Latest openings: the Lawn, Little Lobster Bar, Macknade and more

 

The Lawn

Chris Niven, a 2017 MasterChef: the Professionals contestant, is heading up the kitchen at the Lawn, a new restaurant at the Marine North Berwick hotel in Scotland, which is part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels and Resorts collection.

 

Niven, formerly executive chef at the Fairmont in St Andrews and the Scotsman hotel in Edinburgh, will also oversee the Bass Rock Bar and afternoon tea lounge at the hotel.

 

His seasonal à la carte menu will be split into snacks, starters, mains and desserts and will use local produce. Bar food is a mix of small and large plates, including truffle mac and cheese made with St Andrews farmhouse Cheddar; and Belhaven smoked salmon with crème fraîche, capers, dill and rocket. Niven has also created an afternoon tea menu, which will be served this autumn, including Cranachan choux buns and savoury duck egg, mustard and watercress sandwiches.

 

The Lawn and Bass Rock Bar have both been developed by White Rabbit Projects, whose hospitality portfolio includes Lina Stores, Kricket and Island Poke. White Rabbit will continue to operate both venues.

 

Opened 23 September

 

Head chef Chris Niven

 

Typical dishes St Brides farm duck, carrot, coriander, dukkah; Gigha halibut, chicken butter, brown shrimp, cucumber; chilled hay rice pudding, strawberries, vanilla and basil

 

Website www.lawnrestaurant.co.uk

 

 

Little Lobster Bar

 

The team behind London’s Bob’s Lobster and Bedales of Borough has opened a Champagne and seafood bar in Borough Market. Dishes are cooked in a converted vintage VW camper van.

 

Opened 14 September

 

Founders Rob Dann and Jamie Watts

 

Head chef Irene Barriga-Rodriquez

 

Typical dish Lobster claw, tail and knuckle and crayfish, toasted brioche bun, rapeseed mayo, house celery salt

 

Website www.bobslobster.com

 

 

Macknade

 

Kent food and drink experts Macknade has opened an all-day restaurant at Hoopers department store in Tunbridge Wells. Pop-ups, supper clubs, tastings and other food events will be held in the space in the future.

 

Opened 14 September

 

Typical dishes Skirt steak, fries, Café de Paris butter; Ploughman’s sandwich with Wookey Hole Cheddar, gammon and sticky pickle; butterflied chorizo with chimchurri in panuozzo

 

Website www.macknade.com

 

 

Three Uncles Camden

 

Three Uncles has been serving Hong Kong-style siu mei (Cantonese roast meats) in London’s Liverpool Street since 2019 and has now expanded to Camden’s Hawley Wharf Market. Specialist dishes include chopped-to-order Cantonese roast duck.

 

Opened 13 September

 

Founders Cheong Yew, Pui Sing Tsang and Mo Kwok

 

Typical dishes Char siu pork, pak choi, steamed jasmine rice; curry fish balls; crispy pork belly

 

Website www.threeuncles.co.uk

 

 

Abandon Ship Bar

 

Clothing brand Abandon Ship and Dundee-based hospitality group Macmerry have teamed up to open a bar in Glasgow. It is the second of 10 planned openings across the UK.

 

Opened 17 September

 

Design Astrid Carleton and Amanda Davis

 

Typical dishes Slow-cooked sticky beef short rib on the bone, pineapple mustard and crispy shallots; pretzel bun burgers; fried halloumi, harissa yogurt with pomegranate and mint

 

Website www.abandonshipapparel.com

 

 

La Nonna

 

Fresh pasta group La Nonna’s first standalone restaurant is opening on Market Row in London’s Brixton. Head chef Daniele Pino, who is from Rome, will create dishes inspired by her grandmother’s cooking. The drinks list will offer natural and organic wines.

 

Opening 29 September

 

Founders Eduardo Wansbrough and Daniele Pino

 

Typical dishes Roman carbonara; cacio e pepe; creamy mushroom and truffle pasta

 

Website www.lanonnaldn.com

 

 

Tamila

 

The former executive chef and operations director of cult London restaurant Roti King are behind this food kiosk in London’s Hackney. Tamila’s dishes are inspired by the cuisine of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

 

Opened 24 September

 

Founders Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson

 

Typical dishes Paneer butter masala; chana masala; dhal curry, mutton keema roll; flaky roti; onion bhaji, tamarind sauce

 

Instagram @tamila.london