It was with some sadness that we witnessed the demise of Baja Beach Club last year. There was a certain charm to the naffness of the half-naked dancing waiters, faux-Hawaiian theme and general drunken stupour that pervaded the place.

In came Opium: sleek, sharp, but ultimately no different to what was already on offer next door at CDLC and Shôko. It's only fitting then, that Opium is now getting a bit of competition at its other uptown venue at Astoria from a former Shoko manager.

Just across the street, in what was once the Rincón del Jamón restaurant, Ignacio Furest is busily launching his Lemon Twist. The concept seems initially confused - what do you make of a tapas bar cum pizzeria cum cocktail bar cum nightclub? - but then again, conventions have never been the strong point for the gang that brought us Salsitas and the legendary Octopussy.