Coming Soon — June 2008

Capital Gains

COMING SOON (JUNE 2008)… Even if we say so ourselves, London is home to one of the most exciting and dynamic restaurant scenes in the world, so it’s hardly surprising that there’s a queue of top-flight European chefs lining up to open in our great city. And we hope they’ll bring their Michelin stars with them.

First to arrive is Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex who holds two Michelin stars at l’Auberge de l’Ile in Lyon and has always had a fondness for London. He’s due to open Ambassade de l’Ile (117-119 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3RN, 020 7373 7774) in early July, where he’ll serve his trademark dishes such as nougatine of frogs’ legs with sweet garlic foam.

Next up is two Michelin-starred French chef Helene Darroze (pictured, above left) who will be filling the restaurant space at The Connaught (16 Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, 020 7499 7070) vacated by Angela Hartnett. Opening in mid-July, Helene Darroze at The Connaught will showcase her refined, regional French cuisine. Reservations are now being taken.

Finally, there’s Dieter Müller, the Austrian head chef of the three Michelin-starred restaurant at Schlosshotel Lerbach Hotel near Cologne in Germany. He’ll be making his mark in the capital when the newly refurbished and revamped St James’s Hotel and Club (7-8 Park Place, SW1A 1LP, 020 7629 7688) re-opens in September.

Swanky spin-offs head for Canary Wharf

COMING SOON (June 2008)... With the exception of a few top-notch eateries, Canary Wharf is not exactly leading the way in the gastro stakes, but is that all about to change? Fitzrovia’s trendy modern Japanese, Roka, will have a sibling in the new Cabot Place West development by the end of the year. It’s expected to be much the same as the original, with sharing plates of top-class food and swish decor. Meanwhile Tom Aikens (pictured, above left) looks set to open another branch of his upmarket brasserie Tom's Kitchen, in Canada Square. Again, Wharfers will have to bide their time as it’s unlikely to open before 2010; in the meantime he plans to open an outlet in Clapham.