Openings this week: Palé Hall, Galvin at Centurion Club, Gaucho Piccadilly and more

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

Palé Hall

The individually-designed guestrooms feature Zoffany furnishings and William Morris prints. The Victoria Suite is home to the bed that Queen Victoria once slept in, as well as her original bathtub, and Churchill is believed to have played snooker in the wood-panelled Churchill Suite.

Chef Michael Caines, who previously held two Michelin stars at Gidleigh Park, has been on-hand for the development of the hotel’s food and beverage. The menu focuses on the fantastic local produce surrounding the hotel, including meat sourced from Gwynedd and Denbighshire, Welsh cheeses, local cream and milk, Halen Môn sea salt from Anglesey and Llandderfel honey.

Opened 1 September

Bedrooms 18

Owners Alan and Angela Harper

General manager Pim Wolfs

Executive chef Michael Caines

Head chef Gareth Stevenson

Starting room rate £190

Website www.palehall.co.uk
Galvin at Centurion Club

Galvin at Centurion Club, near St Albans, is the latest restaurant from Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin, offering informal dining in opulent surroundings.

Restaurant manager Leonardo Clementi

Head chef Josh Barnes

Covers 84

Typical dishes Lasagne of Dorset crab with beurre nantais; roast rump of Herdwick lamb; and grilled Provençale vegetables and black olives

Website www.centurionclub.co.uk
Gaucho Piccadilly

The Gaucho Group has unveiled a new design at its flagship Piccadilly restaurant in central London. The new interior is inspired by the ombu trees in Argentina, represented by crossing curves of carved wood and panels depicting the capillaries of the ombu leaf.

Covers 380

Managing partner Swapnil Bowlekar

Group executive chef Fernando Trocca

Design Patsy Godik

Website www.gauchorestaurants.com
Absurd Bird

Chicken restaurant Absurd Bird has opened its second site in Soho, London. The interior features yellow velvet banquettes, blue leather seats, dark wood-panelled walls and zinc-topped tables.

Covers 40

Design LSM

Owner Splendid Restaurant Group

Typical dishes Waffles with popcorn chicken; corn bread pudding; and sweet potato bake

Website www.absurdbird.com
Four Hundred Rabbits

Four Hundred Rabbits in Nunhead, London, offers sourdough bases with UK-produced toppings, as well as British charcuterie. It will also offer beers from British producers, such as Mikkeller and London Beer Factory.

Covers 40

General manager Rose Hellewell

Typical dishes Ground, aged Hereford beef and green chilli pizza; and Iberico chorizo and pickled chilli pizza

Website www.400rabbits.co.uk
Butifarra

Butifarra, named after the Peruvian snack of bread filled with slow-cooked meat and salsa, has moved into Soho, London. The venue is the creation of Ali Malik, who works with Andes Export to source authentic produce.

Covers 16

Executive chef Nial Davidson

Manager Alice Byron-O’Connor

Typical dishes Butifarra filled with beef short rib, slow-cooked pork or chicken and chorizo

Website www.thebutifarra.com
The Café by Benugo

Benugo has launched its first site in Wales in Cardiff’s John Lewis. The café, situated on the first floor, offers barista-made coffee, sandwiches, deli lunches and afternoon tea. It is open for breakfast, lunch and light snacks and serves a range of daily specials, including salads, oven-baked dishes and treats from the Benugo bakery.

Covers 110

General manager Daga Podgorska

Website www.benugo.com