Emyr Thomas gives us a summary of the new London restaurants to keep on your radar for the first quarter of 2013 along with a selection of restaurant events over the coming weeks.

Brasserie Chavot, Mayfair

The Westbury Hotel in Mayfair is quickly becoming a hot destination in Mayfair with its restaurant offerings. Alyn Williams at The Westbury opened to much acclaim last year, quickly earning its first Michelin Star and becoming one of the best restaurants of 2012, and in February, Brasserie Chavot will surely add its culinary powers as well.

Eric Chavot, who previously held 2 Michelin Stars at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, will launch Brasserie Chavot on Conduit Street in Mayfair in January 2013.

Brasserie Chavot will be a 70-seat restaurant with a small bar area and the menus will showcase his signature style of contemporary and classic French cooking.

Balthazar London – Covent Garden

Balthazar London will open in February 2013 in the old Covent Garden ‘flower cellars’ on the corner of Russell Street and Wellington Street. The original Balthazar was opened in New York City by Keith McNally in 1997, and has been one of New York’s most popular restaurants ever since.

Balthazar London will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus weekend brunch, with food available all day long. The style and décor will resemble the original Balthazar, which stays true to its traditional French brasserie roots, which will also be reflected in the menu.

Ametsa with Arzak Instruction

A new Basque restaurant, ‘Ametsa with Arzak Instruction’, will open at The Halkin Hotel in February 2013. Ametsa will be a collaboration between The Halkin and a team that includes chefs Elena Arzak and Juan Mari Arzak, whose Arzak restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain, has 3 Michelin stars.

The menu will focus on ‘New Basque Cuisine’, and will replace Thai restaurant Nahm, which was previously at The Halkin.

Story Restaurant by Tom Sellers

Tom Sellers’s restaurant ‘Story‘ will open its reservation lines at 9am on 1 February 2013 before opening early March on Tooley Street in South London. Story restaurant will only have 42 covers available for both lunch and dinner.

Having worked with Tom Aikens, Thomas Keller, Adam Byatt and Rene Redzepi, Tom Sellars is a chef to watch in 2013.

Cucina Asellina, Covent Garden

Cucina Asellina has opened in London at the new ME Hotel in Covent Garden, based on New York’s Asellina restaurant, specialising in ‘simple Italian cuisine’.

Cucina Asellina’s all day dining menu has been created by Executive Chef Marco Porceddu and features antipasti plates, traditional pizzas and flatbreads from a wood-burning oven, and an a la carte menu featuring home made pasta dishes.

Cucina Aselina is the latest London venture from The ONE Group, who recently opened STK at the ME Hotel in November 2012 and Heliot at The Hippodrome earlier in the year. We recommend combining a visit with a drink at the rooftop Radio Bar with glorious views of London.

Social Eating House, Soho

Jason Atherton is set to launch a second restaurant in Soho on Poland Street called the Social Eating House, following the launch of his acclaimed restaurant Pollen Street Social, which opened in April 2011.

The new restaurant is planned to open in March 2013 with further details to be announced in due course.

Dim Sum at Asia de Cuba – launches 20th January 2013

Asia de Cuba will launch its Dim Sum Brunch on Sunday 20 January – a chilled Sunday gathering featuring authentic dim sum with a contemporary twist. Shaking up the traditional Sunday lunch, Dim Sum Brunch offers dim sum alongside Latin inspired cocktails, and performances by a popular Cuban Jazz trio and DJ.

Whisky Tasting at The Mount Street Deli

On Tuesday 22 January at 6pm Colin Dunn from Diageo will lead a tasting of six single malts from distilleries across Scotland, including Islay, Skye, Highlands and East Lothian. He will explain how geography, the distilling process and maturation all affects the flavour of the whisky.

The Spice Season at Corrigan’s Mayfair

Richard Corrigan’s foodie friends including the likes of Dr Pixie McKenna, Fay Maschler and Kate Spicer will join him in the kitchen at Corrigan’s Mayfair in January to share their favourite spice-inspired recipes. Head Chef Chris McGowan will be hosting a series of complimentary demonstrations and guests will be given a goody bag with recipe cards and spices to take home.

Throughout January the bar menu will also feature classic Corrigan’s Mayfair dishes with a spicy twist, such as Hardwick mutton Rogan josh with flatbread and Chocolate souffle with cardamom and orange.

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