Re-openings
Claridge’s is back and we’ve never been more excited to get into Le Fumoir for a martini. Kebab Queen is now open for dinners with their 10 seater chef’s table, which serves a new, six-course new tasting menu (7:30PM, Tues- Sat). On 25 Sept, Flor is re-opening in Borough, and The Notting Hill Fish Shop will be re-opening too, showing off its shiny new refurb. Lastly, great news – London’s sexiest restaurant, Decimo, is back 1 October. See you there!
All Change
Barrafina Drury Lane will re-open as Barrafina Mariscos (8 Oct), showcasing the best of Spanish and British seafood, cooked in Spanish methods, which sounds great (Wed-Sat, 5-11 and Sunday, 12-4). Robin Gill has found a new home for The Dairy, serving inventive, seasonal plates in Bermondsey, and Stoney Street has turned into a wine bar Weds-Saturdays.
Events
Bubala will be running three x dates in October, with chef collaborations at lunch (two seatings); we’ll be booking in for the Som Saa one on the 18th please. The Hot4U boys have moved into Laylow for a residency this week (today, tomorrow, 29th and 30th), with their usual creative menus (book here) and Seabird has new seafood towers, launching this Sunday.
New
Giannino, the much-loved 120 year old Milan fave serving dishes inspired by Italian home cooking, is now also in Mayfair. IT London (in Mayfair as well) has a new lunch menu. In Fitzrovia, Pali Hill is a new Indian celebrating regional flavours, with a late night bar (‘til 1 Thurs-Sat) Bandra Bhai, and there’s also Maison François, the new all-day brasserie and wine bar. In Belgravia, a very ambitious Pantechnicon will celebrate two cultures (Nordic and Japanese) under one five-floor roof, with several dining options, including the UK’s first Café Kitsune and a 130-seat roof garden bar and restaurant. Also in Belgravia, Liv has 50% off on food until the end of the month (Mon-Fri, lunch and dinner). In Marylebone, TAKA is the new Japanese that’s also serving brunch and is designed by B3, who did Roka (and it shows; great lighting) – opens 24 Sept. And online, Big Mamma’s new brand, Napoli Gang, will be launching soon, delivering Big Mamma’s greatest Italian hits.