TASTE Newsletter May 2016 edition - the 'need to know' about new Food and Drink in Britain

LONDON

Bringing the term organic to a new level, in June London will be getting its first naked restaurant! Named after the Hindi word meaning "natural", for a few months this summer The Bunyadi encourages diners to eat naked to "free from the trappings of modern life". Grilled meats will be served caveman-style on handmade crockery and eaten with edible cutlery in an intimate candlelit setting. www.thebunyadi.com

TREND: Futuristic foodies

Star Wars fans, rejoice! London is getting a Star Wars themed pop-up restaurant this summer and it's called The Fork Awakens. Of course it is! Barrel and Forks are behind the concept and the menu will include ‘hutt dogs' and a ‘jedi lightsabre' cocktail. Taking place from June 23 to July 2, the venue will be kept a secret until 48 hours before, when diners will receive an email with more details. www.barrelandforks.com

You might feel like you've stepped into a science-fiction film set at funky new opening Kojawan, but it's the interpretation of a 21st century izakaya - a type of informal Japanese gastropub - by chef duo Bjorn Van Der Horst and Omar Romero. Now open on the 23rd floor of the Hilton London Metropole, Kojawan serves inventive dishes influenced by Korea, Japan and Taiwan - from ‘Booze Food' twists on fast-food classics such as hot cricket bombs with citrus butter sauce, to ‘Sushi-style' for raw food lovers. Its K-Bar is Europe's first Kirin Ichiban beer and raw bar. www.kojawan.uk

TREND: Passion for poultry

Chef Hélène Darroze has launched the ultimate roast chicken menu with her new six-course roast chicken menu for two, Le Poulet du Dimanche, to be served in her restaurant at the Connaught on Sundays. To start, guests will be treated to an amuse bouche of confit egg yolk served with leek and smoked bacon, brioche croutons and parmigiano reggiano emulsion, served in a golden egg. The main event is a roasted chicken, sourced from Les Landes to share between two, stuffed according to the ingredients of the season. Dessert is a choice of three egg-orientated dishes inspired by Hélène's childhood. www.the-connaught.co.uk

This June, Strut & Cluck opens in Shoreditch showcasing its hero ingredient: turkey! Dishes will be inspired by Eastern Mediterranean home cooking, with free-range turkey meat served in new and exciting ways alongside seasonal ingredients. Marinated for 24 hours in the family spice and herb blend, the turkeys are then slow-cooked ensuring their tenderness before the final finishing touches. www.strutandcluck.com

TREND: AFTERNOON TEAS FIT FOR A QUEEN

In honour of Her Majesty The Queen's official 90th birthday, The Savoy is hosting a Royal Afternoon Tea for the month of June. Personal chef to the Royal Family for 15 years, Chef Darren McGrady will be making a guest appearance on Sunday 11 June to speak with guests about his time at the helm of the Palace kitchens.

Enjoy a cake-fuelled journey through 90 years of British culinary classics and teatime trends to mark Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday with Brilliantly British 90 Years Afternoon Tea in the Chinoiserie lounge at Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel. Available until 26 June, the afternoon tea features a selection of savouries and pastries that evoke strong memories of the foods beloved by the British - from creamy coronation chicken buns, a dish first prepared for the coronation banquet of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 - to a strawberry jam sponge "penny," a favourite of The Queen's as a child in the 1920s. www.jumeirah.com

And for make-up queens... there's the Bobbi Brown Afternoon tea at Balthazar until 29 September. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a unique afternoon tea experience devoted to iconic makeup must-haves. Confections have been modelled on the most popular products from the Bobbi Brown range, such as the Vintage Red lip mousse. Customers are also invited to arrange a complimentary Makeup Lesson at the Bobbi Brown Covent Garden Studio, located near Balthazar. www.balthazarlondon.com

New openings of London favourites

Japanese ramen restaurant Bone Daddies is finally hitting East London in June in The Bower development on Old Street. With a menu showcasing the best of their flavour-packed ramens and snacks, as well as a selection of new dishes developed especially for the new restaurant, Bone Daddies Old Street will also feature the restaurant's signature rock ‘n' roll soundtrack and extensive list of Japanese inspired cocktails, beer, whisky, sake and wine.

