Ignace Lecleir Talks Hulu WAB Concept Change & More

New things are on the horizon for Hulu, the casual dining brand operated by the team behind TRB, with the soon-to-open Iberico by TRB taking over the old Hulu by WAB as a new Spanish tapas concept, with its grand opening mid-April.

We spoke with TRB owner Ignace Lecleir about the changes, as well as what sort of things are happening this spring for TRB Hutong following the restaurant's Michelin star recognition.

How have things been going for TRB and Hulu since coming into the New Year?
TRB Hospitality Group has been going well, it is nice to see that we are going into a new reality and everything is progressing smoothly.

We understand that Hulu Taikooli and the Hulu at Indigo Mall have both closed, while Hulu by WAB is set to undergo a change in concept. Why have the closures and changes been happening?
Hulu by TRB was my first casual restaurant, we felt very happy with what Hulu has achieved as a brand and also as an identity over the years. Now we are ready to bring something new to the market, we are all excited about the new-concept restaurant that has been working on. We hope it will receive nice responses as Hulu and our guests will be just as enthusiastic about it as we are. The lease of Hulu TKL and Indigo has come to an end, and we have decided to focus on our new project.

Turning back to the changes coming for Hulu near WAB, what can we expect from this new concept?
We are thrilled to bring a new Spanish restaurant concept to Beijing. People can expect to enjoy the same sense of TRB hospitality that we strive to provide in all of our restaurants, as well as some authentic Spanish dishes like paella and classic tapas, along with Spanish-inspired dishes with a TRB twist.

If successful, will there be more concept changes to follow in a similar vein to this new tapas restaurant venture?
We have not decided yet, but we are always looking at ways to stay busy and provide outstanding hospitality to each and every guest. We are open to any opportunities that come along and are definitely delighted to explore and evaluate them

Also, has a name for the venue been chosen yet?
The name chosen is "Iberico." It came from a competition we held with our customers. It was great to see their response and feedback, and it was interesting that so many people participated in naming our new brand. We received hundreds of names, and 'Iberico' was the one that we felt was the most suitable.

Now to TRB, how are things going thus far following TRB Hutong’s Michelin star recognition?
We are extremely honored and humbled by the recognition the Michelin Guide has given to TRB Hutong this year. We are excited to see that borders are reopening and travel will most likely pick up more and more. We're definitely excited about what the future holds for the TRB Group and look forward to an amazing 2023.

Besides Iberico by TRB's opening, what new things are coming this spring for TRB?
TRB Hutong has recently debuted a new brunch menu called "Let's Brunch". Available from Tuesday-Saturday 11.30am-2.30pm, the four dish set menu comes with choice of starters and main. The menu also features the Oeuf Mollet de Pekin, a soft boiled egg with truffle and madeira sauce, and desserts inspired by French pastry.

Iberico by TRB
2F, 8 Laiguangying East Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区来广营东路8号二楼
Phone (for inquiries and reservations) : 18612879305

READ: Michelin 2023: Who's New & Who's Worth Trying

Images courtesy of TRB