From city restaurants gaining Michelin kudos to news of multi-million pound hotel developments, there's plenty happening on the hospitality scene this month.
Four London restaurants have been added to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland this month, across a range of restaurant styles and cuisines.
1. Camille - French
Situated at the entrance to the foodie wonderland that is Borough Market, this intimate French bistro is rooted in an ethos of unpretentious, pared-back cooking that perfectly suits its rustic interior design. The blackboard-written menu is regularly changing, and you can expect straightforward, yet eminently satisfying dishes like pâté-en-croûte or whole mackerel with café de Paris butter. According to the Michelin team, a "friendly welcome and cheery service ensure you’ll be dining with a smile on your face".
Where: 2-3 Stoney Street, SE1 9AA.
2. Roe, London - Modern British
Roe is a modern and spacious restaurant in the heart of Wood Wharf from the trio behind the critically-acclaimed sister restaurant Fallow St James’s and FOWL. Located in Canary Wharf and with chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray at the helm, the menu is extensive and highly inviting, ranging from flatbreads and skewers to burgers and sharing platters.
Where: 5 Park Drive, Wood Wharf, E14 9GG.
3. Julie’s, London - Modern British
Residents of Notting Hill are sure to be glad to have this bright bistro de-luxe among their roster of neighbourhood haunts. Inside, it’s an eye-catching place with rich, warming colours and booths that are perfect for date night. The menu offers an appealing range of dishes, from the light (chopped salad of the day) to the luxurious (lobster soufflé). The extensive wine list and cocktails from the trolley will ensure guests are well-refreshed, while the service team are "friendly and engaging".
Where: 135 Portland Road, North Kensington, W11 4LW, United Kingdom
4. Volta Do Mar, London - Portuguese, Classic Cuisine
Volta Do Mar may have relocated to a new premises, but the Michelin team say it's "soul is very much unchanged". The cooking remains a tribute to the cuisine not just of Portugal, but of the countries it established trade routes with centuries ago, hence the restaurant's name meaning 'to return from the sea'. So expect to find Goan curry sitting alongside piri piri chicken from Mozambique, as well as dishes from Brazil and Macau. The intimate room is decorated with colourful modern artwork, "mirroring the vibrancy of the cooking".
Where: 100 Draycott Avenue, Chelsea, SW3 3AD
Long Chim to Open First Ever Residency in London
Launching this October, Long Chim will take over the ground floor of Hovarda in Soho, pitching its distinct sound of clashing woks against the beating rhythm of the pestle as it hits the mortar.
Long Chim, which means to ‘come and try’, will present accessible menus replete with authentic dishes inspired by the food stalls and markets of modern Bangkok.
David Thompson, world-renowned chef and culinary lead at Long Chim, left London for his adopted home in Bangkok more than 10 years ago. His return to the capital has been eagerly anticipated.
Chef Patipan ‘Pae’ Jipromma, currently head chef at Thompson’s Michelin-starred Aksorn restaurant in Bangkok, will lead the kitchen team throughout the residency, which will run into early 2025.
When: October 2024 - date to be announced.
Where: Long Chim, Ground Floor, 36-40 Rupert Street, W1D 6DW.
Website: https://longchim.london.
The Barbary Heads to Notting Hill
Following the success of The Barbary Covent Garden, Zoë and Layo Paskin’s Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant The Barbary will open in Notting Hill, next week.
The restaurant takes inspiration from the Barbary Coast and tells a story of trade, travel and culture - people voyaging along the coast, collecting and sharing ingredients and recipes, gathering influences from areas visited and thus enriching their own culture and heritage.
A bespoke robata grill and a tandoor clay oven take centre stage in the kitchen and the menu reflects the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.
Diners can look forward to dishes such as chicken masabacha (warm chickpeas in tahini sauce), 7-spice lamb rib and black salmon dukkah, along with desserts like chocolate baklawa and The Barbary’s much-loved hashcake.
When: Opens Thursday, 12th September.
Where: 112 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU.
Web: www.thebarbary.co.uk.