London favourite Rosa's Thai Cafe is due to open a new branch in Victoria on 16 May. The menu will include all the classics such as crispy prawns, tom yum soup, massaman curry and Pad Thai. Authentic Thai food made from the finest British ingredients, it's all the best bits of modern Thailand. with the cool charm of local London

On Friday 29 April 2016, the hugely successful Cottons Caribbean Restaurant and Salon de Rhum will be launching its brand new flagship restaurant in Notting Hill, a stone's throw from Notting Hill Gate Underground. The restaurant and bar is set to bring the exotic vibes of the Caribbean to Notting Hill in true tiki style. Sitting centrally (157-159 Notting Hill Gate W11), the sky-blue exterior and tropical statement planters mark the entrance to the restaurant. The bar will stock the largest rum collection in the UK, with over 300 varieties available. Cottons Caribbean will offer traditional Caribbean cuisine, weekend brunches and eclectic rum cocktails. The original Cottons opened in Camden over 30 years' ago and is still thriving today, while the Street Food extraordinaire Boxpark Cottons in Shoreditch launched over three years ago. Cottons Notting Hill will be the couture sister to the brand offering a more refined experience, but still keeping the colourful vibe and authentic Caribbean flavours for which Cottons is renowned.

All aboard the HMS Belfast for the latest opening from chef Tom Aitken! The iconic London landmark moored on the River Thames is now home to a new Tom's Kitchen 46-seat deli and rooftop bar, with views overlooking Tower Bridge and the London skyline. The deli will offer the signature Tom's Kitchen range of sandwiches, fresh salads and platters, bakery and beverages. www.tomskitchen.co.uk/hms-belfast

More new openings

Arriba! After success in northern England, Leeds-based Mexican bar Cielo Blanco is now opening a second restaurant in Exmouth Market. Its brightly coloured dishes are inspired by the founders' trips to Mexico and the country's best beers, tequila and mezcals will be on offer. www.cieloblanco.co.uk

A café celebrating the Japanese cartoon Hello Kitty is to come to London for three months this summer, hosted within the Soho bakery Cutter & Squidge. The Hello Kitty pop-up will run inside the shop from 1 June to 31 August and is set to serve themes afternoon tea. Dishes will include ‘Kitty's Mud Pie Choclate Dream Cake'

Acclaimed British Chef Theo Randall has opened a new ‘casual dining' restaurant. Theo's Simple Italian at Hotel Indigo® London Kensington - Earl's Court. the restaurant also features an Italian deli selling seasonal produce, fine ingredients and artisan products. The menu includes a selection of dishes to suit different occasions. Cicchetti (for those after a quick, light bite with an Italian craft beer) include grilled Bramata polenta with smashed salt cod and red anchovies. Larger anti pasti (perfect for sharing), primi and secondi dishes follow, such as Carne Salata - a fresh rocket salad with melt in the mouth cured Black Angus beef, aged balsamic vinegar and parmesan and indulgent Tuscan gnudi with parmesan, sage and noisette butter. There is also a choice of classic, comforting pasta dishes like fresh pasta with slow cooked oxtail ragu and red wine. real coffee lovers will enjoy the coffee van parked outside the hotel serving artisan coffee courtesy of Workshop Coffee. www.theossimpleitalian.co.uk.

When a glass of prosecco isn't enough, how about a carafe? Specifically, at the new dedicated Franciacorta and Prosecco Bar opening in the new Polpo Knightsbridge in Harvey Nichols. The carefully selected drinks menu includes exclusively imported Prosecco from Dal Bello, complimented by foodie offerings including small plates - or ‘ciccheti' - like fried stuffed olives, zucchini arancini and deep friend polenta-crusted meatballs.

Savini at Criterion: iconic London destination opens new fine dining restaurant - See more at: http://www.justopenedlondon.com/galleries/aprils-best-looking-openings/#sthash.yOCDXH1F.dpuf

Other foodie bites...

For the first time in a history that spans almost a century, The Ivy restaurant in London's theatreland is set to open for weekday breakfast from Tuesday, 10^th May.

Executive Chef Gary Lee has created a menu featuring English breakfast classics, including a traditional Full English (£16.50) and Vegetarian Breakfast (£14.00), as well as an entire section dedicated to eggs, where guests are able to enjoy them in whichever style they wish, be it boiled, baked, scrambled or poached (from £4.50). There will also be some lighter options such as the Super Seed Bowls (£8.00); raw superfood-packed bowls of chia, flax and oats, soaked for maximum nutritional gain and served with an option of dairy-free milks, plus plenty of fresh fruit (from £3.75).

Between Regent's Park and Camden's colourful markets you'll find newly refurbished pub The Edinboro Castle now reopened with revamped interiors, drinks list and food menu. The garden, stylish pergola and BBQ shack make it a great summer spot and it is supplied by small local cask and craft brewers and premium beers from across the globe. The new food menu includes small plates like chargrilled merguez sausages in spicy pico de gallo with goat's curd, tempura mussels with black truffle garlic mayo, or pumpkin, kale and chargrilled chicken wings with ginger ale ketchup.

