2012 has been an incredible year for London, not only because of the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Queens Jubilee, but also by firmly establishing itself as one of the hottest restaurant scenes in the world. Here we share some of the best new restaurants to have opened in London this year.
Bubbledogs, Fitzrovia
Champagne and hotdogs dont naturally go together, but thats about to change with the launch of Bubbledogs, which serves just that. Theres a menu of ten hotdogs served with carefully selected grower champagne.
The chef, James Knappett, has previously worked at The Ledbury, Noma and Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, so he knows how to cook. The restaurant also features a separate Kitchen Table, which will seat a maximum of 19 guests around one table watching the chef at work.
Dabbous, Fitzrovia
One of the hottest tables in town at the moment, Dabbous is fully booked for the rest of the year for dinner. The restaurant is spread over two levels with an industrial feel with exposed brickwork and copper pipes. Dabbous offers a modern European menu of inventive dishes cooked with real flair while the basement bar is a casual, cool place for drinks with friends.
Brasserie Zedel, Soho
Hot on the heels of The Delaunay, which opened towards the end of 2011, serial restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King launched Brasserie Zedel in Soho at the end of June. The restaurant is a large, bustling Parisian brasserie transported to the heart of London, designed in the Art Deco tradition. There is also aBar Amricain and The Crazy Coqs, a live music and cabaret venue.
The room is grand and impressive, but the food is more casual and very reasonably priced just as a brasserie should be.
Duck & Waffle, The City
On the 40thfloor of Heron Tower in the City with incredible views of London in all its glory, Duck & Waffle serves European and British influenced cuisine 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Dishes such as Foie Gras All Day Breakfast and Duck & Waffle with fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup are already proving to be huge hits. The restaurant has a capacity of 98 with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, a 24-seat chef bar and a private dining room.
Nathan Outlaw at The Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge
Although it doesnt open until early October, there is such a buzz about this new restaurant that it needs to be included in the list! Nathan Outlaw is a much-celebrated chef who has a 2 Michelin starred restaurant in Cornwall, and he will open a second restaurant specialising in seafood at the Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge.
The Capital Hotel previously held two Michelin stars under previous head chef Eric Chavot, so Im sure theyre keen to return to the top of the London dining scene.
