The best new restaurants opening this month – Here’s Hannah Twiggs’ recommendations for where to book in September…
Music in Video:
The Independent
2022-09-09T05:30:00Z
Following his success at the helm of two-Michelin star kitchens – most recently The Greenhouse and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught – Dilling launched his first standalone restaurant on 1 September. The focus is contemporary French cuisine drawing inspiration from the classic and refined gastronomy it is known for, with a young and energetic sense of hospitality. On offer, there’s a three-course lunch (£65), seven-course dinner menu (plus amuse bouche and petit fours, £155), and a chef’s special menu, showcasing the season’s most elevated ingredients (£195).
Located on Margate’s iconic seafront on the southeast coast, the Fort Road Hotel opened its doors on 1 September. With a focus on quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers, head chef Daisy Cecil has put together a menu inspired by late 19th and early 10th century female food writers, as well her affection for Kent’s rich tapestry of flavours, coming fresh from the vine, hop, land and sea. Expect simple, clean and honest cooking, using the finest produce to celebrate British seasonality blended with Mediterranean flavours. Throughout the year, the kitchen will also host a series of chef residences, and workshops with local forages and micro-producers.
Queen’s Park favourite Milk Beach will be launching its second site, in Soho, on Monday 12 September, offering a sunny, relaxed atmosphere by day, and a fun, lively vibe at night. The menu – featuring some old favourites alongside new additions – draws inspiration from the diverse southeast Asian and Mediterranean cultures that make up modern Australian cuisine. Milk Beach will offer Soho a carefully handpicked selection of sustainable, terroir-driven, elegantly crafted wines from independent winemakers around the world, as well as bringing back its popular fortnightly wine tasting nights. You can also stop by for a cup of their speciality coffee from Album Coffee Roasters.
After five successful openings across the city, Marugame Udon is bringing Soho’s Argyll Street a taste of Japan’s favourite handmade udon with its new site, also its largest yet. As well as 125 covers, there will also be click and collect kiosks for those who want to enjoy their udon on the go. Fast service and bowls starting at just £3.45 make it an ideal spot for families, groups of friends or even lone diners looking for a quick bite to eat while shopping in the area. To mark its opening on Sunday 18 September, Marugame will give away 500 free bowls of udon if you join the Marugame club. Run, don’t walk.
Natural wine bar and pop-up space Rondo La Cave (beneath the restaurant Rondo) will welcome a brand new residency from Wednesday 14 September: Dollars, in collaboration with Andrei Soen, the mastermind behind Park Bench Deli in Singapore. The pop-up will take inspiration from the classic deli culture of New York while using only the best produce on offer, from homemade 21-day pastrami with brisket from Swaledale Butchers to artisan bakes from Miller’s Bakery. Alongside freshly made sandwiches, there will be a concise list of bar snacks and Rondo La Cave will be on hand with natural pours by the glass.
Rondo La Cave, 1-4 Argyll St, Soho, London, W1F 7TB
Sonora Taqueria’s Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier, creators of “London’s best taco”, will bring their brand new alter ego, Mexa, to Arcade Food Hall on Friday 16 September. Celebrating the flavours that made Sonora so popular, along with fresh new dishes and combinations, expect quesadillas, tacos and mariscos together like you’ve never tried before. Arcade will celebrate Mexa’s arrival with two taco-packed fiestas on Sunday 18 and Sunday 25 September, with margaritas, mezcal and live Mariachi music.
Market Place’s expansion into Vauxhall will follow the same model as its previous launches and will focus on offering affordable street food stalls for small and local businesses. Situated in the arches next door to Vauxhall station, the new market will house 12 restaurant spaces, a standalone bar, a DJ booth, and seating for 200 people. The food will explore global cuisines from local producers including wood-fired pizza from Made in Puglia, Mexican tacos by Hermano Tacos, Sri Lankan hoppers and kottu from Karapincha Kitchen, and Jamaican jerk chicken and rum punch by Rudie’s Jerk Shack.
A tropical oasis blending Cuban cool and Miami’s iconic clubhouses of the 1930s, this brand new drinking and dining destination will be perfect for parties, spontaneous evening drinks and vibrant weekend brunches, alike. The drinks menu inclu
