Best new restaurants: London, November 2022
From extravagance personified at Richard Caring’s new outpost to a chance to sample modern Palestinian cuisine, here are London's new restaurants to book this month
Bacchanalia, Mayfair
There’s nothing understated or introverted about The Ivy owner Richard Caring’s new restaurant, Bacchanalia. It’s got the busts and horses of Greek gods charging above its tables, for goodness’ sake. They’re designed by Damien Hirst, who gave Selfridges’ Brasserie of Light its glittering Pegasus, but here, these grand sculptures complement the 2,000-year-old Greek and Roman murals scaling the walls. Banqueting like Bacchus is very much the theme of chef Athinagoras Kostakos’ menu too, which includes several dishes to be flamboyantly finished at the table. The wine list proudly features 25 Italian 100-point wines, and there’s a private dining room for lavish group suppers as well as an exclusive members’ club, Apollo’s Muse, with its own menu and events programme.
Read more ...The Waterside Café, Regent’s Park
Crisp, autumn walks in Regent’s Park are hotting up, thanks to the opening of a new café perched picturesquely and prettily on the edge of the boating lake. Take the doggo for a walk, then warm up over a steaming mug of coffee and a breakfast bagel or perhaps some buttermilk waffles, while lapping up views of the waters beyond. Great British Menu contestant Chris Holland has curated two menus to take diners through from breakfast until late lunch.
Read more ...Björn Frantzén at Harrods, Knightsbridge
A spot of luxury shopping won’t be the only reason to visit Harrods in the run-up to Christmas. Björn Frantzén of thrice Michelin-starred Swedish restaurant Frantzén – currently the 6th best restaurant in the world, no less – is opening his first UK outpost, named after himself, in the designer-laden department store.
Read more ...Notto Pasta, St James’s
From thick, chewy ribbons massaged in sauce to delicate parcels dusted with crumbs, gourmet pasta obsesses our city. Here to give the likes of Padella some competition for its queue is Notto, from chef Phil Howard of Michelin-starred Elystan Street and Louis Korovilas, of Bancone and Noci acclaim. The inaugural menu includes a deliciously autumnal sounding plate of bucatini with a ragout of autumn vegetables; gnocchetti with smashed sausage, white wine, fennel and chilli; and pappardelle with slow-cooked shin of beef, oxtail and red wine.
Read more ...Akub, Notting Hill
Shining a spotlight on modern Palestinian cooking is chef and restaurateur Fadi Kattan, who has planted his UK debut, Akub, in an olive-green Notting Hill townhouse. Dishes – collectively a homage to the grandmother who taught him how to cook – include a starter of arak-cured sea bream; mains of crunchy mansaf balls and grapevine leaves stuffed with skate; and a dessert of Dead Sea chocolate cake. Drinks, meanwhile, bring a chance to try Palestinian arak, beers and cocktails muddled with ingredients local to the country.
Read more ...Lumette pop-up at 180 Corner, The Strand
Jackson Boxer, of Orasay and Brunswick House acclaim, is throwing a residency at 180 Strand ahead of launching his new restaurant, Lumette, next year. The Lumette pop-up is running for four short days, from Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 November, at 180 Corner, and features a set menu celebrating live-fire cooking. Joining Boxer behind the stoves is Michelin-starred chef Max Osborne, of Copenhagen’s Restaurant Studio.
Read more ...Saltie Girl, Mayfair
Swimming across the Atlantic is chic Boston seafood restaurant Saltie Girl, which opens in Mayfair this month. US restaurateur Kathy Sidell teams up with Varun Talreja, co-founder of contemporary Greek restaurant Meraki, to settle the concept into its new London home. Known for its oysters, the menu's further highlights include New England classics such as clam chowder and lobster rolls, plus a special of fried lobster served with waffles.
Read more ...