New temptations for 2010

London’s growing reputation as a foodie hub looks set to strengthen next year with a whole host of exciting new openings in the pipeline.

the drinks business gives you the lowdown on what we believe to be the top five new eateries to tickle your tastebuds in the capital in 2010.

St John Hotel & Restaurant, Leicester Square

Fergus Henderson and his business partner Trevor Gulliver are preparing a welcome haven from the tourist crowds of Leicester Square. Building on the success of their St John restaurants in Smithfield and Spitalfields, this latest venture is the pair’s most ambitious yet. The venue will feature not only a restaurant and bar, but also a 16 bedroom hotel.

Gulliver has decribed the project as being “in the St John vernacular, but it may be a bit more uptown because it is in Theatreland”.

Extensive building and redesign work means you’ll have to wait until summer 2010 at the earliest, but at least when your patience is finally rewarded you’ll be able to do full justice to Henderson’s famed nose-to-tail approach, safe in the knowledge that bed is just a lift ride away.

Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental

The chef behind three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck is bringing his molecular gastronomy to London. Based at the five star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge hotel, Blumenthal’s new 140-cover restaurant is due to open in autumn 2010, serving lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.

The kitchen will be headed by Ashley Palmer Watts, who has spent nine years absorbing the Blumenthal approach at The Fat Duck, where he has been head chef since 2003.

Blumenthal explained his decision to partner with the luxury hotel, saying: “I am thrilled at the prospect of opening a restaurant in such a central London location. I have great respect for the Mandarin Oriental brand and working in partnership with the hotel group is a natural step and one which offers an exciting opportunity.”

For London gastronomes deterred by the thought of a pilgrimage along the M4, this expansion of the Heston empire can’t come quickly enough.

Bar Boulud, Mandarin Oriental

Yes, it’s the Mandarin Oriental again. Not content with snapping up Heston, the luxury hotel will also play host to the first UK project from chef Daniel Boulud, whose New York restaurant Daniel was recently awarded three Michelin stars.

Described as a French-inspired bistro and wine bar, Bar Boulud opens its doors in spring 2010. The menu will include Lyon-born Boulud’s signature terrines and pâtés, made on-site under the watchful eye of charcutier Gilles Verot. The wine list will have a complementary weighting towards Burgundy and the Rhône, also featuring New World offerings inspired by these bastions of French winemaking.

David Nicholls, corporate director of food beverage for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, described Boulud as “one of those rare chefs who is every bit as attentive to ambiance, comfort and value as he is to the quality of his cooking,” promising: “Bar Boulud will introduce an exciting new concept to the London dining scene.”

Hix Restaurant & Champagne Bar, Selfridges

Hot on the heels of Mark Hix’s second London restaurant in Soho this autumn, March 2010 sees the chef take over a ground floor space in Selfridges. The Hix Restaurant & Champagne Bar is being given some suitably stylish touches by a stellar design team, which includes Terence Conran and artist Tracy Emin.

"I am delighted to have a second West End site,” said Hix, “My offer will be suited to busy shoppers and include lighter dishes from breakfast to the smaller plates served at the Champagne and oyster bar.”

Open from 9.30am to provide fuel and respite for even the keenest shopoholics (or their husbands), the menu promises to reflect Hix’s signature British style. Expect dishes such as potted ham hock with piccalilli, a crustacean bar and Isle of Man queenies with chorizo.

Bar Pepito

Attention Sherry fans! The end of January sees the team behind King’s Cross tapas joint Camino unveil a specially dedicated Sherry bar just across the courtyard.

Richard Bigg, managing director of parent company Cantaloupe Group, outlined his vision for the project, saying: “It will be specifically Andalusian, with a range of about 14 or so Sherries.” While the concept has been developed in partnership with Gonzalez Byass, Bigg noted: “In complement to this core range, we will also have a number from other outstanding bodegas such as Lustau and Fernando y Castilla.”

If you’re in search of a full meal then head across to big sister Camino, but Bar Pepito will be serving up tasty Andalusian tapas to soak up the Sherry: think salmorejo on toast, top quality cured hams and salt cod.

Gabriel Savage, 22.12.09