The Parc by Thistle Announces New Partnership With Crown Hotels and Restaurants

LONDON, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Parc by Thistle has announced it will be going into partnership with South Wales-based Crown Hotels and Restaurants.

The joint venture will see the launch of a new, high-end restaurant concept within the Cardiff hotel, the Crown Social.  As part of this partnership, Michelin-accredited chef Martin Blunos becomes the executive chef of the Cardiff restaurant.

Having recently undergone a full refurbishment, The Parc hotel's contemporary new-look restaurant and champagne bar will cater for those seeking a pleasant wining and dining experience in the heart of the Welsh capital.

Universally recognised as one of the UK's leading chefs, Martin Blunos recently joined Crown Hotels & Restaurants as executive chef with a special emphasis on expanding the restaurant business into new areas.

Blunos, born and raised near Bath by his Latvian parents, has held two Michelin stars for more than fifteen years.  He is a familiar face on TV with his distinctive walrus moustache. He said: "The opening of the Crown Social at The Parc Hotel, one of Cardiff's most established hotels, is very exciting and something completely new for the city. I've assembled a first class team for Crown Social and now can't wait to get started."

Michael Davies, director of the Monmouthshire-based Crown Hotels & Restaurants, said: "We're thrilled and delighted to be linking with The Parc Hotel and opening this wonderful new addition to Crown Hotels and Restaurants which brings an entirely different, exciting style of eating right into the heart of the city of Cardiff."

Darren Patt, Regional Operations Director comments: "We're thrilled to announce this partnership with such a credible restaurant group; already renowned for their excellence in award-winning fine dining and boasting successful concepts: The Crown at Whitebrook, near Monmouth and The Crown at Celtic Manor.

"The Parc by Thistle has the ideal city-centre location and naturally-lit space to create an inviting, eclectic dining experience - we're confident that with the joint reputations of Crown Hotels and Restaurants and Martin Blunos, we will quickly establish Crown Social as one of the finest dining destinations in South Wales."

Martin will work closely with The Parc by Thistle's general manager Richard O'Riordan, to make a true mark for Crown Social on Wales' quality dining map.

Crown Social will offer a contemporary take on classic Welsh dishes already served in restaurants in Cardiff. It will be a city hotspot where guests can informally meet, drink, dine and socialise.

About Thistle:

Thistle Hotels is part of Guoman Hotel Management (UK) Limited which operates hotels throughout the UK. Thistle has 33 hotels across the country, many in superb city centre locations, including eleven in central London. With a selection of restaurants and a choice of excellent health and leisure facilities, Thistle has something to offer everyone.

Thistle Hotels is the first hotel group to achieve Hospitality Assured accreditation, across its entire UK portfolio. Created by the Institute of Hospitality, the Hospitality Assured standard measures the quality within customer facing businesses across the hospitality, tourism and leisure industry.

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