This week's new openings: Minnow, Ahi Poké, Magpie and more

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

 

Minnow
Minnow, founded by Chris Frichot and Saba Tsegaye, has opened in London's Clapham. Head chef Jake Boyce, formerly of Jason Atherton's Social Wine & Tapas, is creating modern European fare influenced by the British seasons and with the flavours of the Indian Ocean, where Frichot's family hails from.

 

The breakfast and brunch menu features dishes such as chilli cornbread with fried egg, avocado, yogurt and lime, and pawpaw with cayenne pepper. A full English with a house-cured chop is served with cocktails, freshly blended juices and locally roasted coffee.

 

The restaurant, which overlooks Clapham Common, features indoor trees, a long marble bar, a hand-tiled mosaic floor and a walled garden for outdoor dining. Downstairs is an open kitchen and a vaulted booth, situated in a former wine cellar, illuminated by a stained-glass lightbox.

 

On the drinks menu, the wine is offered in ‘pay as you drink' bottles, and the cocktails take their inspiration from local landmarks and notables.

 

Opened 19 July
Founders Chris Frichot and Saba Tsegaye
Head chef Jake Boyce
Typical dishes Squid with lemongrass, lime and ginger; baby octopus with curry leaf paste and charred green mango; beef shin, black mooli and smoked pork skin
Website www.minnowclapham.co.uk

 

 

Ahi Poké
Ahi Poké has opened a second London site, in the new Nova development in Victoria. Customers can choose from four signature Hawaiian raw fish dishes or build their own.

 

Operator BVC Group
Head chef Jeremy Coste
Typical dishes Rice and tuna with red onion, fried onion, radish, carrot and sesame shoyu; quinoa and salmon with avocado, kimchee cucumber and sriracha mayo
Website www.ahipoke.co.uk

 

 

Tom Simmons
Welsh chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Tom Simmons has opened his first restaurant, at London's Tower Bridge. The chef is influenced by British and French cuisine as well as his Welsh heritage.

 

Covers 52
Owner/head chef Tom Simmons
Typical dishes Fennel risotto with mascarpone; lamb rump, pommes anna, peas, courgette and feta
Website www.tom-simmons.co.uk

 

 

Mint Gun Club
Richard Hunt has opened tea house, bar and delicatessen Mint Gun Club in London's Stoke Newington, specialising in apéritifs, cocktails and fine teas. The pantry-style menu draws its ingredients from Middle Eastern, Asian and Mediterranean larders and encourages guests to form their own platters of salsas, breads, pickled fruits and salads.

 

Covers 36
Founder Richard Hunt
Website www.mintgunclub.com

 

 

Legoland Castle hotel
A new castle-themed hotel has opened at the Legoland Windsor resort. The hotel is full of colourful Lego touches, including a giant model of a Lego wizard in the lobby, a Tournament Tavern restaurant, an indoor Jester's play area and an outdoor playground.

 

Bedrooms 61
Starting room rate £572 for a family room (two adults and two children), including breakfast and park tickets for two days
Website www.legoland.co.uk/castle

 

 

Magpie
James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy, co-founders of Michelin-starred Pidgin in Hackney, have opened their newest venture, just off London's Regent Street. The modern British menu is served dim-sum style, with diners choosing dishes and cocktails from a trolley.

 

Covers 54
Founder James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy
Typical dishes Mackerel crudo with blueberry kosho and fennel pollen
Website www.magpie-london.com

 

 

Patisserie Venga
Marco Pilloni, originally from Sardinia, has opened Patisserie Venga in the Venga tapas bar and restaurant in Portishead, near Bristol. The pâtisserie offer includes the Spanish-themed churros with chocolate dipping sauce as well as toasted sandwiches, salads, sandwiches, quiches and cream teas.

 

Covers 32
Pastry chef Marco Pilloni
Owners Mike and Chris Yeatman
Website www.vengauk.co.uk