5 Great New Restaurants To Try This February
Gloria, Shoreditch
Gloria is a Capri-inspired trattoria from the team behind Big Mamma Group, whose restaurants include some of Paris’s hottest concepts Pink Mamma, La Felicitá and Popolare. Its first UK site is huge in scale and ambition: think a 1950s vintage dining room full of decadent marble from Carrera, a private wine room filled with 3,000 bottles of Italian wines, mirrored ceilings, velour banquettes around a sunken kitchen and, best of all, an opening time of 2am over the weekend. When it comes to food, expect cacio e pepe, served in a whole wheel of parmesan; the ‘Ten Level Lasagne’, and Big Mamma’s signature dish la vera pasta al tartufo – fresh pappardelle, black Molise truffle, mascarpone and button mushrooms, all served at the table in a vintage copper pan, family-style. Don’t forget to leave room for retro puddings like profiterole napoletana, tiramisu, and homemade gelato and limoncello. The restaurant will hold 160 covers over two floors, and all the staff will be Italian, for that extra nod of authenticity.
54-56 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3QR; opens 22nd February
Visit BigMammaGroup.com
Adam Handling Chelsea, Chelsea
Adam Handling, the man behind The Frog in Shoreditch and Covent Garden, is launching his most anticipated restaurant to date later this month. Adam Handling Chelsea at Belmond Cadogan Hotel has been a year in the making, and has been designed with destination diners, hotel guests and locals in mind. The menu will take a ‘Best of British’ approach, showcasing elegant fine-dining in a relatively informal setting. Fans of Handling’s other restaurants will be pleased to learn his signature creations ‘cheese doughnuts’ and celeriac ‘mother’ dishes will appear here too, alongside new dishes such as highland wagyu beef with braised onions and smoked bone marrow; Scottish scallop ceviche with green tomato; and langoustine with pink grapefruit. The 45-seat restaurant has been designed in collaboration with Russel Sage Studio, and will feature an open kitchen and counter dining alongside the main dining room. To be sustainable, there will be no cut flowers – instead, greenery will be provided by potted plants and herbs.
75 Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1X 9SG; opens 28th February
Angelina, Dalston
Launched at the start of the month, Dalston newcomer Angelina promises an experience like no other. An exploration of Japanese and Italian cuisines, cultures and influences, the restaurant offers a multi-cultural mash-up of ingredients and techniques. The 40-cover space is heavily inspired by Japanese avant-garde fashion combining a modern, minimalist, monochromatic aesthetic with high-quality Italian materials and craftsmanship. The informal spot serves a daily eight-plate sharing menu featuring dishes such as unagi risotto with burnt soy butter and dashi; cavolo nero, tonkotsu, egg and keta caviar; and black sesame and milk chocolate panna cotta. With River Café, Bistroteque, Hix, Bocca di Lupo, Café Murano and Daphne’s alumni rattling the pans, we’re expecting great things. Inspired by Tokyo’s famous Shinjuku district, cocktails will be served from the restaurant’s hidden drinking den, Golden Gai. Debauchery is actively encouraged in this low-lit hideaway as the drinks flow and iPhones are left at the door.
56 Dalston Lane, Dalston, E8 3AH
Visit Angelina.London
Vivi, West End
Following an ambitious redevelopment, London landmark Centre Point is in the midst of reopening as an eating and drinking destination. Inspired by the heritage of the building, first to open is VIVI, with interiors which take inspiration from the 1960s (think dogtooth fabrics, plus original art and photography from the decade). Pale pink and turquoise upholstery are offset by metallics, polished woods and a signature plexiglass chandelier. Serving up breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, menu highlights include Keen’s cheddar twice-baked soufflé with provençale peppers and mornay sauce; and chicken kiev with braised lettuce and mash. At VIVI Bar, guests can expect old school bartending, with classic cocktails inspired by the music of the 60s: ‘Rolling In Brown Sugar’ (champagne, rum, martini, jasmine and brown sugar) plays homage to The Rolling Stones, while the ‘Dazed and Confused’ (tequila, kumquat liqueur, orange blossom and grapefruit), is a nod to Led Zeppelin. Fresh juices, smoothies and power shakes are served up in the Liquid Lounge, while afternoon tea can be taken in The Gallery.
Centre Point, 11 Saint Giles Square, West End, WC2H 8AP
Visit ViviRestaurant.com
Yeni, Soho
Soho is home to a new Istanbul-inspired eatery, headed up by Civan Er and Cem Bilge of the critically acclaimed Yeni Lokanta. Building on the success of the Istanbul original, Yeni is influenced by the city’s rich food culture and the famed Silk Road. The result is vegetable dishes including ‘zeytinyagli’, an Aegean method where vegetables are braised in olive oil; aubergine-filled manti with goats’ yoghurt; as well as fish and meat options such as traditional Antep sausages with borlotti bean puree; and line-caught bass with raki and feta. Larger plates include oven-roasted ribs with isot pepper on sourdough with cracked wheat, sour cherries and sumac molasses; and octopus with ‘salty fingers’ prepared on the charcoal josper grill. On the dessert menu expect the likes of kadajifi-covered custard fritters and smoked buffalo milk ice-cream; and salted caramel panna cotta with pumpkin.
55 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SH
Visit Yeni.London
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