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London Restaurant Guide – New London Restaurants

Posted by Emyr Thomas

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 whiskies will be tasted on their own and matched with (some surprising) food. Tickets are £15, and to book call 020 7499 6843.

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.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s concierge team to advise and book all your restaurants, including early access to London’s hottest new restaurants, contact us about becoming a member.

Ametsa with Arzak Instruction at the Halkin Hotel

Posted by Bon Vivant

A new Basque restaurant, ‘Ametsa with Arzak Instruction’, has opened at The Halkin Hotel in London’s Belgravia.

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 Hotel. The focal point of the restaurant is a wave-like ceiling, created from 7,000 delicate glass receptacles filled with vibrantly coloured spices that are a strong presence in Arzak’s cooking.

Our full review of Ametsa with Arzak Instruction will be published in due course, so sign up to our blog below to keep up to date:

Balthazar London – Restaurant Review

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Balthazar London, one of the most anticipated new restaurant openings of recent times, opened on Monday 18 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. The move to London was a brave one; restaurants and trends don’t always cross the Atlantic successfully. But this one works, and on many levels – food, service, design and that elusive thing called buzz.

With a look of startling similarity to the original restaurant, Balthazar London has the red banquettes, large mirrors and imposing columns. Service is seamless under the direction of ever affable Byron Lang, who has previously worked at most major ‘it’ London restaurants such as The Ivy and The Wolseley.

From a menu of classic French fare, the brasserie favourites are all present. We tried the Steak au Poivre (a huge slab of beef with crispy fries and spinach) and the roast chicken on a bed of vegetables and side of mash potatoes (again, a generous portion served with ceremony).

For dessert, we shared the chocolate soufflé (light, fluffy and, once more, a huge portion) and a classic tart tartin (which, although lovely, could have benefited from a little more ice cream). One of my guests reported that, from a previous visit, the rhubarb soufflé was delightful.

Make sure you allow enough time for a drink at the bar, which is under the control of legendary bar man Brian Silva, who has worked at some of London’s best cocktail bars. This won’t be a problem though, as Balthazar London is a place where you’ll want to linger all day.

Balthazar London will eventually be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus weekend brunch, with food available all day long, although only dinner will be available until March.

As in New York, Balthazar London has a boulangerie next door, which has some wonderful bead that they also serve in the restaurant.

For reservations, call +44 20 3301 1155 or contact your concierge at Bon Vivant.

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Brasserie Chavot Restaurant, Mayfair

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The Westbury Hotel is fast becoming a hot destination in Mayfair for some of the area’s best restaurants. Alyn Williams at The Westbury opened to much acclaim at the end of 2011, quickly earning its first Michelin Star and now Brasserie Chavot adds its culinary powers to the mix.

Eric Chavot, who previously held 2 Michelin Stars at The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, launched Brasserie Chavot on Conduit Street in Mayfair in early March 2013.

Many of the team who worked with Chavot at The Capital are back together at Brasserie Chavot, including General Manager Christophe Vandoolaeghe, therefore it’s no surprise that this is already a slick operation in the first week of service, with a refined yet relaxed and cheerful style.

Your first impression of the dining room might be one of wondering whether this is in fact in a brasserie or a more formal restaurant with a nod to fine dining – Brasserie Chavot’s is a stylish, glamorous dining room with opulent chandeliers and beautiful tiled flooring. This is a Mayfair brasserie, for sure.

Chefs with a history of refined, delicate cooking and a collection of Michelin stars don’t always do the transition to casual cooking so well. Brasserie Chavot is a definite exception, with a menu of classic French brasserie fare with a few twists and turns.

A starter of chicken liver parfait was rich and intense, and accompanied by a delightful prune and fig chutney, while the deep fried soft shell crab needs no further description. Both were presented on a wooden block, which added a nice, relaxed touch to the dinner.

