Tracey's Table. We are Back.
The London restaurant scene has never been more diverse or delectable – but it’s also pivotal to the UK’s economic revival. The impact of the pandemic has been immense on our cities, yet restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars have made a very welcome return, buoyed by the sector’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
We saw how swiftly and effectively hospitality could act to make a positive impact during the first lockdown, and we have seen similarly heroic efforts since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with a long list of London restaurants and groups working to support Ukrainians, through numerous fundraising and charitable initiatives, and the creation of employment consortium Hospitalityforall.co.uk, with nearly 170 operators now signed up to provide employment for Ukrainian refugees.
Since the start of the year, we’ve been delighted to return to old favourites and to make new ones; some of those rounded up below haven’t quite opened their doors, but they are taking bookings and we can’t wait to visit! And with an increasingly canine presence at 52 Portland Place, we thought it only right to round up some of our favourite dog-friendly venues too!
We hope you enjoy them.
Apricity, Mayfair Chantelle Nicholson’s loveliness is embedded in her cooking and her ethos for sustainable food earnt her a Green Michelin Star when she was trading Tredwells. This was followed by the ever so popular popup All’s Well in Hackney, and now, a permanent home nestled in the heart of Mayfair from 12 April. Apricity symbolises regeneration, warmth, generosity and light, and is reflected in the menu and in the décor. We were delighted to have acted on behalf of Grosvenor on this letting. |
Lisboeta, Fitzrovia Wherever Nuno Mendes waves his culinary wand it will always be extra special and Lisboeta is sure to be no different – especially as this time, it’s personal. Here, Nuno is showcasing food from his native Portugal. This self-proclaimed ‘love letter to Portugal’ is a JV with MJMK. The menu spans snacks, ‘petiscos’ small plates and 'tachos & travessas' sharing dishes.DCL acted for Shaftesbury on this new addition to Fitzrovia. |
Lahpet, Covent Garden A
cool, casual, modern restaurant complete with heated terrace, Lahpet is
one of London’s rare Burmese concepts. Having acted on their first
permanent site in Shoreditch, we were delighted to advise Longmartin to
bring Lahpet to The Yard’s, Covent Garden’s lively new shopping
precinct. |
3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden This beautiful townhouse building arranged over a number of floors is home to several complementary operations: elegant pastries from Kimberly Lin, who has a wealth of experience from her roles as executive pastry chef at The Corinthia and Claridges, and development chef for Dominique Ansel; a monthly changing seasonal restaurant from the award-winning chef Mark Greenaway; a Hawaiian-inspired street food from Asia de Cuba chef Luis Pous’ El Ta’koy; and suave speciality coffee from Gentlemen Baristas. All stacked on top of each other. DCL advises Capital and Counties on all its F&B matters estate wide. |
Arcade We were sorry to learn that Arcade Food Theatre would not be re-opening post pandemic, but look forward to visiting its new incarnation as the award-winning group JKS turns its hand to a food hall format for the first time with 9 new food brands. The exciting line up features Plaza Khao Gaeng- Southern Thai comfort food by chef Luke Farrell, Indonesian street food concept Bebek Bebek!, Saborcito by Nieves Barragan and shwarma bar Shatta & Toum by Berenjak’s founder Kian Samyani, not to mention spectacular desserts by Bompas & Parr in the form of Benham & Froud’s Jelladrome. Opens 22 April. |
Fallow, St James’s After a fabulous pop-up on Heddon Street, Fallow has a permanent home in St. James’s, also under The Crown’s stewardship. Two of the three head honchos Will Murray and Jack Croft cut their teeth at the renowned Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, but that’s not all that’s going for it. A forward-thinking concept with strong sustainability credentials through nose-to-tail, root-to-stem cooking championing modest, British ingredients. With a smallholding in Esher for their own butchery, own-grown fruit and vegetables, they also grow their own mushrooms on site at the restaurant. |
The Ledbury, Notting Hill
27 Ledbury Road, W11 2AQ
Sessions Art Club, Clerkenwell If you want fairy dust, it is embodied here at Sessions Art Club. This is one London's most glamourous and grandiose restaurants, housed on the top floor of the 18th-century Grade II listed former courthouse. The rotation of weekly events and exhibitions which brings together luminaries from the worlds of art, fashion, music, wellness and theatre has been the brainchild of St John co-founder Jon Spiteri, architect Russell Potter and artist Jonny Gent. With ex-Polpetto chef Florence Knight running the kitchen, you can be sure the food and wine matches the experience. |
