Reopenings and new openings: Meldrum House, Dishoom Birmingham and more

A look at the latest restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars to open their doors

 

Reopenings

 

Meldrum House

 

Meldrum House country hotel in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, has reopened. The hotel now has luxury dining domes, named after stars and overlooking the estate and golf course. Diners will access the domes from a private door in the hotel, and follow a lit stone path onto the lawns. The domes have wooden flooring and have been decked out with lanterns and Bluetooth surround sound systems for guests to connect their own music to. The domes are available to hire for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

 

Reopened 15 July

 

Covers ‘Castor’ dome, up to six; ‘Aurora’ dome, up to 12

 

General manager Jordan Charles

 

Website www.meldrumhouse.com

 

Seahorse al Mare

 

Although Mitch Tonks’ Seahorse restaurant in Dartmouth has not yet fully reopened, the group has opened a marquee, Seahorse al Mare, on the town’s embankment. It has a beach club feel and serves seafood cooked over an open fire. The restaurant’s private dining area, the Cantina, has reopened.

 

Opened 10 July

 

Covers Seahorse al Mare, 24; the Cantina, 10

 

Typical dishes Grilled monkfish with salsa verde and savory vinegar; and tagliatta di manzo: aged beef rib with rocket, pecorino and olive oil

 

Website www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk

 

 

New openings

 

Zim Braai Bournemouth

 

Zim Braai restaurant has opened in Bournemouth to join its sister restaurant in Poole, which opened two years ago. The African restaurant brand from Koh Thai Tapas founder Andy Lennox is housed in a larger city centre location with a terrace, and was originally due to open in March.

 

Opened 7 July

 

Covers 120

 

Typical dishes Grilled ostrich steak; Durban beef curry; slow-cooked oxtail potjie; and grilled harissa chicken breast

 

Website www.zim-braai.co.uk

 

 

Shelter Hall Raw

 

Brighton seafront’s Shelter Hall has opened as Shelter Hall Raw, a food hall from the Sessions Market team. The hall was due to open before lockdown, but has undergone a design overhaul to meet Covid-19 social distancing and safety guidelines. It now offers app ordering, screens between tables, a spacious floor plan and a one-way entrance system. The concept can be adapted as guidelines change. Each vendor in the hall is Sussex-based and all are encouraged to source ingredients from producers in the area. The business is also working with the non-profit Brighton & Hove Food Partnership to streamline the hall’s food waste and to offer sustainable packaging.

 

Opened 4 July

 

Operators Lost Boys Chicken; Carlito Burrito; Smorl’s; Fatto Pizza; Brighton Coffee Works; Toasted by GB Charcuterie

 

Website www.shelterhall.co.uk

 

 

Dishoom Birmingham

 

Dishoom has opened its latest site in Birmingham, three months later than planned due to Covid-19. Like the brand’s other sites, the restaurant pays homage to Bombay’s old Irani cafés while serving executive chef Naved Nasir’s comfort food menu. Dishoom will (for now) be taking reservations at all cafés for groups of up to six, although walk-ins will also be welcome. The cafés are operating with fewer tables and screens have been installed. Dishoom’s Permit Room bars will offer table service and be open to dine-in guests.

 

Opened 18 July

 

Typical dishes Mutton chaap korma; mattar paneer; chicken ruby; jackfruit biryani; black daal; keema pau

 

Website www.dishoom.com

 

 

Neighbourgood Market

 

The Neighbourgood Market, a contactless open-air market, has opened at Edinburgh’s Grande Club in Stockbridge. Food operators and restaurants in the area can use the grounds to sell products. It is the largest outdoor market space in the city centre and features one-way demarcated walkways as well as designated circular seating zones for small groups to socialise. Operators have also secured partnership agreements with Izettle and Deliveroo to provide contactless payment and pre-order systems.

 

Opened 15 July

 

Operators Innis and Gunn; Casa Roble; the Peruvian; Screaming Peacock; Rost; Mint; Caravan of Courage

 

Website www.theneighbourgoodmarket.com

 

 

Vaasu

 

Atul Kochhar has opened his second restaurant, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, initially for takeaway only. The menu showcases North Indian cuisine, paying particular homage to Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan. Vaasu replaces Villa D’Este at the site and joins Kochhar’s Sindhu at the Compleat Angler hotel in Marlow, as well as Hawkyns at the Crown Inn, Amersham, and Indian Essence in Petts Wood, Kent.

 

Opened 10 July

 

Covers 80

 

Design Dynargh Design

 

Typical dishes Jhinga tawa masala (prawns pan-fried with ajwain, onions and peppers); lasooni saag gosht (lamb with spinach and garlic leaves)

 

Website www.vaasurestaurant.co.uk