Eat & Drink
Originally published on Wednesday, 8th September 2010
Chain Gang 2
Top London restaurants expand their portfolios
UJ followers will remember the feature we wrote on our favourite restaurants expanding into nigh-on chain-size territory; but how many outlets does a corporate sell-out make? Whatever the answer, we can’t hate on the latest crop of expansions, as some of our favourite eateries make themselves even more available to us with their new sites. See who’s marking the map and moving their menus in the latest instalment of Chain Gang.
Tiny Robot:
Forget the phoenix – rising out of the East Room ashes come not just one, but now two, bionic beasts. With Giant Robot serving up Italian-American meatballs to rival Mama’s on Clerkenwell Road it was only a matter of time before this android eatery expanded. Slated to launch this Friday, Westbourne-based Tiny Robot promises counter dining, fresh coffee and sharing plates in the space upstairs and a members bar below. East, West – the world.
Open from 10th September, 78 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RT,
0207 065 6814.
www.tnyrbt.com
Geales:
If you love your beer-battered fish & chip fix from Notting Hill fave Geales but don’t fancy trekking up North to trawl for your catch of the day, now you can head to Chelsea instead. Posh totties best get their tackle in gear as the beloved brand (established in 1939 but benefitting from a rock’n’roll refurb thanks to Mark Fuller and his Sanctum hotel group) gets ready to dish out sustainably sourced seafood, fish soup, Geales’ classic fish pie and mushy peas.
Open from 16th September, 1 Cale Street, SW3 3QT, 0207 965 0555.
www.geales.com
Pho:
No stranger to the chain concept, Pho has rolled out its fifth love-child this month in a beautiful building complete with sash windows and fireplaces. And it doesn’t stop there. The plan is to expand the brand into a 20-strong army by 2015, so get your noodles now whilst they’re still a little bit autonomous.
Open now. 163-165 Wardour Street, W1F 8WN, 0207 434 3938.
www.phocafe.co.uk
Hakkasan:
With a Wagamama on practically every corner, another outlet from Alan Yau’s stable of Asiana eateries would hardly be ground-breaking news. But this time it’s his show-horse Chinese, Hakkasan, that’s getting a second branch on suitably posh Mayfair grounds. With the same subterranean dining concept as its parent restaurant, it’ll also have a ground floor dining room and bar for more casual dining and new menu additions like black truffle roast duck and steamed New Zealand lobster.
Opening in November. 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB.
www.hakkasan.com
