Hot new places to try for lunch or dinner, (and everything in between), from Dalston to Glasgow this month. Tuck in your napkin and read on if you want to whet your appetite.
Cálong
A small independent Korean restaurant has opened in Stoke Newington from chef Joo Won. Cálong offers authentic and home-cooked Korean dishes, created with simplicity with a focus on seasonality. You'll find Kkimchi fritters, brawn & bossam mooli, spicy seafood Jjamppong, and mushroom and brown butter Sotbap on the opening menu.
The wine list is made up by small independent producers and will focus on just six or so types of wine that the Cálong team want to share with their guests by the glass, with affordability kept in mind. JA.
Now open
Cálong, 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, London, N16 0NX
Senza Fondo
This sounds like fun. Senza Fondo is a new Italian-American restaurant promising ‘big plates and big energy’ in Shoreditch. The restaurant will transport guests to Italy via New York, with a menu dedicated to elevated comfort food and fresh pasta. There’s all-you-can-eat lasagna, and classic negronis for £5.
Owner Joe said: “It’s always been my dream to open my own restaurant. London’s restaurant scene is in a great place, but I’ve seen a gap for bigger plates and bigger energy. I believe there is truly nothing better than having dinner with friends, family or anyone in between, and my restaurant will be all about the people.” JA.
Senza Fondo
Now open
1 Rufus St, London N1 6PE
The Noble
Scotland's restaurant scene is alive and well with a good many openings this year already. The Noble recently opened in Glasgow's Bothwell Street, right opposite Glasgow Central Station. Described as re-imagining the classic British pub, the Superlative group-run joint promises "an elevated yet unpretentious approach to hospitality". This sounds like a modern way of describing a gastro pub. This 100-seat venue offers all day-dining, taking visitors from breakfast to lunch, post-work drinks, dinner and beyond, all the way into the wee hours. A menu of signature martinis and a well thought out list of beers suggests posh pub vibes. A lengthy whisky list includes over 30 single malts, blends and bourbons and The Noble will also showcase three signature cocktails in partnership with The Macallan, featuring their 12-year, 15-year and 18-year old liquids. It's all about the bar. As such, the bar snacks menu is a force to be reckoned with, merge classic Scottish fare with international fare. Dishes such as prawn tempura with lobster aioli; square sausage roll with brown sauce; mussel popcorn with malt vinegar powder; and Arbroath Smokie omelette certainly appeal. From the main menu, tuck into: venison hotdog; brioche bun; truffle mayo and crispy onion; The Noble Ploughman’s Grilled Cheese; and beef whisky and haggis bangers, mash and onion gravy. PL.
Now open
16 Bothwell St, Glasgow G2 6N
Willow, Sutton Coldfield
This Mediterranean-inspired dining concept, adds to the Parogon Group's stable, which includes The Swan with Two Necks, The Orange Tree Bar and Grill and Blockhouse Barbecue Grill. The interiors blend white-washed walls, with eclectic artwork and botanical accents, bringing a taste of holiday bliss to the new location. The lunchtime menu is available Monday to Saturday - Sunday is a full on roast affair. Expect dishes including: Lemon & Herb Roasted Chicken; Plant 'Meatball' Sub, Steak Burger; Steak Black & Blue; and Prosecco Battered Seabass Goujons. Perhaps the best thing about this menu is the price point. Main courses are priced around £14, far keener prices than you'll find in London restaurants these days. PL.
Now open
Mulberry Walk, 10 Mere Green Rd, Mere Green, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield B75 5BP
Hacha Bermondsey
As one door closes, another one opens and that's certainly true for Hacha. The Brixton agarvaria and restaurant is on its way out but Hacha Bermondsey has now opened its doors. What is an agarvaria, I hear you ask? A bar serving alcoholic drinks made from 100% agarve, mostly commonly known as tequila and mezcal. A 10 minute-walk from London Bridge and The Shard, think Southern California meets modern Mexico. Located within Bermonds Locke Hotel, it will be open Tuesday to Sunday. Credited with playing a huge part in London's thirst for tequila, beyond consuming shots, Hacha gave the city the now-iconic Mirror Margarita.
The first Hacha opened its doors in Dalston in 2019 - it remains open. Hacha Dalston is multi-awards winning, with industry plaudits including UK Specialist Bar of the Year 2022 & 2023 (CLASS Awards), inclusion in the Top 100 Bars in the World (2023 & 2024) and recognition on the World’s 50 Best Discovery List. Hacha co-founder Deano Moncrieffe has created a new menu with tequila or mezcal as the base ingredient for all house cocktails at the new place. The Bermondsey Batanga looks set to leave a queue forming at the door. Tequila or Mezcal, spiced purple carrot cordial, calamansi, Coke Zero, Tobala Mezcal float and Palo Santo smoked salt. If that doesn't do it for you, how about Twenty? Marigold-infused tequila or mezcal, banana, white port, Botivo and wild pine forest soda 100 indoor covers will be boosted by an elegant spring/summer terrace and an additional 40 covers later this year. PL.
Now open
Hacha Bermondsey, 157 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LW.
Ottolenghi Richmond
Ottolenghi’s first south of the river site has opened in Richmond. Locals can now enjoy their platters of delicious piled high salads and their signature massive meringues.
Yotam Ottolenghi commented: “It took longer than we expected, but we are finally here! In picturesque Richmond, the happiest place to live in London, I hear. I love walking along the river in the summer and I can't wait to be here in all seasons, get to know the local crowd and feed them some seriously delicious salads and cakes.” JA.
Now open
36 Hill St, Richmond TW9 1TW
Luna
A 12-course daily changing omakase restaurant Luna opens at on the 9th floor of Los Mochis London City this month. Executive Head Chef Leonard Tanyag will take guests on a journey of flavours from 'mellow bites building to bold, umami-rich dishes'. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline and just 12 seats. JA.
Opens March - date TBC
9th Floor, 100 Liverpool Street, London EC2M 2AT
Side Plates
Psst, it's British Pie Week this week 3- 9 March. For some fanchy pies, head to The Libertine London where Michelin starred chef of Lancashire restaurant Northcote Lisa Goodwin-Allen has come up with three lip-smacking creations:
🌟 Traditional Lancastrian Brown Butter Pie with Brown Sauce - confit onion, butter-poached potatoes & Lancashire Bomb cheese, served with a side of signature brown sauce
🌟 Native Lobster Pie - Served with vine-roasted tomatoes & Thermidor sauce
🌟 Chicken Turnover Pie - Chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham, puff pastry, served with creamed leeks and seasonal vegetables.
Offered throughout March
1a Royal Exchange, Cornhill, London, EC3V 3LL
Features Editor, Chatting Food: Jo Aspin
Jo Aspin is a freelance writer specialising in UK restaurants, travel, food and drink. She is also a Director at hospitality PR agency Amy Williams Consultancy, based in London.
Follow Jo at:
Instagram: @welovechilli
Contributor Paloma Lacy
Paloma Lacy has been writing on food and restaurants for 15 years. Follow her on Instagram: paloma.lacy
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