Hot Newcomers: openings everyone's talking about!

The first solo venture from Des McDonald - the former CEO of Caprice Holdings - is this new fish & chips shop in Islington. www.thefishandchipshop.uk.com

Chef-owner Taylor Bonnyman (formerly of Corton in NYC) launches this dinner-only dining spot (formerly the site of El Blason) in Chelsea. www.fivefieldsrestaurant.com

A new restaurant serving Memphis-style BBQ. www.porkys.co.uk

STOP PRESS: May 2013: Reopened after a refurbishment.
Existing review: This grand but “lively” surf ’n’ turf American, in a beautiful Covent Garden townhouse, seems to have had a “new lease of life” in recent times; it’s still most often recommended as a place for business, brunch, or pre-theatre, but it was consistently much better rated this year. www.christophersgrill.com

From Alan Bird (formerly executive chef at The Ivy), a new 150-cover restaurant spread over five floors, on the old site of bar 26 Smithfield. www.birdofsmithfield.com

First opened in Knightsbridge in 2011, Chabrot is set to open its second restaurant, in Smithfield, on the former site of Le Saint Julien (RIP 2012). www.chabrot.co.uk

A former street food stall, Homeslice opens its first site in Covent Garden with a 50-cover restaurant, serving pizza by the slice and to takeaway. www.homeslicepizza.co.uk

From Rainer Becker - the man behind Zuma and Roka - a New York grill, located on the 32nd floor of The Shard. www.oblixrestaurant.com

After opening his Folkestone restaurant in 2011, Mark Sargeant returns to the capital for his first London venture, in the dining room of the renovated Great Northern Hotel. www.gnhlondon.com

On the former site of The River Restaurant (RIP March 2013), a new seafood restaurant, named after The Savoy's resident 'cat' - a wooden sculpture residing in the hotel's lobby. www.kaspars.co.uk

STOP PRESS: April 2013: Following the merger of the Trattoria and Dining areas in 2012, Jamie Oliver has closed Fifteen for further refurbishment, and the restaurant will reopen in late-April under the direction of a former St John Chef.
Existing review: In mid-2012, the formerly distinct restaurant and trattoria areas at Jamie Oliver’s Hoxton training establishment were merged; in both parts, reporters had found “absurd” prices for food that was “just OK”. www.fifteen.net

In Canary Wharf, the revamped in-house restaurant of The Reebok Sports Club reopens in late-April, with all-day dining; there's also a new cocktail bar, run in collaboration with the team behind Purl. www.thepearsonroom.co.uk

New cicchetti restaurant in Victoria, located within the Park Plaza hotel. www.tozirestaurant.co.uk

After opening Pollen Street Social in 2011, Jason Atherton, in partnership with Pollen Street's Head Chef Paul Hood, is set to open his second restaurant, in Soho. www.socialeatinghouse.com

Following his pop-up in 2011, Tom Sellers returns to London to open his restaurant in early-2013. www.restaurantstory.co.uk

From NYC restaurateurs Crown Group, a new take on Chelsea's The Markham Inn (RIP 2013), revamped as an 'American-style bistro'. www.rhlondon.com

STOP PRESS: April 2013: Recently refurbished, and with a new focus on street food, this Indian restaurant (formerly named Imli), from the Tamarind group, is now open.
Existing review: “Tasty and different Indian tapas” have won quite a following for this large “street-food” operation, in Soho – an excellent choice for a “fast” and “good-value” bite. www.imli.co.uk

In the former premises of The Forge (RIP 2013), a new bistro. www.hbbrestaurant.co.uk

From the former head chef at Shoreditch's Rochelle Canteen, a new British restaurant in the railway arches of Hoxton. www.beaglelondon.co.uk

On Chelsea's 'Beach', a new restaurant and bar, brought to you by the team behind Boujis, set to open in late-March after a complete overhaul of both interiors and the food menu. www.goatchelsea.com

This recently revamped pub and dining room, in Maida Vale, features a menu of well-sourced, seasonal fare. www.thetruscottarms.com

One of two restaurants from D&D - their first UK venture outside of London - this penthouse restaurant and cocktail bar opened in the new Trinity Leeds shopping centre. www.angelica-restaurant.com

One of two new restaurants from D&D - their first UK venture outside of London - this all-day dining restaurant recently opened in the new Trinity Leeds shopping centre. www.crafthouse-restaurant.com

STOP PRESS: February 2013: Set to reopen in mid-March after a refurbishment, and with chef Clare Smyth as the new standing Chef Patron.
Existing review: “Easier to book nowadays, after his battering in the press”, but the global TV star’s notional home base, in Chelsea, still impresses many reporters, courtesy of Claire Smyth’s “fabulous” classic cuisine; over a third of reporters, though, are most impressed by the “rip-off” prices – “come on Michelin, be brave: remove a star… or two!” www.gordonramsay.com

Hidden-away just off Regent Street, Jason Atherton’s second Mayfair restaurant offers a clubby vibe very different from his uncompromising Pollen Street Social, just over the road – for all-round charm, the experience at the newer restaurant is arguably superior. www.littlesocial.co.uk

STOP PRESS: March 2013: Second branch opened on Appold Street.
Existing review: “Arrive before the lunchtime rush!”; this City conveyor-Japanese is always “packed” (expect to queue), thanks to its “great array of dishes” – not least “delicious” sushi – all “reasonably-priced”; “shame it’s so unattractive”. www.k10.com

On the former site of Brompton Quarter Brasserie (RIP 2012), the second London opening from Russian restaurateur Arkady Novikov, who opened his first restaurant, Novikov, in Mayfair in 2012.

