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Gastro Greats 2010
It’s been a culinary corker of a year, this one. Cutting edge newcomers like Viajante have vied with sprauncy launches like Koffmann’s, and neighbourhoods have gotten cosier with the addition of spots like Caravan in Exmouth Market and Brasa and The Henry Root Fulham-Chelsea way (and who’d have thought we’d be lauding that area as one to watch for destination dining). The fact that sushi supremos Yashin have just opened in Kensington is a also a surprise, but that St. John’s new Chinatown premises is destined to be a hip hangout in 2011 is perhaps not such a shocker. We’re loving them all.
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Best Launch of the Year
Hawksmoor
Seven Dials, 11 Langley Street, WC2H 9JG
The second offering from Will Beckett and Huw Gott, whose Spitalfields steak house is already legendary, had us falling over ourselves to be the first through the door. The rehauled former brewery oozes classic London appeal, from the chunky, vaulted dining room to the solid yet sophisticated cocktail bar. And despite it being a haven for carnivores and serving impeccable Tamworth ribs and Porterhouse (with bone marrow gravy, sir?), dishes like Dorset Blue lobster with hazelnut butter are equally as melt-in-the-mouth.
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Best for design: Tinello
87 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH
The eternal question: can lighting ever be too low? If the answer is no then this Tuscan-style nook gets it just right. The small but well-proportioned room achieves the perfect balance of rustic chic, and the antipasto of squid, potato, chickpea and chili stew will make you feel right at home.
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Best for fun: Hakkasan
17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB
Sometimes, usually around payday, you just want to get your highest heels out and go somewhere glam. The sexy decor and people-watching here — not to mention the golden soft shell crab and Chinese Mule cocktails — make them pennies (okay, pounds) well-spent. A much more fun Nobu.
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Best for foodies: Koya
49 Frith Street, W1D 4SG
Fergus Henderson and family were among the first to give this shrine to udon their stamp of approval. Freshly made on site, the noodles are paired with hot or cold broth, tempura, roast duck and other simple yet satisfying delights. An affordable indulgence. |
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Best for a crowd: Polpetto
49 Dean Street, W1D 5BG
As with its Soho sibling Polpo, this little room above the French House pub is all about the scene. So tuck into fennel salami, fig and stracchino bruschetta, and a 'Spritz' or two, knowing it won't break the bank and you'll be richer for soaking up the atmosphere and conversation.
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Best surprise hit: 8 Station Terrace
8 Station Terrace, NW10 5RT
2010 was all about the return of the neighbourhood bistro. And this unpretentious Kensal Rise cafe managed to tick all the boxes. Homely yet well turned out food, a cosy atmosphere that gets livelier in the evening, and charmingly patchy service. Late 'Risers' swear by the Square Mile flat whites.
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Last Minute Mention: Brawn
49 Columbia Road, E2 7RG, 020 7729 5692
Fresh from the Terroirs stable, this new Mod European (leaning towards French) on Columbia Road already has critics raving about the earthy, porky menu (zander boudin and adouillette being favourites) — less offally offerings, like Cornish squid, are also winners — and natural wines. So who's for a sulphate-free hangover?
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Rumour Mill Mishap: Spuntino
spuntino.wordpress.com
Now slated for spring, this more NYC-ised diner — which was supposed to arrive before it's little brother Polpetto — will offer mac 'n' cheese, meatball sliders and so much more. All in that bare-brick, roughly-hewn ambience that Russell Norman does so well. We're in no doubt it will be worth the wait.
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Most Anticipated Opening of 2011: Pollen Street Social
www.jasonatherton.co.uk
We've raised an eyebrow at Heston calling his new gaff at the Mandarin Oriental 'Dinner' (though we'll still be curious to try) but the smartest option, we say, will be Pollen Street Social. Having moved on from Maze, Jason Atherton's new venture promises an unpretentious atmosphere as well as sublime cooking.
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LINK TO THESE FEATURES: EAT & DRINK
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URBAN JUNKIES COMPETITION
SPONSORED LISTING
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Win Tickets to a Screening of FELA!
National Theatre Live presents FELA!, a wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music exploring the world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), FELA! reveals Kuti's controversial life as an artist and political activist, featuring original songs and Bill T. Jones' visionary staging. This smash-hit production has been thrilling audiences on Broadway and in London, and is now set to broadcast live in high definition to cinemas across the UK and around the world on Thursday, 13th January 2011.
We have a pair of cinema tickets to give away to one lucky winner. To enter, just send your name to competition@urbanjunkies.com and let us know which country Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was born in.
