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News for Restaurants in London
October 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

The Goodman steakhouse group has a good concept: quality steaks simply served. Now it's branched out to produce another concept: burgers or lobster, all at £20 with chips and salad. The first Burger & Lobster was in Mayfair, the second in Farringdon and the third has now opened in Soho. The Soho restaurant is bigger, with the now-expected décor of bare brick walls and red leather banquettes. London's appetite for a straightforward idea well done is on a roll at Burger & Lobster. Daily noon-10.30pm. Burger & Lobster, 36 Dean St., London W1, 020-7432 4800.
 
Michael Nadra made his name in Chiswick with his serious neighborhood restaurant. Now he's expanded northwards to affluent Primrose Hill, opening Michael Nadra Primrose Hill in Gloucester Crescent, just off Camden Town's trendy but grungy area. The new restaurant is in a building originally used for horses to get to the canal. It has brick walls, stone floors and banquette seating around the walls with a garden and canal-side terrace that encompasses an already jumping martini bar. Nadra's classic-with-a-twist style produces the likes of grilled rump of lamb with baby violet artichokes, ratatouille and rosemary gnocchi. It adds to the Primrose Hill dining scene, which already has Odette's for serious eating. Bar: Mon.-Thurs. noon-11pm, Fri.-Sat. noon-midnight, Sun. noon-10.30pm; Restaurant: Lunch Mon.-Fri. Michael Nadra Primrose Hill, 42 Gloucester Ave., London NW1, 020-7722 2800.
 
When Oriel closed in Sloane Square, the inhabitants of chic Chelsea faced a large hole in their dining patch. But the news that restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King were taking over sent a collective sigh of relief through the Sloane Rangers. From the success of The Wolseley to the opening of The Delaunay and the new Brasserie Zedel, the two have not put a wrong foot forward. Now they've opened Colbert in the area of Chelsea that is rapidly becoming the place to shop and party the night away. This all-day brasserie has the right feel: black and white tiled floor, red leather banquette and nostalgic Parisian bistro posters on the wall. It also has brasserie food, serving the classics from fried eggs with mushrooms to steak Diane, caviar and seafood. Daily 8am-11pm; Sat. to 11.30pm; Sun. to 10.30pm. Colbert, 50-52 Sloane Sq., London SW1, 020-7730 2804.
 

News Bytes

Festive Afternoon Tea at Claridge's
During the holiday season, Claridge's hosts a Festive Afternoon Tea from November 25-January 2. It features a choice from nearly 40 teas, including a White Christmas specialty tea, as well as finger sandwiches, raisin and apple scones with Marco Polo jelly and Cornish clotted cream, pastries, stollen cake and Christmas cake. Tea costs £60 per person and is served with a glass of selected champagne. Claridge's, Brook St., London W1K 4HR, 020-7107 8862.
 
Chef Shuffle

The Capital Hotel's restaurant earned a reputation for top-flight cooking and was the place to go for a serious meal. Now it has changed direction with the new restaurant Outlaw's Seafood & Grill at The Capital. Nathan Outlaw made his name in Cornwall and arrived at The Capital with the same mission: offer quality seafood beautifully cooked. It comes at a price, but there is a good-value lunch menu for £20. Lunch & Dinner Tues.-Sun. Outlaw's Seafood & Grill, The Capital Hotel, 22-24 Basil St., London SW3, 020-7589 5171; 800-926-3199.
 
Dining à la Spanish tapas has become popular in London, much of it spearheaded by Barrafina, closely followed by the likes of Salt Yard. Donostia's head chef Tomasz Baranski continues the Basque cooking charge as he comes from Barrafina. The large, bright restaurant has table seating, a long bar and open kitchen. Expect small pintxo dishes like leek, egg, apple and mayonnaise salad; cold dishes such as hand-carved hams; and a whole range of tapas from classic potato and egg tortilla with cod and spinach to lamb cutlets with chickpea purée. Lunch & Dinner Tues.-Sat., Sun. 10am-3pm. Donostia, 10 Seymour Pl., London, UK W1, 020-3620 1845.
 


Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for London to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Aroma, R.I.P.

After more than a decade of service, the French restaurant Roussillon shuttered. Roussillon, 16 St. Barnabas St., London SW1, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to learn to cook
? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in London

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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