On the Belgravia/Pimlico fringe, the former Ebury has been relaunched as a good-all-round bar/restaurant, offering food of no particular ambition, but realised with solid consistency. www.no11pimlicoroad.co.uk

A vehicle for a chef of undoubted talent, this ostentatious Mayfair 'brasserie' offers perfectly acceptable food and service but on our early-days visit any sort of excitement was signally lacking. www.brasseriechavot.com

Set to open in the former space of Nahm (RIP 2012), a new Basque restaurant from father-daughter team Elena and Juan Mari Arzak, to be based on their award-winning restaurant in San Sebastian. www.comohotels.com/thehalkin/dining/ametsa

A new pub and dining room, in Kennington, with a focus on Pan-Asian food and real ale. www.oakalondon.co.uk

Formerly a private dining club, this new restaurant, from the team behind Spitalfields restaurant Upstairs at the Ten Bells, opens in March. www.thecloveclub.com

From a chef whose CV includes stints at Hix Soho and St John, a new British restaurant in Shoreditch. www.masterandservant.co.uk

Above Parsons Green champagne bar Amuse Bouche, a new, ingredient-led British restaurant. www.claudeskitchen.co.uk

New French bistro recently opened in Hackney.

“Great flavour combos, and a really unusual menu” (Brazil-meets-Japan) inspire positive vibes for this sleek Chelsea bar/restaurant; its daunting prices feature in practically all comments, but most reporters still say it’s “worth it”; an offshoot opens near Liverpool Street in late-2012. www.sushinho.com

An offshoot of SoHo (NYC)’s famously buzzy brasserie, set to open, at some point, in Covent Garden’s former Theatre Museum; its opening has so long been awaited that we also trailed it this time last year… www.balthazarlondon.com

A collaboration between Angela Hartnett and Lime Wood Hotel's head chef, the hotel's new dining room features classic British dishes, with influences from Italy. www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

After opening the Fox and Grapes in Wimbledon in 2011, Claude and Cedric Bosi are expanding into Fulham with the launch of their second pub, the revamped Malt House. www.malthousefulham.co.uk

In the new ME by Melia hotel, in Marconi House, the London outpost of a NYC Italian.

Following the departure of chef Ben Spalding, Neil Rankin (of Pitt Cue Co fame), has taken over at this new Islington bar and restaurant. www.john-salt.com

STOP PRESS: The fourth branch opens in the City, just off Cheapside.
Existing review: “A brilliant concept!” – this “sparklingly buzzing and urbane” Mayfair newcomer serves “the most succulent” lobster and “one of the best burgers ever”, and at “bargain” prices too; it’s “always rammed” – arrive early or be prepared to queue; a Soho branch opened in mid-2012, with one in Clerkenwell set to follow. www.burgerandlobster.com

Following the sale of its other London sites to Brasserie Blanc, Chez Gérard reopens on Bishopsgate with a new brasserie menu, and new interiors. www.chezgerard.co.uk

The new outpost for Sushi of Shiori (formerly located near Euston Station), this new 12-cover restaurant specialises in tasting menus, known as Kaiseki. www.theshiori.com

Just off Carnaby Street, an amiable bistro (on the former site of Benja, RIP), offering a top-value steak/frites formula in a tightly-packed communal setting surprisingly evocative of Old Soho. www.flatironsteak.co.uk

New Soho restaurant specialising in rotisserie chicken. www.clockjackoven.com

Presided over by the executive chef of the usually good (but always pricey) Hakkasan group, a business-friendly City-fringe restaurant offering prettified, notionally Cantonese dishes – some of very high quality – in a Western ‘dégustation’ format. www.hkklondon.com

Above Cannon & Cannon deli, a new British restaurant from a former Brunswick House Café chef. www.salonbrixton.co.uk

2012 Review: Fresh from Hong Kong, Alvin Leung returns to his home town to open this new Chinese restaurant, Bo London. Set to open in Mayfair on the former site of Pattersons (RIP 2012), Bo London will offer Leung's signature cuisine, 'X-treme Chinese'. www.bolondonrestaurant.com

On the former site of Incognico (RIP), a new Italian restaurant. www.primolondon.com

On the former site of Notting Hill's Electric Brasserie (closed after a fire in summer 2012), an American-styled diner from Soho House, with a menu modelled after famed Chicago diner Au Cheval. www.electricdiner.com

Formerly a pop-up (most recently at Soho's Endurance pub), this new burger restaurant is now open in Marylebone. www.pattyandbun.co.uk

Opening in late-2012, in a new hotel by Aldwych, this new steakhouse is an outpost of an establishment of the same name in NYC’s Meatpacking District. www.stkhouse.com

On the eastern fringe of Covent Garden, a smart basement Japanese restaurant with a rather corporate atmosphere and quite high prices (especially on the wine front); for business entertainment, though, it has its attractions, and the lunch menu is a value-proposition well worth seeking out. www.wabirestaurants.com

From Alan Yau/the Busaba Eathai team, a striking prototype, by Angel tube, for a contemporary-style Thai chain; on our early-days visit, we found we could add to the chorus of approval that has greeted its arrival. www.naamyaa.com