It’s an incredible month for new openings including Atul Kochhar and Tina English’s new fine dining restaurant Mathura, Fallow’s new home, Yatay in Chinatown, the UK’s first Le Petit Beefbar, brand new boutique fitness with VITA in Chelsea and a spectacular Alpine Afternoon Tea from TĪNG at Shangri-La at The Shard (and that’s just for starters!) Here’s the Luxe List November 2021.
STK’s Thanksgiving Menu
From Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th November, STK Steakhouse will be pulling out all the stops for the American celebration of Thanksgiving.
Available at STK London Strand and STK London Westminster, there will be scrumptious turkey dinner along with sage stuffing, fluffy cornbread, shallot & thyme confit thighs, sautéed green beans with crispy shallots, maple baked sweet potato, yukon gold mashed potatoes with parmesan crust, classic gravy and cranberry orange chutney. A gorgeous spiced pumpkin pie will finish off the special menu. Priced at £49pp in the restaurant, you can also order a takeaway package to be enjoyed at home. Check out all the details and book on their website.
NEW: Porte Noire
Having opened in October at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, Porte Noire bar and shop features an outdoor space, stunning dining room and a bar which seats up to 70. Home to around 800 wine bins along with one of the largest fine dining rooms in London, the joint venture from Idris Elba and David Farber champions the Porte Noire champagne brand while offering international wines, cheese, charcuterie and a brasserie style menu. Expect delicious dishes like the Oeuf Meurette – a classic Burgundian dish of poached eggs in a rich and flavourful red wine sauce and slow cooked beef cheek, pommes purée, leek persillade. Check out the website for all the details here and follow them on Instagram here.
Retrofit
For fitness fanatics who want to break boundaries, and ordinary gym-goers who want an all inclusive space to work out in, boutique fitness centre Retrofit near South Ken tube is the perfect place. Kitted out with all the very latest tools and equipment, Retrofit is a luxury space which includes a sauna, treatment rooms and studios all under one roof. Try the Bio-circuit Fit Factory for an intelligent workout which is like nothing you’ve tried before. Using Technogym machines, each rep and set is optimized and the equipment will even remember your name and workouts! For a truly bespoke experience that exceeds all other fitness regimes, Retrofit is the place. Memberships are available from £129 per month. Click here to open the doors to a new world!
The Art of Banksy, Covent Garden
Due to overwhelming public demand, The Art of Banksy has extended its run in Covent Garden. The world’s largest collection of privately owned artworks includes screen prints, canvasses and limited edition pieces with over 90 being shown in the 12,000 sq ft gallery. ‘Girl with a Balloon’, ‘Brace Yourself’ and ‘Rude Copper’ are all being exhibited along with a new addition – the installation of six video screens showing a series of exclusive interviews with Banksy’s former printer. While The Art of Banksy is not authorised and curated in collaboration with the the man himself, bookings can now be made up to the 22nd May 2022. Book your tickets for the exhibition at 50 Earlham Street, here.
NEW: Mathura
Atul Kochar’s ‘most ambitious restaurant yet’ has just opened at the historic site of the former Westminster Fire Station. Along with restaurateur Tina English, the high end restaurant Mathura reflects the design influences of the Indian city of the same name, with the fine dining concept featuring Indian and Asian dishes which showcase the flavours and cultures of India’s nine surrounding countries including China and Sri Lanka. ‘Atul promises ‘a new take on Indian food’ in opulent surroundings set over two floors. Exec chef Shishir Sinha has worked closely on the new menu which can be enjoyed with a high sense of theatre. There’s also a destination bar, two private dining rooms and an exclusive 12 course menu.
London Never Dies at The London Cabaret Club
London Never Dies – the Bond inspired cabaret show at The London Cabaret Club has unveiled its new Halloween adaptation. The show which is based around Spectre, has an added Mexican Day of the Dead twist including a specially designed menu showcasing Mexican flavours of El Dia De Los Muertos. For the ultimate night out, tickets are tiered with the option to include drinks and dinner – guests can choose from silver, silver plus, gold, diamond or royal diamond tickets. Housed in the iconic 1920’s Bloomsbury ballroom, The London Cabaret Club REALLY know how to put on a show… The dining and entertainment experience takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but be quick, as some shows are already sold out!
