5 New Restaurants To Know About
The Connaught Grill, Mayfair
The Connaught Grill has returned. Against the original ceiling with its ornate mouldings and arches, new handcrafted American black walnut dining booths and free-form edge tables and chairs take centre stage. An open kitchen allows guests to see chefs cook on a theatrical wood-burning grill and rotisserie, all overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose new menu pays homage to classic grill dining with a flash of modernity. His favourite from the original menu, the ‘Oeuf en Surprise’, is one of the new spot’s signature dishes: a three-cheese soufflé served with a softly cooked egg and black truffle fondue. Elsewhere, a pie of the day menu celebrates traditional favourites such as steak and kidney and shepherd’s pie, while a Sunday roast is presented and carved on the restored silver trolley from the original restaurant. Lighter dishes include shaved brussels sprouts salad topped with an organic fried egg; raw diver scallop served in the shell and topped with finger lime; and wild mushroom salad with a herbal pine nut dressing, while sashimi, oysters and langoustines are served on vast bowls of ice.
Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL
Visit The-Connaught.co.uk
Sushi On Jones, King’s Cross
Sushi on Jones, the popular Japanese dining concept from New York, has made its UK debut in King’s Cross. ‘Omakase’ refers to the Japanese tradition where a chef tailors a meal to each guest’s specific preferences, and here the team will serve a 12-piece omakase tasting selection for £44pp. Omakase-trained chefs will interact directly with guests to create a bespoke dining experience, using premium ingredients including botan shrimp and wagyu. Inspired by the no-frills sushi joints of Japan, eight guests at a time will be able to book 45-minute dining slots and be seated around the counter. Of the dishes, we like the sound of the ‘Big Mac’ (layers of wagyu A5 ribeye with layers of sea urchin), osuimono (a traditional Japanese light soup broth mixed with seafood or spinach and miso sesame), plus a la carte nigiri such as yellowtail, king salmon, squid, bluefin tuna, sweet shrimp and California sea urchin.
11 Goods Way, King’s Cross, NC1 4DP
Visit SushiOnJones.com
Six by Nico, Fitzrovia
Renowned Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone will open his first London site at the end of the month. Pioneering a revolving culinary hub, Six by Nico will serve a new six-course tasting menu every six weeks and will never serve the same menu twice. Inspired by places, memories and ideas, Nico and his team will present an elevated cooking experience while making his food accessible to all – the six courses will come in at £35pp, with an additional wine pairing option at £33pp. In true Six by Nico style, dishes will only be unveiled two weeks before the menu is first served in the restaurant. The inspiration behind these menus can come from anywhere, with themes at his Glasgow restaurant including ‘Childhood’, ‘Guilty Pleasures’, ‘Catalonia’ and ‘Thai Street Food’. First up at the new site is ‘The Chippie’ – expect the likes of ‘Scampi’ (monkfish cheek with wild garlic emulsion, gribiche, peas and beurre blanc) and ‘Deep Fried Mars Bar’ (chocolate mousse with blood orange sorbet and cocoa nib).
33-41 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RR; opens 31st March
Visit SixByNico.co.uk
Fallow, Mayfair
Following in the footsteps of Manteca and Pacific, Fallow has launched a four-month residency at 10 Heddon Street. Launched by chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray – formerly of Dinner by Heston –Fallow serves a weekly changing menu of ‘root to stem’ and ‘nose to tail’ dishes, with at least 50% of the menu plant-based and every bit of an animal and vegetable used. Expect to sample the likes of hen keema with pullet egg and kohlrabi; salmon and horseradish with bone marrow and parsley; whole flamed hispi cabbage with breadcrumbs and hazelnuts; dairy cow with smoked beetroot and ox tongue trencher; and pink fir potatoes with black garlic and chervil. Meanwhile, the drinks offering will focus on a selection of top biodynamic and sustainable wine producers. This month, SL VIPs get 30% off brunch and a free cocktail. Not yet a member? Sign up using the link below.
10 Heddon Street, Mayfair, W1B 4BX; offer valid until 31st March
Visit SheerLuxeVIP.com
Wildflower, Camden
Wildflower is the first London restaurant by Irish celebrity chef Adrian Martin and is the first fine-dining restaurant in London to be housed inside a shipping container. Adrian is one of Ireland’s youngest celebrity chefs, hailing from Cavan in the north of the country. At just 28-years-old, he is already a regular face on Irish television and has worked at renowned restaurant MacNean House and as head pastry chef at Michelin-starred Bon Appetite. With just 30 covers, Wildflower is an intimate space that pairs sustainability with fine dining. The seasonally changing menus are inspired by Adrian’s heritage and will focus on using locally sourced produce, with every dish championing a foraged ingredient. An eight-course tasting menu is priced at £60pp and dishes will allow one or two ingredients to really sing: think onion and bacon bread; scallop with smoked burdock; and turbot with courgette flower and broth. Elsewhere, a two or three-course lunch menu will feature uncomplicated plates like deep-fried oysters with sea truffle and harissa; and braised cheek of Irish beef with wild mushrooms and red wine jus.
Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 8QP
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