We already knew they were bringing El Pastor to Battersea, but much like their other recent developments, the Harts Group don't just stop at one new opening. It turns out they're opening a second
...]]>We already knew they were bringing El Pastor to Battersea, but much like their other recent developments, the Harts Group don't just stop at one new opening. It turns out they're opening a second
...]]>Hawksmoor has just launched a series of new lunchtime-only specials across all their restaurants. We used this as a handy excuse to go and try them out.
]]>Hawksmoor has just launched a series of new lunchtime-only specials across all their restaurants. We used this as a handy excuse to go and try them out.
Why visit Hawksmoor now?
Hawksmoor continues to be something of a powerhouse, not only in this country but around the world. They're notably popular in America in "coals to Newcastle" fashion as their New York steakhouse has been a big hit and they're just getting ready to open another in Chicago.
While there may not be any new UK openings, they're not resting on their laurels here. They've just unveiled a new series of lunchtime-only specials across all of their UK restaurants, so we went along to one of their largest restaurants, Air Street, to give them a try.
What's on the menu?
Every lunchtime (Monday to Saturday), you'll now find an extra page of specials that you can order from. There are seven new specials to choose from, which include two new steak and chips options. There's new flatiron steak and beef dripping chips (£23) or you can opt for the rump steak and chips (£25). The Hawksmoor set menu deal is one of the best in town, but if you just want to pop-in for a quick one-course lunch, this is now a great option to go for.
In addition to the steak and chips, there are several completely new options to go for. We tried three of them:
And is there a vegetarian option?
That would be the Salt-baked celeriac with Hen of the Woods, whipped cashew ‘ricotta’ and marjoram (£18) and a Charcoal-roasted hake (£19) for the pescatarians.
Anything else new to highlight?
There's been a bit of a shake-up with the dessert menu too. You will find the old favourites like their must-have sticky toffee pudding, but their Executive Pastry Chef Carla Henriques (who's now over in their New York restaurant) has created four new desserts, so we gave a couple of those a try too.
And drinks?
If you haven't been to Hawksmoor recently, you'll notice there's been something of a shakeup to their cocktail list too. Influenced by their New York opening, there are quite a few new additions to the list - and we'd certainly recommend these two:
Overall thoughts
Return trips to Hawksmoor always deliver the goods, in our experience, and these new lunchtime specials are a great addition to the menu, particularly that excellent patty melt. It's well worth trying out.
More about Hawksmoor
Where is it? Multiple locations, we visited Air Street, 5a Air Street, London W1J 0AD
When? The lunchtime specials are served lunchtime only, Monday - Saturday.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @hawksmoorrestaurants.
Hot Dinners ate at Hawksmoor as guests. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
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{google_map}Hawksmoor Air Street, 5a Air Street, London W1J 0AD|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>Mayfair has a new pub breakfast offering we think you're going to want to know about. We took the stairs to The Barley Mow's first floor dining room to find out more.
]]>Mayfair has a new pub breakfast offering we think you're going to want to know about. We took the stairs to The Barley Mow's first floor dining room to find out more.
If there's a good reason to entice any Londoner away from their office (home or otherwise) into town first thing in the morning then the lure of a good breakfast is surely one. Last week we popped into Mayfair for a preview of a brand new breakfast menu in the upstairs dining room at The Barley Mow which is hoping to do just that.
Not only is this a lovely spot for breakfast (the pub's on a corner site so the room has loads of natural sunlight) but there's plenty on the new menu that's attractive whether you're after a classic breakfast or seeking something a bit different.
Head Chef Chris Fordham-Smith, who was previously at the Great Northern Hotel and The Westbury, has created a range of dishes based on the pub's close links with amazing suppliers like Northern Ireland's Peter Hannan and his famous sugar pit-cured bacon.
Here's what we tried to give you a flavour:
As for the drinks, well, this is a pub, so in addition to some good strong coffee and particularly good fresh juices there's also a range of what they're calling 'eye-openers' including a Bloody Caesar, Virgin Mary - and these two below.
All in all, this is a smart menu offering for breakfast and a good room to meet up with friends or do business in. We reckon it's worth getting out of the house (or office) for.
More about The Barley Mow breakfast
Where is it? 82 Duke St, London W1K 6JG
When? Breakfast is served Monday to Friday from 8am - 11am.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @thebarleymowmayfair
Hot Dinners had breakfast as guests of The Barley Mow. Prices correct at time of publication.
