Latest openings: Ugly Dumpling, Lucianos, Playroom and more

 

Ugly Dumpling

Ugly Dumpling has opened its second London restaurant, in Fitzrovia. The brand was co-founded by Ping Wong and Philipp Chaykin, who started out as street food traders before taking over the former Pitt Cue site in London’s Carnaby in 2017.

 

The new restaurant is in a larger site with space for up to 60 diners, as well as a bar counter and semi-private space for groups of up to eight.

 

Dumplings are filled with a mix of traditional flavours, such as pork belly and aromatic duck, as well as more creative pizza Margherita, Thai green curry and spring roll fillings.

 

To mark Veganuary, the Fitzrovia site is serving a limited edition vegan cheeseburger dumpling filled with a soy bean-based meat substitute and melted vegan cheese, topped with burger sauce and avocado-lime vegan mayo.

 

Other plant-based dishes include tempura aubergines dressed with golden syrup and peanuts; Daikon salad with a Vietnamese-inspired dressing; and dessert-style dumplings filled with banana and cinnamon.

 

Opened 4 January

 

Address 30 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JG

 

Website uglydumpling.co.uk

 

Happy Face Pizza

 

The Neapolitan pizza brand’s London expansion has begun with a 50-cover restaurant in Victoria. It serves pizzas made with 72-hour fermented dough priced from £7.50 alongside Italian beers, wines and cocktails.

 

Opened 4 January

 

Typical dishes Pizzas include a vegan pepperoni; and the Rucola with mozzarella, rocket, prosciutto crude and Parmesan

 

Address 23 Eccleston Place, London SW1W 9NF

 

Website happyface.pizza

 

Playroom

 

DJ and music producer Tom Zanetti is to launch a late-night restaurant and club in Leeds, named Playroom. It will serve ‘globally-inspired’ small plates and feature a lounge with VIP tables, heated indoor courtyard, outside terrace and stage for live performers.

 

Opening 27 January

 

Address Electric Press, 14 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3DW

 

Website www.playroomvip.com

 

The Vices York

 

A Victorian police station building in York has been transformed into a luxury hotel with three suites, a cocktail bar and wine library for tasting experiences. Its restaurant, Allium, overseen by chef Luke Sanderson, serves a £70, six-course tasting menu.

 

Opening 19 January

 

Room rate From £350

 

Address 15 Alma Terrace, York YO10 4DQ

 

Website www.thevices.co.uk

 

Founders Daniel Curro and Moreno Carbone

 

Negronis

 

The team behind Lobos Tapas in London’s Soho has launched an Italian bar and restaurant down the road on Frith Street, serving pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes priced from £5-£32.

 

Opened 17 December

 

Typical dishes Gnocchi with blue cheese reduction, radicchio, guanciale and walnuts; truffle cacio e pepe

 

Address 15 Frith Street, London W1D 4RE

 

Website www.negronis.co.uk

 

Gallio

 

Mediterranean restaurant Gallio has launched in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Place development, serving pizzas, mezze-style small plates to share, salads and loaded flatbreads. It is decorated with a water feature and an olive tree.

 

Typical dishes Moroccan ras-el-hanout chicken with padrón peppers, pickled red onions, mozzarella and pomegranate seeds

 

Address The Atrium Kitchen, Level 2, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT

 

Website www.gallio.uk

 

Lucianos

 

The casual dining chain set up by Luciano Pierre White, son of Marco, has chosen Woking for its third restaurant. The menu focuses on hearty Italian dishes priced from £14.50 with a complimentary glass of wine or beer.

 

Opened December 2021

 

Typical dishes Spinach and ricotta ravioli; shellfish bolognese; Mr White’s ragu

 

Address Unit 53/55 Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, Woking GU21 6XX

 

Website www.lucianos-restaurant.co.uk