The CODE Bulletin

Dear

My in-flight reading for a trip last Thursday from City airport to Italy was about WeWork. It's a clever business that has become the largest corporate office occupier in the UK and has massively disrupted the conventional way businesses rent office space.

As the seat-belt sign switched off and we headed out over the Channel, I wondered whether the WeWork model could work in the restaurant world? Do operators need to commit to lengthy, costly leases and fit-outs? Might there be a ‘plug and play’ fit-out model that allows restaurants to operate in a more dynamic way?

A restaurant’s location is far more important to its success than that of office-based businesses – but think how much more accessible bricks-and-mortar restaurant sites would be if there was a WeWork-type model. Maybe it's time for landlords to switch things up a little. A subject to return to in the near future...

Have a good week.

Adam

Temper

With pizzas, vermouths, cured meats and – of course – fire, it sounds like the third outpost of Neil Rankin’s Temper has another winning formula. There will be both Detroit (thick) and Bar (thin) pizzas on offer and hearty ragus and pastas too – all served in a space with a huge zinc-topped counter at its centre, and booths on a lower level. The new Temper Covent Garden opens on 14 May.

Casa Moro

Lovers of Sam and Sam Clark’s Moro and Morito food can now experience in two new ways – both in a new private dining and event space in Hackney Wick, and at your own location via their new outside catering arm. Casa Moro is the name for both, and the east London venue is launching with a Moro Mangal dinner for which tickets are available, on 1 and 2 June.

Bright

One of London’s most talked-about spaces, P. Franco, has a ‘sister’. Their new restaurant, named Bright, will take over the space in London Fields that was until recently Ellory and the kitchen will be headed by William Gleave and Guiseppe Belvedere. There will be a more expansive kitchen than P. Franco's two rings and a focus on seasonal food, and pasta. Bright plans to open in early May.

Chuc's

Hyde Park must be one of London’s loveliest locations, and its Magazine restaurant within the Serpentine Sackler gallery is an amazing space, so it’s good to hear that it’s being taken over the buzzy Chuc’s operation. The Italian restaurant opened last weekend with an all-day menu and dinner too plus, in a first for Chuc’s, takeaway for those who like to eat al fresco.

Lyle's

Instagram should brace itself for a truly photogenic collaboration when chef Sean Gray and FoH Su Wong Ruiz from Momofuku Ko join Lyle’s for its next ‘Guest Series’ dinners, on 24 and 25 April. New York’s two Michelin-starred Ko is tiny, seating just 14, so it will be fascinating to see how they respond to the space and to working with James Lowe.

Fortnum & Mason

The City of London has always had smart restaurants, now it has the ultimate food retail destination too, with the announcement that Fortnum & Mason is to open a standalone store (and 90-cover dining space too) at the Royal Exchange. City workers can shop for an edit of the fabled Piccadilly store’s wares – CODE expects to see a few wicker hampers in the area come October.

Inception Group

The pair who run the Inception Group, and are behind the Mr Fogg’s brand, are gearing up for a very busy 2018 – Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals will open in Fitzrovia in June, there will be a Mrs Fogg’s in the City come September and, the following month, a Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration near the Strand. Sounds like Around the World in 80 Days meets Around London in 80 sites soon…

Ruth Leigh

Ruth Leigh has been appointed general manager of the Henry Harris-run pub The Coach in Clerkenwell. Leigh, most recently at Dock Kitchen and with plenty of experience at Le Café Anglais and at The Continental in Hong Kong, joins as the pub settles in after a series of rave reviews. Leigh has hospitality in her blood too – her father is chef Rowley Leigh.

Assistant Manager, Patty & Bun

Patty & Bun is looking for experienced assistant managers to join our team. Located in the heart of Central London you will be part of a dynamic independent burger company who’s focus is on great food, music, vibes and people.

Available immediately.

Click here to read more and apply

New Opening, Soho House

White City House in West London is the latest addition to Soho House’s collection of Members' Clubs. Set inside the old BBC headquarters in West London. The House will have three floors of club space, rooftop pool, two cinemas, a screening room, 24,000 sq. ft. gym and 45 bedrooms within the building’s original Grade-II listed central ring.

We are looking for passionate and hardworking team members at all levels.

Click here to read more and apply

Fay Maschler reviews Poon's, Clerkenwell

Grace Dent reviews Ikoyi, St James's

Head to head: Eating alone

The impossible burger officially cannot be stopped

Wed 11

Thurs 12

Loire Moments Supper Club | Petit Pois Bistro

Fri 13

Pop Brixton | Roof Down Party

Mon 16

Dinner for Hamish | Charity dinner at Perilla

The Dumbwaiter wishes Mark Hix a happy birthday. Ten years ago this year the British chef left his role at Caprice Holdings to open his first restaurant, the Oyster and Chop House in Farringdon.

After a less than flattering, or accurate, review in a newspaper, the Santa Maria Pizza team were quick with a witty retort on Instagram. But there's cheeky and then there's chippy. On Friday CODE (see below) put up a shot on Insta of a margherita as a preview to the Dumbwaiter's Best Bites. Was it Santa Maria? asked a commenter. They quipped back "we use proper mozzarella", but after being told the pizza in question – from Quartieri – used agerola fiorlilatte, they deleted their comment and reposted it as "we use different mozzarella". Pizza and love, guys.

It’s the Sign of Our Times when you see Massimo Bottura and Harry Styles hanging out together at Osteria Francescana, Bottura’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Modena, Italy. The singer was sporting a funky coral pink Gucci suit.

From Kensington Park Road to Kilburn High Road. Click here to read The Dumbwaiter’s best bites of the week.

Cafe Boheme

Sunday | 25% off total bill

Mark’s Bar at Hixter Bankside

Sunday - Wednesday | 25% off total bill