Evelyn’s Table, Soho Tucked away in the basement of The Blue Posts, a booking here evokes excitement time and time again. With room for just 10 guests, the ‘table’ is the kitchen counter where you can watch chefs Luke Selby and his brothers Nat and Theo, who are under the stewardship of the Paskins – of Palomar and Barbary fame. The restaurant was deservedly awarded a Michelin star this year, so can no longer be described as London’s best kept secret. |
Beaverbrook Townhouse, Chelsea This new London Townhouse outpost of the Surrey private members spa hotel and restaurant is everything we had hoped it would be. Joel and Divia Cadbury bring their own very special style to both the Japanese restaurant and the rooms. Situated on Sloane Street, the restaurant is a much welcome addition to the Chelsea dining scene and DCL were delighted to have acted for Cadogan in making this opening happen. |
The Aubrey, Knightsbridge Japanese izakaya imitations are very popular in London at the moment, but The Aubrey, a self-titled ‘eccentric’ adaption of the pub-style, stands out in that it's unquestionably lavish and a feast for the senses. The first UK restaurant by Hong Kong Restaurant Group, Maximal Concepts, is a partnership with The Mandarin Oriental. The food is crafted by veteran Japanese chef Yukihito Tomiyama (from Michelin-starred Shinji by Kanesaka in Macau), who presents classic Japanese flavours in creative, modern dishes. |
BAO Noodle Shop, Shoreditch The Bao team – part of JKS Restaurants - continue to innovate, with each restaurant featuring a unique menu and a carefully crafted experience with precise attention to detail. Inspired by the beef noodle shops of Taiwan, DCL acted for the landlord to bring this new twist BAO’s portfolio, where chefs serve bowlfuls of beef noodle soup and a selection of BAOs around an open kitchen. If you want to make a night of it, there’s also a downstairs bar, karaoke room and private dining. |
Revolve Launching this month, Revolve brings a new form of dining experience to Broadgate. Created by Tristram Hillier, Andrew Fishwick and Romain Pottier in partnership with British Land, the lively, modern brasserie offers an everyday menu of well accomplished classic dishes inspired by the brasseries of Paris and New York, as well as a revolving programme of guest chefs, giving the City access to a unique line-up of the best international and regional chefs, bringing a new wave of dishes to the Revolve menu each month. |
Ugly Dumpling, Fitzrovia The Ugly Dumpling has flown the nest and opened a second site in Fitzrovia. Its new outpost is a larger than the Carnaby original, allowing a little room for expansion in terms of the food and drink menu. Good natured and fun, the food is inventive and reasonably priced, making it a great spot for a takeaway or lunch. Dumping addicts needing a fix can order a range to cook at home too. DCL acted for Shaftesbury on the letting. |
Humble Chicken, Soho Humble Chicken focuses on grilling every part of the bird over charcoal. It has been carefully created by Chef Angelo Sato, who recently appeared on Great British Menu. He is most famous for his Japanese techniques– a rising star who has been recently awarded a bib gourmand. Due to his success the young chef also plans to re-launch his quick service concept Yatai in Fitzrovia this spring. DCL is delighted to have acted on both sites. |
Salad Kitchen, Mayfair Meeting the needs of the office population and shoppers in spades, Salad Kitchen, already in Bank, Farringdon and Barbican has now travelled west and is doing a storming business with its fabulous daily changing salads. DCL acted for Grosvenor in finding this much needed addition for the lunchtime offering for the local community. |
Farmer J, Oxford Circus This growing group of relaxed all-day restaurants operate on a ‘farm to fork’ ethos. As the queues attest, breakfast and brunch options are just as popular as lunch, with the 'field trays' the standout stars, where you can construct your own meal through various components, including egg dishes, baked goods and meats. It's good value too, and the setting is both comfortable and trendy. You can also check out their other sites across London. |
Walters Bar and Kitchen, Dulwich Following their Covent Garden restaurant (which doubled in size after they opened it), Rob Hampton and Matt Lovell, from The Oystermen, have opened their next restaurant in West Dulwich. Heading up the kitchen is Head Chef Khalid Hassan (previously at Social Eating House and Murano) with a menu of British-inspired classics. |
