Latest openings: Trade, Plas Maenan Country House, Kanishka and more

Trade
Founded by Gearoid Devaney and Xavier Rousset, Trade is a members' club in London's Soho for the hospitality industry. The first round of memberships sold out prior to opening in October and the club is now accepting a second round of applications.

 

Membership is open to anyone associated with the hospitality industry (including suppliers) at an annual fee of £190, with discounts available for members who work locally in Soho and under-25s (£125 per annum).

 

As well as offering food and drink at "industry-friendly prices", Trade intends to offer networking and training opportunities. Events include blind wine tastings, food and drink photography masterclasses and An Evening With… sessions featuring industry ‘legends'.

 

The club has a prominent central bar with a mix of lounge and restaurant seating, including three semi-private alcoves, and a private dining room.

 

BYO lunches take place every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, when members are encouraged to bring a bottle of wine without corkage fee.

 

Founders Gearoid Devaney and Xavier Rousset
Design Rosendale Design
Annual membership £190 (£125 discounted rate for under 25s and members who work in Soho)
Website www.tradesoho.co.uk

 

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Oxford Witney hotel
The refurbishment of the Oxford Witney hotel has included the opening of an additional 22 bedrooms following the conversion of an adjacent former office building. The expansion of the business follows an increase in demand from corporate clients and leisure groups. The hotel is one of 15 properties operated by Focus Hotel Management.

 

Bedrooms 115
General manager Rafael Gonzalez
Website www.oxfordwitneyhotel.co.uk

 

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Orasay
The western isles of Scotland is the inspiration behind this new restaurant in London's Notting Hill. Ingredients come from an organic farm in West Sussex, while the interior features hand-dyed linens and reclaimed antique French oak.

 

Covers 50
Founders Jackson Boxer and Andrew Clark
Typical dishes Scallop, shiitake, celeriac; surf clams, smoked ham, black sesame; and beef and tuna tartare, winter tomatoes, watercress
Website www.orasay.london

 

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Plas Maenan Country House
Luxury Edwardian hotel Plas Maenan Country House near Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley has reopened after being acquired by first-time hotel owner Jane Harris, director of Jagel Enterprises. Refurbishment has seen the restoration of parquet flooring, with an extension planned to create a cocktail bar this spring and increase the bedroom count to 12.

 

Bedrooms 11
Owner Jane Harris
Website www.plas-maenan-hotel.co.uk

 

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Momo
Mourad Mazouz has relaunched Momo in London's Mayfair to celebrate its 23rd year. The North African/Mediterranean brasserie has a new interior with a palm terrace covered with mimosa plants, rattan chairs, Moroccan lanterns, Berber rugs and wooden screens.

 

Executive head chef Hervé Deville
Typical dishes Octopus, salt-baked beetroot, genevoise sauce; and vegetable tian, aubergine, basil, yellow and green courgettes
Website www.momo.london

 

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The Grand Cookery School
Andrew Dixon is head chef tutor at the new Cookery School at the Grand hotel in York, launched as part of a £15m refurbishment project. Guests can learn a variety of dishes, featuring modern British to authentic Asian cuisines, and immersive cookery courses are available for corporate events as standalone sessions or paired with the hotel's on-site meeting rooms and conference facilities.

 

Head chef tutor Andrew Dixon
Website www.thegrandyork.co.uk/cookery-school

 

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Kanishka

 

Covers 127
Design Fabled Studio
Typical dish Samundri khazana alleppey (pan-seared seafood, Alleppey sauce, smoked cabbage poriyal)
Website www.kanishkarestaurant.co.uk

 

 

 

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