FRESH NEW BARS & RESTAURANTS OPENING IN JULY
Be the first to try out these brand-spanking new destinations this month!
NOBU Shoreditch and NAMI Bar
NOBU Hotel London Shoreditch, open now
OK, so this is not strictly a new opening, but NOBU Hotel London Shoreditch has been shuttered for almost two years, so consider this one like a reunion with an old friend. Not an awkward school reunion where everybody realises their lives have been an unmitigated disaster compared to 'Detention Pete' who inexplicably now drives a Ferrari, but the kind of reunion you actually look forward to.
The world famous NOBU concept finds a beautiful mid-point between Peruvian and Japanese fare, which means dishes like Beef and Seafood Toban Yaki, Baby Tiger Shrimp with Jalapeño Sauce, Yellowtail Jalapeño and Lobster Tempura with Tamari Honey Sauce are all on the menu. It's the epitome of luxury, fine dining and if you can resist the Black Cod or Wagyu Beef, you're a better person than us.
If it's drinks you're after, the street-art-festooned NAMI Bar is where you want to be. A menu of delicious cocktails all reasonably priced (by NOBU standards, at least) around £13 will see you through the evening. From the Mezcal kick of the Sumoki Amai to the unexpected Aperol twist in the One Negroni, NAMI's mixologists have created a menu you'll want to work your way through from top to bottom.
For those wanting to stay the night (and it's not a bad call if you're planning a vigorous assault on that cocktail menu), NOBU has launched a new, sixth floor. Yep, the hotel is now a storey higher and the new space incorporates a NOBU Shoreditch Penthouse with its own, private terrace, hanging chair and private lift. Also stacked up top will be the hotel's new Yuhi bedrooms, which combine the modern aesthetic of Shoreditch lofts with the Japanese Ryokan style - think warm, wood tones with brushed gold accents and custom designed wallpaper by local artist Richard Harding. Oh, and you can order NOBU dishes straight to your room, so take that food out onto your balcony and bask in the views of Shoreditch.
10-50 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH, NOBU Hotel London Shoreditch
Bone Idyll
Kingston-upon-Thames, open now
There's no fear of Bone Idyll running out of booze any time soon, because there's a distillery on site, turning out some of the finest spirits in town. The new venue was launched by husband-and-wife team, Sam and Alex Berry, who are something of a hospitality power-couple in this area of West London, boasting No 97, Cento Uno, The Hideaway and One One Four in their packed roster of successful bars and restaurants. There's no such thing as a surefire winner in the hospitality world, but this is as good a bet as you're likely to find.
By day, Bone Idyll is dedicated to the creation of their eponymous, bottled spirits including three gins, a rum and a vodka; and a range of bottled, ready-to-drink cocktails including Pink Gin Cosmo, Margarita and the sexiest looking Barrel Aged Negroni we've ever seen.
By night, the venue transforms into a bar serving all that and more, with a snack menu and charcuterie and cheese boards on the menu.
There's more to come, too - from August, you'll be able to take your place at one of Bone Idyll's beautiful, polished steel tables to learn from the masters in gin school classes and both bespoke and private events.
Elder House, Water Ln, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1AE, Bone Idyll
Atrio Bar & Restaurant Terrace
South Bank, open now
Atrio Restaurant & Bar has a fresh terrace area for guests to bask in the sunshine with an expertly crafted cocktail, a stone's throw from The London Eye.
It's built for comfort, with rattan chairs and large sofas urging you to give in to just one more Negroni Fumo (a Negroni blend using oriental spiced gin, aged for 30 days in oak casks and smoked with hickory) or a cheeky Rose Garden (sparkling grapefruit and passion fruit liqueur).
Food comes in small plates for the sharers, nibblers or indecisive amongst you - dirty polenta fries, vegan pumpkin and sage tortellini and corn-fed chicken saltimbocca are firm favourites - or bigger plates for those who want to get stuck in to a hearty feed.
There's a feast for the eyes, too, from the flower walls to the street-art by HUMOR, inspired by the nearby doodle-hole that is the Leake Street Tunnel.
Park Plaza County Hall, 1 Addington St, London SE1 7RY, Atrio Bar & Restaurant
Manga Banga
Marylebone, opens July 6
If you like your grub with a side portion of Japanese art, then Manga Banga is for you. Serving a menu of Asian small plates including Crispy baby squid with yuzu kosho mayo; Spicy tuna tacos with scorched chilli salsa and Seared salmon sashimi, the 50-cover restaurant will also celebrate Japanese art with a wall of 100 manga magazine covers, neon signage and a striking mural. Don't hold out for a formal dining experience - this venue is inspired by the Izayakas - informal, Japanese bars that serve alcoholic drinks and snacks. It'll be loud, brash and exciting, but what else did you expect from a place called Manga Banga?
Located a short walk from Marylebone Station, we reckon it'll be worth the journey for the cocktails and Sticky Wagyu short rib alone.
41–43 Lisson Grove, Marylebone, London, NW1 6UB, Manga Banga
Zoom East
Whitechapel, open now
Whitechapel and Sicily don't have a great deal in common, but nevertheless it's where chef Vittorio Meli has dropped a little slice of his home island into the London culinary scene, and the capital will be all the better for it. Zoom East promises to deliver all the warmth and vibrancy of Sicilian cuisine, through dishes inspired by Italy but using local, London suppliers. Expect Sicilian classics such as Arancini with Canaroli saffron rice and peas and béchamel alongside an extensive fish offering including Grilled Octopus, Monk's beard and crispy chickpeas and Guazzetto di Pesce, with quality ingredients sourced straight from the experts at Billingsgate Market.
For meat lovers, Onglet Steak and Polpette from O'Shea's Butchers should be more than enough to have those tastebuds tingling.
Zoom East is bursting with colour and floral designs, contemporary botanical spaces and walls packed full of art will transport you straight to the Mediterranean before you've even had a chance to order starters.
Hyatt Place London City East, 45 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DU, Zoom East
FREE Ninja Kitchen pop-up
Boxpark Shoreditch, 2 July only
If you fancy some top-notch, free munch then make your way to Shoreditch on Saturday July 2, when Ninja Kitchen will be handing out home-cooked dishes to all and sundry. And if that's not enough to tempt you over to East London, your nosh will also be cooked by model and professional chef, Isaac Carew. If you're not familiar with the brand, Ninja Kitchen is a home appliance maker on a mission to convince consumers that 'fakeaway' food - healthier, home-cooked alternatives to takeaway splurges - is the future, so expect Kimchi Beef Burgers, Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Treats and Chicken Tinga Tacos with Spicy Halloumi Fries and even Salted Chocolate Ice Cream.
There's 500 portions of grub available and you'll need to give a little social loving to the brand in order to grab your free food, but if you're early enough to blag one of the first 30 spaces in the queue, you'll be entered into a draw to win a Ninja Kitchen appliance worth £299.
Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6GY, Ninja Kitchen
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