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{google_map}The Barley Mow, 82 Duke St, London W1K 6JG|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>A lot can happen in a month. Less than 30 days ago perhaps the most famous maître d’ in London, Jesus Adorno was celebrating his return to the London restaurant scene. "Here we are again," he wrote on
...]]>A lot can happen in a month. Less than 30 days ago perhaps the most famous maître d’ in London, Jesus Adorno was celebrating his return to the London restaurant scene. "Here we are again," he wrote on
...]]>If you've ever felt judged by your al desko lunch choices at work but have secretly been longing to take a Big Mac or KFC bucket back to your office, then a new lunch option at KFC might have your
...]]>If you've ever felt judged by your al desko lunch choices at work but have secretly been longing to take a Big Mac or KFC bucket back to your office, then a new lunch option at KFC might have your
...]]>If you've ever come up against the phrase "dark kitchen" (also called ghost kitchens) you might know it's all about those delivery services for operators who don't actually have a physical
...]]>If you've ever come up against the phrase "dark kitchen" (also called ghost kitchens) you might know it's all about those delivery services for operators who don't actually have a physical
...]]>A very pleasant way to show your support for Ukraine has just arrived in London. Piana Vyshnia is part of a chain of bars that have opened across Europe showcasing one particular spirit from the
...]]>A very pleasant way to show your support for Ukraine has just arrived in London. Piana Vyshnia is part of a chain of bars that have opened across Europe showcasing one particular spirit from the
...]]>Studio Frantzén in Harrods is getting ready to launch a new weekend brunch - that's coming in April - but in the meantime, they've already kicked off with waffles. And being Harrods, these waffles
...]]>Studio Frantzén in Harrods is getting ready to launch a new weekend brunch - that's coming in April - but in the meantime, they've already kicked off with waffles. And being Harrods, these waffles
...]]>18/3/24 - updated with the opening date
If you're a South Ken resident wondering what was happening to the old Le Pain Quotidien site on Exhibition Road, then we bring you good news, particularly if
...]]>18/3/24 - updated with the opening date
If you're a South Ken resident wondering what was happening to the old Le Pain Quotidien site on Exhibition Road, then we bring you good news, particularly if
...]]>Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng of TA TA Eatery are bringing back their spin-off TOU, this time as a residency in Borough Market.
They're taking over the upstairs room at the Globe Tavern, which
...]]>Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng of TA TA Eatery are bringing back their spin-off TOU, this time as a residency in Borough Market.
They're taking over the upstairs room at the Globe Tavern, which
...]]>We bring good news for Chiswick folk who've been perturbed by the delayed reopening of Sam's Larder after Christmas. Over the past few weeks it's been transformed into a Sam's Kitchen and is about
...]]>We bring good news for Chiswick folk who've been perturbed by the delayed reopening of Sam's Larder after Christmas. Over the past few weeks it's been transformed into a Sam's Kitchen and is about
...]]>Des Gunewardena was one of the duo that set up D&D (Bluebird, Coq D'Argent) but stepped away in 2022. Since then, he's started up a new restaurant group and previously revealed plans to open in The
...]]>Des Gunewardena was one of the duo that set up D&D (Bluebird, Coq D'Argent) but stepped away in 2022. Since then, he's started up a new restaurant group and previously revealed plans to open in The
...]]>Claude Bosi's third new opening in the space of a year is a more personal affair as he teams up with his wife Lucy for a neighbourhood Lyonnaise bouchon. We headed west to Chelsea to take a look for
...]]>Claude Bosi's third new opening in the space of a year is a more personal affair as he teams up with his wife Lucy for a neighbourhood Lyonnaise bouchon. We headed west to Chelsea to take a look for
...
What is Josephine?
Claude Bosi has been busy. After years in South Kensington with his eponymous two-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Bibendum building, he's spent the last year opening a string of successful restaurants. First, there was the south of France-focused Socca, launched this time last year with top restaurateur Samyukta Nair in Mayfair. That was followed by Brooklands, the restaurant at the top of Peninsula London that's dominated by a Concorde model on the ceiling. It managed to win two Michelin stars in record time, only four months after opening.