A main course of roasted cod with Puy lentils was wonderful, the cod served on a broth-like bed of lentils, and despite admiring the waiter’s lack of up-selling, I could easily have managed a side dish.

A Cote de porc with honey and mustard was perfectly cooked just on the right side of translucency, and a side dish of mashed potato was delicious – intensely creamy without losing the texture or taste of potato.

The food at Brasserie Chavot is an absolute triumph and with the varied menu it sets itself up as a place you’ll want to return to regularly. Nice little touches include the back of the menus featuring the design of the restaurant’s stunning tiled floor and a light hearted ‘perhaps an aperitif?’ at the top of the menu listing Lillet, Ricard and Pineau des Charentes as options.

Prices are also reasonable, and not just in Mayfair terms.

The one thing missing at Brasserie Chavot is a ‘buzz’ – that special something that fills your heart with glee and will make you return without even trying the food.

While some restaurants open to fanfare, Brasserie Chavot will make its mark in a more subtle manner and when the crowds come, the buzz of the brasserie will surely follow and your heart, like your stomach, will beat with joy.

Address: Brasserie Chavot, 41 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2YQ

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Cucina Asellina at the ME London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

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 signature dishes include wild mushroom, fontina & spring onion pizza (£10); old-fashioned square spaghetti with pomodoro, fresh basil and olive oil (£9) and saffron strozzapreti with prawns, spinach & butternut squash (£14).

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 to Cucina Asselina with a drink at the rooftop Radio Bar with glorious views of London.

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Garufin Restaurant Review

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Emyr Thomas visits Garufin, a new Argentine restaurant in London’s Holborn neighbourhood.

In an almost hidden location on Lamb’s Conduit Passage (not to be confused with Lamb’s Conduit Street or the incorrect placement on Google Maps), Garufin is a take on Argentina’s relaxed neighbourhood restaurants and bars.

Garufin is the latest restaurant from the owners of established Islington restaurant Garufa. Split over two levels, the ground features a café-bar that does not take reservations, with a design of exposed brickwork and black and white tiled floor, with a menu of small plates of regional Argentine specialities.

A bottle-lined staircase leads to the main restaurant, which although more formal, is still rather casual in design and feel, with a nice touch of rediscovered vaults that have been converted into wine cellars.

We started with several portions of Mandioca (crispy fried yam with spicy ketchup), which was an excellent snack to start the evening. From the rest of the menu, highlights on our visit included Humita (grated creamed sweet corn and basil oil), Codorniz Adobada (slow cooked potted quail and potatoes) and the Lomo from the grill (prime Argentine fillet steak).

The wine list is, as you might expect, exclusively Argentinian, with wines listed by region, from Mendoza to Patagonia, Salta, San Juan and La Rioja, with plenty of varieties of Malbec to satisfy my cravings.

On our visit, the restaurant was barely half full, and it lacked the warmth and energy that a restaurant like Garufin needs – hopefully this review will make you want to visit and fill the restaurant with the energy and life that it deserves. For a taste of Argentina in Central London, you’ll feel right at home at Garufin.

Address: 8b Lambs Conduit Passage, Holborn, WC1R 4RH
Phone: 020 7430 9073

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MASH Restaurant Review

Posted by Fiona

Fiona Mannion visits MASH Restaurant in Soho

Make no mistake, MASH – the Modern American Steak House – is not about all things potato. Rather this new opening in Soho prides itself on delivering the best in the American steakhouse tradition with an innovative edge – and the result is distinctly Mad Men in look and feel.

This Danish company have carried out an impressive renovation of an art deco basement on Brewer Street. Gliding down an elegant staircase brings you to an expansive restaurant kitted out in dark woods and pinky-reds, which on reflection is quite nicely reminiscent of a steak itself.

There’s a large rectangular bar at the front, perfect for an aperitif and pretending you’re in 1960s New York. I take this to heart and order a dry Manhattan to make sure I’m in the right frame of mind. My date goes for a fruity rum concoction that must be one of your five a day and is coated in a Christmassy shower of cinnamon. In fact, the bar is well worth a visit on its own.

