From Clapham’s new wine bar and iced tea on tap in Marylebone to the latest Underground Supper Club and the arrival of New York’s most-loved pizza brand, here’s what’s new on London’s dining and drinking scene
1.Redemption, Notting Hill
London’s first alcohol-free bar is back by popular demand! After the success of its three pop-up residences in Portobello, Holborn and Hackney, Redemption will open its permanent home in W2 this August. This unique bar concept promises a variety of non-alcoholic cocktails plus a menu designed by a nutritional therapist which allows customers to spoil themselves, without spoiling themselves say the founders Catherine Salway and Andrea Waters.
Opens 10 August at 6 Chepstow Road, London, W2 5BH. redemptionbar.co.uk
Tomato tonic mocktail
2.Suvlaki, Soho
If you’ve ever wondered where you can find authentic Greek street food in London, Suvlaki is the new place to go. ‘We aim to show how suvlaki can be fresh, tasty and healthy, fast and casual, sexy and trendy,’ says Yannis Theodorakakosl, who co-owns the restaurant with his business partner Michael Kantartzis. Acclaimed Greek chef Elias Mamalakis has been brought on board to deliver a variety of fresh dishes including grilled meat from Smithfield market, fresh herb and vegetable salad and baked feta.
Open now at 21, Bateman Street, W1D 3AL. suvlaki.co.uk
3.The Giovanni Gin Garden at Quaglino’s, Mayfair
This iconic Mayfair hotspot has brought the outside in this summer. The Giovanni Gin Garden, complete with lanterns, wisteria, honeysuckle and jasmine, now decorates Quaglino’s main dining area and to celebrate this seasonal display, the restaurant is offering a bespoke new cocktail menu curated by Tanqueray. Where better to sip on a Tanqueray & tonic mojito than in a blooming bar?
Open now until 31 August, 16 Bury St, SW1Y 6AJ. quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Giovanni’s Gin Garden
4. NY Fold, Charing Cross Road
Love pizza? Then this is excellent news. World pizza champion Bruno DiFabio (he’s won the title six times) has launched his first UK restaurant, NY Fold. With DiFabio’s signature homemade tomato sauce and 60-day aged Italian mozzarella topping his famously fresh dough bases, this New York-style dining experience is giving the likes of Pizza Pilgrims a run for its money. The menu also includes foccacia sandwiches, fresh pastas, salads, desserts and a fine selection of American beers.
Open now at 103 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0DT.
Inside London’s new pizza hotspot, NY Fold
5.Humble Grape, Clapham
Independent wine retailer Humble Grape has opened a bar on Clapham’s Battersea Rise. Customers can sample the shop’s selection, all directly imported from artisan vineyards, by the glass or bottle.
There are also small-plate dishes and sharing platters to enjoy in-between tastings. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on specific grape varieties and vineyard regions, check out what’s on at Humble Grapes events calendar.
Open now at 2 Battersea Rise, Clapham, SW11 1ED. humblegrape.co.uk
Humble Grape’s wine bar
6. The Zetter Townhouse, Marylebone
The highly anticipated addition to The Zetter Group’s boutique hotel family will open the doors to its Georgian townhouse on Seymour Street on 14 August. There are 24 bedrooms, including two spectacular studios, and a rooftop apartment with its own roof terrace and outdoor roll top bath. On the food front, Seymour’s Parlour will serve up everything from afternoon tea or cocktails from breakfast until late, with menus devised by Grain Store’s Bruno Loubet and London’s top mixologist Tony Conigliaro.
Opens 14 August 2015 at 28-30 Seymour Street, W1H 7JB. thezettertownhouse.com/marylebone
The Zetter Group’s latest opening
7.Showdown at The Lockhart, Marylebone
Another new addition to the Marylebone drinking and dining scene is Showdown, a new cocktail bar located beneath The Lockhart restaurant. Cocktail guru Matt Whiley has developed a unique menu with a focus on rye and bourbon, along with an iced tea cocktail which will served on tap. Thankfully, American bar snacks including buttermilk fried chicken and catfish goujons from The Lockhart’s chef Brad McDonald will be on offer – perfect for lining the stomach.
