Latest openings: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Kineya Mugimaru, WC Bloomsbury and more
A look at the latest restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars to open their doors.
Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
London's second Nobu hotel has opened its doors after its launch was delayed by England's lockdown in November.
The property features 249 bedrooms, a bar, fitness centre and year-round terrace. A ballroom with capacity for 600 guests will open in March 2021.
The hotel is also the new home of the Nobu Berkeley Street restaurant, which closed in March after 15 years at its original Mayfair site. The restaurant held a Michelin star from 2006 to 2014, and the new site will serve its signature menu, including black cod miso.
Before it was taken over by Nobu, the site operated as the Radisson Blu Portman Square and prior to that the Portman InterContinental. Its relaunch marks the third collaboration between owner L+R and Nobu Hospitality, the lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper in 1994. The business has run a standalone Nobu restaurant at London's Como Metropolitan hotel on Old Park Lane since 1997, and the UK's first Nobu hotel opened in Shoreditch in 2017.
General manager Grant Campbell
Design David Collins Studio (public spaces), Make Architects (rooms and suites)
Room rate From £345
Websitehttps://london-portman.nobuhotels.com
Kineya Mugimaru
Kineya Mugimaru has made its European debut in London with a 43-cover site at St Pancras International station. The brand, which has over 500 stores in Japan, Hong Kong and the US, has been brought to the UK by Dong Hyun Kim of the Wasabi Sushi and Bento group.
Opened 14 December
Typical dishes Udon in Kineya's original broth, beef brisket, spring onions; Japanese chicken curry with tempura chicken thigh
Website www.kineya.co.uk
WC Bloomsbury
The team behind Clapham's toilet-turned-bar WC Wine & Charcuterie has launched a wine bar in a 120-year-old subterranean Victorian loo in Bloomsbury. The original wood stalls form semi-private booths, while original tiles and marble floors have been preserved.
Opened 8 December
Founders Andy Bell and Jayke Mangion
Typical dishes Sharing boards of charcuterie, cheese, homemade chutneys and pickles
Website www.wcbars.co.uk
Café 21
Chef Terry Laybourne has opened his first café in York, in partnership with Fenwick department store. The site, previously home to Carluccio's, has undergone a refurbishment to create a lighter, modernised space. It offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and early supper.
Opened 2 December
Founder Terry Laybourne
Typical dishes Truffle burger, truffle mayonnaise, fig jam, raclette cheese; Thai green chicken curry
Website www.cafe21york.co.uk
Kraft
Kebab restaurant group Le Bab is teaming up with German Kraft Brewery and gin producer Jim and Tonic to launch a restaurant, bar, microbrewery and distillery in London's Dalston. The 90-cover restaurant, based in Kingsland Locke aparthotel, has two floors and a DJ booth.
Design Red Deer
Typical dishes Meat butter naan; 15-hour pork shawarma kebab; Turkish-Korean fried chicken, date, chilli and soy glaze, garlic mayonnaise
Website www.kraftdalston.com
Sylvia's
The River Café has opened a sister restaurant next door to its site in Hammersmith. Named after co-founder Ruth Rogers' mother, Sylvia's menu places emphasis on winter vegetables and features classic River Café desserts.
Co-founder Ruth Rogers
Typical dishes Fresh pasta, ricotta di bufala, spinach, porcini, Parmesan; wood-roasted Delica pumpkin, radicchio di Treviso, fresh marjoram; River Café tiramisù
Website www.rivercafe.co.uk
Hampton by Hilton Manchester Northern Quarter
Hilton has opened the first hotel under its value-driven Hampton by Hilton brand in Manchester. The 221-bedroom property is within walking distance of the Arndale Shopping Centre and includes meeting rooms, a 24-hour gym and free breakfast for every guest.
Room rate From £37 a night
General manager Louise O'Reilly
Operator RBH Hospitality Management
Website www.hampton.com
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