Once sitting comfortably in a booth for dinner (and who doesn’t love sitting in a booth?), we have the chance to get a good look at the other guests. Given the prices, I was expecting a predominantly corporate entertaining crowd, but it’s good to see there are just as many tables with groups of friends.

The starters are reliable, the squid excellently cooked with a tangy kick offered by the chilli and lime. The snails have a reassuringly firm texture – but the real star is their wickedly garlicky vegetable accompaniment.

But let’s face it, this place isn’t about starters. A message driven home by two huge glass cases that act as a gateway to the dining area and display legs of meat and hunks of steak. The menu offers cuts from Denmark, America and Uruguay. Incidentally, there are also three fish dishes on the menu.

We try a Danish sirloin (only fair) and a Greater Omaha NY Strip (fairer still). And they deliver. Perfectly browned and caramelised on the outside, pink on the inside and buttery in texture. There’s a choice of four sauces and we try the garlic and thyme jus as well as the béarnaise, but barely touch them as the steak is good enough on its own.

The fries are tastily light and crispy, although the green salad a bit of a disappointment. But hey, who needs greens when you’ve got onion rings and macaroni and cheese on the menu? If you can fit in desert after all that, the chocolate cake and ice cream offers a comfortingly traditional choice.

MASH has created somewhere with an elegant glamour and excellent and friendly service. It’s perfect for corporate dining or for when you’re feeling like a little bit of old school Americana. It’s not cheap, but then neither is Roger Sterling.

If you would like your own personal concierge to help you get the best table at MASH, contact us now for membership.

Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson Hotel

Posted by Vilma

Vilma Darling visits Sanderson Hotel to try out their new Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea at The Sanderson.

Sanderson hotel in Fitzrovia has launched a new Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea in collaboration with Shoreditch based design collective Luna & Curious. It is served in the heated Courtyard Garden terrace, which is fully covered throughout the winter months.

All the crockery was especially made for Sanderson – teapots are adorned with kings and queens and paper crowns; and the sandwich plates feature zebras, birdcages, carousels and ticking clocks.

Sugar can be found in a magical music box containing a dancing ballerina, which serenades guests to the tune of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” when opened.

The afternoon tea menu is hidden inside a vintage book, linen napkins are wrapped in riddles and each tea variety is presented at the table on in miniature glass caddies.

The sandwiches include the smoked Cumbrian ham with wholegrain mustard on sun dried tomato bread; and cucumber and chive cream cheese on spinach bread. There are classic home baked savoury and sweet scones with herb butter and fruit preserves.

‘Tick Tock’ traditional Victoria sponge clock and a melting mango cheesecake coated in rainbow patterned white chocolate are perfect for the lovers of sweet flavours. A carrot meringue served on a bed of pea shoots would surely cheer up the March Hare himself and ‘Strawberries and cream’ marshmallow mushrooms and ‘Drink Me’ Potion of three teas jelly & foam served in chocolate are definitely worth the Mad Hatter’s eccentricity.

If these treats are not enough to satisfy the afternoon tea guests, they can visit a ‘Jelly Wonderland’ - a cake trolly that circulates the terrace with fruit jellies made in Victorian jelly moulds.

Afternoon tea at The Sanderson is served daily and is priced at £35 per person. Champagne is on offer at £10 a glass.

If you enjoy taking high tea, read our guide to London’s best afternoon tea.

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Condesa Restaurant Review

Posted by Sophie

Sophie McLean visits Condesa restaurant in Covent Garden.

Leaping on to the tapas flushed scene on Covent Garden’s Maiden Lane, recently opened Condesa restaurant brings a Mexican twist to all those Spanish themed places we’ve also seen of late.

Here, alongside South American roasted coffee, Venezuelan hot chocolate and cake (where you’ll find free wifi too for long afternoons spent ‘working’) you can also tuck into a simple variety of soups and bocadillos.

