Twisting the classic: London restaurants reinventing traditional styles
It's no longer enough for new London restaurants to act like classic establishments - they must reinvent and reshape the formula to succeed
Twisting the brasserie: Anzu
Tonkotsu, the ramen place, needs no introduction to Londoners. But Anzu - Tonkotsu's new older sibling - does. The restaurant is new to London, but more than that, it's reinventing the brasserie in a Japanese style.
The twist: Hearty portions and opulent surroundings aren't typically Japanese - but now the cuisine is introduced to a European formula.
Read more about Anzu
Read more ...Twisting the cocktail bar: Victory Mansion
As the London cocktail scene celebrates its new status as a world leader, cocktail bars are fighting for top chefs to produce the perfect accompaniments in the kitchen.
The twist: The small plates menu here is novel and genuinely exceptional. When shared, they're a great alternative to a traditional meal.
Read more about Victory Mansion
Read more ...Twisting the destination restaurant: Pharmacy 2
Damien Hirst's Pharmacy was a bolthole in the Nineties for celeb dining. Now he's launched a follow-up. Whilst the food isn't turning heads, its theme still is.
The twist: The 'pharmacy' theme has made destination restaurants playful.
Read about Pharmacy 2
Read more ...Twisting the diner: The Breakfast Club
Hearty American comfort food, soaked in Fifties nostalgia, is a comforting and transcendental image for most of us, no matter whether we're American or not.
The twist: The Breakfast Club do all of the above, while running quizzes and live band nights to boot.
Read about The Breakfast Club in our interview with Ruby Wax
Read more ...Twisting the Italian: Polpo
Somehow this restaurant group maintain the time-kept intimacy of the Italian family-run restaurants they emulate, while the buzz about them makes them fit for the city.
The twist: Polpo retains the charm of a rural Italian eatery with added upbeat city buzz.
Read more about Polpo
Read more ...Twisting the grab-and-go: Island Poké
The 'healthy fast' revolution of London's takeouts, particularly at lunch, mean that - wherever you are - you can find something innovative and fresh to eat, like at Island Poké.
The twist: Hawaiian Poké is a bit like sushi, only bowl-based and more of a traditional meal.
Read about Island Poké
Twisting the pub: The Harcourt
Gastro pubs are old news. But a new range have begun to hit London, where fully-fledged restaurants are embedded within what is essentially still an old fashoined pub.
The twist: These openings make the relationship between formal and informal, pub and high-end restaurant even more fluid.
Read more about The Harcourt
Read more ...Twisting the chophouse: Little Smoke
Grilled, smoked and barbecued meat has never left the public's interest as a primary focus in restaurants. But lately, grilled meat restaurants and steakhouses have begun to chance.
The twist: Ethical sourcing of meat is now critically important to meat restaurants.
Read about Little Smoke