Coming Soon

Bumpkin, South Kensington

COMING SOON (June 2008)... A second branch of popular Notting Hill hangout Bumpkin will open in September in South Ken. Matt Hermer, MD of the Ignite Group (whose portfolio includes Cocoon and Boujis), tells us: ‘It’ll be similar to the original in terms of design and food, but the ground-floor will be larger, with over 50% of tables available for walk-ins. It’ll also have outdoor space.’ Hermer also says there are plans for further outlets; possibly in the chi-chi neighbourhoods of Marylebone and Primrose Hill. 102 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3RD, 020 7373 2403.

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.

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.

Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley

COMING SOON (May 2008)... Rumours of a split between Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay Holdings (GRH) have been doing the rounds for some time and now it’s been confirmed that the chef behind two Michelin-starred Petrus will be parting company with the restaurant group. But Wareing won’t leave The Berkeley, where he currently operates Petrus. GRH’s contract with the luxury Knightsbridge hotel ends in mid-September, and once it’s finished Wareing will stay on and continue to preside over the fine-dining operation. We hear GRH plans to take the Petrus name with them, so the restaurant will be renamed – Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley is a possibility.

Min Jiang

COMING SOON (MAY 2008)... The restaurant on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel will be reborn this summer as Min Jiang. Inspired by the restaurant at sister hotel, Goodwood Park in Singapore, it’ll be a top-end Chinese restaurant, serving dim sum and the house speciality of Beijing duck cooked in wood-fired ovens and carved at the table. Remaining entirely unchanged are the magnificent views from the restaurant overlooking Kensington Gardens, extending to the South Bank and taking in most major London landmarks. Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, W8, 020 7361 1910.

Murano and York & Albany

COMING SOON (May 2008)... It’s shaping up to be a busy year for Angela Hartnett. In September she’ll open her flagship restaurant Murano in Mayfair (20 Queen Street, W1), where diners can expect the finely wrought Italian food for which Hartnett was renowned at The Connaught. Also due in September, she’ll helm another Gordon Ramsay Holdings project, the York & Albany (127-129 Parkway, NW1), a restaurant with rooms on the Primrose Hill/Camden borders. It will comprise a deli area featuring a pizza oven, a dining room serving simple but robust Italian food and a private dining area in the basement. The site will also offer 10 bedrooms.

J Sheekey Oyster Bar

COMING SOON (March 2008)... Come October there will be a way to sample J Sheekey’s buzzing atmosphere and great fish without the struggle of making a booking. Opening next door to the original and with its own entrance, the J Sheekey Oyster Bar will have a no-reservations policy, so diners will be able to walk in, grab one of 30-odd stools around a central bar and order oysters, fruits-de-mer platters or a small selection of cooked dishes. St Martin’s Court, WC2.

Megu

COMING SOON (March 2008)... The Mayfair townhouse where the Queen was born in 1926 is set to open its doors as a branch of New York’s über-glam Megu in November. Details of the venue are sketchy, but like the NY original it’s expected to boast opulent surrounds (including an ice-sculpted Buddha carved daily) and tout innovative Japanese cuisine along the lines of char-grilled tuna skewers with white miso and Gorgonzola, and foie gras and crispy Kobe beef croquettes. 17 Bruton Street, W1.

Long Chim

COMING SOON (March 2008)... David Thompson, the Aussie chef behind acclaimed Thai restaurant Nahm, is planning to open a Thai street-food café called Long Chim. It’s early days as he’s still looking for a site, concentrating on Soho, with plans to open late this year or early next. What’s on the menu? ‘Noodles, laksas, roast duck and a few curries and salads, just as you would find on the streets of Bangkok,’ says Thompson.

Bob Bob Ricard

COMING SOON (March 2008)... Uber-designer David Collins has been creating the quirky interiors for Bob Bob Ricard, which opens in September on the former site of media-favourite Circus in Golden Square. Said to be inspired by Edwardian first-class railway carriages, Collins’s design will complement the restaurant’s British brasserie food – think hot buttered crumpets and fish pie served all day, right through to 3am. 1 Upper James Street, W1.