The Savoy Expands
Luxury London hotel The Savoy has revealed plans to open three new outlets this year, including the new Savoy Lounge restaurant, a floral boutique and a scone shop.
The Savoy Lounge will replace The Thames Foyer as a new all-day concept, serving the hotel’s famous afternoon tea, as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffees and cocktails.
In addition, two further new outlets will open - The Florist at The Savoy, offering seasonal bouquets for guests to purchase and Scoff, The Savoy’s scone shop, featuring both traditional and new scone creations.
The Savoy has also confirmed a refurbishment of rooms and suites, with the first new rooms revealed in August 2025.
When: November 2024.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EZ.
Sael Arrives in St James's Market
Situated on the crowning corner of St James’s Market, Sael, a proudly British-brasserie by Irha and Jason Atherton, honours British heritage with a menu dedicated to seasonally-driven produce sourced exclusively from the British Isles.
This 85-cover brasserie will blend traditional flavours with global influences and will depart from the traditional three-course meal structure, instead, offering a dynamic menu where you can choose your base ingredients cooked on a wood-fired grill and then customise with sides. Highlights include Orkney scallops, Cumbrian lamb, Carlingford oysters and Highland wagyu.
When: Opens Monday, 16th September
Where: 1 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4AH
Web: www.saellondon.com
Dosa - A New Dining Experience At Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
Chef Akira Back’s critically acclaimed restaurant concept which originally opened in Seoul, Korea, will now open within the new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair.
This new immersive dining experience will feature a Korean-inspired tasting menu at an intimate chef’s table.
Executive Chef Jihun Kim, who is originally from Korea, will be overseeing Dosa, as well as overseeing the other restaurants and bars in Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, including the signature Akira Back restaurant.
Named after the Korean word for “expert,” Dosa offers just 14 guests the chance to experience Chef Back’s culinary journey.
When: Opens Wednesday,18th September.
Where: 22 Hanover Square, Mayfair, W1S 1JP.
Web: www.mandarinoriental.com.
Duvale's Opening at Riverside East
Riverside East, the recently opened East London destination for dining and events, has announced their latest exciting venture - a brand-new residency - Duvale’s.
This exciting concept has been brought to life by chef Jamie Duvale, and can be relished by guests until December 2024.
This new offering, run by Jamie and his hand-picked team, focuses on a sharing plates menu featuring seasonal British ingredients, minimal waste, classic flavours with a modern twist and sustainable practices.
Jamie comes with over 16 years of experience, having worked previously for Claude Bosi, Anton Edelmann, Gordon Ramsay and most recently, Head Chef at the prestigious Wimbledon All-England Lawn Tennis Club. Those visiting will be able to enjoy delectable dishes such as; fresh Jerusalem artichokes with ginger pears, sumptuous pork belly with honey, soy and orange pickled fennel and meltingly smooth chocolate and orange tiramisu.
A selection of the delectable menu at Duvale's.
When: Opens tomorrow, 7th September.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton St, E20 2AD.
A New Bar Opens on Savile Row
Savile Row’s renowned Italian restaurant, Sartoria, is thrilled to introduce its latest venture, Sophia’s Bar. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Italian actress Sophia Loren, this chic new bar will transport guests into the world of classic Italian elegance with a contemporary twist.
Sophia’s Bar will bring a fresh and innovative cocktail menu to Sartoria, each drink a tribute to moments and themes from Loren's life.
The interior design of Sophia’s Bar complements its cinematic inspiration. Fittingly, framed images of Sophia picking roses from her villa will adorn the walls, creating a personal and elegant atmosphere that reflects her love for nature and beauty.
When: Now open.
Where: Sartoria, 20 Savile Row, W1S 3PR.
New Restaurant and Flagship Karaoke TV Experience
Cult Taiwanese restaurant BAO is opening the doors to BAO City in the heart of London’s Square Mile, a new restaurant and flagship KTV (Taiwanese ‘karaoke TV’) experience.
Located in Bloomberg Arcade, BAO City will serve sharing plates for big groups looking to feast, along with a menu featuring the very best of BAO’s much-loved Taiwanese classics, with a selection of BAOs and hot xiao chi hits.