This latest creation from Bosi seems the most personal of the bunch. Not only has he teamed up with his wife for this opening, but the cooking also draws from his own roots in Lyon. So you'll see a mix of some classic French and specifically Lyonnaise dishes on the menu.
Where is it?
If you're familiar with the area, you'll find it almost directly opposite the Fulham Road Picturehouse cinema, taking over the space that used to be Colette. If you're not quite familiar and happen to make the trip by public transport, it's a little trek from the nearest tube stop. The best bet (from our experience) is to go to Sloane Square and then either get a bus closer or taxi directly to the restaurant.
What if I fancy a drink before or after?
There is a small bar space at the front, and we did spot a few people lingering there with a drink after the meal but it's really not a place you can just pop into. So instead, the best nearby options seem to be a five-minute walk back to the King's Road and Calooh Callay Chelsea, or just a little further to the Cadogan Arms.
Where should I sit?
If you're a group of four, the best tables are the central ones you can see in the photo at the top of the page. Alternatively, we'd probably put a preference on sitting in the front room (particularly during the day). That said, we do like the way the back room has been made up to look a little cosier, and that space also works as a semi-private dining area.
So, onto the food - what can we expect?
It's probably best described as classic French bistro food but taken up a significant notch by Bosi's cooking. You'll find standard bistro fare on the menu like a steak tartare (£10 starter, £18 main), a French onion soup that comes highly recommended by other diners (£9) and an onglet steak with shallot sauce (£24). Alternatively, you could go very French and order the frogs' legs with garlic butter (£19).
It's also worth mentioning that their Terrine de Campagne comes from George Jephson, the man behind Cadet's terrines, so that's going to be a good bet.
As for us? Here's what we went for. Everything on the menu is in French and English, but we've just picked the English descriptions for simplicity:
Anything to go with that?
Vegetable side options are a little on the short side, with just hispi cabbage and a salad available. Petit pois a la Francaise might have been a perfect addition here. But there is recompense for that in something that we'll always have time for, a dedicated Pommes de Terre section. You can choose puree, duchess, steamed and frites but frankly, you're only allowed to order any of those after you've already tried this:
And what about dessert?
There are two large sharing desserts, rice pudding with caramelised apple (£18) and chocolate mousse (£16) alongside other options like a praline or lemon meringue tart. We don't think you can go wrong with the following though:
Is there a set lunch option?
Not only that, but there's a set menu available at any time which is an absolute steal for this level of cooking. It's two courses for £24.50, three for £29.50 and you'll find a number of dishes on there that aren't on the main menu. They include brawn (from George Jephson again), boudin noir and mashed potato, floating islands and more. Frankly, it's worth making two trips to try both the main a la carte and the set menu.
And that's not all - there's also a special of the day (look out for the board on the wall) with options like mussels and frites or beef bourguignon (£15.50 each).
What about wine?
While the wine list can reach pretty steep prices rather quickly, it starts out very reasonable. The house wine is £6 a glass and £27 a bottle and they serve that in the classic French "au metre" style - leaving the bottle with you and measuring how much you drink. Outside of that, there's a decent amount of wines by carafe/pot (starting at £29 for 460ml) and bottles start at £28, although you'll have to dig through the menu for that one. Many more options are available between £40 and £70 and if you can afford into the £100s, you'll find a lot to choose from here, heading upwards to a 2018 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard at £999. We had a fabulous Vallée du Rhône white from Bernard Gripa which was SO good.
Other than a few options for a gin and tonic, there are no cocktails, but there's a decent selection of Armagnacs, rums and even French whisky.
Overall thoughts
Claude Bosi is on fire at the moment. He's currently at three-for-three on his new restaurants as Josephine is clearly another winner. A welcoming, lively room combines with some truly great cooking to create a near-perfect neighbourhood restaurant. The locals must be very happy and it's also well worth making the journey across town for. We hear that Bosi might not be done on the new openings, and if this one is anything to go by the next will be well worth keeping an eye on too.
