Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest article on the current news, openings and recommendations for London’s restaurant, bar and hotel scene. If you would like further information or to make a reservation, please contact us.

New Club Gascon Venture

The team behind Michelin starred Club Gascon in Smithfield have backed a new opening on Chancery Lane near Temple. The restaurant is called ‘Cigalon’ and specialises in Provençal cuisine.

New Bars in Clerkenwell and Shoreditch

Situated near St Paul’s, Club Ten opened earlier this week, described as a private members’ club with a strong focus on live music. Closer to Old Street, Bar Nightjar, ‘a new speakeasy for the 21st century’, is set to open on 18 November. In Shoreditch, Ninetyeight bar and lounge has relaxed its members only policy and recently opened to the public to offer a mix of art, music, cocktails and fashion, from mixology classes to burlesque shows and vintage ‘high’ tea parties.

Pan Asian Pub in Notting Hill

The Chesterfield, a new venture from the FR Group (who own Notting Hill Brasserie among others), has opened in Notting Hill serving pan-Asian cuisine in a British pub setting.

Wolfgang Puck to Open in London?

Catersearch.com has reported that Wolfgang Puck is to open a steakhouse at 45 Park Lane, the Dorchester Collection’s new hotel on Park Lane. Puck is expected to launch ‘Cut’ in spring 2011, a restaurant he opened at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills in 2006. I visited the restaurant shortly after it opened and can highly rate the steaks and the tuna tartare starter!

London’s Best New Steakhouse?

Hawksmoor Seven Dials has only been open for a week or so and it’s already a firm favourite on the London scene – excellent steaks and cocktails with a great look and vibe.

Mark Hix to Open in Los Angeles?

Mark Hix is rumoured to be heading to LA to open up a pop-up restaurant with jeweller Stephen Webster in Beverly Hills. It will be called ‘Hixters’ and will offer a mix of British food.

New Look for the Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichs

Following a recent refurbishment, the Fifth Floor Restaurant at Harvey Nichols has unveiled a new look along with new menus and a list of biodynamic wine. The A La Carte menu is available at lunch and dinner, priced at £35 for two courses and £40 for three.

Wahaca Expansion

Wahaca is taking its Mexican street food concept to Soho’s Wardour Street, which opens on 10 November. The restaurant will be set over two floors and will have a tequila bar on the ground floor.

New Hotels in London

New hotels seem to be opening up all over London at the moment, with more to come in the first half of 2011. The Zetter is due to open a sister property in May 2011 across the road from the original boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse which will have the feel of a private residence rather than hotel with just 11 rooms, two suites and a lounge and cocktail bar, all designed by interior designer Russell Sage.

The Eccleston Square Hotel is also due to open in May 2011 in Pimlico with 40 bedrooms all with £12,000 Hasten beds from Sweden, a restaurant and bar, and a large focus on the in room technology.

Other notable openings include the St John Hotel and the W Hotel, both to open on Leicester Square, the Four Seasons London and the Dorchester Collection’s 45 Park Lane in Mayfair, the Corinthia near Whitehall, von Essen’s Verta next to the heliport in Battersea and the ME hotel group is expected to open a London hotel by 2012.

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