Our monthly round-up of the latest hot openings across the food and beverage hospitality industry is back, spotlighting some of the highlights from across the world from this April. Featuring six venues from our larger foodwatching and drinkswatching new openings round-ups on the tfp trendhub.
Norma, Melbourne
A new spot has opened its doors on Fitzroy's Smith Street thanks to French-Italian chef Benjamin Tremblet. Unlike his background, which is in Michelin-starred establishments in Paris and Lyon, he has reverted to simple, family-style dishes as an ode to his grandmother. Norma - the name of his late grandmother - is all about the dishes he ate as a child and he cooks using Norma's handwritten recipe books. The pizzette uses her dough and is served with seasonal toppings. He is mixing in his French background too with a savoury tarte tatin and a classic salade Niçoise, being just some of the dishes to choose from
Find out more here.
Ruma, Edinburgh
Edinburgh, or specifically New Town, has welcomed Ruma, a new specialist rum bar home to over 100 bottles of the spirit. It is the brainchild of two experienced figures in the Scottish bar scene who have created a laid-back space that is inviting with soft hues and velvet easy chairs. Ruma is not showcasing just those rums that are made on the other side of the world but those that are made on their doorstep too. They include those from as far as Barbados, Guyana and Fiji to those from producers such as Ninefold Distillery, J.Gow, Islay Rum and Matugga Rum. Guests can choose to sip them neat or get involved in the cocktail menu which includes those with inventive twists on the classics.
Find out more here.
Torno Subito, Singapore
Internationally acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura has finally opened Torno Subito's first Asian flagship in Singapore. It first debuted in 2019 at the W Hotel in The Palm Dubai and is often described as the casual sibling of Osteria Francescana. The Singapore spot offers a space that is reminiscent of holidays by the Adriatic seaside. Meanwhile, there are two menus to choose from - the a la carte with a variety of pasta and pizzas and the six-course set menu which highlights some of the restaurant's signature dishes including Cavatelli Riviera with its al dente hand-made pasta in smoked paprika and lemon-seasoned light sauce that's finished with chunks of fresh Sicilian red shrimp.
Find out more here.
Fino, London
Brazilian rodizio restaurant Fazenda has officially launched its ground-floor cocktail bar, Fino. It is a stylish spot with a contemporary design that combined rich velvets and leather with the long bar a focal point. Bar manager Michela Castigliono has created a list of South-American inspired cocktails that includes Cashew Squeeze, a twist on the popular Brazilian soft drink, which combines Hennessy VS Cognac, Suze Gentian liqueur, caju and soda water. And if cocktails aren't your thing, there is an extensive wine, Champagne and spirits list.
Find out more here.
San Sabino, New York
The team behind the Michelin-starred Don Angie have opened the doors to San Sabino in the West Villate. Wife and husband chefs Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli are still offering Italian-American cuisine but this time the focus is more on seafood dishes. The duo describes the new spot as playful and fun in a space with low lighting, leather banquettes, and a curved back-lit bar. On the menu you'll find dishes like the Crab & Mortadella dip served with Ritz crackers and sweet cherry pepper jelly, Stuffed mussels with 'nduja rice and lemon aioli and a variety of hand-made pastas including Lobster triangoli in a white vodka sauce with black garlic.
Find out more here.
Starlight, San Francisco
An iconic part of San Fran's hospitality heritage has made a return, opening its doors at the top of the Beacon Grand Hotel. Starlite is a revival of the former Harry Denton's Starlight Room and comes with a fresh glamorous look and a menu that offers classic drinks made with just a little bit of drama. Take the Cable Car Redux which is wrapped in a "Muir Woods-scented fog" that billows around the glass when the cocktail arrives table-side. Bar bites are offered too, all of which can be eaten by hand and include a hot fried chicken bun seasoned with Szechuan spices and pickled daikon.
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 - Torno Subito