More about Josephine
Where is it? 315 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @josephinebouchon
Hot Dinners ate as guests of Josephine. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
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{google_map}Josephine, 315 Fulham Road, London SW10 9QH|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>13/3/24 - Updated with the opening date and new dishes
The openings at Battersea Power Station are still coming thick and fast. The latest to join an ever-growing number of impressive places to eat
...]]>13/3/24 - Updated with the opening date and new dishes
The openings at Battersea Power Station are still coming thick and fast. The latest to join an ever-growing number of impressive places to eat
...]]>You've got to feel for London restaurants. Things are not easy at the moment what with profits being squeezed by business rates, energy costs, and more. So we're doubly sympathetic to the plight of
...]]>You've got to feel for London restaurants. Things are not easy at the moment what with profits being squeezed by business rates, energy costs, and more. So we're doubly sympathetic to the plight of
...]]>They already have some pretty special Landes chicken on the menu at Bébé Bob, which we've tried, but now they're adding even more chicken to the menu - vodka-battered nuggets.
Once again made using those
...]]>They already have some pretty special Landes chicken on the menu at Bébé Bob, which we've tried, but now they're adding even more chicken to the menu - vodka-battered nuggets.
Once again made using those
...]]>With perma queues outside its Seven Dials restaurant, it was only a matter of time before the super popular brunch spot Apple Butter opened a second place in London. And so it has come to pass.
...]]>With perma queues outside its Seven Dials restaurant, it was only a matter of time before the super popular brunch spot Apple Butter opened a second place in London. And so it has come to pass.
...]]>There's no sign of slowing Yard Sale down, as they're just gearing up to open their twelfth pizzeria. This time they're heading north to Tufnell Park, and that also means they'll be delivering to parts
...]]>There's no sign of slowing Yard Sale down, as they're just gearing up to open their twelfth pizzeria. This time they're heading north to Tufnell Park, and that also means they'll be delivering to parts
...]]>Fans of the creative sandwich shop Sons + Daughters in Coal Drops Yard have been kicking their heels this year waiting for it to reopen after a major refurb.
Well, today we bring you good news. Not
...]]>Fans of the creative sandwich shop Sons + Daughters in Coal Drops Yard have been kicking their heels this year waiting for it to reopen after a major refurb.
Well, today we bring you good news. Not
...]]>They've been, literally, huge in Bristol and now the winners of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year award are getting ready to bring their massive sandwiches to London.
The person behind it is Josh
...]]>They've been, literally, huge in Bristol and now the winners of the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year award are getting ready to bring their massive sandwiches to London.
The person behind it is Josh
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
Following the success of their Notting Hill restaurant, and their recent omakase counter Juno, Los Mochis are heading to the rooftops, opening a new
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
Following the success of their Notting Hill restaurant, and their recent omakase counter Juno, Los Mochis are heading to the rooftops, opening a new
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with new photos, details and an opening date.
A long time coming (we first wrote about this back in 2022), Larry Jayasekara has finally confirmed details about his first solo
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with new photos, details and an opening date.
A long time coming (we first wrote about this back in 2022), Larry Jayasekara has finally confirmed details about his first solo
...]]>It was fitting that the party for Hot Dinners' 10th Murphia List was somewhere appropriately jaw-dropping. And where better than the Cucumber Bar at Sea Containers Events, where the floor to ceiling
...]]>It was fitting that the party for Hot Dinners' 10th Murphia List was somewhere appropriately jaw-dropping. And where better than the Cucumber Bar at Sea Containers Events, where the floor to ceiling
...]]>Michael Sager's new Victoria Park wine bar, Bruno, is a really personal project. We popped over to take a look.
]]>Michael Sager's new Victoria Park wine bar, Bruno, is a really personal project. We popped over to take a look.
So who's behind Bruno?
This cosy little wine bar in Victoria Park Village is the latest opening from Michael Sager, who's also behind Hackney bars Sager + Wilde and Equal Parts. At Sager + Wilde Michael was an outlier on two counts. That was as the co-founder of a wine bar that could be looked at as one of the first breed of new-age fine wine bars to open in London and as one of the first people to see the potential of this part of London when it came to interesting new bars and restaurants.
And he's opened another wine bar?
He has, but as he told us this is very much more of a personal project, not least because it's named after his dad. As a local himself, Michael has lavished a lot of love on this little natural wine bar, from the antique furnishings to putting much of his personal wine collection on the shelves.
Where is it?
You'll find it in an old stable block in the heart of Victoria Park Village, right next door to Pophams. It's not the easiest of places to get to by public transport. There are a smattering of overground stations - Bethnal Green, London Fields, Homerton - about a 20-minute walk away, or you could tube it to Mile End and get a bus from there. But we'd say the journey would be worth it.