Brasserie Blanc Southbank has unveiled a brand new refurbishment with a striking destination bar, alfresco terrace, beautiful botanical theme interiors and private dining facilities, combined with a bold Spring menu. There's even a dedicated cheese counter paired with a glass of wine. Serving simple, hearty French dishes, Brasserie Blanc's menu reads like a storybook of the flavours from Raymond Blanc's childhood. Guided by seasonality and prepared from scratch by skilled chefs, the à la carte menu is filled with the best of British Isles produce treated with delicate French finesse.

The ‘Les Classiques' range includes favourites such as cheese soufflé and boeuf bourguignon, available all year round, or diners can tuck into dishes of chilli and ginger squid; steak tartare ‘maison'; or seared Shetland Isles salmon fillet with pickled vegetables, dill crème fraîche and French fries from the new Spring menu.

BERKSHIRE

The Astor Grill, a relaxed and convivial new restaurant, will open at Cliveden House, near Taplow, Berkshire, in mid-April 2016. The modern all-day menu will be overseen by Executive Chef André Garrett, and will focus on a mix of classic American and British dishes, many reminiscent of Cliveden's diverse owners and residents. The name - The Astor Grill - recalls the Astor family, who owned the house from the early 1900s. Cliveden then became a vibrant social hub for guests as diverse as Charlie Chaplin, George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill. five-star luxury hotel

www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE

The Varsity Hotel & Spa in Cambridge is launching an all-day skyline bar and restaurant called Six. Boasting incredible views across the city of Cambridge, the new bar and restaurant - Six, will be open from the end of April this year. An informal, relaxed menu will include wood-fired pizza and rotisserie chicken as well as a dedicated ice cream menu, afternoon tea and a weekend brunch offering. which will open from the end of April this year. Housed on the sixth floor below the hotel's iconic rooftop garden, the 120 cover venue will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as featuring a dedicated ice cream menu and a weekend brunch offering. River Cam. Most University Colleges can be seen and as evening falls, the restaurant will become the most romantic spot in the city. The Varsity's unparalleled views have attracted a number of A-listers over the years, including the Beckhams, Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz, Jeremy Irons, Ralph Fiennes as well as the families of Royal Households. A relaxed, informal menu, created by Executive Head Chef Angus Martin, will feature wood-fired pizza and rotisserie chicken. A selection of smaller plates, such as Burrata, Maple Roasted Figs & Bruschetta and Char-Grilled Broccoli, Chilli & Garlic will sit alongside Free Range Spit Roasted Rotisserie Chicken (available as a half for one or whole to share) accompanied by a choice of rubs: Mountain Herb & Lemon, the House Rub and Smoking Inferno. Six will also offer an indulgent ice cream menu,

Perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif and late night drinks, the bar will feature a mapped menu of intrepid cocktails. The ‘Around the World in Twelve Drinks' menu showcases globally-inspired mixology, including a Venetian Bellini (Italy), The Boktail (South Africa), the Japanese Slipper (Japan) and the Toberlerone (Australia).

COTSWOLDS

The Fish which will unveil its brand new, full-service restaurant on 1 April. The restaurant. Executive Chef Jon Ingram and Head Chef Carl Holmes are a fantastic duo who have created a menu of surf and turf dishes that appeal to carnivores and seafood aficionados alike. The spacious but cosy bar - with its crackling fire - serves Afternoon Tea featuring home-made recipes from The Fish team and drinks. (www.thefishhotel.co.uk

BATH

A top notch dining experience is heading for Bath now it has been confirmed through a planning application The Ivy is opening a restaurant in the city. The Ivy Bath Brasserie will feature a 120-cover bar and restaurant, 60-cover roof terrace with covered pergolas and 64-cover private dining.

BRISTOL

Veeno, the Italian Wine Cafe is set to open its sixth store on Bristol's Temple Quay. Celebrating the Italian Aperitivo; the ritual of drinking, nibbling and relaxing after work. A place where both beginners and experts could enjoy great wines and the most authentic Spuntini ‐ mainly platters of meats and cheeses imported strictly from Italian producers. Following successful launches in Manchester, Leeds, York, Liverpool & Nottingham the guys are now bringing the concept to Temple Quay, Bristol. www.veenobristol.co.uk

LAKE DISTRICT & CUMBRIA

New Windermere restaurant ‘The Pig' is 'heaven' for ‘pork lovers'!
A new restaurant and bar in Windermere will be a ‘pork lover's dream', with more than 70% of its menu honouring the tasty meat! The new venue, named The Pig. The menu for the 40 seater restaurant, features homemade pork scratchings; smoked pig, sweetcorn and potato chowder; a hunk of pig pie with homemade piccalilli; potted pig with an appetiser jelly, homemade crisp bread and sage butter; a pig platter and slow roasted suckling pig. The Pig will also feature a range of vegetarian dishes, fish and seafood, such as mussels and scallops and an eight ounce goat burger. Serving a wide selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails, The Pig will also sell ‘skinny champagne' (champagne with fewer calories), the only venue in the South Lakes to offer this.

