Much-travelled Aussie chef Scott Hallsworth opens the second permanent venue of his pan-Asian project, Freak Scene, in Balham, south London, next week.

Freak Scene Sushi & Grill launches on Thursday 18 January, and follows the first permanent Freak Scene in Parsons Green, which opened last spring in “fine form“, according to the 2024 Harden’s guide.

Scott is a former Nobu head chef who has launched restaurants from Australia and Canada to Africa and the Middle East. Freak Scene, which mixes sushi with amped-up fusion fare such as a miso-yaki foie gras croissant, started out in 2017 as a pop-up in Farringdon which later moved into the former Barrafina site in Soho’s Frith Street.

For its permanent launch, Scott linked up with Australian comedian Adam Hills.