NEW: Fallow’s New Permanent Home in St James’s Market
We’ve been waiting for this one! Sustainably focused restaurant concept Fallow are finally opening a permanent site at St James’s Market this November, following their pop up at Heddon Street last year. The multi-award winning restaurant boasting a bar, wraparound terrace and seven seater chef’s counter which overlooks the stunning open kitchen, sharer style dishes will make up the menu using sustainable produce from across the British Isles and their Esher holding. Including a raw bar, and grill, you can expect mains like salmon belly with marrowbone brioche and chives and the ewe kebab with dill pickles and buttermilk.
The Fore’s Brand New Workout Classes
Super conveniently located at King’s Cross, The Fore which offers a fitness space, co-working area and wellness treatment spa room, has announced two brand new workout classes. Fore Fight will build on the existing Fortitude classes with a combo of TRX and Technogym’s Skillmill to build endurance, speed and power for a lower and upper body workout including the core. Move seamlessly between punches and training with specialist MMA fingerless gloves – now they sound cool! Also new to the timetable is Shogun Boxing for a high intensity full body workout which drills down traditional boxing methods, taught by pro fighter and NY native Richie Edwards. Suitable for all levels. Check out The Fore in full detail, here.
Night Fever at Bills Restaurant and Bar
Let’s get the party started shall we?! Bill’s disco-inspired takeover is offering up new specials and cocktails with a Studio 54 vibe! Running until 13th November, there are brand new dishes on offer including the mammoth Studio 54 Steak au Poivre (£18.45) with rosemary salted fries and a green leaf salad, the Le Freak Vegan Burger (£13), Funky Chicken (£12.45) topped with smoked streaky bacon and goats’ cheese, and The Dancing Salmon (£13) with lemon flavoured rice and black turtle beans.
While you get your freak on, there’ll be plenty of cocktails to keep you hydated including the Disco Inferno Passionfruit Martini (£7.25), the Super Freak Strawberry Margarita (£7.45), Cosmic Candy Girl (£8.50) and the Electric Boogie Ice Tea (£6). Night Fever will be getting its dancing shoes on at Soho, Manchester Spinningfields, Brighton and Leeds, with a live DJ 5:30 – 10:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and a dedicated disco playlist to boot.
NEW: Yatay, Chinatown
Ex Sushisamba chef Marco Ardemagni is heading for Chinatown and we can’t wait to try his new menu at Yatay robtayaki restaurant and bar which opens on the 15th November. Inspired by the streets and underground culture of Japan in the casual izakaya style, Yatay will be set across two floors on Wardour Street. The exciting menu will offer up raw dishes, salads, and small and large sharing plates, along with sakes and cocktails. Using traditional Japanese techniques of pickling and fermenting, we can’t wait to try the stuffed shiso leaves with spiced organic chicken, garlic and lime tensoyu, and monkfish fish karaage with gochujang mayo. Follow on Instagram here.
Alpine Afternoon Tea at TĪNG at Shangri-La at The Shard
Ahh we love it when Shangri-la at The Shard unveils its Christmas plans! One of our fave restaurants – TĪNG will serving their luxurious Alpine Afternoon Tea from the 8th November and across the festive period. Truly something to celebrate against those glorious floor to ceilings views across London and The Thames, there’ll be a selection of superb savoury and sweet treats on offer including baked scones, Austrian inspired pastries like Vanill Kipferl and Black Forest Cake, and of course, plenty of tea! Priced at £62pp, you can snazz things up with a glass of champs with the £72 offering including a glass of Veuve Clicquot. Call to book: +44 (0) 20 7234 8000 or email [email protected]
NEW: Vita Boutique
Launching this November, boutique fitness outlet VITA set across six floors in the heart of Chelsea will offer personal training studios, dynamic pilates studios, with Balanced Body Allegro 2 Reformers, and yoga and barre studios. With beautiful changing rooms and a treatment room dedicated to physio, osteopathy, sports massage and nutrition, VITA’s café on the ground floor will partner with Kiss the Hippo – London’s first carbon neutral coffee company.
Coppa Club Igloos Now Taking Bookings
They’re back! Coppa Club’s delightfully festive igloos are now open for bookings in collaboration with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. You can book now at five of the Coppa Club locations which include the brand new Putney location (featuring 3 igloos on the bank of the Thames from the 2nd November), as well as Tower Bridge, Sonning, Brighton and Cobham. Each igloo will offer a special menu including Champagne Laurent-Perrier, and delights like the truffled wagyu burger and warm chocolate fondant with caramelised white chocolate and salted caramel ice cream. Book now.
