New opening

• Maru, a 20-course Omakase restaurant will be replacing the original Taka

  

  This restaurant is taking over the space from the original Taka. It comes from the same people but will have a very different approach - all centred around a 20-course omakase-style tasting menu.  

• Rebublic comes to Chiswick, headed up by an ex-Kricket head chef

  

  Republic is a brand new restaurant that fell under our radar until now - but was recently highlighted in a BBC news story. 

  The restaurant comes from two Kricket alumni, chef Kuldeep Mattegunta and Mustaq Tappewale. The two have spent a decade in the restaurant industry

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• Neal's Yard has opened a cheese pop-up in Islington (with a permanent shop to come)

  

  As the focus on more neighbourhood openings continues, there's the arrival of a heavyweight in Islington as Neal's Yard has opened a pop-up shop in advance of a permanent shop in 2021.

  The pop-up is open now and plans to remain open until the end of the year - as it really is the season of cheese at the moment. So if you're in Islington, you'll be able to pop down for a selection of their best cheese for Christmas or New Year

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• The Good Plot deli and restaurant on Westbourne Grove is Mandy Lieu's Notting Hill ethical project

  

  Model Mandy Lieu is behind the transformation of this Westbourne Grove spot into an all-day restaurant and deli aiming to connect Londoners with where their food comes from.

• Two new Greggs have arrived at St Pancras

  

  Isn't that the way? You wait ages for a Greggs and then two come along at once...

  Yes, if you've been hankering for a Steak Bake around King's Cross or St Pancras of late - there are two new Greggs in the station! The first opened on Saturday in the lower ground The Circle in St Pancras, while the second opens today on the first-floor concourse. 

  They'll have all the Greggs delights you want -

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• Hiden Curry lab is the latest addition to King's Cross' Coal Drops Yard

  

  New to Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross (and takeaway only) is Hiden Curry Lab, a very dayglo yellow shop selling Japanese curry. It's taken over the space that used to be Bodega Rita's and is apparently an homage to Japan's many 'hole-in-the-wall' speciality restaurants.

  The menu is the simplest possible. There are two forms of Japanese curry and rice (and pickles), either beef or vegan, created by

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• Imad's Syrian Kitchen settles down in Kingly Court

  His pop-ups have been a huge success and now, with the final stop of a crowdfunding campaign, Imad Alarnab is bringing his Syrian food to Soho.

• Crazy Pizza has Knightsbridge as its second London restaurant

  

  This is the second Crazy Pizza to hit London, coming from ex-Formula One boss, Flavio Briatore. Expect similar pizzas to the original, just around the corner from Harrods.

• HUŎ in Chelsea is a new restaurant from the ULI Notting Hill team

  

  The ULI team take their brand of Southeast Asian food to Chelsea

• Kineya Mugimaru udon noodles arrive at St Pancras

  

  Another Japanese udon chain has set its sights on London, this time choosing St Pancras as its base (as part of the food outlet section at the north end). As reported first by Big Hospitality, Kineya Mugimaru is

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• Kraft Dalston sees German Kraft Brewery and Le Bab team up for restaurant and microbrewery

  

  Aparthotel company Locke are clearly worth watching. Their Bermondsey building houses the new Dairy, their Aldgate hotel is currently the new home for plant-forward popup ...

• Andanza tapas bar opens in Bermondsey from the people behind The Rose

  

  This new tapas bar in London Bridge comes from the people behind popular local pub The Rose - and is right opposite it too. Expect Basque-style pintxos along with tapas and larger plates alongside a selection of Spanish wines. 

• Yorkshire group Tomahawk Steakhouse have taken over Jamie Oliver's Fifteen

  

  Taking over Jamie Oliver's first and best-known restaurant in Hoxton is Yorkshire steakhouse group Tomahawk with a straightforward offering of steak and cocktails. 

• The Last Talisman Asian grill takes over from Loyal Tavern in Bermondsey

  

  This takes over the space that until recently held Loyal Tavern, Inside is a new Asian grill - with a focus on skewers - as well as a tropical cocktail bar called Mala Madre.

• Only Food and Courses is a 80s/90s-inspired new opening at Pop Brixton

  

  The latest addition to Pop Brixton is something of a throwback, with a restaurant that's harking back to the 80s, both in food and name.  

  The puntastic Only Food and Courses is the latest from chefs Robbie Lorraine and Martyn Barrett who have been popping up in Kent, and it has its roots in greasy spoon cafes but is very much taken to the next level. The

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