What's the space like?
It's small and also popular, so good luck getting a seat. We arrived just after 6pm on a Friday and were lucky enough to get a couple of stools by the window. There are five tables down the right-hand side of the room and then a smattering of stools all over the place.
What's on the wine list?
If you're opting for wine by the glass, then you start with the actual list. There are five on offer - one each of fizz, white, orange, rosé and red. They change regularly but, for example, when we were there prices started at £7.50 for a glass of Meinklang, Rosé 2022 from Austria.
But if you're hankering after something more, then there's a vast selection of bottles around you, with over 200 to choose from. Those bottles are priced at takeaway prices, and there's a £15 mark-up for drinking in. Your best bet is to call in the help of one of the fabulously friendly people who work here. All of them have been working at Sager + Wilde for years so they really know their stuff.
And the food?
The menu is simple, but there's a lot to like. Filled pretzels are the mainstay of what's on offer, inspired by Swiss-born Michael's homeland where you'll find these at every train station. Here's what we had to give you an idea:
You can also assemble cheese and charcuterie platters or opt for pate en croute too.
Overall thoughts:
If we weren't already jealous of folk living in Victoria Park Village with the park on their doorstep and all manner of lovely place to shop and eat at, we're now fully green-eyed over them having this gorgeous wine bar in their neighbourhood.
At night, lit by candles, with good music and the gentle hubbub of friends catching up over a good glass of wine, it's pretty much all you'd want from a local wine bar. You'll find yourself browsing Prime Location on the way home working out how to move here.
More about Bruno
Where is it? 211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @bruno___london.
Hot Dinners were guests of Bruno. Prices correct at time of publication.
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{google_map}211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
They've been very popular in Dalston, and now Three Sheets are getting ready to open their second bar, this time in Soho. Run by Max and Noel Venning, the
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
They've been very popular in Dalston, and now Three Sheets are getting ready to open their second bar, this time in Soho. Run by Max and Noel Venning, the
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
The team behind Carmel, Berber & Q and Shawarma Bar are heading into the West End to open a second Carmel restaurant just off Oxford Circus. They've taken
...]]>12/3/24 - updated with the opening date
The team behind Carmel, Berber & Q and Shawarma Bar are heading into the West End to open a second Carmel restaurant just off Oxford Circus. They've taken
...]]>His previous pop-ups have seen queues snaking down the riverside in Chelsea but now chef Charles Bryant is hoping to top those with an Easter collaboration that's bound to be a sellout.
This Easter
...]]>His previous pop-ups have seen queues snaking down the riverside in Chelsea but now chef Charles Bryant is hoping to top those with an Easter collaboration that's bound to be a sellout.
This Easter
...]]>If your cravings lean towards the freshly baked kind, then you might want to consider joining the queue outside Layers Bakery, which opened a store and cafe down by the waterfront on the Goodluck
...]]>If your cravings lean towards the freshly baked kind, then you might want to consider joining the queue outside Layers Bakery, which opened a store and cafe down by the waterfront on the Goodluck
...]]>Guirong Wei, the chef behind Master Wei, does like to do things quietly. Very much under the radar, she's just opened her latest restaurant Dream Xi’an in Tower Hill.
This latest opening, like
...]]>Guirong Wei, the chef behind Master Wei, does like to do things quietly. Very much under the radar, she's just opened her latest restaurant Dream Xi’an in Tower Hill.
This latest opening, like
...]]>If you're mad into your wines and looking for a good restaurant wine list to work your way through then the reveal of this week's Star Wine lists for the UK is a good starting place.
The lists,
...]]>If you're mad into your wines and looking for a good restaurant wine list to work your way through then the reveal of this week's Star Wine lists for the UK is a good starting place.
The lists,
...]]>Exciting news for North Londoners - we're bringing you news of a new pop up that will satisfy both lovers of Spanish flavours and the wines of Burgundy.
After a successful soft-launch weekend in early
...]]>Exciting news for North Londoners - we're bringing you news of a new pop up that will satisfy both lovers of Spanish flavours and the wines of Burgundy.
