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Latest openings: The Huntsman; Ampéli; Bar Douro City and more...
The Huntsman
The five-red-AA-star, Grade II*-listed Palé Hall hotel in Llandderfel, Gwynedd, has opened its new all-day restaurant as part of a wider refurbishment project. Previously the home of Palé Hall’s formal dining room, the Huntsman (named after the game-inspired antique bar), is a new concept from head chef Gareth Stevenson, offering English classics in a casual, bistro-style environment.
The refurbishment will also involve the addition of four bedrooms and four guesthouses within the estate. Works are expected to be complete by May 2020.
- Opened 17 January
- Covers 40
- Head chef Gareth Stevenson
- Owners Alan and Angela Harper
- Typical dishes Welsh Black beef sirloin, café de Paris butter, chips and watercress; beerbattered cod, garden peas, tartare sauce and chips; roasted chicken breast, parsnip, pearl barley, chicken sauce
- Website www.palehall.co.uk
Ampéli
Ampéli is an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in London’s Fitzrovia, with a wine list curated by Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis. Front of house is led by Lorraine Abrahams, who previously worked with Corbin & King.
- Founder Jenny Pagoni
- Head chef Oren Goldfeld
- Typical dishes Pan-fried Welsh lamb sweetbreads, Jerusalem mixed spice, almond sauce, pickles; short rib stew, quince, date molasses
- Website www.ampeli.london
Bar Douro City
Bar Douro has opened a second site in the new Finsbury Avenue development at London’s Broadgate. The space, which is larger than the original, is decorated with hand-painted Portuguese tiles, with an open kitchen, counter seating and a dining room.
- Design Steph Gallia
- Typical dishes Arroz de sapateira crab rice; pork à alentejana; squash with homemade requeijão; salt cod hash; presa Ibérico with kale migas
- Website www.bardouro.co.uk
Big Fernand
Parisian brand Big Fernand has opened its first UK site in London’s South Kensington, serving burgers as well as a light breakfast menu.
- Founders Steve Burggraf, Guillaume Pagliano and Alexandre Auriac
- Typical dishes Beef burger with Morbier cheese, smoked bacon, roasted peppers, chives, pesto sauce; chicken burger with Tomme de Savoie cheese, grilled aubergines, fried onions, tarragon barbecue sauce; duck and pâté de foie gras burger
- Website www.bigfernanduk.com
Oklava Bakery + Wine
Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie have launched a new concept on the site of their former restaurant Kyseri in London’s Fitzrovia. The bakery produces Turkish baked goods and Christie has curated a wine list showcasing small producers across Turkey, Armenia, Lebanon, Georgia and Greece.
- Typical dish Tepsi kebab: spiced beef and lamb baked kofte, yogurt and brown butter with house bread and chopped salad
- Website www.oklava.co.uk
Peckham Cellars
Helen Hall, Luke West-Whylie and Ben McVeigh have opened a site in London’s Peckham, consisting of a wine bar, restaurant and wine shop. The 80-strong wine list has been curated by sommelier McVeigh, formerly head sommelier at 28-50 Fetter Lane. Hall oversees the kitchen alongside head chef Jay Claus; while West-Whylie leads the front of house team.
- Typical dishes Cornish brill, fava, salsa verde; onglet, Colston Bassett, smashed potatoes, aïoli
- Website www.peckhamcellars.co.uk
Sarap
Filipino-inspired restaurant Sarap has opened in London’s Brixton Village, offering small and large sharing plates, low-intervention wines and Filipino-branded and local craft beers.
- **Covers **25
- Chef-owner Ferdinand Montoya
- Typical dish Lechon liempo: slow-roasted pork belly rolled and stuffed with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, chilli, coconut vinegar and soy sauce, served with liver sauce, spiced coconut vinegar, atchara pickle
- Website www.saraplondon.com
Thu Jan 16, 2025
One Moorgate Place
