Coco di Mama co-founder launches restaurant and bakery

Daniel Land will open Don’t Tell Dad on Lonsdale Road in London’s Queen’s Park in December.

Named after a phrase whispered between siblings, the restaurant is a tribute to Land’s late sister Lesley, with nods to her character within the restaurant's signage and menu design.

The kitchen will be headed up by former Noble Rot, Forza Wine, and Spring chef Luke Frankie and head baker Keren Sternberg, who was previously head baker at Layla.

The pair will work in tandem across Don’t Tell Dad's dual bakery and restaurant spaces.

Operating as a bakery by day, Don’t Tell Dad will serve sweet and savoury pastries, breads, sandwiches and biscuits, alongside coffee from local London roasters 15Grams.

On the menu will be baked goods said to play on nostalgic flavour combinations and twists on the classics, including a hazelnut brown butter croissant; and honey-poached quince, crème fraîche and pistachio Danish.

Savouries will come in the form of artichoke, sage and Lancashire cheese pain suisse.

As the day moves on, the restaurant will take shape, leaning on French and British influences with a menu of snacks, starters and mains. Dishes will include crab tart with crab oil mayonnaise and watercress; roast pumpkin with brown butter, hazelnut and crispy sage; and spiced mallard with celeriac and swiss chard.

“This is a true passion project. To showcase sensational food by a madly talented chef, drink properly priced top notch booze, and during the day, indulge in freshly baked goods by one of the best bakers in London,” says Land.

It’s a homage to all the great places I’ve been spoiled by over the years and my attempt to add to that canon, for all of us in Queen’s Park.”