Latest openings: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Kineya Mugimaru, WC Bloomsbury and more

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

 

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square

 

London’s second Nobu hotel has opened its doors after its launch was delayed by England’s lockdown in November.

 

The property features 249 bedrooms, a bar, fitness centre and year-round terrace. A ballroom with capacity for 600 guests will open in March 2021.

 

The hotel is also the new home of the Nobu Berkeley Street restaurant, which closed in March after 15 years at its original Mayfair site. The restaurant held a Michelin star from 2006 to 2014, and the new site will serve its signature menu, including black cod miso.

 

Before it was taken over by Nobu, the site operated as the Radisson Blu Portman Square and prior to that the Portman InterContinental. Its relaunch marks the third collaboration between owner L+R and Nobu Hospitality, the lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper in 1994. The business has run a standalone Nobu restaurant at London’s Como Metropolitan hotel on Old Park Lane since 1997, and the UK’s first Nobu hotel opened in Shoreditch in 2017.

 

General manager Grant Campbell

 

Design David Collins Studio (public spaces), Make Architects (rooms and suites)

 

Room rate From £345

 

Website london-portman.nobuhotels.com

 

 

###Kineya Mugimaru

 

Kineya Mugimaru has made its European debut in London with a 43-cover site at St Pancras International station. The brand, which has over 500 stores in Japan, Hong Kong and the US, has been brought to the UK by Dong Hyun Kim of the Wasabi Sushi and Bento group.

 

Opened 14 December

 

Typical dishes Udon in Kineya’s original broth, beef brisket, spring onions; Japanese chicken curry with tempura chicken thigh

 

Website www.kineya.co.uk

 

 

###WC Bloomsbury

 

The team behind Clapham’s toilet-turned-bar WC Wine & Charcuterie has launched a wine bar in a 120-year-old subterranean Victorian loo in Bloomsbury. The original wood stalls form semi-private booths, while original tiles and marble floors have been preserved.

 

Opened 8 December

 

Founders Andy Bell and Jayke Mangion

 

Typical dishes Sharing boards of charcuterie, cheese, homemade chutneys and pickles

 

Website www.wcbars.co.uk

 

 

###Café 21

 

Chef Terry Laybourne has opened his first café in York, in partnership with Fenwick department store. The site, previously home to Carluccio’s, has undergone a refurbishment to create a lighter, modernised space. It offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and early supper.

 

Opened 2 December

 

Founder Terry Laybourne

 

Typical dishes Truffle burger, truffle mayonnaise, fig jam, raclette cheese; Thai green chicken curry

 

Website www.cafe21york.co.uk

 

 

###Kraft

 

Kebab restaurant group Le Bab is teaming up with German Kraft Brewery and gin producer Jim and Tonic to launch a restaurant, bar, microbrewery and distillery in London’s Dalston. The 90-cover restaurant, based in Kingsland Locke aparthotel, has two floors and a DJ booth.

 

Design Red Deer

 

Typical dishes Meat butter naan; 15-hour pork shawarma kebab; Turkish-Korean fried chicken, date, chilli and soy glaze, garlic mayonnaise

 

Website www.kraftdalston.com

 

 

###Sylvia’s

 

The River Café has opened a sister restaurant next door to its site in Hammersmith. Named after co-founder Ruth Rogers’ mother, Sylvia’s menu places emphasis on winter vegetables and features classic River Café desserts.

 

Co-founder Ruth Rogers

 

Typical dishes Fresh pasta, ricotta di bufala, spinach, porcini, Parmesan; wood-roasted Delica pumpkin, radicchio di Treviso, fresh marjoram; River Café tiramisù

 

Website www.rivercafe.co.uk

 

 

###Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter

 

Hilton has opened the first hotel under its value-driven Hampton by Hilton brand in Manchester. The 221-bedroom property is within walking distance of the Arndale Shopping Centre and includes meeting rooms, a 24-hour gym and free breakfast for every guest.

 

Room rate From £37 a night

 

General manager Louise O’Reilly

 

Operator RBH Hospitality Management

 

Website www.hampton.com