Each month we publish a round-up of the most exciting new openings across food and drink around the world over on the tfp trendhub. Here are some of the highlights from February 2023 from New York, London, Hong Kong and more.
Jelas, New York
A new, tiny, bar that fits about 12 people has opened its doors in Union Square. Whilst its size might give people something to talk about, they are hoping their dedication and expertise in clarified cocktails will make them famous. Called Jelas, which translates to "clear" in the Malay language, the name refers to the rotating selection of clarified milk punch cocktails on their menu. Patrons can choose from Singapore Sling(clarified milk punch with a fruit-forward finish) and a New York Sour (whisky sour with red wine foam).
Find out more here.
Calle Ocho, Hong Kong
Hong Kong now has a slice of Madrid's Los Austurias thanks to the recently opened Calle Ocho. With an exterior of blue and white porcelain tiles, this new space evokes the experience of dining in the Spanish capital. Diners will find it tricky to choose from the opening selection of 34 tapas dishes which sit alongside two paellas. Signature dishes include the made-to-order tortillas, the grilled cuttlefish with aioli and lemon and the suckling pig terrine with pineapple salsa and vermouth jus. Sitting alongside is a drinks menu that is serving predominantly Spanish wine alongside sherry and vermouth.
Find out more here.
Viajante87, London
The founders of Los Mochis have opened the doors to Viajante87, a new agave-inspired cocktail bar in the capital. Expect an impressive selection given that the bar is headed up by Panos Kanatsoulis, formerly of The Clumsies in Athens, currently number 19 in the World's 50 Best Bars list. He is adopting a zero-waste ethos with cocktails made with waste ingredients. These include the Cherry Blanco with tequila blanco, sour cherry marmalade and clarified coca-cola or Viajante Martini with tequila reposado, bell peppers, fermented mead and green tea sherry. Open until 2 am with live music, this promises to be popular with the late night crew.
Find out more here.
Anomaly SF, San Francisco
Following years of running his fine dining pop-up Anomaly SF
, Mike Lanham has put down roots with the roots of its opening location. On offer is an 11-course tasting menu with optional fish or caviar supplements. Diners can expect dishes that they wouldn't even begin to think about cooking at home along with a certain amount of playfulness. That might be the delicata squash egg custard with Asian pear topped with a Champagne sabayon or a filet mignon accompanied by a beer millefeuille and roasted celery root puree.
Vesper Bar, London
The Dorchester has unveiled Vesper Bar, its newly refurbished ground floor bar. Given the name, there has been some James Bond influence here - The Dorchester not only gets mentioned in the books but Fleming himself was a regular diner at the hotel. It takes on a 1930s theme with rich wooden panelling, velvet seating and a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling. Drinks include The Gilded Three - roasted pineapple-infused Flor de Cana 12, Siete Misterios Doba-Yez mezcal, Noe Pedro Ximenez sherry, carob honey and pepita horchata. And the odd martini, of course.
Find out more here.
Aniba, Singapore
Chef Meir Adoni has opened the doors to Aniba where he is sharing his Israeli heritage with Singaporeans. He has created a menu around an array of dishes influenced by Middle Eastern cuisine prepared with European cooking techniques. Standoout dishes include the pani puri served with a yoghurt-yuzu foam, Hamachi tartare, tomato confit and lime kefir and the katakyef, his interpretation of the traditional Lebanese stuffed pancake, served with a spicy fish stew and seasonal vegetables.
Find out more here.
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Every month we compile more comprehensive lists of the most noticeable openings in both food and drink from around the world over on the tfp trendhub. Subscribers can see these lists for February in full over on our foodwatching and drinkswatching reports. If you're not yet subscribed but are interested in receiving our regular reporting service then get in touch using the form below.