After a successful soft-launch weekend in early
...]]>8/3/24 - Updated with opening details
After closing Roux at The Landau, previously run by Michel Roux Jr, the new restaurant at The Langham is about to open. Mimosa will be their main restaurant,
...]]>8/3/24 - Updated with opening details
After closing Roux at The Landau, previously run by Michel Roux Jr, the new restaurant at The Langham is about to open. Mimosa will be their main restaurant,
...]]>Jeremy King's return to the London restaurant scene sees him reviving what was Le Caprice as Arlington. We went down to try London's hottest restaurant.
]]>Jeremy King's return to the London restaurant scene sees him reviving what was Le Caprice as Arlington. We went down to try London's hottest restaurant.
What can you tell us about Arlington?
Put simply, it's Le Caprice 2.0 in all but name (we're not supposed to call it that, but it most certainly is). It's in the same location, has kept many elements of the original design (although updated them with a shiny new look), signature dishes from the original appear on the menu and, most importantly, it's run by the two men who were there at the heyday of the original, Jeremy King and GM Jesus Adorno.
And what's special about them?
Arlington heralds the return of Jeremy King to the London restaurant scene. Previously he's been best known for being half of Corbin & King (who launched The Wolseley, Brasserie Zedel and more) and is regarded as one of the most influential restaurateurs in London. After a somewhat acrimonious departure from his previous company, King has been away from the restaurant business for nearly two years. But 2024 is his big comeback and Arlington is the first of three new restaurants that he is opening.
As for Restaurant Director Jesus Adorno, when Le Caprice closed he had been there for 38 years, just short of a 40-year milestone. Seen by many as a crucial element of what made Le Caprice so special, getting him back to cross that 40-year point was a big coup and judging by the old clientele who greeted him like an old friend, he's a vital piece of what makes Arlington such a big opening.
And why is re-opening Le Caprice opening Arlington such a big deal?
When the original restaurant opened and for quite some time after, Le Caprice was the hottest of hot restaurants in London. All the stars would go there, best evidenced by an iconic photo of Princess Diana leaving the restaurant.
And it seems Arlington has already managed to achieve its ambition of being the place to be seen in, even before it opened. Plenty of stars have been seen dining there but to our mind, the pinnacle of that is getting Tom Holland and Zendaya in the doors, who we've been told ate there during the testing phase. So yes, Arlington has got the star power back and then some.
Where is it?
If you've been to Le Caprice, you already know. But not, you'll find it on Arlington Street (of course), which runs down the left side of The Ritz. Assuming you're not getting dropped off by your own driver, as some of the diners certainly were when we visited, it's about a five-minute walk down there, just look for the blue awning.
And if we wanted to go for a drink before?
Our top suggestion would be another hot new opening, The Dover. Dover Street is opposite Arlington Street on the other side of Piccadilly and has what we think is one of the best new bars in Mayfair. While you might have trouble getting a dinner table there, there's a good chance of a space in the bar for one of their excellent martinis.
Is there a bar at Arlington?
Yes and no. There is a bar counter as you can see above, and while you could probably pitch up there for a martini if there was space (good luck with that) it's mainly reserved for diners. That said, the first thing to do when taking your seat at Arlington should be to order a cocktails and ideally a martini. The martinis we had, a classic and their "coastal" version, were among the very best we've had recently - just perfectly done.
What's the layout and where should we sit?
If you've been to, or seen photos of, Le Caprice it will all look very familiar. The layout is obviously the same, there are classic photos from David Bailey on the wall (albeit a new selection curated for this opening) and even the chairs look the same. But despite keeping all those characteristics, it's still all sparkling new, like we'd imagine Le Caprice opening for the very first time in 2024. The restaurant manages to tread that very fine line of newness and nostalgia, which is not an easy thing to achieve.
From a seating point of view, the only choice you have is at the bar or at a table. And if it's at a table, you will just have to take what they give you (unless you're of a certain star calibre). While we can't confirm, judging by where they were putting people that we recognised, we'd say the top-tier tables were the ones closest to the bar. But even if you're slightly hidden away at the back we wouldn't complain, frankly.
So - onto the food.
We have to be honest at this point - food is going to be secondary for many people who come to Le Caprice. Glamour, top-tier service and all-round class are going to be top of the bill. But that doesn't mean that it's anything to be sniffed at - and there were some real blinders on our visit (which was on an early soft-launch day). It's also worth noting that the prices are surprisingly decent for this part of town.
