The arrival(s) of autumn
The end of summer is always bittersweet, but with the dawn of autumn comes the promise of change, and within the food world, there’s plenty of change afoot. Here are five of the most exciting new restaurant openings in London and beyond to keep your eyes peeled for next season.
Elis
The Da Terra family is growing, and anyone who’s visited the two-Michelin star restaurant will know that’s a very, very good thing. Executive chef, Rafael Cagali’s new venture takes inspiration from his mother’s first restaurant and jazz bar in São Paulo, named after the musician, Elis Regina. This restaurant – simply named Elis – will be a casual take on the same Brazilian-Italian influences as Da Terra. Diners can expect an à la carte menu featuring dishes like bolinho de bacalhau and crab tagliolini verde, paired with a carefully considered wine list from Noble Rot’s very own Keeling Andrew & Co.
Terre
Vincent Crepel is a chef with quite the CV, having worked within the kitchens of Michelin-starred Arzak and Restaurant André to name a few. In exciting news for the folk of Cork, Crepel is set to open his first venture outside of his native France there in the coming months. Named Terre as an ode to ‘the connection between land, people and produce’, the restaurant will bring a blend of ingredients and influences from France, Asia and Ireland itself. Not from Cork and never visited? Now might be the time to book your trip…
Cycene
Opening its doors in October, across two floors within Blue Mountain School’s historic townhouse no less, Cycene is a place to put on your radar. In keeping with the ethos of the overall venue, the restaurant will be an intimate space, enabling diners to feel as if they were within their own homes. As for the food itself, a ten-course menu will combine classic and innovative techniques, drawing on influences from Australasia and Eastern Asia. Dishes will adapt constantly based on the quality of ingredients, and seafood – like mackerel with plum, shisho and dashi – will be a main focus. Bookings are already live, so secure yours soon.
St. John Marylebone
A London institution of the highest rank, St. John is, in many ways, the essence of the city’s culinary scene. So fans will be thrilled to hear of its new Marylebone outpost, which is expected to open in mid-September. St. John Marylebone will take inspiration from the bars of Paris and Florence, offering day-round dining. The first opening for the group in seven years, no doubt plenty of celebrations will be had when that West London launch date arrives…
Speedboat Bar
A sizzling new collaboration between Luke Farrell and can-they-do-no-wrong restaurant group JKS, Speedboat Bar launches next month along Soho’s Redchurch Street, within the former home of XU Teahouse. The name Farrell might already ring a bell, as the brains behind Plaza Khao Gaeng at Arcade. Taking inspiration from Bangkok, the bar’s menu will feature a host of stir fries, noodles, curries, salads and more. Get excited.