cocktail programme, headed by beverage consultant Chanel Adams (formerly of Doubleshot by The Cupping Room), as well as a music curation centred around hip-hop. Meanwhile, Club Rangoon chef Karisa Cheque has created a food menu for the bar that ranges from small bites to themed brunches.
"[Candour] came about as a result of reflecting on our own experiences within a nightlife space," explains Htoo. "If anyone were to ask what our ideal space for a night out would look like, this would be it.”
See also: Food In A Time Of Unrest At Club Rangoon
A short distance from Candour in a venue opposite Sheung Wan's Man Mo Temple, Scandinavian cafe Hjem will also open under the Common Abode umbrella. Translating to 'home' in Norwegian, the space is inspired by co-founder Elin Fu's childhood in Norway and seeks to carve out a sanctuary-like space in the city, offering Nordic coffee and food dishes by Finnish chef-consultant and former executive chef at Shore Hospitality Group, Jaakko Sorsa. Combined with what promises to be a neutral, calming interior and the quieter neighbourhood surrounds, Hjem will certainly have no shortage of hygge.
"After the opening of Club Rangoon, I have been incredibly grateful for the recognition and acknowledgement that it has consistently received, and to see that many appreciate something so personal to me," adds Htoo. "Now with Common Abode, I aim to tap into more personal memories and create spaces that I hope many will also find meaningful in their experiences."
Related: Ahead Of His Third Restaurant Opening, Chef Shane Osborn Announces Launch Of The Arcane Collective