Skip to content
New Bar and Restaurant Openings, August 2016
ChristianS |
Ahi Poké, Fitzrovia
What.../ Hawaii has come to London. Ahi Poké is inspired by simple Hawaiian beach shacks crossed with the laid-back poké bar vibes of L.A. Ahi Poké provides poké bowls to the masses whilst embracing values on nutrition, sustainability and ‘clean eating'. Chef Jeremy Coste has created a menu using sustainably sourced ingredients that draw on traditional poké flavours, resulting in a flavoursome and healthy dish On the Menu.../ Choose from a selection of signature bowls including Oahu (sticky rice, Ahi tuna, red onion, radish, coriander and sesame shoyu) and Heat Wave (quinoa, salmon, avocado, kimchee cucumber, red onion and siracha mayo). Or build your own bowl by selecting a base (quinoa, sticky rice, or red kale), a protein (ahi tuna, the fish classically used in poké; mahi mahi or salmon, or marinated mushrooms), a sauce (sesame shoyu, sweet ponzu, preserved lemon olive oil or siracha mayo); and toppings. Where.../ 33 Percy Street, London W1T 1DE / www.ahipoke.co.ukBerber & Q Shawarma Bar, Exmouth market
What.../ Following the success of Berber & Q Grill House, Josh Katz & Mattia Bianchi have opened their second restaurant, Berber & Q Shawarma Bar. The new restaurant specialises in shawarma, slow-cooked on a rotating spit over hot coals alongside Middle Eastern cocktails. On the Menu.../ Lamb shawarma will lead a brand new menu, with Middle Eastern style Rotisserie Chicken also central to the offering. Both are served with herb salad, gem leaves, green chilli, grated tomato, tahini and sumac onions. Mejaderah, a Middle Eastern rice and lentils dish benefits from the juices of the spit, and form the basis of Shawarma Bar's Bowls, topped with Lamb Shawarma, harissa and anchovy or, in homage to Berber & Q's signature vegetable dish, Cauliflower Shawarma with golden sultana, rose and pine nuts. For dessert, there are Ice Cream pita sandwiches, with tahini soft-serve and caramelised banana (£6). Where.../ 46 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QE / www.berberandq.com
100 Islington
What.../ 100 Islington is the second bar and restaurant venue from the talented team behind the highly successful Shoreditch smash hit 100 Hoxton. 100 Hoxton began life as a passion project, a pan-Asian food-led operation which has evolved over the last two and a half years to become a restaurant and bar with an emphasis on unique flavours, healthy eating and creativity. 100 Islington will build on this and once again, the food concept is simple – small sharing plates with influences from Asian and Middle-Eastern flavours, spices and ingredients - East-meets-West at its best. On the Menu.../ Head Chef Francis Puyat's a la carte menu for 100 Islington is made up of five different sections and dishes. These include the likes of Courgette and Halloumi fritters with preserved lemon yogurt; Singapore soft shell chilli crab; Chilli fried rice with chilli prawn sambal and more! Where.../ 270 Upper St, Islington N1 2UQ www.100restaurants.co.uk
The Barbary, Covent Garden
What.../ The Barbary is open, it is the second restaurant from siblings Layo and Zoë Paskin, Assaf Granit and Uri Navon who also opened The Palomar. Named after the Barbary Coast which was infamous for pirates, the restaurant tells a story of trade, travel and culture through its food. On the Menu.../ The Barbary menu reflects the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to Israel. A meal can start with fresh breads such as Naan e Barbari and Jerusalem Bagel with a delicious sounding selection of dips - including Msabbaha Hummus, Zhug and Burnt & Pickled Chilli - before splitting into Land, Sea and Earth sections of grills. Frequently changing dishes might feature Duck Hearts; Slow Roasted Goat; Monkfish Chermoula; and Baby Courgettes with Black Tahini. Where.../ 16 Neal's Yard, Seven Dials, WC2H 9DP thebarbary.co.ukBlandford Comptoir, Marylebone
What.../ Renowned wine expert Xavier Rousset has embarked on a new culinary adventure with the opening of Blandford Comptoir: an informal restaurant showcasing Mediterranean cuisine with Italian influences. On the Menu.../ The menu features a selection of meat, seafood, raw and vegetable small and large plates to nibble or gorge on. Dishes include Carpaccio of fassone beef and 36 month old parmesan; Sicilian red prawns; and Duck breast with tortellini of leg and figs. With rare and quirky varietals from South West France and Campania amongst others, the wine list will make Blandford a destination in its own right! Where.../ 1 Blandford Street, London W1U 3DA http://blandford-comptoir.co.ukOld Street Records, Shoreditch
