The Best London Restaurant Openings This May
By Something CuratedHighlighting this month’s most promising London food launches, Something Curated takes a closer look at what to try, as well as the founders and proprietors behind the openings.
Tender Touches at AMP Gallery || Huma Kabakci & Inês Neto dos Santos
Taking the food-based practice of artist Inês Neto dos Santos as a starting point, Tender Touches, running from 17 May- 30 June, will present an immersive installation in an unconventional space where everything, from the food to the furniture and the cutlery, is an artwork. This is the inaugural project in ‘Edible Goods’, a new exhibition series that draws on the culture of experimentation at the core of Open Space, to explore food as a medium in contemporary art practice. The exhibition, co-curated by Huma Kabakci and Inês Neto dos Santos, will encompass a public programme of both free and ticketed events, ranging from supper clubs to artist performances.
1 Acorn Parade, SE15 2TZ
Parrillan at Barrafina || Angel Zapata-Martin, Sam & Eddie Hart
The 100-cover terrace bar and grill, which will be an extension of Barrafina – similar to the Casa Pastor/Plaza Pastor set-up – will feature table-top grills where diners can cook their own meat and seafood, inspired by Executive Chef Angel Zapata Martin’s favourite Ibizan restaurant C’an Pilot. Guests will be able to choose from the likes of 50-day aged rump steak, milk-fed lamb’s kidneys, artichokes, Middlewhite pork chop and diver caught scallops, with sides and a range of salsas.
Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, N1C 4AB
BAO Borough || Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang & Wai Ting Chung
Bao, the popular Taiwanese bun purveyors from Soho and Fitzrovia, will open its third restaurant on the edge of Borough market this month, backed by Gymkhana and Brigadiers owners, JKS Restaurants. The new 1,600 square foot site will have a grill focus, and includes a grab-and-go service from a hatch at the front of the restaurant for takeaway customers. There will be three brand new bao on the menu here as well as a late night noodle menu to look forward to.
13 Stoney St, SE1 9AD
Tayēr + Elementary || Alex Kratena & Monica Berg
Founded by Alex Kratena, who led The Langham’s Artesian Bar to win the coveted spot of The World’s 50 Best Bar four times in a row, and his partner Monica Berg, of Pollen Street Social and Oslo’s Himkok, Tayēr + Elementary is a two-pronged project. At the centre of Elementary is a large communal bar, with a small plates menu and seasonal cocktails. Tayēr, meaning workshop in Spanish, focuses on simple ingredients and modern techniques, so expect a more experimental and daily changing menu. The duo behind Tā Tā Eatery will also be serving up contemporary Asian sharing plates and their famous Iberico pork-filled Katsu Sando.
152 Old Street, EC1V 9BW
Arros QD || Quique Dacosta
Quique Dacosta is one of Spain’s most celebrated chefs and he runs two restaurants with Michelin stars: Quique Dacosta, in Denia, and El Poblet, in Valencia. He’s considered a leader of the avant-garde cuisine movement in Spain, and this opening will be his first venture in London. The anticipated two-storey restaurant located in Fitzrovia will focus on rice, a product that does not currently have much of a presence in haute gastronomy.
64 Eastcastle St, Fitzrovia, W1W 8DD
Myrtle || Anna Haugh
Having previously worked for Gordon Ramsay, Shane Osborne and other eminent names in the culinary world, Dublin chef Anna Haugh is a rising star on the London food scene. Now opening her own restaurant in Chelsea, Haugh will be bringing delicious Irish produce to Myrtle. The menu will range from black pudding rolls with apple chutney to a dish with beef, boxty cake, hipsy cabbage and parsnip puree.
1A Langton Street, SW10 0JL
Maremma || Alice Staple & Dickie Bielenberg
This new neighbourhood joint will serve dishes inspired by southern Tuscany, an area known for its salumi, seafood, olive groves and of course vineyards. The menu is small yet enticing, with simple regional specialties featuring fresh pasta and gnocchi as well as meat and fish cooked on a charcoal grill; salami, cheese and olive oil will be imported from Tuscany.
36 Brixton Water Lane, SW2 1PE
Suzi Tros || Adrien Carre & Christina Mouratoglou
Suzi Tros, a Greek bistro and cocktail bar from Adrien Carre and Christina Mouratoglou, the husband and wife team behind Mazi, will open in Notting Hill this May. The new space comprises an airy upstairs dining room and a downstairs cocktail bar. Inside, warm colours and touches of cool turquoise evoke coastal Greece. The menu of small plates aims to reflect the breadth of Northern Greek cuisine, taking inspiration from the traditional small eateries dotted across Mouratoglou’s hometown of Thessaloniki.
8 Hillgate Street, W8 7SR
Feature image: Parrillan at Barrafina (via Barrafina)