The Best New London Restaurants
London has been enjoying a sleuth of exciting new openings which have been redefining the landscape of restaurants in the capital. We visit four of the capital's most talked about openings this year and preview some of the most anticipated new restaurants set to launch in the second half of 2010.
1. Viajante Chef Nuno Mendes had gained cult status for his experimental and highly imaginative dinners at his private supper club ‘The Loft Project’. Finally after two and a half years in ‘development’, Nuno has unveiled his latest venture in East London’s Town Hall Hotel. Viajante is Portuguese for ‘Traveller’ and it represents Nuno’s journey around the world, where he has foraged elements from various cuisines to create the concept for his menu. Based inside the majestic Old Town Hall in Bethnal Green, the restaurant has been likened to a theatre and the open kitchen a stage for diners to watch Nuno work his magic. Full Review
2. Zucca This Italian-inspired restaurant named after a pumpkin has won near universal adulation since its inception. It is the second venture by restaurateur Sam Harris who once stinted at the River Café, London’s original Italian-inspired institution. The succinct daily menu features light, fresh yet intense flavours and is arranged in the familiar multi-course structure of an Italian meal. By far the highlight at Zucca is their grilled veal chop, a magnificent piece of meat served bone-in with a zesty spinach salad. This is a minimalist approach to Italian cooking and is entirely wallet-friendly. Full Review
3. Koya Udon Mania has gripped the capital. Mass queues are now regularly spotted outside this bare bones Udon-ya situated in the heart of Soho and has quickly become a favourite haunt for many Londoners. The speciality at Koya is Udon, where owner John Devitt uses a traditional foot-kneading process (albeit covered in plastic for hygiene) on premises to make fresh daily batches of Sanuki udon. Fresh, bouncy noodles can be an incredibly addictive experience, along with its affordability, this deliciously novel concept for London has made Koya a sure-fire hit. Full Review
4. Bar Boulud As New York’s most celebrated 3 Michelin star chef, Daniel Boulud has finally transported his successful Bar Boulud restaurant concept to Europe’s shores. With an elegant, albeit conservative, setting within the upscale Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge, Bar Boulud is a modern re-creation of a French inspired bistro. Daniel has pulled together a crack team of chefs, where his signature terrines and pâtés are made on the premises under the direction of French master charcutier, Giles Verot. The wine cellar focuses heavily on France’s Rhone & Burgundy regions with some impressive vintages offered by the glass. Full Review
WATCHLIST
Dinner Work is already underway on Heston Blumenthal’s first London restaurant (tentatively called ‘Dinner’) and the word is Ashley Palmer-Watts, executive head chef at The Fat Duck, will be running point in the kitchen. The menu will draw inspiration from Britain's culinary history and is set to open in December 2010.
Koffman’s Pierre Koffman, the eponymous chef of the once three michelin starred La Tante Claire is coming out of retirement sometime this summer to open Koffman’s at the site of the old Boxwood Café at the Berkeley Hotel. His plans are to produce a menu based upon the cuisine he grew up with in Gascony.
Bistro du Midi Marlon Abela who owns the glitzy Umu and The Greenhouse (both Michelin starred) is planning to open a London version of Bistro du Midi in the autumn, with a no-frills take on a Provencal menu inspired by Southern French or Midi cuisine.
Gelupo Finally, the highly-acclaimed Bocca di Lupo is planning to launch Gelupo sometime in June. A gelateria, deli and café, customers will also be able to purchase pasta and frozen sauces featured at the restaurant.
