Russian restaurant Zima has opened a new branch in Notting Hill, a decade after the Soho original launched next-door to Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. The Christmas opening came just two months after the sudden death of founder Alexei Zimin at the age of 52, while visiting Belgrade in Serbia. A writer-turned-chef and television personality, Zimin […]
Highly rated Edinburgh seafood fixture Ondine is to close temporarily at the end of the year, before reopening at an as-yet undisclosed location in the city centre – with a second branch launching in St Andrews on March 1st. The move has been forced on its founder, chef Roy Brett, by protracted work on the building […]
The landmark Regency Café in Westminster has been put up for sale at £170,000 – but the landlord, Westminster Council, says its future is safe. Hailed as a “post-War gem” in the new 2025 Harden’s guide, the greasy-spoon has barely changed since it was opened in 1946 – and is “still as great as it ever […]
Marylebone Peruvian restaurant Pachamama is to close after 10 years, and will be replaced by a new Italian venture as its owner repositions the group. Fans of Pachamama’s “incredible sticky aubergine”, recommended in the new 2025 Harden’s guide, will still be able to find it at the Shoreditch branch in Great Eastern Street. The move […]
Chef Isaac McHale (left in photo), co-founder of Shoreditch gastronomic powerhouse the Clove Clove, is to open a more informal offshoot just around the corner called Bar Valette, serving simple dishes inspired by French and Spanish coastal cuisine. Scheduled to open next month in the former premises of Two Lights (also backed by the team […]
Chef George Barson has joined Higher Farm regenerative project near Castle Cary in Somerset, where he is developing a new restaurant that is set to open next year. West Country-bred George made his name at Kitty Fisher’s in Mayfair’s Shepherd Market before heading back west to Bath three years ago to head the kitchen at […]
A new bakery-cum-restaurant intriguingly named Don’t Tell Dad will be unveiled next week in Queen’s Park, west London, with meals offered at half price during a soft launch for bookings between 20 December and 12 January.. The venue marks the realisation of a long-held dream for Daniel Land (pictured centre left), co-founder of Italian fast-food […]
Chester-based tapas bar Porta has opened its latest branch in the former premises of TV chef Simon Rimmer’s well-known West Didsbury venue Greens, the veteran vegetarian restaurant which closed down earlier this year with debts of about £600,000. Founded by brothers Joe & Ben Wright, Porta also has branches in Altrincham and Salford, and wins […]
