The Brave
Chef James Cochran is to launch a new bistro-pub venture in London’s Islington this month, close to his flagship 12:51 restaurant, which closed earlier this year. Cochran will oversee the kitchen at The Brave, which he is launching on 5 December in partnership with the Seven-Eighths Group, the operator behind The Hemingway and The Hunter S in East London. Described as ‘a fresh take on the British pub’, The Brave’s menu will reflect Cochran’s culinary career, which includes stints at The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms, and his mixed Scottish-Caribbean family heritage. The Brave will hold 50 covers across various dining and drinking areas.
340-342 Essex Road, London N1 3PB
www.thebravelondon.co.uk
Undercroft
What was supposed to be the debut London site for Birmingham chef Brad Carter is now home to celebrity chef Aldo Zilli. Located in the crypt of St George’s Church in Mayfair, Undercroft marks a return to London for Zilli after a 20-year absence and will see him cook Italian food that takes its influences from the 20 regions of the country, such as whole lobster tagliolini; monkfish porchetta; and veal escalope saltimbocca. Located just off Hanover Square, the subterranean restaurant will pay homage to the 16th century building in which it sits.
30a St George’s Church Mayfair, London, United Kingdom W1S 2FH
undercroft-mayfair.com
Fat Phill’s
London’s smash burger scene welcomes another major player this month in the form of Netherlands-founded brand Fat Phill’s. The group has secured a site on St John’s Hill, next to Clapham Junction station, for its first London outpost, which will serve an extensive menu of smash burgers, American sandwiches, fries and sides. The arrival of Fat Phill’s in the UK comes under a partnership with Freshly Baked, the master franchisee for US founded pretzel brand Auntie Anne’s, and has been coordinated by F&B business developer and franchise consultant Seeds Consulting. Freshly Baked is aiming to develop the brand across the UK with the hopes of launching 100 sites over the next 10 years.
16 St John’s Hill, London SW11 1SA
fatphillsdiner.co.uk
Osteria Del Mare
Inspired by the seaside charm of coastal town Forte dei Marmi, located on Italy’s west coast, Italian restaurant Osteria Del Mare will have a focus on seafood with a menu designed by Italian chef Matteo Massafra, who has worked in the UK, Italy and Ibiza, including at Six Senses Ibiza, Barrafina, Prada Milano and Cafe Dior. The large, open-plan restaurant is located within an old bank on The Strand in London’s West End with the old vault transformed into a private dining room seating 18 guests and which features the original vault door.
366 Strand, London WC2R 0JF
bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk
Zibbibo
The husband-and-wife team behind Glasgow restaurants and wine bars Ralph & Finns, Vroni’s Wine Bar, and Malo will open their fourth site in the city this month. Zibibbo will open in the city’s Princes Square in December and will be a 120-cover all-day restaurant and bar. A lifestyle shop that will sell ‘a curated collection of unique goods’ will open a few weeks after the restaurant launch.
Princes Square, 48 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3EN
www.zibibbo.co.uk
Babbo
Having shut its doors in Mayfair a few years back, London-based Italian restaurant Babbo is set to relaunch this month in a new home on St John’s Wood High Street. Set to launch on 9 December, the new Babbo will offer an all-day dining experience that focuses on authentic Italian cuisine. The kitchen will be led by executive chef Nicola Cariglia. The site will be split between a main restaurant space and a lounge and bar area. seating up to 84 covers inside. A fully heated outside terrace is also set to launch, seating a further 24 diners.
29-31 St John’s Wood High St, London NW8 7NH
babborestaurant.co.uk
PICK.YOUR.OWN.
A new fast casual restaurant concept that promises ‘to revolutionise’ the daily salad will launch in The City on 10 December. As the name suggests, PICK.YOUR.OWN. will offer a customisable grab-and-go menu and will source organic and regeneratively-farmed produce where possible. Customers choose a base, ‘texture’, a dressing and finally ‘toppers’ such as honey and mustard-glazed ham hock; and chilli-crusted Sockeye salmon. Alongside the bespoke offering are six ‘signature salads’ that include lamb shawarma, and vegan option with avocado. Opening on 73 Mark Lane near Fenchurch Street Station, PICK.YOUR.OWN. will be focused on grab-and-go but will also have some internal and external seating. The concept will launch with a subscription model that will give customers access to discounted items, reusable lunch boxes, and cups.
73 Mark Lane, London EC3M 3JY
pyopickyourown.com
The Ghost at the Feast
The southern town of Chichester is to welcome its first indoor street food market later this month, courtesy of the team behind Heist in Hastings. Located on North Street in the centre of town, The Ghost at the Feast will have space for 11 food and drink outlets, including eight restaurant stalls, a beer bar and a coffee bar. It is due to open on 11 December.
33-34 North Street, Chichester, P019 1LX
Don’t Tell Dad
Named after a phrase whispered between siblings, Don’t Tell Dad is a tribute to founder Daniel Land’s late sister Lesley. The café and restaurant is headed up by former Noble Rot, Forza Wine, and Spring chef Luke Frankie and head baker Keren Sternberg, who will work across Don’t Tell Dad’s dual bakery and restaurant spaces. By day it will serve sweet and savoury pastries, breads, sandwiches and biscuits, switching to a menu of French and British dishes in the evening.
10-14 Lonsdale Rd, London NW6 6RD
www.donttelldad.co.uk
Pinna
Sardinian chef Achille Pinna is to lead the kitchen of a new Italian restaurant opening on Curzon Street in Mayfair. Opening on 3 December, Pinna is latest venture from George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, who recently launched Fantomas with Chris Denney on the King’s Road, and is being opened in partnership with their friend and business partner Elmira Amdiy. As reported by Hot Dinners, Pinna is described as ‘Sardinia on a plate’. The restaurant will feature an extensive raw bar, and a menu that includes house made pasta dishes and prime cuts of beef. The wine list will lean heavily on Italy for influence and feature bins from one of Sardinia’s most notable wineries, Argiolas.
43 Curzon Street, London W1J 7UF
www.pinnamayfair.com
Jupiter Burger
The team behind Dom’s Subs are branching out into burgers with a new California-inspired concept. Jupiter Burger will take over the former Lucky Chip site at Netil Market and serve a range of beef and vegetarian burgers, as well as fries, sodas and beers (with milkshakes also planned). Billed as being ‘more In-n-Out than MEATLiquor’, options will include the eponymous Jupiter Burger, a lightly smashed beef patty with shaved onion on a Martins potato roll with mustard, ketchup, pickles, onion, tomato and lettuce.
Netil Market, 13-23 Westgate St, London E8 3RL