Jo Aspin and Paloma Lacy round up the October hot restaurant openings and news to get your teeth stuck in to across the capital and beyond. Read on and dig in to this:
Fonda
We’re hoping for an invite to this one! Swish new Mayfair Mexican restaurant Fonda is now open from chef Santiago Lastra (already famed for his much lauded London restaurant Kol). The vibrant space is split across two bright floors in 'colours of pink, orange, blue and green' says the press release. Tortilla are made from heirloom corn, milled and made daily in the kitchen and you can get creative with your condiments as Santiago’s Salsa Verde, Salsa Roja and Salsa Macha will sit on each table. All main courses will be served in Fonda’s bespoke stoneware by Mexican designers Duplo and agave underpins the cocktail list with a whole section dedicated to Palomas. JA.
Now open
12 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BZ
Long Chim at Hovarda
The man behind the world’s first Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, David Thompson, is heading back to London, and Soho’s Rupert Street in particular. Thompson ran Nahm in Belgravia until it’s closure in 2012. His new venture, Long Chim, which translates as 'come and try' is set to open this month (October 2024). The residency in Rupert Street has foodies excited. The menu is inspired by the street food of Bangkok – with dishes that ex-pats miss when they’re away from home. Thompson and head chef, Patipan Jipromma, have devised a menu for the London restaurant, including Red Snapper Fishcakes, Wagyu Beef Salad and Red Curry with Pork Belly. Thompson operates three other restaurants in Australia. PL.
October 2024 opening expected
Hovarda, Ground Floor, 36–40 Rupert St, London W1D 6DW.
Leydi
Chef Selin Kiazim’s Leydi has now opened in Farringdon. The all-day Turkish restaurant is centred around Turkey’s celebratory food from Islak burgers, to spiced beef köfte buns and mezes like Muhammara, baked hummus with pastirma and smoked aubergine, all served with in-house fired Turkish breads. The 90-cover dining room, located opposite the historic Old Bailey in Farringdon. City workers can also swing by for Turkish style brekkie and pick up house pastries Böreks and Tahinli (a caramelised tahini spiral) or stuffed Lavash rolls. JA.
Now open
15 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EF
Hyde London, 15 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EF
Permit Room Oxford
Oxford foodies are soon to be salivating with the arrival of their very own Permit Room. This is the third opening of the sister chain to Dishoom, following Brighton and Cambridge openings earlier this year. Indian inspired cocktails and classic Dishoom dishes like Chicken Ruby, House black dahl and house Chai and bacon naan rolls for the morning after are all incoming. Wonder if it will smell as good as the incense-heavy aroma which entices you into the original much-loved chain?JA
50% off food during the soft launch period – from Saturday 19th October to Thursday 24th October
Official opening 29th October
Permit Room Oxford, North Bailey House, New Inn Hall St, Oxford OX1 2RP
Tamilla
Lovers of Southern Indian cuisine will be pleased to hear Tamila Battersea has opened. Expect curries, dosa, flaky roti, garlic and coriander, peshwari and kulcha naan. Most interesting is the sub-continental slant put on the cocktail menu – Tamil Negroni, Gunpowder Margarita and Charcoal Old Fashioned. PL.
Now open
39 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NJ
Three Darlings
Chelsea locals can tuck in their napkins in prepration of new neighbourhood bistro, offering all-day dining, from husband-and-wife duo, Irha and Jason Atherton. Named after the couple's three daughters, Three Darlings "embodies West London living." Given the calibre of chef patron Atherton, the high end breakfast menu comes as little surprise. Wood-fire breakfast, flat bread: Merguez sausage, Cackle Bean egg and spinach is a posh fry up. ‘Three Darlings Bun’, maple-cured bacon or Cumberland sausage can be pimped up with a fried egg and potato rosti. Eggs on home-made sourdough will no doubt be popular at this Chelsea restaurant. Steak and chips - described in fancier terms than and I have, looks rather good. A new one on me, Skate Schnitzel, with Katsu curry sauce, is worth further investigation. I notice a good number of pickled dishes on the dinner menu, which is the stuff culinary dreams are made of, for me at least. PL.
Opens 2 October
241B Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP
Lina Stores - Shoreditch
Shoreditch marks a seventh London restaurant and deli Lina Stores in this ever expanding Italian-inspired chain. Not forgetting the aperitivo bar in Brewer Street. Located in Bloomberg Arcade, Shoreditch is set over two floors. A central bar sits at the heart, with a lounge and mezzanine floor creating a private dining area. Open all day from breakfast, to lunch, through to aperitivo hour and dinner. Expect dishes including Linguine, Crab, Amalfi Lemon, Chilli, Garlic, and Grilled Hispi Cabbage, Porcini Butter, Pinenuts, Grana Padano, Black Truffle. PL.
Now open
19 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
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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