The Miller Howe Café, based in the pretty Lakeland village of Grasmere, same owner as The Pig has just finished a complete overhaul in terms of décor, kitchen fittings, menu and concept, with a more European, relaxed look and feel. Fish n' chips, gluten-free pizzas, Cumberland sausages and sourdough sandwiches will now feature, with a take-away service available.

SCOTLAND

Poco Havana Bar and Cantina on Glasgow's West Regent Street. The new Latin American bar and restaurant, The new bar and restaurant offers Glaswegians tapas and tacos as well as a range of other Latin American food. So far the duo are happy with the reaction to the venue.

Aberdeen, and indeed Scotland, now has a chocolate themed bistro style restaurant which was launched last month by Aberdeen chocolatier Jamie Hutcheon. The new Aberdeen bistro is operating three days a week from Cocoa Ooze's premises on Belmont Street, and offers a varied and fun menu, from a starter of hot smoked salmon, beetroot, white chocolate and horseradish to a main of duck, ginger orange chocolate sauce and Asian vegetables.

Obu has recently opened in Glasgow's Princes Square and serves diners Japanese, Thai and Chinese-inspired dishes including bento boxes. serves a variety of sushi, ramen, dim sum, wok and curry options.

Acclaimed chef Stuart Muir, former executive chef of Forth Floor Restaurant Harvey Nichols Edinburgh has opened a new restaurant in the city across form the Usher Hall. The 80 seater restaurant also includes Edinburgh's first dedicated champagne lounge. Dishes present brasserie dining with choices of Scottish Borders beef as well as contemporary twists on classic dishes. dineedinburgh.co.uk

Castle Terrace

after a £1m redesign, this is certainly worth revisiting. Designs have all been carefully sourced from Scotland and Scandinavia, to create a lush ambience, with a blend of rustic glamour, drawing on the building's origin and with a new chefs table in the kitchen and private dining room the culinary journey is now at a whole new level. castleterracerestaurant.com

CHEF Scott Smith is taking over the site of The Plumed Horse on Henderson Street in Edinburgh's culinary neighbourhood. Norn is a 36 cover restaurant, which is set to open in early May and is named after an ancient Scottish language. The name reflects part of the restaurant's ethos which is to honour and pay tribute to Scotland's rich food landscape and heritage. The restaurant will offer a fixed set menu of either four or seven courses that will change regularly to reflect the best of Scotland's outstanding natural produce, both wild and cultivated. Scott has spent the past 18 months sourcing, meeting and selecting a trusted group of local producers including butchers, foragers, farmers, fish and seafood specialists to provide the very best ingredients. The menu will change and evolve with strict restrictions to the seasons, driving a truly creative and seasonal dining experience.

WALES

Sweet like chocolate

This June Swansea is set to get the UK's first Chocolate Kebab House! That's right - an array of chocolate-inspired kebabs, waffles, churros and crepes will be on offer, as well as a selection of milkshakes made with customers' favourite chocolate bars. And in Cardiff, the Welsh capital Portuguese bakery Nata & Co has just opened its third premises, winning over customers with its Pastel de Nata custard tarts.

Wales' Gower Peninsula has a newest beachside restaurant, Beach House, overlooking Oxwich Bay. Stunning views and delicious menu go together that will offer stunning views and. Pork belly with black pudding, potato and comte pressing, apricots and chard (£20)Roast loin and crispy breast of lamb, with wild garlic, ewe's milk, cockles and laver sauce. The Beach House will have a menu suitable for vegetarians. If you can't decide what to order the Beach House will have a tasting menu. The restaurant aims to open mid to late June. You can follow the restaurant's progress on its facebook.com/oxwichbeachhouse

Mermaid Quay has some new exciting cargo coming in the week - the brand new Brains bar and kitchen, The Dock. offer eclectic food and drink menus themed on world discover.. Influenced by Cardiff Bay's vibrant history, when it was as the multicultural, cosmopolitan base from which cargo was once shipped to countries across the world. The extensive food menu will offer signature dishes, gastro specials and family favourites, as well as an extensive brunch menu and coffee offer. Example menu items include vodka battered fish, panko crumbed goat's cheese, and Wagyu beef. There's also The dock Bento Box which includes the goat's cheese, beetroot falafel, baby calamari, with dips, olives and pitta bread.