Opens in August at 22-24 Seymour Place, W1H 7NL. lockhartlondon.com
8.Storeys, White City
Can’t get enough of the capital’s alfresco drinking scene this summer? Don’t miss Storeys – a brand new rooftop experience, opening on top of the former BBC Car Park at Television Centre. Sip on cocktails with panoramic views of West London and sample street food from some of the city’s best brands, including French-American fusion wizards Le Bun, Carribean street food champions White Men Can’t Jerk and Peruvian ceviche experts Aji Ceviche. DJs will play into the evening, there will be regular outdoor film screenings and Serene Social will be hosting rooftop yoga sessions on Saturday mornings. Doors will open from 5pm on Fridays and 11am on weekends. Entry is free.
From 31 July to 13 September at Multi Storey Car Park, Television Centre Wood Lane, W12 7RJ. storeys.london
Storeys pop-ups in White City
9.The Underground Supper Club, Soho
Soho’s new underground sensation Cahoots is paying homage to post-war Britain this August. The brand is teaming up with the Basement Galley for an afternoon of fine food and cocktails, paired by Chef Alex Cooper. The four-course menu has been inspired by the best of British fare in 1946 and features a chilled wild garlic and green pea soup followed by cherry wood vodka and grapefruit cured salmon. Signature drinks from Cahoots will also be on offer including the aptly-named Vera Lynn and the Judy Garland. Tickets are £38 per person and can be booked via grubclub.com
Sunday 8 August 2015 at 5pm, 13 Kingly Court, W1B 5PW. cahoots-london.com
10.Oldroyd, Islington
Previously Chef Director at the Polpo restaurant group for five years, Tom Oldroyd has opened his first solo restaurant Oldroyd on Upper Street. Using fresh, seasonal produce is a priority for Tom, who explained the influences behind his European menu to us. ‘I love Italian food, it’s how I have always cooked,’ he said. ‘I also love French and Spanish, food that reminds me of my holidays I suppose. I wanted to incorporate as much as that as possible, using British charcuterie and British cheeses, which are fantastic. I want to invoke some memories with food. But I also think it shouldn’t be too complicated either, I don’t want people thinking about their food too much.’
Open now at 344 Upper Street N1 0PD; oldroydlondon.com
Whole roast monkfish at Oldroyd
11.Superfood ice cream at the Oxo Tower Restaurant and Brasserie, South Bank
This isn’t a new opening, but the addition of superfood ice creams on the Oxo Tower Brasserie’s menu are too good to miss. The restaurant has teamed up with Kent-based artisan ice cream company, Taywell Ice creams, to create a trio of bespoke flavours inspired by the superfood trend. Choose from Charcoal & Strawberry Ripple, Baobab, Chia Seed & Cranberry and Bee Pollen & Raspberry Ripple. Then sit back and enjoy views of London from the sunny OXO terrace.
Available now until the end of September at Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, SE1 9PH. harveynichols.com
Superfood ice cream at The Oxo Tower
12. Vico, Covent Garden
Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo, owners of Soho restaurant Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo gelateria are launching their latest restaurant venture in late August. Located at One Cambridge Circus, Vico will provide Italian street food, award-winning gelato and an inexpensive drinks list (only house wine will feature on the menu) as part of its casual dining experience. With pizza served by the slice, there’ll be no need for cutlery either.
Vico will open at One Cambridge Circus, WC2H 8HD in late August. eatvico.com
The Vico founders enjoy an Aperol Spritz
13.Austen’s Smokehouse, Kensal Rise
Calling all BBQ fans! There’s a new smokehouse in town. From Texan-style meat dry seasoned with a spicy rub to New Orleans weekend brunch classics, Austen’s will be bringing food inspired by the Deep South to North West London when it opens its doors this August. With DJ Yoda on board to run the show, it’s set to be lively. Expect a ‘southern USA style BBQ pit with craft beers brewed in Germany, cocktails and big beats!’ general manager Damien Moughton told us.
Opens 6 August at 109 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, NW10 3NS. austensbbq.co.uk
14.Champagne Lovers’ Lunch at 34 Mayfair
Love brunch and Champagne? Head down to this iconic London hotspot to make the most of their summer offer – two courses of your choice from the à la carte menu plus endless fizz, served in the 34 Kate Moss Coupe (it was commissioned by the restaurant in honour of the supermodel’s 40th birthday). Expect plenty of brunch time favourites – poached eggs and avocado, buttermilk pancakes and banoffee waffles – with a decadent twist.
Available Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 5pm until 5 September. 34 Grosvenor Square, W1K 2HD. 34 -restaurant.co.uk
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