Want to have your finger on the foodie pulse? We’ve done the hard work for you and found five new restaurant openings you need to know about. Best get booking…
Words Hannah Hopkins
Bronte, Covent Garden
Tom Dixon may be famed for his copper lighting, but at Bronte – his latest design project on the Strand – brass takes centre stage. Inside, the glamorous interior incorporates a pink concrete breakfast bar and a green granite kitchen with jade-green leather banquette seating, while the fresh, modern menu with Antipodean and Pacific influences is pretty good, too.
bronte.co.ukPetit Pois Bistro, Hoxton
For tasty fare at reasonable prices, Petit Pois should be your next booking. The tucked-away spot has been quietly gaining a following since its recent opening, when it received stellar reviews from the likes of Grace Dent. Thanks to its unassuming location above the much-loved Happiness Forgets bar, it has the feeling of a ‘secret spot’, while the dishes – think Steak Frites, Duck Confit and Moules Mariniere – are real crowd pleasers.
petitpoisbistro.comCasita Andina, Soho
We’re already buzzing about Casita Andina, the new restaurant from Ceviche founder Martin Morales, and who can blame us? Inspired by Peruvian ‘picanterias’ (family-run, traditional eateries) the menu sounds mouth-watering, with an extensive menu of dishes like Pork Tamale with Salsa Criolla and Lamb Loin in Coriander and Beer Sauce, best washed down with their curated edit of cocktails.
andinalondon.com/casitaSardine, Shoreditch
Former Dock Kitchen and Rotorino chef Alex Jackson has opened up Sardine in Shoreditch and the hidden gem is worth keeping to yourself. Simply presented and unpretentious, the food is utterly delicious, taking influence from the Mediterranean. Top plates include the Trout with Aioli, Roasted Quail with Olive Sauce and Stuffed Rabbit.
Blanchette East, Shoreditch
Following the success of their first opening in Soho, brothers Maxime, Yannis and Malik have opened a second outpost, this time on Brick Lane in East London. Expect dishes that combine Southern French and North African influences like Lamb tagine with apricots, almonds and rose harissa and Roast poussin with tarragon and pommes Sarladaise, served in a dining room with similar decor to its Soho outpost (pictured above) and featuring a pink marble bar, rustic wooden tables and Parisian antiques.