What.../ Independent bar team Rocket Leisure has brought its mix of live music, cocktails and parties to Shoreditch with new bar, Old St. Records. Having won over Londoner's south of the river with their record store-inspired venues, Venn St. Records and Northcote Records, the vibe continues East side. with the promise of live music six nights a week, including soul, funk, jazz and rock to classic pop. On the Menu.../ The cocktail list features twists on the classics including their signature cocktail, Sour Records - a Whiskey Sour adding pistachio syrup into the mix. For a summer hit, Late Breakfast blends grapefruit vodka with pink grapefruit juice, house-made marmalade syrup, grapefruit bitters and a little egg white. Other cocktails on the menu include the Peach Negroni and Smoked Pineapple Punch. For food, authentic Italian thin-crust pizzas are served up with a variety of fresh toppings and dips to soak up those drinks and energise you for the night ahead on the dance-floor. Where.../ 350-354 Old Street, London EC1V 9NQ www.oldstreetrecords.com
Rök Smokehouse, Islington
What.../ Rök's opening in Islington follows the huge success of its first restaurant on Curtain Road, Shoreditch. Whilst London has its fare share of BBQ restaurants, it's Rök's Nordic inspired array of smoked, pickled and cured dishes that have drawn a loyal following for their menu. On the Menu.../ The kitchen is headed up by executive chef Matt Young who has overseen the development of the food at both sites. The menu features dishes such as Scallops with Nduja & seaweed; Guinea fowl with pickled mushrooms & sea purslane; and Blackened cabbage with Nori Rice, macadamias & Västerbottensost cheese. A small selection of craft beers, interesting wines and cocktails ensures drinks are up to par too. Where.../ 149 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1RA roklondon.co.uk/islington/index.htmlStrut & Cluck, Shoreditch
What.../ Strut & Cluck (founded by husband and wife Amir and Limor) has opened to show that the humble turkey is for life, not just for Christmas! Strut & Cluck serves dishes inspired by Eastern Mediterranean home cooking, with free-range turkey meat served alongside seasonal ingredients. Marinated for 24 hours in the family spice and herb blend, the turkeys are then slow-cooked ensuring their tenderness before the final finishing touches. On the Menu.../ Turkey dishes go beyond the norm, with creations such as Charcoal-grilled drumstick with roasted white cabbage, tahini, pomegranate molasses and zhoug; Limor's classic slow-roast thigh on a bed of caramelised red onions and sweet potatoes with barberries; and Hand-pulled Shawarma with dates and pine nuts on a bed of freekeh and a dollop of labneh. There are also plenty of vegetarian options, including Charred cauliflower with lemon zest infused crème fraiche; and Roasted halloumi with orange, beetroot, lambs lettuce and roasted walnuts. Where.../ Strut & Cluck, 151-153 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ www.strutandcluck.comMeatup, Old York Road
What.../ Born out of a love for hosting parties, where delicious food made with the best ingredients and well-made drinks are enjoyed with friends, Sachin Khanna (previously of Raffles and Libertine), has incorporated some of his best memories of a British BBQ into MeatUp. Sachin has also drawn upon his nightlife experience to create a lively dining and drinking experience with a late night bar serving drinks until dawn, top DJs commanding the restaurant floor, a floor to ceiling bar with an extensive Prosecco list, craft beer and cocktail list. On the Menu.../ Head chef Stephen Hinkley (formerly of Foxlow Stoke Newington and Meatopia) has put together a menu of quality aged steaks, grilled shellfish, ribs marinated with secret spices, indulgent burgers and superfood salads available from brunch through to dinner. Where.../ MeatUp, 350 Old York Road, Wandsworth Town, London SW18 1SS www.meatupgrill.com
Rum Kitchen, Brixton
What.../ Rum Kitchen has opened it's third site in London, this time in Brixton. Sharing their flair for all things Caribbean, especially their vast rum collection, Rum Kitchen provides diners with an island escape to indulge in cocktails and delicious Caribbean cooking. On the Menu.../ Londoner's have an impressive view into the kitchen which boasts two charcoal and wood fired ovens. You can find new items on the menu such as Grilled Red Snapper with Mixed Pepper Escovitch and Avocado salsa; and Jerk Fried Chicken Burger with spicy lime salt, scotch bonnet mayo, Swamp hot sauce and House pickles. Favourites will also make a return with Rum Kitchens Slow Cooked Pork Belly Ribs as well as the Jerk Chicken Bowl. Where.../435 - 437 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LN
For more info please visit: www.therumkitchen.com
Casita Andina, Soho
What... Casita Andina (founded by Martin Morales) has opened in Soho bringing Peruvian culture via food, art and age old traditions to London's diners. The Peruvian style is inspired by "Picanterias", family run restaurants that serve the local community and travellers. Typically these restaurants are found in the homes of Andinas (women from the Andes). Martin's passion for this was ignited from regularly dining at his grand-mothers Picanterias. On the Menu.../ The menu is combined with cocktails and Peruvian cold teas which play a key role in the dining experience. Dishes include Pork Tamale with Salsa Criolla; Lamb Loin in Coriander and Beer Sauce; Grilled Salmon Escabeche; Crispy Aubergine with Uchucuta Herbs and much more. Where.../ Casita Andina, 31 Great Windmill Street, Soho, London, W1D 7LP For more information please visit www.andinalondon.com/casita
