Best new restaurants: London, February 2023
Socca, Mayfair
Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi (Bibendum) and restaurateur Samyukta Nair’s (Koyn, MiMi Mei Fair) eagerly awaited, French Riviera-inspired restaurant Socca is finally expected to open its doors – on Valentine’s Day, no less. The Michelin-starred chef is said to be taking inspiration from French stalwarts including La Colombe d’Or. Look forward to fresh, zingy dishes including blue lobster orecchiette; gratin of tripe and cuttlefish; and pieds paquets Marseillaise.
Read more ...Papi, Hackney
Is Papi the coolest restaurant to open in 2023? Quite probably. The love child of chef Matthew Scott (formerly Cub and hip delivery service Hot 4 U) and founder of Wingnut Wines Charlie Carr, the restaurant promises zero-waste cooking with fun, laid-back vibes. Serious foodies should aim for one of four counter seats to watch the magic happen, while those prioritising atmosphere should head downstairs to the cocktail bar, where a menu of bar snacks is also served. Everyone else? Bag a table in the 28-seater dining room before you can’t.
Read more ...Edit, Hackney
Can we ever have too many sustainability-focused restaurants reinventing the fine dining wheel by serving wholly plant-based produce? Apparently not. The latest is Hackney's Edit, which comes from architect-turned-restaurateur Elly Ward, channelling as much energy into its gorgeous, minimalistic interiors as its menu and low-waste philosophy. Book a table to tuck into the likes of seaweed-cured celeriac with oyster leaf and radish, followed by homemade chaga ice cream and a plant-based cheese board.
Read more ...Joia, Battersea
It’s all systems go at the slick new branch of European hotel chain Art'otel, which opened at Battersea Power Station in December. Whizzing diners up to the top of the complex, where 360-degree views of London and the turquoise waters of its rooftop pool can be enjoyed, is Joia, the new venture from Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. The restaurant promises to be a showcase of Henrique’s vibrant plates, and what he can do with the best of British and Iberian produce.
Read more ...TBC, Notting Hill
Having built up a following in Amsterdam, promising young chefs Gabriël Verheij and Alexandre Scour are bringing their foodie flair to London, serving luxury takes on comfort food classics at their new premise on Goodborne Road. Menu highlights at TBC (which stands for The Butter Club), include fried chicken with nori mayo and caviar; and barbecued langoustine with Sichuan butter sauce. Desserts are not to be missed here, with Alexandre and Gabo’s square croissants filled with delicious centres set to become a talking point. Drinks-wise, it’s all about craft beers and ‘buttery twists’ on classic cocktails.
Read more ...Forno, Hackney
London has undergone something of a pasta renaissance in recent years, with the expansion of Padella and the openings of Bancone and Manteca just some of the highlights. Peddling a similar narrative over in Hackney is Mitshel Ibrahim’s 2021 opening Ombra, which is now looking to capitalise on our pasta obsession by opening a bakery and deli across the road, where visitors and passers by can watch dough being shaped into all sorts of pasta. Look forward to sandwiches and pastries both sweet and savoury, but with just 10 seats inside, a takeaway might be your best bet if the weather won’t allow you to enjoy your food along the towpath.
Read more ...La Gamba, South Bank
Bringing sizzling tapas and hopefully some sunshine vibes to the Southbank Centre is new restaurant La Gamba, from the brothers behind Borough Market restaurant Applebee’s Fish. Specialising in dishes from the Galician region with a particular focus on seafood, the restaurant's menu highlights include St Austell mussels cooked in a rich albariño and chorizo sauce; Cornish crab and fennel tostada; and Galician picanha steak with truffle and San Simón cheese. Much thought has been poured into the drinks list too, with La Gamba showcasing Spanish gins and cocktails muddled with its house-made vermouth.
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