Ts & Cs: One winner is entitled to a pair of tickets at one of the participating cinemas on 13 January. For your nearest cinema visit www.ntlive.com. Competition closes on Friday 7 January. Tickets subject to availability. Promoter reserves the right to substitute prize for that of an equal or greater value if necessary. Winner must be confirmed by Monday 10 January.
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BEST OF THE BARS 2010
It was a particularly impressive year for the bar-world. Despite being an infamously recession-proof industry, a lot of chaff has closed over the last couple of years (and sadly a little wheat: Salvatore Calabrese's Fifty, for example). Which means that there's been plenty of space for some cracking gems to come shining through — particularly from the speakeasy and luxury trends. So here's a little round-up of our 2010 faves… and a few of the highlights that we're holding out for for oh-eleven…
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Best Launch of the Year (overall):
The Savoy
Strand, WC2R 0EU
It's just so hard not to love this iconic three-year, £220 million Deco-licious hotel refurb on The Strand. Sure it's a slight mare to get into (and Gordan Ramsay's Grill might be hedging in on the limelight a touch) — but the glorious new Beaufort Bar is an absolute feat of gold-leafed Champagne love, the legendary American Bar is an old-school charmer, and Erik Lorincz's classic cocktails there are a thorough treat. Just be sure to allow a little time to get through the doors… |
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UJ's Bar Roster:
Best for Design: ECC Chinatown
Experimental Cocktail Club, 13 Gerrard Street, W1D 5PS
A slice of semi low-key speakeasy bling in the heart of Chinatown, the Francophilic Experimental Cocktail Club import is a veritable trove of quirky design (love the piano-inset bar, the mirrored ceilings, colonial touches, and of course that carpet), and a heavenly 3am license for its (slightly overpriced — but impeccably made) cocktails. |
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Best for Fun: Public
Public, 533 King's Road, SW10 0TZ
Yes we know it's Sloane-land, but Guy Pelly's new converted antiques store of a bar/club pulls in a mixed bag of West London tribes (including a hefty dash of Mahiki-ites). The design is fun and kinda raw (by King's Road standards), drinks are fairly priced, the dance floor hysterical for people-spotting, and we're rather tickled by the glowing candy in the VIP area. |
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Best for Cocktails: Purl
Purl, 50-54 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX
Enamoured by both Purl's chatty, subterranean fireplace-and-armchair vibe and of course the theatrical swirl of dry ice that surrounds our favourite rum concoctions, if you like your drinks a little quirky (deconstructed Piña Colada sorbet anyone?), then Marylebone's premier cocktail joint is an absolute must. |
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Best for Crowd: The Starland Social Club / Danger of Death
The Starland Social Club, 78 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RT
Danger of Death, 202 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
If it's off-radar you want then these are your babies. Sister venues to Jonathan Downey's Milk and Honey, Player, Giant Robot et al., we truly love their local members' policy — which leaves a crowd that's regularly fun, friendly and gratefully devoid of w*nkers.
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Best surprise hit: Dick's Bar @ El Camion
El Camino, 25-27 Brewer Street, W1F 0RR
Beneath an easy-going Mexican resto on Brewer Street lies this gem of a West End late-night bar. Captained by the legendary Dick Bradsell, it's tiny, charmingly sans frills, runs till a useful 3am, serves awesome drinks (he invented the Espresso Martini doncherknow) and inevitably ends in a wee dance-off. |
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Last Minute Mention (Latecomer): Nightjar
Nightjar, 129-131 City Road, EC1V 1JB
Beneath an intriguingly off-putting block beside Old Street roundabout, Nightjar takes the underground speakeasy concept and maximizes it to rather impressive effect. Only time will tell whether the location and cabaret gambles will pay off — but in the meantime, the fabulous drinks by ex-Montgomery Place's Marion Beke and the charming décor are winners in our books.
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Most Anticipated Openings of 2011:
As usual, the bar-world is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest. But highlights on our 2011 radar so far include: Quo Vadis' new QV bar, launching beside its existing Dean Street site in January and headed-up by the marvelous cocktailian, Paul Mant. Jonathan Downey's East Rooms Part Deux — rumoured for a possible 2011 launch following the first flagship's sad demise in flames earlier this year. And of course then there's the official Playboy Club in Mayfair. It could be fabulous; it could be horrific. Either way, morbid curiosity has our ears well and truly peaked for mid-2011. (And it better make the best Playboy Martini on Earth is all we can say…)
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LINK TO THESE FEATURES: NIGHTLIFE
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2010 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved.
Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express
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