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It’s not been the easiest year for restaurants. We’re all too familiar with the current operational challenges and the somewhat unstable economic climate that’s meant 2018 has been a tricky one to navigate. Yet, I still find myself asking the question as to whether there are simply too many restaurants – especially new ones – in London.

I’m not entirely sure what the correct answer is but it’s clear there are still endless opportunities for restaurants. Of course, the issue over location is still the most relevant. Understanding the pros and cons of a certain part of a town and a particular location on a street – can be the difference between boom or bust.

It’s been interesting to see that two of the most exciting areas at the moment for hospitality operators – King’s Cross and the Battersea Power Station development – are both being anchored by tech companies, Google and Apple respectively. Maybe the future of hospitality lies in tech after all.

Have a good week.

Adam

Bateaux London

Coal Office is barely open and already the creator of its style, Tom Dixon, has signed on to reinvent two Thames river boats as dining destinations, Glass Room and River Room (above). Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events is behind the relaunch, called Bateaux London and scheduled for spring 2019, which will also include a bar and cafe on the pier where the boats launch from.
Garden Room

Who doesn’t love a good panoramic view? A new vista is promised with the launch on 23 November of Garden Room, at the top of the Assembly Hotel on Charing Cross Road. The Bourne & Hollingsworth Group are behind the 100-cover bar and restaurant space, which will feature plenty of greenery, a modern brasserie menu and cocktails designed for sunset imbibing.

TĀTĀ Eatery

Residents of north west London (and beyond) have reason to celebrate with the news that TĀTĀ Eatery – whose pop-up in Borough Wines was a summer hit – are back in the area for a three-month residency at Kilburn pub the Sir Colin Campbell. From this Thursday there will be an upstairs full sharing-plate menu and a smaller choice in the downstairs bar.  Start planning now for that Iberian katsu sandwich.
Monsieur Le Duck

What could be more wintery and warming than a duck-based menu (unless you’re vegan, of course)? New Spitalfields restaurant Monsieur Le Duck promises confit legs, burger or magret breast with chips and salad, plus typically French puddings. The six-month site will be managed by George Ryan, late of Village East and Railhouse Cafe, and opens on 23 November.

Anthracite

King's Cross gets a dedicated martini lounge with the launch of Anthracite, within the Great Northern Hotel. From 14 November, the glamorous space with views of Gilbert Scott’s great architecture will serve a variety of martinis and the luxe menu features caviar, crab and saffron arancini and duck bon bons, with 90 covers across three rooms.
Wadadli Kitchen

She sits in judgement on Great British Menu, and now Andi Oliver is to launch a new restaurant in Stoke Newington. Wadadli Kitchen will take the place of her own Andi’s and will serve ‘real Caribbean home cooking’, such as chocolate curry goat, she says. Whether any of the BBC show’s chef contestants will visit from later this week is unclear.

Opening...

Island Poke is opening its sixth branch, and first with sit-down dining, on Great Eastern Street, on 13 November. Booking is now open for Caprice Holdings’ Selfridges site Brasserie of Light, which launches on 22 November, while Tamarind Mayfair is in operation from 20 November. Further down the track, from next May The Arts Club will house a state-of-the-art gym, Lanserhof, complete with MRI scans and and butler service for laundering gym kit. Persuasive…
... and worth noting

CODE is pleased to support two new ventures for the hospitality community. A Meeting Place (AMP) is a digital magazine (appearing quarterly on Instagram @ameetingplace) focusing on the vital role of women in food, with a further focus on sustainability. Meanwhile Chef’s Hands is a photographic exhibition at Carousel restaurant next Monday, backed by Andrew Clarke among others, to raise money for the Pilot Light mental health support network. There’s a seriously starry list of auction prizes up for grabs too.

Quique Dacosta

The highly regarded Valencian chef Quique Dacosta is opening a rice-focused restaurant on Eastcastle Street in Fitzrovia early next year. Arros QD will elevate Spanish dishes featuring rice to new heights, together with other seasonal and regional ingredients. If his website is anything to go by, expect fireworks.
Karl O'Dell

Karl O’Dell is to become head chef at Michelin-starred Texture, on Portman Square. O’Dell was previously at Petrus, Amersham’s noteworthy The Artichoke and Colettes at The Grove hotel. He was also a finalist for National Chef of the Year 2018.

Sommelier, Chiltern Firehouse

The award-winning Chiltern Firehouse Restaurant is a dining destination in London headed by Michelin Starred Chef Nuno Mendes. Our fine wine list is described as eclectic, our supplier list is well curated including niche and up-and-coming suppliers and our guests very knowledgeable.

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate, intuitive and knowledgeable Sommelier to join our brigade.

Click here to read more
Sous Chef, Sophie's Soho

Join the Management team in Soho – cook great British ingredients in an open kitchen over live fire.

Fantastic development potential; direct creative influence over food offering; busy, buzzy services.

Sophie’s offers unparalleled opportunities for development – this is a great step towards a Head Chef role.

Click here to read more

 
Executive Chef, Les Grands Verres

Les Grands Verres in Paris is a bustling 160-seat restaurant, craft cocktail and natural wine bar and all-day café located within the Palais de Tokyo museum. Our guests are locals and tourists who are excited about sharing an exceptional evening of food and drink with us.

We are seeking a creative, independent and hard-working Head Chef to lead the kitchen team in creating an inspired and seasonal food offer.

(French language skills not required!)

Click here to read more

Does the recent controversy around William Sitwell having to resign from Waitrose Food over his vegan remarks signal a new era for the supermarket’s magazine? The Dumbwaiter is intrigued to see who will take over.

Sushisamba in Covent Garden opened its doors last week and it also played host to GQ’s 30th anniversary party. Guests at the new restaurant that is on the opera terrace included Anthony Joshua, Tom Daley and David Gandy.

After tasting 45 cheeses each at the World Cheese Awards in Bergen, a group of UK judges slipped away for something a bit less refined – a famous Norwegian reindeer hot dog – but poor José Pizarro was devastated to be called back to join the 'super jury' just as he was about to eat his chilli sausage.  

From Abingdon Road to Atlantic Road. Click here to read The Dumbwaiter’s best bites of the week.

restaurant of the week
The Laughing Heart
bar of the week
Dickie's Bar

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