NEW: Dai Chi, Soho
From the team behind Angelina, comes Dai Chi – bringing Osaka’s kushikastsu dining culture to Soho this November. With kushi meaning skewer and katsu meaning deep fried, you can expect combos like shiso, shitake and hazelnut and lobster tail and hokkaido brioche – the skewered lobster burger! There will also be a fabulous set menu on offer priced at just £35, while drinks will be headed up by Haruka Hisata with a fantastic selection including an interational wine list and lots of delicious sake. Check out the website here. Follow on instagram here.
NEW: El Norte
Opening on Dover Street in London’s Mayfair this November, El Norte from brothers Alberto and Arian Zandi will offer traditional Spanish dishes with a luxurious twist. With chic and sophisticated interiors like El Norte’s sister sites Zuaya and Como Garden, watch this space for the latest…
NEW: Sleazy Pizza
Sleazy Pizza opens on 12th November just of Brick Lane on Dray Walk. With delicious wood fired pizzas and serving up plenty of naughtiness, you can feast on the cheeky ‘Morning Glory’ pizza with a white base, pine nuts, mozzarella and spinach, or the ‘X-Rated’ with nduja sausage, black olives and red onion. What’s more, there’ll be a street party to celebrate the opening with drag, disco, free pizza and plenty of surprises with guests being told to ‘keep and open mind!’ Sign up on the Sleazy Pizza website to get your invite.
One Night Records Immersive Experience
Make musical memories this Christmas with an incredible immersive show in the arches of London Bridge. With a live music experience that will take you from rock n roll Christmas classics to seasonal jazz, performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 26th November. Tickets from £35, find out more here.
Moo Cantina
Moo Cantina in Pimlico celebrates the very best of Argentinian steak and wine, offering simple dishes from ethically raised grass fed Black Angus cattle. Standout dishes include the delicious ribeye steak, along with triple cooked chips, chargrilled chorizo with black pudding and charcoal sourdough and a selection of home made empanadas. The Moo Moo is the must-order – a sharer plate which includes rump steak, rib eye steak, chargrilled chicken, chorizo and chimichurri, served with two portions of chips for £50. There’s also a sheltered beer garden, happy hour from 4pm – 6.30pm Tuesday to Friday and an incredible cocktail list. For the festive season, Moo Cantina will have a special three course set menu on offer. Check out the website here.
Winter Wonderland at Novikov
Novikov’s Mayfair Christmas Market returns from Thursday 25th November to Saturday 27th November with a selection of gorgeous stalls to wander through, including caviar, oyster bars, and the Louis Roederer Ice Bar. The traffic free winter wonderland which is open daily 11am – 9pm will also include DJs Sally and Spencer on the decks from 5pm – 9pm each evening.
Franco’s New Vegan and Vegetarian Menu
In celebration of World Vegan Month, iconic Italian restaurant Franco’s on Jermyn Street, has unveiled its brand new vegan and vegetarian menu. Using traditional herbs and spices, there’ll be plenty of flavour but no meat (vegetarian menu) and no meat or dairy on the vegan menu. Highlights include the mouthwatering saffron risotto (VG), and pumpkin gnocchi with mixed mushrooms and black truffle (V). You can check out the full menu here.
NEW: The Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar
Popping up in Mayfair from Tuesday 2nd November right through until January 2022, The Coravin Wine & Bubbles Bar on Lancashire Court will feature offer every single one of its 300 bottles, by the glass. With perhaps the longest list of sparkling by the glass anywhere in the UK, visitors will be able to enjoy anything from Krug to Veuve Fourn. Glasses range from £8 to £850, so there’s definitely something for everyone on the incredible menu. The interiors meanwhile, take on a classic cave à vin style with banquette seating, floor to ceiling open shelves and fine wine fridges packed to the hilt. With charcuterie and cheeses to accompany these delightful pours, we can’t wait to visit. What’s more, there’s also a terrace for al fresco wine drinkers, plus an onsite shop for home purchases. Walk ins welcome or find out more and book, here.
NEW: The Bourbon
Trendy new neighbourhood haunt The Bourbon has just opened on the buzzy Roman Road in East London. Featuring an amazing collection of more than 40 whiskies, along with American smokehouse vibes and soulful tunes, The Bourbon will also offer a range of epic cocktails and American beers. Expect melt-in-your-mouth 12-hour hickory smoked brisket and Kansas City speciality burnt ends, street art and portraits of soul legends. Open until 11pm, Wednesday – Sunday.
