Loyal Tavern
Former Duck & Waffle executive chefTom Cenci and House Café Company co-founder Adam White have opened Loyal Tavern in London’s Bermondsey in the former Village East premises.
White launched Village East in 2006, showcasing British produce, and the pair have committed to keeping the venue an approachable neighbourhood restaurant.
The new menu focuses on local, sustainable ingredients, as does the bar menu, which presents seasonal botanicals in punch bowls and has a wine list of natural, New World, British and international wines.
The site offers two bars and a private dining room, as well as the 100-cover main restaurant space.
Opened 16 September
Covers 100
Executive chef Tom Cenci
Bar manager Antonio Del Monte
Typical dishes Cornish mackerel with apple, pine nut and truffle; gurnard with crab bisque, carrot and seaweed
Website www.loyaltavern.co.uk
Bubala
Following a slew of supper clubs, vegetarian Middle Eastern concept Bubala has opened its first permanent restaurant in Spitalfields – the debut restaurant for former Berber & Q general manager Marc Summers. The name derives from the Yiddish term of endearment.
Covers 30
**Head chef **Helen Graham
Typical dishes Fried aubergine, zhoug, date syrup; and confit potato latkes, garlic toum
Website www.bubala.co.uk
Cultureplex
Cultureplex has opened on the ground floor of a 19th-century former goods warehouse in Manchester. The space offers three F&B areas: Bistrotheque, a sister restaurant to the London original; Klatch, a coffee counter serving healthy food and juice by day and natural wines and craft beer by night; and the Lounge, offering simple dishes and cocktails.
Typical dishes Sea trout, miso, confit tomatoes; steak tartare, chips; squash, sage and Comté gratin
Website www.cultureplex.co.uk
Farmer J
Farmer J has opened its latest site in Finsbury Avenue Square near Liverpool Street, the brand’s fourth venue in London. The restaurant offers an all-day, grab-and-go menu, including its ‘fieldtrays’ of a base, a main, two sides and a sauce. The latest site has seating inside as well as a large outdoor terrace.
Design Biasol
Typical dish Grilled whole fish, smashed roasted potatoes, sage, rosemary
Website www.farmerj.com
The Prince Akatoki
The Arch London has officially relaunched as the Prince Akatoki following a £3m investment by new owner StayWell Holdings. The F&B spaces have also been redesigned, and include Tokii, a Japanese-inspired restaurant, and the Malt Lounge & Bar, offering Japanese teas, whiskies and sakes.
Bedrooms 82
Owner StayWell Holdings
Design B3 Designers
Website www.theprinceakatokilondon.com
Tequila Mockingbird
The fourth Tequila Mockingbird cocktail bar has opened in London’s Brixton. The site serves martinis, margaritas and mojitos, and food from Dip & Flip. This month the venue will also offer a David Bowie-inspired menu, the proceeds of which will go towards music equipment for local schools.
Owners and operators Jon Bas and Jake Brennan
Typical drink The Ritzy Ethel: homemade tarragon-infused gin, mango purée and elderflower
Website www.tequilamock.com
Shola
Pakistani restaurant Shola Karachi Kitchen has opened near London’s White City, a second venue following the original in Islamabad, Pakistan. Shola, which means spark in Urdu, offers traditional recipes from Karachi in Pakistan with a simple, modern style.
**Head chef **Aida Khan
Typical dishes Yellow khatti dahl; palak paneer bowl; lamb shoulder wrap; and barbecue sabzi
Website www.sholakitchen.com