Sexy Fish: Ivy tycoon Richard Caring transforms Mayfair bank into aquatic restaurant – with installations by Damien Hirst and a 13ft crocodile

Restaurant tycoon Richard Caring, owner of Caprice Holdings, has launched a new aquatic-themed restaurant in Mayfair's Berkeley Square. 

Sexy Fish will – as the name implies – serve fish and seafood and sits on the site of an old NatWest banking hall. The restaurant will join Caprice Holding's growing list of London restaurants, which include The Ivy, Le Caprice and 34.

Set to open on October 19, the restaurant will include one of the most expensive collections of new artworks created for a London restaurant – with Damien Hirst among the artists to have contributed pieces.

Read more: Sexy Fish restaurant review: Richard Caring’s seafood menu is all about that bass

The billionaire artist has designed a pair of bronze mermaids and an aquatic relief for Caprice's latest venture. Sexy Fish will also include a showcase of works by Frank Gehry.

The 190-seat restaurant will also include a 13ft silicon crocodile and the world's largest live coral reef tank. 

“This has been a project very close to owner Richard Caring’s heart," said Laura Montana, new projects operations director of Caprice Holdings. "He wants to bring some fun, life and excitement to this corner of Berkeley Square."

Sexy Fish will be directed by ex-Nobu manager, Paul Murashe, and David Millière will join from Bangkok's Zuma as head sommelier.

The menu will specialise in Asian-inspired seafood and will be overseen by young British-born chef, Ben Orpwood. There will be a £90 nine-course tasting menu and a £25 two-course lunch menu.

This isn't the first time Hirst has supplied artwork to a restaurant. Mark Hix's Tramshed is also home to a sculpture of a cow and a cock in formaldehyde, which takes centre stage in the Shoreditch restaurant.