Welcome to our weekly round-up of all that’s happening in London’s food and drink scene.
Inside this week: new openings, wine and wussy street food traders
Claridge’s Chef
If you haven't heard the news about Simon Rogan yet, then what restaurant have you been hiding in? It's certainly not Gordon Ramsay's joint at Claridge's, as it closed in June when its lease wasn't renewed after more than 12 years as one of London's most iconic restaurants. Earlier this week, it was officially announced that Simon Rogan will take the sweary one's place; if you're not sure why you should know that name, he's the chef/owner of Michelin two-starred restaurant L'Enclume in Cumbria, and ran two-year pop-up Roganic in Marylebone, which closed earlier this year. The restaurant will open in Spring 2014.
Scoff & Shop
In a dramatic department-store foodie-off (well, OK, it’s not that dramatic), this week saw a trio of big name shops open high-profile new food concessions. Harvey Nichols’ fifth floor became the site of the fifth Burger & Lobster restaurant; Harrods ignores wintertime comfort food cravings to open The Salad Kitchen in their fashion department (obvs); and Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road sees chocolatier Paul A Young open his fourth site, the first with a built-in cafe.
Lots To Wine About
It’s been a good week for the London wine-lover. Remedy wine bar has opened its doors in Fitzrovia. It’s a collaboration between two guys who met working together at Terroirs on Strand, and similarly focuses on small winemakers, natural wines and anything a little different. Over in the City, Sign of the Don (which we previewed here) opened properly a couple of days ago, with over four hundred wines on the list. Wine fans will no doubt also be excited to hear of plans for a new venture from the family behind iconic Embankment venue, Gordon’s Wine Bar. Villiers Coffee Company & Dining Room will be open all day, serving breakfast and other seasonal dishes alongside the namesake coffee and (of course) some wine.
(Off The) Street Food
You’ve got to love the ironic nature of East London, and serving street food anywhere but on the street is, well, right up their street. Seafood-serving Mussel Men are the latest street stars to find a semi-permanent home, taking up residence on Kingsland Road. Expect cocktails, fishiness and late weekend openings until 2am. They’re not the only ones heading inside. Hawker House is the winter-time incarnation of Dalston’s popular Street Feast food markets. It sees many of London’s top street food stalls take shelter in a Hackney building that’s fitted out with a cold-defying Hot Bar, serving hot buttered rum and mulled wine, among other drinks. Hawker House launches tomorrow and will run on Friday and Saturday evenings for six weekends, until 14 December. Latest lineups and details are on Twitter.
Also New This Week
In a hefty week of new openings, this week has also seen the launch of pan-European restaurant Linnea in Kew; Eastern European restaurant and bar Topolski on the Southbank, which offers sharing plates and a dangerous selection of home-infused vodkas; and lunch spot Tuck Shop cafe at White Rabbit Studios in Shoreditch. Today also sees Burrito Mama, a burrito take-out joint from Wahaca open in One New Change. If you’re nearby (or very keen) head over to claim a celebratory free burrito any time up until 5pm.
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