The Best London Restaurant Openings This December
By Something CuratedAlong with the festivities, December in London promises a host of new and exciting restaurant openings. Something Curated compiles a list of the most enticing menus to try this month, taking a closer look at the founders and proprietors behind the diverse concepts.
Nuala || Niall Davidson
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After working in St John Bread and Wine, Lockhart and Chiltern Firehouse, chef Niall Davidson is opening his own restaurant next to the Old Street Roundabout. Traditional fish and beef dishes sourced from the Highlands and Cornwall will be cooked over a wood fire; the menu will also include dishes like flamed clams in cider, clay-baked spider crab and suckling pig. Colin McSherry of the Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston will run the kitchen as head chef, while Charlie Sims of Noma and John O’Dowd of Bistroteque will manage the front of house.
Claw || Fabian Clark & Josh Levy
After many pop-ups all over the city, Claw is opening a permanent spot in Carnaby. Fabian Clark, the man behind Claw, gets his seafood directly from fishermen in order to find the best produce. Together with chef Josh Levy they have a menu that “is a homage to the best of coastal Britain.” Their soft launch from the 19-23rd of December will offer 50% off all food.
Harry’s Dolce Vita || Lilly Newell, Diego Cardoso & More
The sister venture to Harry’s Bar in Mayfair, Harry’s Dolce Vita is the latest restaurant opening from Caprice Holdings Group. The restaurant located in Knightsbridge will be themed around the glamour of Italy during the 50s and 60s. The kitchen run by chef director Diego Cardoso, previously of Murano, will be serving classic Italian dishes like Linguine Vongole, Carpaccio di Tonno, Pappardelle al Ragu Bolognese as well as an extensive dessert menu including cannoli, gelato, tiramisu and panna cotta.
The Coach Makers Arms || Stefan Turnbull & More
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Cubitt House has a lot of experience opening pubs in London with The Thomas Cubitt, The Alfred Tennyson, The Orange and The Grazing Goat as their list of successful ventures. Their most recent opening is the newly refurbished The Coach and Horses on Marylebone Lane, a 140-year-old neighborhood pub. Executive Chef, Leigh Hartnett and his team have created an all-day menu with an emphasis on daily specials and British produce.
Mr. White’s English Chophouse || Marco Pierre White
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A new hotel and restaurant are opening in Whitechapel; New Road Hotel’s restaurant will be an all-day dining branch of chef Marco Pierre-White called Mr. White’s English Chophouse. Based on it’s sister restaurant in Birmingham, the menu will feature big cuts of meat and dishes such as roast saddle of lamb, the chophouse burger, and baby back BBQ. The hotel will be opening in what used to be an old textiles factory, complete with exposed brick walls, rooms with terraces and hot tubs as well as a light flooded lobby on each floor.
Mee Market || Linda Lee
Mee Market is the sixth venture from entrepreneur-restaurateur Linda Lee, founder of Koba and On The Bab. Split over two levels, the new restaurant is a Korean ‘table and market’ concept that offers Asian-Inspired dishes to takeaway and eat-in. It also has a homeware, frozen food and stationery retail space on the lower ground floor, where you can also find the recipes for the dishes served upstairs.
Linden Stores || Laura Christie & Chris Boustead
A new restaurant and family-run wine store is opening in Highbury, at the original site of Prawn in the Lawn. Run by Laura Christie, one half of Oklava in Shoreditch and her partner Chris Boustead, of Boustead & Bidois, the shop will stock a selection of wines designed for everyday consumption as well as for a special occasion, with the option to try before you buy. The restaurant menu, which will change frequently, will include dishes such as a British cheese board, potted rabbit with clementine jelly, parkin and clotted cream, as well as a range of seasonal dishes.
The Blue Posts || Layo & Zoë Paskin
The team behind The Palomar and The Barbary are taking over the 275-year-old The Blue Posts pub in Chinatown. The ground floor will remain as a pub but the beer cellar will become Evelyn’s Table, an 11-seater kitchen counter that will be run by Nacho Pinilla, Executive Chef of The Barbary; he will also create a bar menu for the other areas. The first floor will be turned into The Mulway, a cocktail lounge with marble tops, pink furnishings and a wood burning stove perfect for the winter season.
The Granary Square Brasserie || Yishay Malkov, Janene Pretorius & More
The team behind The Ivy Collection is opening another restaurant, Granary Square Brasserie, in what was formerly the Grain Store in Kings Cross. The all-day menu will be featuring classic breakfast and brunch options, Mediterranean, contemporary dishes and an international cuisine a la carte menu for dinner. The décor is relaxed with vintage chairs and low brass tables. There will be a resident DJ most nights and an alfresco terrace for the warmer days.
Words by Ana Alvarez | Feature image via The Coach Makers Arms