This month sees a wealth of new London restaurants opening their doors for the first time and we’re giving you a front-row seat to the very best of them. From The Dorchester’s new James Bond-inspired bar to the Portuguese opening from Henrique Sá Pessoa, here’s our edit of the best.
Vesper Bar
The newly launched Vesper Bar at The Dorchester has been sweeping Instagram feeds since opening its doors on Monday 23rd January, and it’s easy to see why.
Designed by the renowned designer Martin Brudnizki, the new bar nods to The Dorchester’s connections with James Bond throughout the year, from Ian Fleming becoming a regular frequenter of the hotel to press junkets hosted over the decades.
The bar’s interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the 30s, from the Palladium leaf ceiling creating that perfect Martini hour atmosphere to the upper bar and cosy ‘snug’ space. A series of Cecil Beaton pieces grace the walls, adding to the decadence and glamour.
The cocktail menu has been carefully comprised by the team, featuring timeless and signature cocktails curated by award-winning drinks connoisseur and head bartender Lucia Montanelli.
OPENING DATE: OPEN NOW
WHERE: THE DORCHESTER, 53 PARK LANE, MAYFAIR, W1K 1QA
WEBSITE: WWW.DORCHESTERCOLLECTION.COM
Zapote
Zapote is a new contemporary Mexican restaurant and bar that’s making its way to Shoreditch this February. This is the first restaurant venture from chef Yahir Gonzalez and hospitality veteran Tony Geary.
Seating space for 65 diners, the restaurant’s main focal point is the open charcoal grill. Expect a menu that’s packed with innovative and traditional Mexican dishes, from wild mushroom quesadilla, endive and tomatillo salsa; grey mullet racado rojo, grilled corn and smoked cod roe; and scallop ceviche with persimmon, orange and grilled corn.
OPENING DATE: 09.02.2023
WHERE: 70 LEONARD STREET, SHOREDITCH, EC2A 4QX
WEBSITE: WWW.ZAPOTE.CO.UK
JOIA
Henrique Sá Pessoa will be opening JOIA, an Iberian restaurant in the top floors of the new art’otel London Battersea Power Station.
Renowned for operating the two Michelin-starred Alma and relaxed trans-Iberian spot Tapisco in Lisbon, the menu at JOIA will be inspired by Sá Pessoa’s culinary heritage.
Drawing influences from the flavours and cooking techniques of Catalonia and Portugal, look forward to dishes such as octopus salad with red pepper, potato and smoked paprika; salted cod with shoestring potatoes, parsley, and black olive served with a raw egg yolk and mixed tableside; grilled carabineiro with orzo bisque and coriander; and braised Iberian pork cheek with apple and turnip puree, fig and plum chutney.
OPENING DATE: 21.02.2023
WHERE: 15TH FLOOR, ART’OTEL LONDON BATTERSEA POWER STATION, 1 ELECTRIC BOULEVARD, SW11 8BJ
WEBSITE: WWW.ARTOTELLONDONBATTERSEA.COM
La Gamba
The brother behind Borough Market’s Applebee’s Fish will be throwing a new restaurant into the mix in the form of riverside tapas spot, La Gamba.
Boasting views overlooking the Thames, the restaurant is situated on Queen’s Walk at the front of the Royal Festival Hall. It’ll serve up traditional Spanish dishes with a modern twist, curated cocktails and a bountiful wine list taking you on a journey through Spain, from the Douro River to the hills of Rioja.
Menu highlights include St Austell mussels cooked in a rich albariño and chorizo sauce; Cornish crab and fennel tostada; Iberico pork cheek empanadas; and Galician pinacha steak with truffle and San Simón cheese.
OPENING DATE: 08.02.2023
WHERE: UNIT 3, ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, SE1 8XX
WEBSITE: WWW.LAGAMBALONDON.COM
Kapara
Taking you on a whistle-stop tour of Tel Aviv and Neve Tzedek through food is Kapara, the brand-new venture from the team behind Bala Baya. Led by Israeli-born chef Eran Tibi, the restaurant will boast all-day, all-night dining and a subterranean chef’s table experience.
The space will be made up of an alfresco terrace, a lounge and bar area, and a main ground-floor restaurant with a raised stage for live music. The menu pays homage to Tibi’s mother’s Middle Eastern cooking, featuring the likes of white corn crispy cod chops, squid ink yolk pasta, coconut and harissa bisque; a celeriac fondant with ox heart tartare, olive caviar, spiced quince, cured quail egg with a turmeric and mustard aioli; and a winter ceviche.
OPENING DATE: 04.02.2023
WHERE: JAMES COURT, MANETTE STREET, W1D 4AL
WEBSITE: WWW.KAPARA.CO.UK
By The Handbook
Vesper Bar
Zapote
JOIA
La Gamba
Kapara