The Fat Badger, Richmond This is the latest offering from the Gladwin Brothers who operate The Shed in Notting Hill, Nutbourne Battersea and Rabbit in Chelsea. With river views, it offers fabulous British farm to table food, with ingredients coming from their own farm down in Sussex and own their vineyard, Nutbourne. Wimbledon watch this space – The Black Sheep opens in Wimbledon Village in May |
Wild Corner, Chelsea Little sister of Wild Tavern, this is a little jewel box of a wine bar and small plate restaurant situated on Cale Green. Fabulous adventurous wines are served by the glass due to their revolutionary system to keep wines fresh, served with the most exquisite small plates. Revered wines not normally seen as affordable by the bottle, can be sampled – a wine lover’s delight. Well done to George and Ilya for another fantastic addition to Chelsea. |
Ottolenghi, Chelsea Yotam Ottolenghi can do no wrong wherever he opens and the story is no different in his new restaurant, which has further boosted the popularity of foodie hub Pavilion Road in Chelsea and soon to be joined by Bottle Green. This all-day spot is open from breakfast through to early evening with some special new dishes exclusive to Chelsea. DCL advises Cadogan on its F&B portfolio. |
Kudu Grill, Peckham Steadily expanding their empire in Peckham amid several other local gems, Kudu Collective has taken over an old Truman’s pub on Nunhead Lane for its fourth site in Peckham. The new joint brings the heat with an emphasis on braai, a South African way of grilling that uses only wood and charcoal. Co-founders Amy Corbin (daughter of the renowned restaurateur Chris Corbin) and her chef-partner Patrick Williams cook seasonal British ingredients paired with a full South African wine list and smoky cocktails from the sister bar down the road. |
Carmel, Queens Park New neighbourhood outpost from chef Josh Katz’ much-loved Middle Eastern grill and smokehouse Berber & Q. Originally in Hackney, next came sister restaurant Shawarma Bar on Exmouth Market, and now he has teamed up with his brother Paul and business partner Mattia Bianchi in Queen’s Park. Carmel is an all-day Eastern Mediterranean restaurant with an emphasis on smoking and grilling. |
Los Mochis, Notting Hill This first opening in London for restaurateur Markus Thesleff will not be the last; offering fabulous Mexican and Japanese fusion food, it is one of the hottest tickets in town. The Pan-Pacific menu offers tacos, tiraditos and ceviches as well as sashimi and maki rolls, with all dishes ideal for sharing. And pampered pooches are very welcome; indeed, the restaurant is named after Markus' very own dog. |
Brutto, Farringdon This is the new Italian eatery from Russel Norman, founder of Polpo and such a well-known face in the industry also known for his television series. It is a fabulous, earthy restaurant adjacent to Smithfield Market. Dogs welcomed – indeed Twiglet, Russell’s own little pooch, often puts in an appearance. DCL acted on behalf of the landlord on the letting (of the former Hix Oyster House). |
Cadogan Arms, Chelsea The long-awaited reopening of The Cadogan Arms created much excitement and understandably so. A partnership between JKS and Dom Jacobs, it’s an English pub delivered in style; its blend of comfort and class has made it a favourite neighbourhood haunt for Chelsea residents - and their dogs! The menu - overseen by James Knappet, the two-star Michelin chef from Bubbledogs- draws guests from much further afield too. DCL secured this letting on behalf Cadogan. |
Norma, Fitzrovia This outpost of hospitality from the Stafford Hotel delivering fabulous Sicilian cuisine is not a place where you would think you could take a four-legged friend, but they are very welcome. In the heart of Fitzrovia, you can expect bright, bold flavours amid North African décor and secluded seating beneath the archways. |
Dabbers, City A contemporary take on the original bingo hall with an ’immersive’ twist. Expect comedians instead of bingo callers and espresso martinis instead of cups of tea, or visit for an afternoon of doggie bingo, with prizes for pets and owners alike and a chance for dogs to show off their party tricks! |
Picturehouse Cinemas Customers are welcome to bring their well-behaved dogs into the cinema for some special screenings. They will provide blankets, bowls of water around the screen, and leave lighting levels a little higher than usual with lowered volume of the soundtrack. Dogs are limited to one dog to one adult. |
We are delighted to be involved in such a dynamic sector and never tire of talking about it – whether you want an update on the latest conditions and trends or specialist advice on any aspect of your leisure property portfolio, we would be delighted to talk to you.
Tracey Mills, Executive Director of Development Leasing and London Estates
♦ Sales, Lettings & Assignments ♦ Estate Leasing & Strategy ♦ Tenant Representation
♦ Investments ♦ Valuations ♦ Lease Advisory
Tracey Mills |
Kate Taylor |
Sally French |
Emily Hirsch |
 |