From high-rise to sea-view, move over Dinner by Heston, these are the wow-factor restaurants to get on your radar now.
1) The storyteller
Not since Dabbous opened at the start of 2012 has a restaurant been so hyped. But at least at the charmingly inventive Story (with quirky signature dishes like 3 Bears’ Porridge, geddit?) there might be chance of getting a table. Tattooed-gastro genius Tom Sellers, 26, is at the helm. Six-course or ten-courses? Make sure you’re hungry.
restaurantstory.co.uk
Experience The Charm Of Story
2) Great for heights
If you don’t fancy American-style steak at The Oblix or the Northern China vibe of Hutong (and definitely don’t want to pay to go up The Shard), check out the iconic tower’s latest addition, Aqua Shard. Contemporary British cuisine meets traditional British design (think Liberty print banquettes) for the cosiest high-rise setting yet.
aquashard.co.uk
Lord it over London at Aqua Shard
3) Vegetarian dream
Not technically a vegetarian restaurant, French chef Bruno Loubet’s new venture Grain Store has been winning rave reviews for putting the spotlight on veggies. Teaming up with the Zetter Townhouse’s Tony Conigliaro means the cocktails have a kick too. Which always helps. We love the Truffle Martini.
grainstore.com
Get your five-a-day at Grain Store
4) Sunday supper club
What could be better than a night in a Michelin-starred restaurant? Bringing your own booze, of course. And yes, that does happen at Alimentum in Cambridge, which runs a Sunday Supper Club. We’d tell you what food to expect. But it’s kept a surprise until the night…
restaurantalimentum.co.uk
Secret Supper Club at the Alimentum
5) English decadence
Obvs, this it not a new thing (it opened back in 1906, FYI, fact checkers) but the recent Les Arts de la Table has given The Ritz a hip revival. At £75 for three-courses and a glass of Ritz Cuvee Champagne, the whole chandelier-lined, table service (we’re talking carving at your individual table) experience feels more within reach. Take your mum, your sister, your boy… but make sure he’s wearing a jacket. It’s that formal.
theritzlondon.com
6) Like to be beside the seaside
Looking for a fabulous foodie holiday? We love head chef Eric Snaith’s eclectic menu on the sea-view terrace at luxury boutique Norfolk hotel, Titchwell Manor. Head there on 21 July for a summer fete. Wine tasting, masterclasses and fresh seafood to take home.
Seafood with a sea view at Titchwell Manor