Latest openings: Eleanore, Ottolenghi Chelsea, Shan Shui and more

 

Eleanore

Chefs Roberta Hall McCarron and Shaun McCarron have relaunched their Little Chartroom restaurant in Edinburgh as new concept Eleanore.

 

Named after the boat owned by Roberta’s family, it is described as a relaxed counterculture dining experience with high-top tables and a flexible and constantly changing menu. There is space for up to 20 guests to enjoy everything from a full meal to a glass of wine.

 

The restaurant and bar serves small plates from the open kitchen, highlighting the best of Scottish produce. Chefs Hamish McNeil and Moray Lamb, who ran seaside pop-up Little Chartroom on the Prom, will oversee the pass while bringing their own culinary influences to the menu.

 

Dishes include oysters with salami mignonette (£4 for two); cured halibut, orange kosho (£7.50); cod, haricot beans, cockles, samphire and sea persillade (£20).

 

The regularly changing wine list has been curated by Johanna Cole, formerly of the Lucky Liquor Co, while seasonal cocktails will make use of foraged ingredients and shrubs.

 

Interiors were designed by Studio Niro, drawing inspiration from sailboats and the Scottish coastlines, combining soft whites and dark blues with earthy tones from the muds of the sea reflected in hand-crafted ceramics.

 

Opened December 2021

 

Founders Roberta Hall McCarron and Shaun McCarron

 

Address 30-31 Albert Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HN

 

Website www.eleanore.uk

 

Goila Butter Chicken

 

Indian chef Saransh Goila found success opening his Goila Butter Chicken restaurant in Mumbai in 2016 and now has brought his smoky-flavoured dish to the UK for a long-term residency at Carousel in London’s Fitzrovia, occupying its new 10-seater incubator space.

 

Opened 13 January

 

Typical dishes Goila Butter Chicken or paneer, Dal Makhani, smoked butter naan, jeera rice, coriander chutney and pickled shallots; deep-fried chicken tikka with butter gravy in a cumin brioche bun with smoked mayonnaise, coriander chutney, pickled shallots, lettuce and tomato

 

Address 71 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London, W1U 8AB

 

Website www.goilabutterchicken.co.uk

 

Ottolenghi Chelsea

 

Yotam Ottolenghi has opened one of his largest delis yet in the Pavilion Road mews, a former stable block, in London’s Chelsea. It features the pastries, salad bar and communal table for which the restaurant group is known.

 

Opened 13 January

 

Typical dishes Shakshuka with braised eggs; labneh and grilled focaccia; grilled cod with spiced tomato and coconut spring greens; herb and peppercorn crusted sirloin with chimichurri or horseradish cream

 

Address 261 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP

 

Website www.Ottolenghi.co.uk

 

Shan Shui

 

Restaurateur Ellen Chew is opening her second Shan Shui restaurant at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 after finding success with the concept at Bicester Village. Inspired by 1930s Shanghai, it will serve an all-day menu including 10-minute meals, East-meets-West breakfast items, dim sum and pastries.

 

Opening 25 January

 

Typical dishes Katsu sandos; slow-cooked beef rendang with jasmine rice; two-day dry-aged Cantonese roast duck; canton vegetable fried vermicelli.

 

Website www.shanshuirestaurant.co.uk

 

Marugame Udon

 

The Japanese chain famed for its handmade udon is simultaneously opening two new restaurants in London’s St Christopher’s Place and Canary Wharf this month. A Maragame Matsuri (Japanese festival) will be held in both areas to celebrate the launch.

 

Opening 3 February

 

Typical dishes Beef Nikutama with beef and caramelised onions in a dashi broth with a poached Onsen egg; Kama Age udon

 

Founder Takaya Awata

 

Website www.marugameudon.com

 

Rai

 

This restaurant from former Hot Stone and Nobu chef Padam Raj Rai serves a tasting menu showcasing the history and evolution of Japanese cuisine, using global ingredients. Priced from £110 per person, optional extra courses highlight Japanese Kobe beef (£65) and Nigiri (£28).

 

Opening 21 January

 

Typical dishes Hand dived Orkney scallop sashimi, fresh plum, spicy Japanese plum, English truffle ponzu sauce; Pumpkin and Umeshu ice cream, coconut, yuzu foam

 

Address 3 Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2HY

 

Instagram @rai.restaurant

 

TH@51

 

The Taj 51 Buckingham Gate hotel in London is to open a new bar and restaurant with a robata grill, chef’s table, and intimate booth seating. Its menu draws inspiration from global cuisines, pairing popular flavours to create a new twist on some well-known dishes.

 

Opening 28 January

 

Typical dishes Moroccan poke with saffron pearl couscous, ral-el hangout, avocado, chickpea compote, sumac, pomegranate, dill tzatziki; Korean roast with baby chicken, Korean smoked peppers, sticky honey sesame potatoes, buttered kale; Desi scotch egg with Mumbai spiced lamb, egg, curried mayo and mango chutney

 

Address 51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF

 

Website www.taj51buckinghamgate.co.uk