Billed simply as serving modern European classics, it's a menu that features both Le Caprice classics and some new dishes, so there's a chance to revisit old favourites if you fancy or try something completely different.
Here's a taste of what's on the menu.
Anything else to highlight?
You'll definitely want to order some bubble & squeak on the side (£5.75) and they do an excellent cauliflower cheese too. It's not a place that's particularly good for vegetarians either, with only five dishes that fall into that category on the current menu. Brunch will be coming soon, so that's one to watch out for (particularly if you're struggling to get a booking).
And what about dessert?
There are a couple of classics on here too, including the Mousse aux Deux Chocolats (which Nigella had when she visited) and the showstopper below.
We'd never tried this particular dessert and will admit to wondering what all the fuss was about, but now we're fully converted to its greatness. It may not look like much, but that bowl of berries, which has the white chocolate sauce poured over at your table, is not to be missed if you haven't tried it before.
What about drink?
Other than the aforementioned cocktails, the wine list starts at a reasonable, for this part of town, £36 (Sicilian, Grillo Bianco or Nerello Mascalese) and there's a good selection under £60. If you're looking to impress, other than having managed to secure a table reservation, that'll be the Château Margaux, 1er Grand Cru Classé, 2004 for £795.
So how difficult is it to get a table?
It's not easy at all, unless you're after a bit of late-night dining as lots of tables are free after about 10pm. So if you fancy trying it out with a late-night snack with a chance at spotting some celebs, that's an option. Bookings are open quite far ahead though, so if you want to plan about two months in advance, late May and June (at the time of writing) are looking a little more available. And keep an eye out for the announcement of brunch, as that will be another opportunity to grab a table.
Overall thoughts
We expected Jeremy King's Arlington to be a big hit when it opened, but this has probably exceeded even our expectations. It's unquestionably taken the mantle of hottest restaurant in London, and we can see it keeping that title for a while. Given the look of the place, the flawless service and just the sense of class throughout, it's not hard to see why. Jeremy King was much missed from the London restaurant scene and it's very good to have him back. We're now even more eager to see what he's up to next.
More about Arlington
Where is it? 20 Arlington St, St. James's, London SW1A 1RJ
How to book: Book online
Find out more: Visit the website and follow on Instagram @arlingtonrestaurant.
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{google_map}Arlington, 20 Arlington St, St. James's, London SW1A 1RJ|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>The Standard has had a run of impressive pop-ups and residencies, and that's continuing into spring as chef Ixta Belfrage takes over their restaurant Isla for three months.
Having worked for five
...]]>The Standard has had a run of impressive pop-ups and residencies, and that's continuing into spring as chef Ixta Belfrage takes over their restaurant Isla for three months.
Having worked for five
...]]>While there's been a LOT of attention on the opening of The Devonshire, there have also been some changes at Oisin Rogers' old Mayfair haunt The Guinea. During Rogers' tenure, we'd heard about some
...]]>While there's been a LOT of attention on the opening of The Devonshire, there have also been some changes at Oisin Rogers' old Mayfair haunt The Guinea. During Rogers' tenure, we'd heard about some
...]]>If the seemingly constant threat of train strikes has you on edge, there is a heartening escape route near Waterloo Station and it’s likely to have oenophiles particularly excited. Lower is a wine
...]]>If the seemingly constant threat of train strikes has you on edge, there is a heartening escape route near Waterloo Station and it’s likely to have oenophiles particularly excited. Lower is a wine
...]]>Borough Market shows no sign of slowing down with its exciting new restaurant openings. We recently told you about the forthcoming Greek-inspired Oma from David Carter and former Kiln and Sabor
...]]>Borough Market shows no sign of slowing down with its exciting new restaurant openings. We recently told you about the forthcoming Greek-inspired Oma from David Carter and former Kiln and Sabor
...]]>The people behind Perilla have come to Exmouth Market with a very different European proposition, this time heading to the Med for inspiration. We went down to see what Morchella is all about.
]]>The people behind Perilla have come to Exmouth Market with a very different European proposition, this time heading to the Med for inspiration. We went down to see what Morchella is all about.
What can you tell us about Morchella?
This is the new restaurant from the team behind Michelin-starred Perilla in Stoke Newington. However while this second restaurant may share the characteristics of a sunlit corner space with its elder sibling, this is a very different affair from the original. First of all, the focus at Morchella is on Mediterranean cuisine and we'd say it's also a shift towards more casual dining. All that and it's a much, much bigger space that even has its separate bar.
