Latest openings: Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin, Alphabet, Harrods Tea Rooms and more

Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin

 

The Avon Gorge hotel in Bristol has been relaunched by Hotel du Vin following a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

 

The property dates back to 1898, when the Victorian building was known as the Grand Clifton Spa and Hydropathic Institution. A key feature of the bedrooms is the artwork: classical-style paintings with modern additions.

 

The hotel also features a new meeting, event and private dining suite, located in the former spa pump rooms. This retains many of the property's historic features uncovered during the renovation, including the steam pumps, the original Turkish bath doorways, marble staircase, tiled flooring and stained-glass windows. The hotel's wine cellar is housed within the former Turkish baths.

 

Opened 24 August

 

Bedrooms 78

 

General manager Josie Simcox

 

Starting room rate £110

 

Website www.hotelduvin.com

 

 

Alphabet

 

Alphabet, formerly located on Soho’s Beak Street, has reopened on Upper Street in London’s Islington. Offering sharing plates, flatbreads and tagines, Alphabet also serves 26 cocktails, including a panettone-infused Negroni.

 

Covers 180

 

Head chef Yaz Khadiri

 

Operator Redcomb Pubs

 

Typical dishes Moroccan chicken wings; zaalouk salad; merguez with tomatoes, rosemary and lemon

 

Website www.alphabet-bar.co.uk

 

 

Harrods Tea Rooms

 

Harrods in London has launched its Tea Rooms on the fourth floor, serving produce from its food halls with a menu by executive head chef Andy Cook and executive head of food innovation April Preston. The Tea Rooms will serve afternoon tea, breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, cakes and pastries.

 

General manager Maria Braun

 

Typical dishes Dover sole meunière; Barber’s cheddar and potato Scotch pie; josper-grilled steak

 

Website www.harrods.com

 

 

Holy Moly Macaroni

 

Holy Moly Macaroni, a Harlem-influenced mac and cheese restaurant, has opened at Birmingham’s Grand Central shopping centre. The concept is from Anthony Duffy, also behind the Heisenbar and Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen. The interior features industrial decor, neon lights and graffiti wall art.

 

Design Newman Gauge

 

Typical dishes Mac and cheese; chicken and waffles; Cajun-rubbed roast chicken

 

Website www.holymolymacaroni.com

 

 

Sunset by Australasia

 

The Australasia Bar and Terrace in Manchester’s Spinningfields is relaunching as Sunset by Australasia. The venue serves Australian and Japanese-inspired sushi and seafood, as well as cocktails and Japanese ‘kakigori’ desserts. The space has a laid-back, ‘Pacific’ look, with a canopied, heated terrace.

 

Design Michelle Derbyshire

 

Typical dishes Tuna and salmon sashimi; oysters; robata-grilled Thai red curry chicken skewers

 

Website www.sunset.uk.com

 

 

Ten Hill Place

 

Ten Hill Place in Edinburgh’s Old Town has completed its £8.5m expansion, increasing its number of bedrooms and expanding the capacity of its restaurant. The hotel is owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and operated by its commercial arm, Surgeons Quarter, with profits going back into the college.

 

Bedrooms 129

 

General manager Mark McKenzie

 

Executive chef Alan Dickson

 

Website www.tenhillplace.com