7 December Openings To Look Forward To
Restaurant openings in London usually slow down over the festive season, but we have spotted a few big ones out there launching this month. So in between your Christmas shopping, here are the best new openings in London to look forward to:
Osteria Del Mare
The Strand is welcoming some Italian sunshine with the launch of Osteria Del Mare, a new opening from the Bocconcino brand that’s inspired by the seaside charm of Forte dei Marmi, a beloved coastal town on Italy’s west coast. Look forward to an authentic dining experience, focusing on fresh seafood with dishes like moscardini in red wine sauce, paccheri with red mullet, and a crudo platter on the menu. Designed by Italian-born and raised Chef Matteo Massafra, the menu is all about celebrating the best of Mediterranean seafood.
Designed by Italian-born and raised Chef Matteo Massafra, the menu is all about celebrating the best of Mediterranean seafood.
opens on 9th december
Where: 366 Strand, London, WC2R 0JF
Website: www.bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk/osteriadelmare
The Brave, Islington
This Islington bistro-pub is helmed by Chef James Cochran (who previously launched the restaurant 12:51). Expect dishes like jerk spiced chicken, Scotch eggs and Scottish razor clam ceviche with quince, bacon and pine nuts. According to the website, the restaurant aims to “bring the wild of Britain to the heart of London.”
The restaurant aims to bring the wild of Britain to the heart of London.
opens on 5th december
Where: 340-342 ESSEX ROAD, ISLINGTON, LONDON N1 3PB
Website: www.thebravelondon.co.uk:
Toum Rotisserie
If you’re looking for a great new Lebanese restaurant, Toum seems like just the spot. With a modern take on Lebanese cuisine, the highlight of the menu here is the Rotisserie chicken made with a special house brine and marinade. There’s also a heated terrace and listening bar in the works as well, and the rest of the menu includes Samke Harra (sea bass with spicy walnut, coriander and tahini), octopus with green hummus and shallots and sauteed chicken livers with pomegranate molasses and pine nuts.
If you’re looking for a great new Lebanese restaurant, Toum seems like just the spot.
when: opens on 4th december
where: 18a Maddox Street, London W1S 1PL
WebsitE: www.toumrotisserie.com
Babbo, St John’s Wood
Another Italian restaurant, this one can take you from breakfast to dinner, with a menu that’s all about simple, authentic Italian dishes. On the menu, we spotted cestino di pane (a selection of sourdough bread, mini rye rolls, house focaccia plain and tomato), straccetti di pollo (crispy chicken and spicy tomato n’duja sauce) and burrata pugliese to start with. Move on to tartare di salmone (marinated Scottish salmon, Mediterranean condiments, rice crackers and celeriac dressing), carpaccio di manzo (thinly sliced beef fillet, mustard dressing, pantelleria capers, aged parmesan and rocket) and piccata di vitello (veal fillet lemon escalope served with artichoke and mash potato), among a host of other exquisite looking dishes that cater to vegetarians, meat eaters and seafood lovers.
opens on 9th december
Where: 29-31 St John’s Wood High St, London NW8 7NH
Website: www.babborestaurant.co.uk
Pretty Decent, Victoria Park
Pretty Decent’s newest East London taproom is set in a historic canal-side building by Victoria Park and has a cosy bar up front and a beer hall out back with communal tables. And there’s even a foosball table, and arcade games for some entertainment over your drinks. There are 12 taps of modern beer styles, offering vegan, gluten-free, and alcohol-free options.
Alongside the beer, you can also enjoy wines from sustainable and low-intervention suppliers, classic cocktails, and their unique “Viccy Park Soft Serve” beer ice cream. Plus, there will be street food vendors parked up outside throughout December.
opens on 4th december
Where: victoria park,london E3 5SN
Website: www.prettydecentbeer.co
Don’t Tell Dad
This one’s quirky and cool. It’s not just a bakery or a restaurant, but both. Helmed by one of the founders of Coco di Mama, Daniel Land, Don’t Tell Dad is opening in Queen’s Park where it will function as a bakery in the day and a restaurant at night.
Don’t Tell Dad is opening in Queen’s Park where it will function as a bakery in the day and a restaurant at night.
The bakery will specialise in exquisite breads and pastries led by Keren Sternberg, who was previously at Notting Hill’s Layla. (Don’t miss the exquisite hazelnut brown butter croissants).
opens this month
where: 10-14 Lonsdale Road, London NW6 6RD
website: www.donttelldad.co.uk
Pinna
Pinna brings rich Sardinian flavours to the heart of Mayfair, and has been launched by the duo George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev (they recently opened Fantomas). You can expect some classic Italian dishes with a healthy dose of truffle if you like, and exquisitely crafted cocktails to match.
opens on 2nd December
Where: 43 Curzon Street, London, United Kingdom W1J7UF
Website: www.pinnamayfair.com
