Birmingham-based chef Aktar Islam, whose stellar flagship Opheem has taken Indian cuisine to new heights in recent years, opens his first London venue today (May 1) – with another restaurant following later this month in Bristol. Oudh 1722, his London debut, has taken over the former site of Lupins in a listed Victorian building on the […]
Aktar Islam started cooking the age of 13 at his father’s restaurant in Birmingham, and his widely acclaimed flagship Opheem is the highest-ranked Indian venue in the Harden’s 100 list. We caught up with him ahead of his London debut with Oudh 1722, which launches on 1st May next door to Borough Market. Hardens: Aktar, […]
Three new restaurants that celebrate regional Thai cuisine are opening in London in quick succession this month – all with the word ‘khao’, meaning rice or a casual meal, in their name. First up this week is Khao-So-i, just off Oxford Circus, the first international opening from chef Win Srinavakool and his wife Por Haruethai Noicharoen […]
A northern Thai barbecue specialist inspired by the night markets of Chiang Mai launches in Borough Market next week. Khao Bird is the latest residency upstairs at the Globe Tavern, and is an offshoot of Brighton restaurant Lucky Khao. Khao Bird will use produce from suppliers close to the market including Kernel Beer, Ice Cream […]
A new French deli, bakery and ‘canteen’, Café François, is to open next week in Borough Yards, taking over the two-storey former Paul Smith shop on the edge of Borough Market. It is a spinoff from Maison François in St James’s, founded four years ago by François O’Neill and already established as a West End […]
Our round-up of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 26th May 2024 The Guardian Brett, Glasgow Grace Dent found “comfort food with the chef’s foot fully on the gas” at this modest-seeming wine bar – the younger sibling of feted Cal Bruich nearby – which “holds a fig leaf […]
Our round-up of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 7th April 2024 The Evening Standard The Shoap, Angel Jimi Famurewa thoroughly enjoyed himself at this “hybrid cafe, food shop and bar that bills itself as ‘London’s first Scottish deli’”, from Glaswegian former economist Gregg Boyd – a “brilliant … invigorating, […]
A double-barrelled Greek operation from an all-star team is the next big launch in Borough Market, with Agora opening at street level this month followed by Oma upstairs in April. The new venture, which takes over the former site of chocolate specialist Rabot 1745 in Bedale Street, is from David Carter of Smokestak and Manteca, […]
A new bistro inspired by the cuisine of rural France has opened in Borough Market from the team behind Soho’s Ducksoup – with an ex-St John chef at the stoves. Camille has taken over the former site of Sons + Daughters sandwich shop, with room for 32 guests inside and more outside on the terrace. This […]
A new West African restaurant is to open next month in a railway arch next to Borough Market. Akara is Aji Akokomi’s more casual follow-up to his acclaimed Fitzrovia flagship, Akoko. The new venue is named after the crispy West African fritters made from black-eyed beans which will be served as starters, stuffed with prawns […]
