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Comedian Jim Bowen opens northern version of El Bulli

Published:  01 April, 2010

Comedian Jim Bowen is to open his version of award- winng restaurant El Bulli in memory of his classic TV quiz Bullseye.

 

Comedian Jim Bowen is to open his version of award- winng restaurant El Bulli in memory of his classic TV quiz Bullseye.

Bowen's version of El Bulli will be very different from chef Ferran Adrià's which has regularly been voted the best restaurant in the world. Instead of some of the most innovative gastronomic dishes ever created Bowen intends to bring a bit of the north west of England to his new venture - "Heh Bully Bully" in the centre of Wigan.

Diners can look forward to special meal deals based on his TV show which saw contestants win prizes through a combination of their general knowledge and dart throwing skills.

In keeping with the show's many catchphrases guests will be given on arrival a copy of the menu from the original El Bulli restaurant and be told "here's what you could have had" before being handed the "Heh Bully Bully" menu.

Guests are also encouraged not to order the same two starters or main courses because as Bowen says "you get nothing for two in a bed".

Again in keeping with the show diners stand the chance of winning a holiday to the region of Catalonia in Spain, home of El Bulli, in a monthly prize draw.

Bowen said: "I love my restaurants and although I have never eaten at El Bulli I thought why not copy from the best. I can't promise the same kind of cooking or even the same kind of food or wine but we will be trying our hardest to give north west customers the same level of passion. I had to bring a bit of bull to Wigan.

"Let's face it bulls have played a big part in my life and this is my way of giving something back."

It is not known whether Adrià's sense of humour willl stretch to his restaurant's legacy being used in such a way.

Heh Bully Bully will also feature a wide drinks choice with a northern twist to its Spanish roots. The wine list, for example, has a strong north west connection with a strong selection of Torres wines in tribute to local Liverpool football star Fernando Torres.

Drinks manager Bill Sherry said: "I have sherry literally running through my northern veins so am so excited to bring a bit of El Bulli to Wigan."

Tony Green, the darts commentator and scorer from the TV series, is also involved in the project as manager of front of house.

Bowen said he had written to chef Adrià to help open the restaurant but had not had a reply. "It looks like we will have to get someone dressed up on the ol' bull's outfit again," he told harpers.co.uk.

The restaurant is due to open on the morning of April 1.

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