Phil Howard teams up with greengrocer for seasonal menu
Elystan Street chef-patron Phil Howard is hosting a one-off veg-based dinner in conjunction with his local Chelsea greengrocer. The seven-course dinner takes place at the Elystan Street restaurant on August 7 and the menu will showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables supplied by Andreas Georghiou, who runs a shop nearby. The £75 menu includes new season celeriac slaw with lovage and apple; slow roasted Reine tomatoes with coco beans, courgettes, Scottish girolles and wild leaves, and greengage and almond tart. Guests can pair wines with each course, picked by Elystan Street’s sommelier for an additional £45. Bookings can be made via reservations@elystanstreet.com
Salon owner to open new restaurant in Peckham
Salon owner and chef Nicholas Balfe is opening a second restaurant in Peckham this autumn. Inspired by ‘bistronomy’ restaurants of Paris, Copenhagen and Barcelona, Levan will be open all day and serve contemporary European dishes, alongside natural wines. Dishes will include potato, chanterelle and Vacherin pie; boudin noir, egg yolk, endive, and 50-day aged rump cap, with wild garlic aioli and grilled calçots.
New Newcastle opening for team behind The Staith House
The team behind The Staith House in North Shields has launched a wine-focused restaurant in Newcastle city centre. Called Route, the modern bistro occupies a former burger bar in The Side area and the emphasis is as much on the wine as the sharing dishes on offer. Chef John Calton’s menu includes smoked eel, smoked bacon, beetroot and horseradish; oregano roasted lamb fillets, broad beans, pickled lemon, hung yogurt and dukka, and grilled halibut, Morecambe Bay brown shrimps, lettuce and tomatoes. The drinks list includes a selection of organic and biodynamic wines.
Kim Woodward named as executive head chef at 100 Wardour St
Kim Woodward has been confirmed as executive head chef of Soho restaurant 100 Wardour St. Woodward, who was the first ever female head of the Savoy Grill, moves across from Skylon on London’s South Bank and says the new menu at 100 Wardour Street will feature classic dishes ‘with a modern, creative twist’.
Eric Chavot to oversee kitchens at new Bob Bob Ricard off-shoot
Veteran French chef Eric Chavot has been appointed executive head chef at Bob Bob Cité, the new Bob Bob Ricard offshoot in the Leadenhall Building, widely known as the ‘Cheesegrater’. It marks a welcome return to London for Chavot, who left the city when he closed Brasserie Chavot in 2015. Prior to that he was head chef at The Capital restaurant for a decade. Due to open in the autumn, the menu will be French 'with Russian influences’ and there will be the same ‘Press for Champagne’ buttons as at Bob Bob Ricard.
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