Sack off that January diet and get stuck in
Ever-spoilt Londoners are connoisseurs when it comes to food – so impressing one with a new restaurant is no mean feat!
But fledgling restaurateurs are ever-determined to make their mark on the city’s constantly evolving dining scene and there’s a deluge of hot new openings scheduled for 2014.
Whether formal and glamorous or buzzy and relaxed, each promises delicious food to glut the appetite of the most discerning foodie served up in a fresh new environment.
So whether you plan to schmooze a difficult client, guarantee a second date or just chew the fat with your best friend over some top-quality grub you’ll find something here.
And armed with these hot off the press details you may well cement your status as the go-to person in the office for recommendations for all things cool.
Enjoy the power – and the food! – with this little lot and don’t forget to tell us what you think.
1. Ibérica, 89 Turnmill Lane, Farringdon (exact address and venue TBC)
Former Spanish importers come-restaurateurs are the brainchild behind Ibérica and they are in talks to secure a fourth site in trendy Farringdon in the spring.
Emphasising their winning formula of great food and hospitality, the restaurant will feature regional Spanish cooking served in the stylish mezzanine ‘Celeya Dining Room’.
A décor of oversized lamps and shelves groaning with top quality produce provide the suitably Mediterranean feel here, courtesy of Barcelona-based graphic and interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán.
Sample boldly flavoured peasant dishes such as fabada, an Asturian white bean and blood sausage stew, mopped up with authentic breads, charcuterie and cheeses.
Or why not treat yourself to the offerings from Michelin starred resident chef Nacho Manzano. How about gazpacho of red berries &beetroot with a dollop of cream cheese & slivers of anchovy? Hmmm.
Compliment the delicious food with a bottle of wine from a selection imported directly from boutique Spanish vineyards.
Exact details are yet to be confirmed so keep your eyes peeled for updates.
2. The World’s End Market, 459 Kings Road, London
If the thought of juicy steaks, the freshest British water seafood and burgers hot from the ‘Josper’ grill make your mouth water, then mark your diary for March for the launch of The World’s End Market in Kings Road.
Inspired by the fresh, local ingredients on offer at the Crystal Palace Market, foodies will relish the opportunity to pick their own ingredients from the wet fish counter for a truly personalised dining experience.
And while you wait for your delicious dinner, enjoy surroundings of boutique artwork and stylish photography over a classic cocktail.
The 1930s style stripped back canteen venue will boast a first floor terrace and cinema lounge bar screening Brit classics like Quadraphenia, allowing you to couple your dining experience with a trip to the movies!
How about a raw plate of oysters, salmon carpaccio, sea bass ceviche or classic eggs benedict with your chosen Brit flick?
Slip on your vintage Vivienne Westwood, kick back and make like it’s the Chelsea glory days. We’re already there!
3. Holborn Dining Room, Rosewood Hotel, 252 High Holborn, London
Des McDonald, the success behind Islington’s Fish & Chip Shop, is the talent behind the new Holborn Dining Room & Delicatessen, opening its doors in February.
Encompassing a restaurant, rock bar, delicatessen and an open terrace overlooking the stylish Rosewood Hotel, the venue will serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner on every day of the week.
With design work by Martin Brudnizki, expect reclaimed oak furniture, chandeliers and antique mirrors as the backdrop to your meal.
Steve Collins, previously of Quaglino’s and David Burke, of Le Pont De La Tour and The Wolseley, will be making waves in the kitchen rustling up classic British dishes such as Cornish crab bisque, Highland partridge and steak and Camden ink suet pudding.
Fans of the Fish and Chip Shop can also indulge in the popular fritters that are served there.
And don’t forget to finish your quintessentially British feast with a hearty dessert. Retro puddings of banana and custard and steamed jam sponge pudding are sure to transport you back to the good old days!!
Just passing through? Grab a coffee, soup and sandwich from the deli to take back to the office.
Call us childish if you like, but we’re most excited about the yummy-sounding fish finger sandwiches and cake of the day!
