Latest openings: Gymkhana, The Proofing Room, The Belgian Arms
Gymkhana
Gymkhana, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in London's Mayfair, has reopened its doors following repairs after a massive fire in June last year. Its reinvented decor has been inspired by the elite clubs of India, with a design featuring jade greens, polished dark timber, intimate booth seating covered in brass buttoned leather, and Edwardian-inspired banquettes with joinery.
Jitin Joshi returns as executive chef, his menu offering favourite dishes such as kid goat methi keema, a spicy curry made with mutton mince, and Bombay Gymkhana club vegetable cutlet.
The bars feature modern Indian interpretations of classic cocktails, international wines and a broad selection of Indian whiskeys and Asian IPAs. The basement has also been remodelled with a lounge feel and Indian carpeting.
- Reopened 18 February
- Executive chef Jitin Joshi
- Design Samuel Hosker at JKS Restaurants
- Typical dishes Chettinad duck dosa; wild muntjac biryani; Keralan toddy shaapu wild tiger prawns; game bird baida roti
- Websitewww.gymkhanalondon.com
The Proofing Room
The Proofing Room is a new London neighbourhood cocktail bar from the team behind Soho's the Vault, set in the basement of Milroys of Spitalfields. Inspired by the speakeasy ethos, it offers a cocktail menu inspired by the classic Highball and ready-to-drink and pre-batched cocktails.
- Operator Chris Tanner
- Typical drink ‘Nikka Highball': Nikka whisky, kümmel, absinthe, peach, olive, soda
- Websitewww.theproofingroom.co.uk
Peacock Steakhouse
The Peacock Steakhouse is located on the grounds of the 500-acre Orchardleigh Estate in Somerset. The restaurant has a terrace that overlooks the estate and golf course and specialises in prime dry-aged steaks from its own herd of Aberdeen Angus.
- Owner Chris Vincent
- Typical dishes Prime fillet, tomatoes, mushrooms, fries; goats' cheese Wellington; mozzarella salad with basil oil; tiramisù
- Websitewww.peacocksteakhouse.co.uk
The Belgian Arms
The Belgian Arms is situated in the village of Holyport in Berkshire and is owned by Nick Parkinson, who also owns the Royal Oak in Paley Street.
- Owner David Thompson
- General manager Chris Peverell
- Head chef Dan Roth
- Typical dishes Pork Scotch egg, onion ketchup, pickled shallots; lamb rack, lamb sausage, smoked aubergine purée, crumbed new potatoes, jus
- Websitewww.thebelgianarms.com
Tavernaki
Tavernaki is a Greek restaurant on London's Portobello Road. The interiors feature Greekstyle white walls, a wall boasting a mural of the Cyclades islands' skyline and sky blue chairs and a tree in the middle of the restaurant. Downstairs is the Mykonos Bar, offering ouzo and a selection of Greek wines.
- Head chef Harris Mavropoulos
- Typical dishes Moussaka; marinated octopus in vinegar; pork souvlaki; keftedes; dolmades
- Wesbitewww.tavernaki.co.uk
Sky Bar
The refurbished Sky Bar, which overlooks a private airport runway, has just opened in the Aviator hotel in Farnborough, Hampshire. Leaning into the aeronautical theme, it is designed to encapsulate the style of a classic departure lounge, and offers cocktails and afternoon tea.
- Typical drink ‘Silver Jet': tequila and ginger beer; apple and amaretto sour
- Design Interiors of Chiswick
- Websitewww.aviatorhampshire.com
The New Inn at Yealand
The 16th-century village inn, on the Lancashire-Cumbria border on the edge of the Lake District, has added six bedrooms. The owners, the Robinson family, also own Plato's in Kirkby Lonsdale and the Longlands hotel in Carnforth.
- Head chef Sam Carter
- Bedrooms Six
- Starting room rate £109
- Typical dish Venison loin, venison pasty, crushed parsnip, red cabbage purée, parsnip crisp, purple kale
- Websitewww.thenewinnyealand.co.uk
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