This is the first of a new series of articles to keep you updated with the latest news, opening and recommendations for London’s restaurant and bar scene. If you would like further information or to make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant.

London Restaurant Festival

The London Restaurant Festival is a citywide celebration of eating out, designed to showcase London’s diverse and exciting range of restaurants. From 4 to 18 October, food lovers can explore some of the capital’s finest cooking, from its high-profile Michelin-starred restaurants to coveted neighbourhood gems.

This year’s event includes a ‘Gourmet Odyssey’, where in one lunchtime, food enthusiasts can eat at three influential restaurants, meeting chefs and fellow foodies along the way, transported on a Routemaster bus; The Big Debate, where speakers including AA Gill and Janet Street-Porter will argue ‘Is French Food a Spent Force?’; and there will be a chance to dine on the London Eye, where every night during the festival, one capsule of the London Eye will become a 10-seat pop-up restaurant, with a different chef cooking each evening.

OXO Tower

The OXO Tower Brasserie has recently launched a new ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ menu served on the terrace during the summer, featuring a range of four tasting dessert plates, each paired with a matching cocktail. The Not Afternoon Tea menu will be available daily from 3:00pm to 5:30pm, priced at £19.50 per pairing. To book a table, please contact them on 020 7803 3888.

Koffmann’s

Pierre Koffman, who is known as a bit of a legend on the London restaurant scene has opened his eponymous restaurant, Koffmann’s, at the former Boxwood Café site at The Berkeley Hotel. Expect hearty, robust and seasonal food from the French master.

Tapas Revolution

Passionate Spanish chef, Omar Allibhoy, who trained with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli and currently Head Chef at El Pirata Detapas, is on a 550-mile culinary crusade to convert a cross-section of the country to the joys of cooking tapas.

Omar has plotted a giant ‘T’ for ‘Tapas’ on a map of England and is offering a free Spanish cooking masterclass and tapas feast for anyone who lives, works or just happens to find themselves standing or sitting on the ‘T’.

Take Away Dim Sum

Opening this week next to Liverpool Street Station, Now is a new take away concept from the Ping Pong team, serving South China-inspired street food.

Now is open throughout the day serving anything from breakfast pastries to soups, salad, rice pots and dumplings, with prices starting at £1.29 for a breakfast bun to £3.99 for six steamed dumplings. For further information, visit www.nowstreetfood.com

Bombay Café in London

Dishoom, which was created on the heritage and traditions of the old Bombay Cafés, has opened to great praise recently, with an all-day café menu that takes inspiration from the food of Bombay. It has a no reservations policy, which suits its touristy location in Covent Garden.

Shaka Zulu

After three years in the making and with a total cost of £5.5m, Shaka Zulu, a vast African-themed restaurant, bar and club spread over 27,000 sq ft, opens in Camden on August 4^th. Based over two floors, with a seafood and oyster bar as well as an authentic South African Braai serving traditional dishes, Shaka Zulu is decorated with unique and hand made mosaics, tribal masks and cultural scenes from the Zulu nation and heritage.

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