Where is it?
Morchella has taken over an impressive corner building just off Exmouth Market, on Rosebery Avenue. Once a bank, the space has had quite a few tenants over the years and to locals will probably most recently be remembered as Italian restaurant/pizzeria La Porchetta.
Getting here, Angel or Farringdon are the closest stations (each about a 10-minute walk away) but the 19 or 38 buses will drop you off right outside.
What's it like inside and where should we sit?
Previous restaurants have found this something of a tricky space to manage and it seems that the team here decided that the best way to approach it was to undergo a full rework inside. It looks very, very different from the La Porchetta days, with the room opened up considerably and the focus now around a central bar and open kitchen.
If you like to watch the chefs in action, the counter dining seats here are the ones to aim for (and we like the way they fold away when not in use). In addition to that, for couples, there are cosy booth tables for two all along one of the walls opposite the bar that looked great too.
Anything to note before we talk about food?
At this point, it's also worth a quick note about the pricing. There's no service charge at Morchella, because all the prices have that baked in, so there won't be any extra costs added on at the end and bear that in mind for the prices below. Will this be the start of a trend for other London restaurants? We'll have to see.
What's on the menu?
Mediterranean cuisine has become something of a thing in London in recent years with The Langham's Mimosa coming soon as well as The Greek-focused OMA. With this restaurant, Morchella have cast their net wide for influences from across the Med, for what they pitch as a "modern interpretation of classical dishes".
It's primarily a small to medium sharing plates setup, alongside a few bigger dishes like steak and salt-baked poussin. You could happily pop in for a few dishes and some wine or stay longer and trawl through much of the menu - each would be a rewarding way of approaching things.
With that in mind, here's what we had, which is very much the latter of those two options:
Anything else to highlight?
There is one other dish that we didn't have that's become something of a signature - the whole salt-baked poussin with chilli sauce (£28). That comes to your table under its already detached crust which is used as a somewhat handy dish for any bones. We hear good things and it was a very popular dish when we visited.
And what about dessert?
It is absolutely worth holding back so you can have dessert. There's a dish of gorgonzola dolci on the list - but really you'll want to be aiming for either of these:
What about drink?
While Morchella gives off a laid-back casual vibe, they have a large leather-covered wine list that is certainly taking itself seriously. There's a focus on natural, biodynamic and organic producers and as with the food influence, there's a strong emphasis on Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. Wines are also marked as coastal, classic or "funky" to help you narrow down what's right for you. Price-wise, glasses start at £8.50 (£52 for a litre, but carafes are available too)
It's also worth noting that there's a completely separate bar here at Morchella. It's for walk-ins only so it's an ideal meeting point if you're here before your table's ready. In addition, all the snacks from the main menu are available in the bar so if you can't get a booking, it's well worth popping into the bar to try some of the menu.
Overall thoughts
When Perilla opened , it was an extremely accomplished restaurant right out of the gate and the team has achieved the same thing here. The menu at Morchella takes the Mediterranean concept and runs with it in new and exciting ways, delivering wonderful dishes along the way. Coupled with a beautiful room and a friendly vibe to go with it, this is the best opening that Exmouth Market has seen in a while.
More about Morchella
Where is it? 84-86 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4Q
How to book: Book online
Find out more: On their website or follow them on Instagram @morchelladining.
Hot Dinners ate as guests of Morchella. Prices are correct at the time of writing
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{google_map}84-86 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4Q|link:yes|link_label:View on Google maps|width:100%|show_info:no{/google_map}
]]>Updated 4/3/24 with menu and design details
Italian food purists keep scrolling, because what we're about to write may trigger you. A new cafe is opening in Peckham that will be embracing the
...]]>Updated 4/3/24 with menu and design details
Italian food purists keep scrolling, because what we're about to write may trigger you. A new cafe is opening in Peckham that will be embracing the
...]]>Bangers have been delivering breakfast buns to East London for a while, but now they're getting ready to move to the next level, opening a breakfast bar in Shoreditch.
The new place will be
...]]>Bangers have been delivering breakfast buns to East London for a while, but now they're getting ready to move to the next level, opening a breakfast bar in Shoreditch.
The new place will be
...]]>