NEW: Le Petit Beefbar
Le Petit Beefbar will open its first UK restaurant this November on Cale Street in Chelsea. Riccardo Giraudi’s first UK venture will offer comforting, luxurious favourites like steak frites; filet frites; Wagyu ribeye and ginger seabass – an elevated experience to enjoy the best cuts of meat in the world. There’ll also be Japanese kobe on the menu, while every cut of meat will be served with the Beefbar signature ‘La Sauce Beefbar’, made with butter, herbs, truffle and an extract of the ‘Sauce Originale Relais de Paris’.
Diwali Dinner, Cinnamon Kitchen City
Marking the Cinnamon Club 25th anniversary, Vivek Singh’s final ‘A Spice in Life’ celebration is a gorgeous 12 dish menu to mark India’s brightest festival. The Diwali Dinner at Cinnamon Kitchen City will see Raju Ramachandran, Head Chef of Cinnamon Kitchen City, and Senior Sous Chef of The Cinnamon Club, Surendra Nathawat, mark The Festival of Lights on the 2nd November with an incredible feast. Sri Lankan style chicken curry with pandan leaf and spices and tandoori rabbit tikka are just some of the dishes guests can look forward to. Tickets are £65 and include a drink on arrival. Check out the full menu and book, here.
Taste of London’s Festive 4 Day Event
Hurrah – Taste of London returns for a fabulously festive 4 day event from Thursday 18th November to Sunday 21st November at East London’s Tobacco Dock. Foodies will be in heaven with this culinary offering like no other, with Hopper, Cin Cin and Juici Jerk as the first restaurants to confirm. Bigger and better than before, ticket holders will be treated to winter cocktails, incredible food, live music and special entertainment. Tickets are on sale now including Diners Club VIP bundles which include fast track entry and a glass of LP on arrival as well as special dishes and exclusive masterclasses. Get all the info here and be quick to secure your ticket!
NEW: Tapas Brindisa Richmond
Tapas Brindisa’s biggest restaurant yet has opened by the river in Richmond – one of our fave parts of London! Offering an incredible selection of Spanish tapas, the relaxed dog friendly eaterie is the sixth site in London serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. On Sundays, you can enjoy the epic Spanish Sunday roast, while you can check out the full menu, here.
BiBo Launches Tapas and Set Lunch Menus
We’re are massive fans of Dani Garcia’s BiBo at the Mondrian Shoreditch. The busy buzzy restaurant offering delicious Spanish fine dining dishes without the price tag, has launched a compact offering of BiBo’s signature dishes – with tapas around the island bar on Friday and Saturday nights (complete with DJs for the evening night out with friends), and the set lunch menu priced at £25 and available on weekdays between 12pm-2.30pm. Croquetas de jamón Ibérico, Gambas fritas with spicy mayo, Oxtail Brioche and Caramelized Rice Pudding all feature on the menu, with a vegetarian offering also available.
NEW: Booking Office 1869
Replacing the Booking Office bar, Booking Office 1869 within the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel will open on Tuesday 16th November. The new all day drinking and dining destination from hotelier Harry Handelsen has been redesigned (overseen by Parisian architect Hugo Toro), blending old and new influences for a stylish new look and a re-imagining of the original ticket hall. With 8 metre palm trees and stunning pendant lights, the decadent interiors match the menu which has been created by Patrick Powell of Allegra who has provided culinary direction for the new venture, and will feature an a la carte style all day menu highlighting classic dishes with a modern twist. We love the sound of the fried fish sandwich with spicy tartar sauce, slow roasted lamb shoulder cooked in chermoula spices for two to share and monkfish and potato curry with spinach, spring onion & lime. With a gorgeous cocktail list and roof garden opening soon after, this should be your new Kings Cross go-to. Check out opening hours and more details here.
BACARDI Spiced x Defected Presents: D-RUM Sessions
Streaming live via Twitch from the new Defected Records HQ in East London, BACARDI Spiced have launched a series of Friday night livestreamed music events. Before each session, Maya Jama will informally chat with each featured artist before they do their thing, playing an epic 90 minute set to be enjoyed at home. La’Mel Clarke of Lyaness will also be there to provide some awesome BACARDI cocktail suggestions to kick off your kitchen party.
The line up includes:
- Friday 22nd October – Melvo Baptiste
- Friday 29th October – Archie Hamilton & Melé
- Friday 5th November – Spiller
- Friday 12th November – Monki
- Friday 19th November – Kitty Amor
Tune in here.