Here's our monthly highlights round-up of some of the latest venues to open across the food and beverage industry around the world from the full new openings reports on the tfp trendhub.
Quince Bakery, London
Anna Higham, who has led the bakeries at places like Lyle's, Flor and The River Cafe, has opened the doors to her first solo venture, Quince. With an eye on sustainability, Anna is focusing on bread made from a single 'country' dough to which she will add porridge or wholemeal in batches to create different breads rather than mixing three different doughs. And when it comes to sweet, viennoiserie is off the menu with the focus on British baking traditions like hand-made pies, turnovers filled with seasoned fruit, tattie scones and Staffordshire oatcakes. Coffees from Allpress is on offer along with a range of jams from Maynards fruit in East Sussex.
Find out more here.
Centro 86, Sydney
The team behind Sydney's Margarita venue Cantina OK has opened a subterranean tequila bar, Centro 86 where they are offering 100 tequilas including some of the "world's rarest". The space itself is dominated by a long and colourful bar whilst the green walls are adorned with pictures in all shapes and sizes. Alongside the tequila are five signature Margaritas as well as Latin-inspired cocktails featuring fresh fruit and South and Central American spirits made with shaved-to-order ice from one of three manual machines.
Find out more here.
Anise, Auckland
Top Auckland restaurant Sid at The French Cafe has undergone a dramatic transformation, becoming a dining hub for two eateries. Sid Sahrawat and his wife Chand have moved The French Cafe into the room that was currently reserved for private dining, making way for their newest venture, Anise, which is focusing on pan-Asian cuisine. The opening menu is designed for sharing and it pulls from a diverse range of cultures that includes Korean, Cambodian, Malaysian and Chinese. Dishes include spicy buttermilk masala fried chicken sliders with ghost chilli mayo & pickle and masterstock pork belly caramelised with green apple, ginger and savoy cabbage.
Find out more here.
Lockdown, Hong Kong
Hospitality stalwarts Agung and Laura Prabowo have opened the doors to Lockdown, their latest venture on Hollywood Road. It pays tribute to Hong Kong's extended period of lockdown, which lasted for over three years, whilst also drawing parallels to the Prohibitions Era in the US. The cocktail menu is divided into two categories - "Re-Mastered Forgotten Classics" with the highlight being the Gin Rickey which uses parsley-infused gin, peach sake, peach liqueur, clarified banana miso and sparkling wine. The other category is "Vintage & Antique Cocktails" which features five cocktails that aim to take customers back in time to the golden age.
Find out more here.
Cote Korean, Singapore
The award-winning COTE, the Korean steakhouse, has arrived in Singapore bringing with it a large dose of New York. Simon Kim has created a space that he describes as "sexy" - there's a clubby vibe with custom lighting that dances to the beat of the music - explaining that he wants to inject a dose of fun into the local dining experience. As for the menu, it is similar to its American counterparts with a 10-course steak Omakase tasting menu featuring Japanese A5 Wagyu as well as The Butcher's Feast. There are locally-inspired dishes too, fashioned after bak kut teh and oyster omelette.
Find out more here.
Bar Bruno, London
Bruno is the latest wine bar from Michael Sager, the name behind Sage + Wilde, who is often described as London's resident wine bar whisperer. This time he has created an intimate and convivial space with whitewashed walls, an ancient teak bar and shelf after shelf of wine, lit by vintage lights. A wine shop by day, it transforms into a wine bar come the evening. The selection is all natural wines, bought directly from the vineyards that Sager has built a personal relationship with over the years. As for snacks, the focus is on pretzels, thanks to Sager's Swiss heritage - it seems the Swiss are really very good at pretzels and Sager was keen to introduce London to them.
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 March 2024 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.
Image credit - anise.co.nz