It's the first of June, and we're spoilt for choice with where to welcome the first official day of summer. This week sees plenty of doors opening around the city, covering an exciting amount of cuisines. Whether you're in the market for charcoal-grilled sheftalia or coq au vin, here's where to eat and drink in London this week.
New Opening: No. Forty Nine, St John's Wood
Last year, we visited Cinder, and much like everyone else who has had the pleasure of visiting the live-fire restaurant, we were very impressed. Now, the brains behind it all, Chef Jake Finn, is teaming up with Ella Williams (formerly Hausu, Mountain, Crispin and Cinder), to begin another venture in St John's Wood. No. Forty Nine is a bakery, bistro, and wine bar arriving on June 1st. It will open its doors from 8am as a bakery, dishing out freshly baked breads, sweet and savoury pastries, coffees, juices and breakfast to-go. From midday, an all-day menu will be served, drawing influence from New York-style bistro dishes with Mediterranean influences weaved in, from steak tartare with sour cream and onion crisps and daily-changing salads to larger plates such as Tagliolini with prawns & bisque. Plus, there will be a limited 7-inch pizza menu, with toppings such as Oxtail & Guindilla and Courgette, peaso & rocket. By night, the multi-functional spot will transition into a wine bar, spotlighting a constantly evolving list of approachable Old World wines, predominantly from across Europe and a street-facing terrace to sip and people-watch all summer. This is one to add to your list.
New Residency: Georgina Hayden at Salt Yard
The second chef of Salt Yard's Chef Series has been revealed! Georgina Hayden will be taking over the kitchen at Salt Yard Fitzrovia from 1st June to the 7th. Georgina is an award-winning food writer and author of bestselling cookbooks including Greekish and Nistisima, Georgina Hayden brings her Greek Cypriot heritage and Mediterranean influences to the menu. Her dishes showcase recipes from her brand new book, MEDesque: Everyday Recipes with Mediterranean Roots and include Steak & Herby Gilda Butter, Baked Cod, Fennel, Olives & Couscous, and Seadas Saganaki: Cheese & Honey Pastry Triangles.
New Opening: Zylia, Arcade Covent Garden
We don't like to pick favourites, but Covent Garden's Arcade has to be the best one yet. It is the gift that keeps on giving, with its latest addition arriving on Wednesday. Zylia is a taverna from Barry Karacostas and former Kiln Chef Nick Molyviatis. Shaped by Nick’s upbringing in Athens and Barry’s Cypriot heritage, the menu is built on the dishes they grew up with, from recipes passed down through generations. Expect handmade pitta with hot and cold mezze, slow-cooked kleftiko to charcoal-grilled sheftalia and bright village salads. The are dishes tied to the seasons- made slowly, and enjoyed loudly. We couldn't think of a better summer-opening.
New Opening: KINZ, Notting Hill
A Lebanese restaurant from Rasha Khouri Bruzzo (co-owner of Akub), and brothers Jad and Karim Lahoud is coming to Notting Hill on the 1st June. KINZ will be an all-day affair with a menu consisting of sandwiches packed with fillings of slow-cooked chicken and pickles, larger plates like Kibbeh Bi Sayniyeh, a mix of minced lamb and beef in bulgur patties stuffed with onion and pine nuts, plus skewers of juicy meats straight the grill. To drink, the wine list has a strong focus on Lebanese producers, as well as classic cocktails with a Lebanese twist. Aptly named after the Arabic word for “treasure," we have no doubt an evening spent at KINZ will be as good as striking gold.
New Opening: Buvette
The James Beard award-winning Chef Jody Williams is bringing her charming bistro to the other side of the pond. Buvette has been a hit with New Yorkers, and now the French bistro is trying its luck with Londoners. Its doors will open in Neal's Yard on Thursday, setting up shop beside the likes of St John's Bread & Wine. Pop in for a freshly squeezed orange juice and a buttery croissant in the morning, return for a carrot râpée and a coffee at lunch, and stay for a coq au vin and a glass of Bordeaux. Neal's Yard is already one of our favourite little havens in the city centre, and we think this little spot will fit in just right.
