February sees the Borough Market scene get better than ever, the return of a Singapore restaurant and a classic British restaurant relocates to St James.
Camille
Borough Market - 2-3 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA
Borough Market has become something of a hotspot for interesting new openings of late. Recently we've had Akara and Kolae and February sees the opening of the next restaurant from Clare Lattin and Tom Hill, founders of Ducksoup and Little Duck. This restaurant will be styled as a French bistro using British produce and they've brought in Elliot Hashtroudi as chef, hot off his residency at 107 (aka P Franco). Dishes like tete de veau schnitzel with dandelion and cep stuffed chicken wing are planned.
Singapulah
Chinatown - 53 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6LB
Singapulah comes from restaurateur Ellen Chew, who's also behind Rasa Sayang, Mrs Chew's Chinese Kitchen, Shan Shui and Arôme. Singapulah has appeared before as a pop-up, but this time it's back as not only a permanent restaurant but also a shop serving up Singaporean produce, which will also feature on the menu. That menu will change regularly and kicks off with dishes like Bak Chor Mee, a minced pork noodle dish.
Morchella
Clerkenwell - 84-86 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4Q
Having had great success with Perilla on Newington Green, the same team are opening Morchella on Exmouth Market. This will differ quite a bit from the previous restaurant, being billed as a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant and wine bar. The wines will all focus on old-world, while the menu features snacks like a tortilla sandwich as well as salt-baked poussin with chill sauce and for dessert a prune, almond and Armagnac galette.
Bruno
Victoria Park - 211a Victoria Park Road, London E9 7JN
This is the latest wine bar from Michael Sager, the man behind Sager + Wilde. It represents a more personal venture from him, both opening in his own Victoria Park neighbourhood as well as being named after his dad. It will be a wine shop during the day and a bar at night, with a £15 mark-up on any bottles to drink in, including bottles from his own curated cellar. As for the food, the big focus will be on filled pretzels, inspired by Swiss-born Michael's homeland.
Trejo's Tacos
Notting Hill - 299-301 Portobello Road, London W10 5TD
Delayed from January, we've been told that Hollywood star Danny Trejo is finally bringing his tacos to Notting Hill in the next month. This sees him open an outlet of his taco empire in London for the first time. The steak asada tacos with pepita pesto should be a priority to try (apparently it was a favourite of Anthony Bourdain) alongside the surf and turf burrito (with steak asada and spicy shrimp). London's taco scene is pretty competitive these days so it'll be interesting to see how this stacks up against the local options.
Bellazul
Mayrlebone - 43 Blandford Street, London W1U 7HF
London loves Mediterranean-inspired food right now, with Bellazul being the second restaurant to open this month in London which takes the Med as its starting point. In charge here is Simone Serafini, previously Head Chef of Cecconi's Mayfair. Dishes planned for the opening include Moroccan lamb tagine and lobster alongside a wine list that also reflects the Med. We're particularly intrigued by the Bellazul Martini which features focaccia-infused gin.
St John at Fortnums
St James - 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
One of London's most-loved restaurants is getting a big refurb this month. But instead of closing down, they've decided to up sticks to St James and take over the ground floor restaurant at Fortnums. So, for just two and a half weeks, you'll be able to get all the classic St John dishes in the heart of St James. And as they're bringing the bar too, you can also just pop in for a glass of St John rosé and an Eccles cake if you fancy.
More about St John at Fortnums
Also look out for...
- Quince Bakery (Islington) - Ex-Flor baker Anna Higham is teaming up with Paris Barghchi (Neal's Yard Dairy, The Clove Club) for this very promising Islington bakery
- Mistress (Mayfair) - This swanky restaurant is planning "refined French cuisine for a modern Mayfair".
- Caviar Bar (Mayfair) - Even more high-end dining for Mayfair, with seafood and caviar just off Hanover Square.
All of London's newly opened and upcoming restaurants...
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