With autumn almost here, it's time to look forward to the new restaurants soon to hit London:
Aqua London: This glitzy 17,000-sq.-ft. opening from Hong Kong–based Aqua Restaurant Group will reside in the former Dickens & Jones department store, where there will be two distinct dining spaces: Aqua Nueva – contemporary Spanish from a former el Bulli chef – and Aqua Kyoto, a Japanese sushi bar with a sumibiyaki grill. Expect great views from three outdoor terraces (240 Regents St., W1).
Apsleys: In September, for his first project outside Italy, influential chef Heinz Beck will take over the restaurant in The Lanesborough hotel. Run by his prodigy, Massimiliano Blasone, the traditional Italian will serve main courses such as slow-braised veal cheek with apple purée and Jerusalem artichokes, and will also offer a seven-course degustation menu for £75 and a three-course lunch menu for £26 (1 Lanesborough Pl., SW1).
Blues Kitchen: Expect authentic soul food accompanied by a serious roster of live music, seven days a week, at this October arrival. Serving from 9 AM–11 PM daily, the kitchen will prepare £10-and-under mains like jumbo lump crab cake, seafood jambalaya and Louisiana hot sausages with blue cheese dip. There’s a big selection of bourbon too, and mint juleps from £7 (111-113 Camden High St., NW1; www.theblueskitchen.com; 020-3875-277).
Dean Street Townhouse & Dining Room: When this hotel and dining room, the latest offering from Soho House, opens in November, expect a menu with British fare like Dorset crab and baked cod, plus afternoon teas and a weekly Sunday roast. Martin Brudnizki designed the 120-seat dining room (69-71 Dean St. W1D).
Galvin La Chapelle: In late October, Chris and Jeff Galvin will add a third restaurant to their already successful group, this one named after the Hermitage La Chapelle wines that will be the calling card of its beverage program. Located in a historic hall in the City, its setting will include a fine-dining venue, a cocktail bar and an all-day cafe. Chris Galvin’s wife, brother and son will all be on-site, making this very much a family affair (36 Spital Sq., E1).
Luxe: This much-delayed project from John Torode (Smiths of Smithfield) looks like it’s finally coming up for air, though details are still scarce. Occupying the site that used to be the Spitz music bar on Old Spitalfields Market, its ground floor is already open, selling burgers and Quilmes beer (with a soft opening discount of 50%). The forthcoming first-floor dining room will specialise in game and poultry (109 Commercial St., E1).
Roka Canary Wharf: Roka comes to Canary Wharf, equipped with a shochu lounge, seating on an external balcony overlooking Canada Square and a “robata chef’s table.” This is the fifth to open worldwide and the second in London (Churchill Place Mall, E14).
Unnamed Michel Roux Jr. Restaurant: Opening later this year, Michel Roux’s second London restaurant remains something of a mystery. Its six-room setting in Parliament Square will include a restaurant with Roux Scholarship winner Daniel Cox as chef, as well as corporate-catering space (12 Great George St., SW1).
W8: Rebecca Mascarenhas teams up with Phil Howard (The Square) to relaunch her Bistrot 11 space as this neighbourhood restaurant. The Square’s designer, Claire Nelson, and sous-chef, Mark Kempson (promoted to head chef), are also onboard (11 Abbingdon Rd., W8).
– Roger Clarke