The décor is predictably laid back, with projected images of beach-baked Baja California at one end of the bar, and a stylish wooden-come-shiny metal decked apartment theme throughout. During the daytime and evening the petite space at Condesa restaurant (with capacity for around 30 people, seated) serves up a variety of hot and cold bites.

Dueño Daniel Caballero, originally from Mexico, has managed to stay away from the hotter climes since, mainly though his gastronomic adventures through France and Spain, meeting aptly named business partner Rafael Serrano en route.

What I’m most keen about in this place is that next to a couple of other Hispanic choices, it has three reasonably priced La Cetto Mexican wines on the menu – including a Chenin Blanc, a Zinfandel, and a Nebbiolo – all showing very well.

The zinfandel is fresh and comparable to something from Sonoma, redolent of squashed strawberries and ripe fruit, and the Nebbiolo, a lighter, more floral version of the beloved bottles I used to know in Italy, but still with prominent violet characteristics.

Food-wise you’ll find classic lomos, choizos and cheeses, an interesting Cecina de Leon (12 month old cured beef, akin to Italy’s bresaola), and Mexican ingredients such as agave syrup that comes drizzled on the blue cheese salad, green tomato salsa served on the pulled pork sliders, and a weekly changing ceviche.

Changing specials include Mole chicken tostadas – not quite what you’d imagine if you haven’t been to Mexico before. The good news is that you don’t have to order food here with drinks just yet, so it’s an easy early pit-stop or place to nibble prior to more substantial meals elsewhere.

Address: 15 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NG

Phone: +44 203 601 57 52

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The House of Wolf Restaurant

Posted by Frances

Frances Cottrell visits the House of Wolf restaurant in Islington.

The House Of Wolf, named because wolves have a pack mentality, thus representing the team, and because the owners have always thought them ‘cool’ is a new drinking and dining concept in Islington.

The House Of Wolf is a three storey building on Upper Street with a ground floor bar, a mid level cocktail den and a top floor loft restaurant. The idea of cool runs through the concept from the juxtaposition of the venture in a traditional pub, to the website and design, the presentation and description of the fantastical cocktails, and the choice of chef residences it houses.

Our evening began in the Apothecary Cocktail Bar which serves ‘experimental elixirs’ largely inspired by Victorian themes. The bar is very dimly lit and even reading the menu was a bit of a struggle, but the decision to order a David Bellamy was an easy one. The creativity is evident, and the level of effort which goes in to each drink is really quite extraordinary.

So, quite some time later, our drinks arrived, undoubtedly fabulous and we greeted them with real enthusiasm. It was a shame that staff here weren’t so effusive and ultimately the wish to engage with them about the drinks dwindled rapidly.

So then upstairs to the chef residency: Blanch & Shock (although each month a different collective will be invited to host). Thankfully the lighting and staff were much improved here, and the room itself is beautifully understated with light touches of quirkiness.

The six course menu began with hunks of homemade bread, which were delicious and moreish. The second course was sadly a serious low-point though, and raw prawns wrapped in lardo were almost inedible. But, fortunately the following seabass, duck and then exquisite beef courses were absolutely delicious.

A lightness of touch and creativity with good quality (often foraged) ingredients was a pleasure, and the chefs personally presented the majority of dishes to us. These charming men proudly presented each plate, expertly communicating the construction of the dish, and this added a real sense of occasion to the evening. Textures of apple for dessert were scrumptious, but as with all courses, you were left wanting slightly more.

The House Of Wolf is about to launch a Sunday lunch menu that is bound to be an antidote to the traditional roast dinner, and the Blanch & Shock run has been extended, I assume due to its popularity. The space is very interesting, and I think with a little more charm from the cocktail bar, could become a great success.

Address: House of Wolf, 181 Upper Street, N1 1RQ

Phone: 0207 288 1470

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