The Best London Restaurant Openings This May
By Something CuratedHighlighting this month’s most promising restaurant launches, Something Curated takes a closer look at what to try, as well as the founders and proprietors behind the openings.
East
Bright || William Gleave, Peppe Belvedere & Phil Bracey (TBC May)
East London favourite P Franco is opening its first restaurant, taking over the space just recently vacated by Ellory. Bright will feature chefs William Gleave and Peppe Belvedere in the kitchen with Phil Bracey managing the drinks. Gleave was one of the first chefs whose residency propelled the Clapton wine bar into the London food scene. Belvedere also did a stint at the induction hobs in August last year, and he was previously head chef at Brawn. 1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
City
A Wong, Bloomberg Arcade || Andrew Wong (TBC)
Having recently won a Michelin Star for his Victoria restaurant A Wong, Andrew Wong is now getting ready to open his second place in Bloomberg Arcade. It’s currently just an announcement, but in a statement, the team said, we can expect “premium casual, all-day dining menu based on Andrew’s creative interpretation of classic Chinese dishes.” Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Central
Lina Stores, 51 Greek Street || Filippi Family & Masha Rener (4 May)
Lina Stores, the Italian deli on Brewer Street, which first opened in 1944, is set to launch a fresh pasta restaurant on Greek Street this month. The brand’s original founder, Lina, opened the deli almost 75 years ago. According to head chef Masha Rener, the restaurant menu will feature many of Lina Stores’ classics alongside “lesser-known regional specialties and family recipes handed down through generations.” 51 Greek St, Soho, London W1D 4EH
Scarlett Green || Francesco Sica & Dominik Moldenhauer (TBC May)
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Scarlett Green is set to be a two-storey, multi-purpose venue, serving brunch and staying open late for music nights. Inspired by Australian cafe culture, you can expect impressive breakfasts, and Scarlett Green will also have the largest Australian wine list in London with 24 choices by the glass. Craft beer lovers are also catered for with a choice of beers including a unique offering brewed by Fourpure in Bermondsey. 4 Noel St, Soho, London W1F 8GB
Babel House || Riju Joy (TBC May)
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Babel House takes inspiration from the vibrant flavours of multicultural port towns of the Black Sea. Taking its name from the modernist Odessan novelist Isaac Babel, the restaurant brings together the history of the 19th century townhouse it sits in and historic Odessan references. Main courses will include an array of seafood from the region such as pan-fried Black Sea turbot, blue fish which is prepared in the in-house smoker and goby. 26 Bruton Pl, Mayfair, London W1J 6NG
Kyseri || Selin Kiazim & Laura Christie (TBC May)
Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie, founders of the modern Turkish restaurant Oklava in Shoreditch are opening Kyseri, focused on food inspired by the region of Kayseri, in central Turkey. Where Oklava has become known for its modern take on the grill and wood-fired cooking of Turkey and Cyprus, Kyseri will instead revolve around regional pastas, including manti and erişte. 64 Grafton Way, Fitzrovia, London W1T 5DP
South
Kricket Brixton || Will Bowlby & Rik Campbell (12 May)
Kricket, which began life as a pop-up in a shipping container at Pop Brixton, will make a permanent return to the south London neighbourhood. It will be owners Rik Campbell and Will Bowlby’s third restaurant in London. The venue will be more drinks-led than Kricket’s Soho site, with Indian-inspired cocktails, beers on tap, and a larger bar with more whiskies and gins available. 41 Atlantic Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8JL
West
Andina Picanteria and Panaderia || Martin Morales (14 May)
Andina Panaderia and Andinda Picanteria will open at neighbouring sites in Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill. The two new ventures will pay homage to the female Andean chefs who have inspired Morales and his team since opening Ceviche. Head pastry chef Ana Velasquez will lead Andina Panaderia, specialising in slow-ferment baking offering traditional sweet and savoury pastries and breads. 157 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS
Market Hall Fulham || Andy Lewis-Pratt & Simon Anderson (TBC May)
Andy Lewis-Pratt and Simon Anderson are opening up a food hall in the entrance space of the Edwardian Underground station at Fulham Broadway. There’ll be nine kitchens in total, a deli, coffee shop, bar and a large communal dining area for over 180 people. Among the eateries involved, there will be Calcutta Canteen from the popular chef Asma Khan. From the team behind Farang comes Thima, marrying some of Seb Holmes’ most popular dishes from his North London restaurant with some newer dishes, designed especially for Fulham. 476 Fulham Road, London SW6 1BY
Feature image via Darjeeling Express (Photo: Ming Tang Evans)