There’s every reason to feel thankful for London’s ludicrously strapping restaurant scene this week, with tantalising, highly anticipated new openings from Corbin & King in Islington, Caprice Holdings in Kensington and a scrum of ex-Le Gavroche chefs, kicking it kebab-style in Soho…
Bellanger, Islington (above)
When: Monday 14 December
What: Restaurant heavyweights Jeremy King and Chris Corbin’s (of The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Fischer's, Brasserie Zédel and The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont) latest venture fills the site of Browns on Islington Green. The 200-cover restaurant follows in their tradition of linking the name to cars; with Bellanger referencing the Société des Automobiles Bellanger Frères. Read our early-doors review here.
Where: 9 Islington Green, N1 8DU
The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, Kensington (above)
When: Tuesday 15 December
What: Replacing what was Pavilion, this prime site has been turned green with Ivy, in a bid to replicate the success which has been enjoyed by its big sister for decades. Existing Ivy roll-outs The Ivy Market Grill and The Ivy Chelsea Garden should provide pointers: a more casual affair that retains the trademark sheen of quality.
Where: 96 Kensington High Street, W8 4SG
First Aid Box, Herne Hill (above)
When: Tuesday 15 December
What: This new Herne Hill offering from the team behind Brixton's acclaimed The Shrub & Shutter has cleverly conjured up a potential trend for 2016: nutrition-inspired cocktails. How about a Thirst Aid cocktail, mixing mescal, green chartreuse and pineapple? Did we mention it’s served up in an IV drip bag? No, we’re not sure who to feel about this one either…
Where: 119 Dulwich Road, SE24 0NG
Le Bab, Soho (above)
When: Open for soft launch with 50% off food from Friday 18 until Thursday 24 December, before fully opening on 4 January 2016
What: Kebabs continue to be de rigeur (the Black Axe Mangal queue starts here) and Le Bab co-owner Ed Brunet was classically trained at Michel Roux Junior's Le Gavroche, while head chef Manuel Canales Garcés is also a Le Gavroche graduate. With dishes including roe deer shish kebab with damson and dried isot pepper jam, this is one to watch.
Where: 2nd Floor, Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
More of a pop-up merchant? Check out our guide to this month’s transitory treasures here
This article was published 14 December 2015