What's going down in London Town on the ever-changing restaurant scene? Jo Aspin and Paloma Lacy round up the news...
Bébé Bob
Remember when Bob Bob Ricard first opened in Soho and everyone went wild for the 'press for champagne' buttons at each booth? Well now, they've opened sister site Bébé Bob opposite the flagship Soho site. Bébé Bob will champaion rotisserie French chicken. The team has selected two varieties of chicken from different regions in France, Vendee and Landes, chosen for their traditional farming methods and quality. We’re not too sure if you’ll still be able to ‘press for champagne’ but this new offering will be equally high-end. Alongside your poulet, you can choose from a selection of Siberian, Oscietra and Amursky sturgeon caviar, served with blinis, as well as Jersey oysters and a 70-bin list of wines and champagnes. The bijoux restaurant has 12 seats at the bar and a number of additional tables of up to four. JA.
Now open
37 Golden Square
www.bebebob.com
Bistro Freddie
Photo credit: Sam Harris
Bistro Freddie is the new 45-cover Shoreditch restaurant offering seasonal British produce, alongside a healthy portion of old-school London hospitality. The layout includes 33 seats for banquette and table dining, a further 12 at the kitchen counter, plus outdoor dining spaces during summer months. Bistro Freddie retains the same ethos as sister restaurants Crispin and Bar Crispin, focusing on small and predominantly independent producers and growers, whilst Freddie's aesthetic is more classic London dining than its siblings. Chef Anna Sogaard joins from Crispin Group restaurant, Erst in Manchester. What’s on the menu? Pork crackling & pickled walnut ketchup, egg mayonnaise, anchovy & fried capers and grilled mushroom parfait, watercress salad & fried bread. PL.
Now open
74 Luke Street, London EC2A 4PY
Le Deli by Joël Robuchon International
The late Joël Robuchon’s legacy continues a pace with this latest deli opening on the King's Road Chelsea this month. Le Deli King's Road will open from breakfast till late, offering French deli-style food all day, and then wine, cheese and charcuterie in the evenings. Visit for their Pistachio, Vanilla and Chocolate cube croissants plus a brand-new savoury iteration of Le Deli’s cube croissant, to be revealed at this latest opening. Plus Sloanes can pop in for all their French pantry essentials, from Valrhona chocolates to artisanal jams as well as Tarte aux Framboises, Chocolat et Noisette, as well as the daily changing Choux of the Day and Mille-Feuille of the Day. JA.
Opens Monday 30th October
Le Deli King’s Road is opening on Monday 30th October and is open daily from 7am – 11pm at 279 King’s Road, London, SW3 5EW.
KGK Grill Kensington
KGK is the only restaurant in London to offer a Korean Omakase dining experience. Omakase translates as: “I leave it up to you,” because diners let the chef decide what they’re eating. Diners feast on traditional Korean BBQ cuisine, cooked on a table-top style grill. Best enjoyed in a group – this is a truly interactive eating experience. PL.
Now open
Located in the Millenium Hotel, South Kensington
Angela Hartnett X Belazu Pesto
Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett has created a limited edition Sicillian-inspired pesto with Belazu.
The pesto’s complex flavour profile is underpinned by Sicily’s North African influence, which came from Arabic rule and now has a strong impact on its cuisine. Featuring saffron, capers and raisins, which are all staple ingredients in many of Sicily’s hero dishes, the recipe also includes tomatoes, pine kernels and caramelised onions which gives the pesto a well-rounded sweetness followed by a satisfyingly salty finish from the capers. Belazu is popular for its production of chef-grade ingredients and the place to start if you want to cook like a professional. PL.
Angela's top tips:
· Spreading the pesto over grilled Fish. It's particularly good with Seabass or Monkfish
· Use it as a finisher in a Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
RRP - £3.19. Available from Ocado and Sainsbury's.
Ivy Group Launches New Loyalty App
Shout out to The Ivy Group who have set up their very own customer loyalty app. Customers earn points equating to 5% of total spend. Available at The Ivy Collection, The Ivy West Street, The Ivy Club, The Ivy Asia and Granary Square Brasserie.
Earn double points and receive a sweet surprise on one reservation for the week prior to and following the customers’ birthday. Enjoy additional benefits including priority reservation services and a pass to The Ivy Club for two people each year, with a gold membership.
Spend earned points at all participating sites and their private dining rooms, except for The Ivy Club.
Guests who download the new app before 21st December 2023 will enter a draw to win an exclusive dining experience for 10 people in a private dining room before 30 April 2024. PL.