Frosty beer towers will be available for guests to order directly to the table so they can pour their own glasses at leisure, and BAO City will also feature a whisky cabinet, lined with regular guests’ personal bottles.
The interiors have been designed to create a warm and intimate space. Lit by a glowing standalone lightbox, the dining room features elegant cherrywood veneer panelling, dark red satin-finished walls, and geometric, burgundy leather-clad banquette seating, along with individual lamps placed on each white stone table.
KTV Rooms
The dining room is flanked by two private KTV rooms, allowing the vibrant karaoke energy to spill into the restaurant. One room offers an intimate setting for up to 10 people while the other one can host a group of up to 22. Visitors can take their pick from a catalogue of over 300,000 songs and order platters laden with mini BAOs, as well as fried chicken buckets topped with caviar, sake bombs and rotating cocktail specials to keep the party going.
When: Opens Thursday, 26th September.
Where: 2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR.
Where: baolondon.com.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Former Police Station Earmarked for Boutique Hotel
The building on Streatham High Street, South London, which was built in 1912, has been vacant since 2015 after the local police station relocated. Now it could be turned into a 57-bedroom hotel, complete with a cafe on the ground floor under plans by development firm, Everitt Road Properties.
According to a planning statement submitted as part of the application, the London borough of Lambeth has been identified as an area suitable for more hotels.
Mimosa at The Langham Closes
Less than six months after opening, Mimosa, from the French restaurant group Moma, has ceased trading.
The French Riviera-inspired restaurant, which replaced Roux at the Landau, served Mediterranean dishes such as whole sea bass baked in salt crust with sauce and gratinated taglioni with bechamel, white ham, and Reggiano parmesan.
Good News for The Stein Group
The Stein Group, founded and co-owned by chef Rick Stein, is looking to open its first central London restaurant, reportedly following an increase in profits across its ten restaurants.
Known for its seafood spots across the south of the country, the group currently operates six restaurants in Cornwall, along with another in Barnes, on the outskirts of London; but this new opening will be located more centrally.
Hyde Lands In London
Following a £34.3 million transformation, Hyde London City has opened at the Grade II-listed 15 Old Bailey building. The Ennismore brand’s British debut near St Paul's Cathedral boasts 111 rooms, a restaurant serving modern Turkish cuisine and an underground cocktail bar serving Tokyo-inspired small plates and hosting emerging DJs and artists.
When: Opened Monday, 2nd September.
Where: 15 Old Bailey, EC4M 7EF.
Art Deco Style Hotel for Fitzrovia
The Newman, located in London’s Fitzrovia, is the first hotel from new international hospitality management company Kinsfolk & Co, founded by industry veteran Paul Brackley. The hotel comprises 81 guest rooms and suites showcasing a contemporary Art Deco aesthetic. The Newman will also house a European brasserie, cocktail bar, and a dedicated wellness floor.
When: Spring 2025.
Where: 50 Newman Street, W1T 3EB.
Web: https://thenewman.com.
As One Door Closes, Another Opens
Pidgin in Hackney has now closed its doors, but something new is taking in it's place - and it's opening next week.
Former Pidgin head chef, Drew Snaith has teamed up with former Pidgin GM Hannah Kowalski tolaunch their own restaurant, Sesta. This neighbourhood spot will serve a seasonal à la carte menu that champions British ingredients and puts a creative spin on British and European classics.
When: Opens Wednesday, 11th September.
Where: 52 Wilton Way, London, E8 1BG.
Website: www.sesta.co.uk
The Curtain Closes on Theatre Cafe Diner
The Shaftesbury Avenue diner has been forced to close due to buiding works - but they will be back - and they promise to be bigger and better than ever!
After closing at the weekend, in an announcement on their website, they state that 'unfortunately, due to necessary building works that would have resulted in over a 3 month closure, we have had to make the sad decision to leave our current site at Shaftesbury Avenue'.
Joe Davey, CEO of The Theatre Cafe Diner, said: “The good news is that we already have a brilliant new venue, that allows us to come back bigger and better than ever before. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming announcement in the next few weeks”.
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