4. The Shangri-La at The Shard, 40 Bermondsey St, London
The Shangri-La hotel group have confirmed plans to take over 18 floors of The Shard’s higher levels in May and the opulent spec makes this a must visit venue for lovers of upscale glam.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with four exciting places to eat – with a ground floor deli, a destination restaurant, lounge and signature bar all being launched.
For something formal, book a table at The Shard 35 restaurant for a locally inspired dish using fine seasonal ingredients.
Or enjoy a more relaxed pace by heading to the lounge next door for a light meal of Hainan chicken rice served with Wanton soup and other Asian treats.
And don’t forget to pop into Gourmet by Shangri-La to take your pick from the extra special artisan cakes and savouries. Â
Looking to up your cool-factor and impress someone special? Then make it your mission to squeeze into the hotly anticipated Gong bar which promises to be packed out fast. Â The highest bar in The Shard, it comes complete with cocktail bar, champagne bar and swimming pool.
Don’t worry – there are still a few months to get swimwear ready!
5. 20 Fenchurch Street, Fenchurch Street, London
Dubbed the ‘Walkie Talkie’ because of its shape, 20 Fenchurch Street is the new triple level high rise restaurant coming to the heart of the city in April.
Ideally located in Fenchurch Street for a business lunch, the awesome views will also impress visitors to London wanting impressive city sights from a landmark building.
Still under construction, exact details are scarce but suffice to say the 37 storey building will be a showstopper with three venues on levels 35-37 boasting stunning 360 degree views of the city.
There will also be an impressive indoor garden space called the Sky Garden.
Secure your place at the food bar on the 35th floor where you can enjoy champagne and canapés before making your way to the brasserie for the seafood bar and grill.
Information is still coming on the food being served at this venue but the catering company Rhubarb, who also cater for the Royal Albert Hall have been commissioned so expectations are high.
The team will also provide an office tenants and special events catering service.
And with chef supremo Heston Blumenthal on the team that’s good enough for us!
6. Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack, Maiden Lane, LondonÂ
Hearty, meaty authentic American dishes to beat all others are the enticing premise behind the Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack, set to open in Covent Garden in February.
Soak up the bold USA atmosphere in this three floor, 10,000 sq. foot setting, boasting a trendy industrial style interior thanks to its former life housing a 19th century electrical power station used to house the first bright lights of the west end.
Lovers of all things architectural can marvel at the copper conduits, steel and concrete girders and brickwork while food is served up using Argentinian style parilla charcoal grills, a huge whole hog capacity rotisserie, giant wood burning oven and a 1.5 tonne wood burning smoker brought in from Texas.
Executive chef, Kenny Callaghan, of New York Danny Meyer restaurant Blue Smoke, will work his magic in t
he theatre-style kitchen, complete with ‘wall of fire’ that will smoke your meat in a variety of woods for up to 18 hours.
Make sure you bring your biggest appetite ready for rare-breed British, Wagyu and USDA steaks and year-round sourced lobster from the Nova Scitia, fresh from the specially designed 1500kg on-site lobster tank.
Wash it all down with a rare American whiskey or Manhattan.
Very Sex & the City!
7. London House, 4-9 Battersea Square, London
A statement venue in relaxed and cosy surroundings is not always easy to achieve but London House, due to open in the heart of south west London in February, promises exactly that.
And if you’ve never been to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, then this is a great chance to move into high-end celebrity chef endorsed dining.
Taking advantage of the upcoming redevelopment of Battersea power station, visitors can enjoy modern European food served up in a stylish destination cocktail bar likely to be designed by Russell Sage.
Irish born Executive chef Anna Kelly will be at the helm in the kitchen, bringing her experience from prestigious kitchens in Ireland, London, France and LA to her dishes. She will focus on her passion for local, market-led and artisan ingredients. Â
And joining her will be Yorkshire born Paul Halliwell, whose built his reputation up working in prestigious kitchens including La Trompette and Odette’s, Primrose Hill.
We think this venue is a sure-fire winner for securing a date or important business lunch.
If in doubt just mention Gordon Ramsay!
Want more London lifestyle? Join us on Facebook
Â
NOW READ THIS:
Leave a Comment