It's been almost a decade since we last encountered the cooking of chef Alex Craciun in London. Back then, the chef had taken on the head chef position at Jason Atherton's Sosharu, for which he received almost universal praise from the critics. Grace Dent said his was 'the best chicken karaage in London, Giles Coren called the food 'fantastic' and Jay Rayner loved the 'precision verging on nerdiness' of his cooking. Well, nine years have passed since Sosharu closed its doors and now Craciun is back in London, after stints in Singapore and Marbella, with Aces Foodcraft.
Billed as a true family project, the new restaurant is a joint venture between Alex and his wife Aleksandra Jazevica, who's a director of high-end costermonger Primeur in Covent Garden market, so she knows more than a thing or two about building relationships with the best producers in the country. "With her involved, I truly believe Aces will have one of the most seasonal and ingredient-driven menus in London," Alex told us.
By day, it's going to be a more casual affair, "a seasonal à la carte menu with daily specials and lunch deals," he explains. In the evening, it's a much more intimate and immersive affair - "a 9-seat kitchen counter where I'll cook and serve directly, creating a live tasting menu experience" and there'll also be the option to eat a la carte too.
Dishes on the launch menu will include
- English baby lamb truffle souffle with fave beans and spring vegetables
- Kagoshima wagyu asparagus and pickled himeji mushrooms
- Aji horse mackerel from Okinawa with crispy nori with fresh wasabi
"It's a deeply personal and produce-led restaurant," says Alex, "where creativity meets seasonality, designed to bring a sense of home, theatre, and innovation to the heart of London."
More about Aces Foodcraft
Where is it? 8 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF
When does it open? September/October 2025
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @aces_food_craft
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