August Newsletter

Hi Fellow Foodie,

Where did that month go! It's been a busy one for me with plenty of exciting restaurant visits and industry news, so let's dive straight into this newsletter with my foodie adventures and four comprehensive restaurant reviews:

This Month's Restaurant Reviews

1. Nessa Soho - Tom Cenci's restaurant and bar showcases modern British cuisine, and it truly lived up to everything I'd read about this exceptional restaurant. Read my full review and discover why this is creating such a buzz →

2. Mimi Mei Fair - This upmarket Chinese restaurant is set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in Mayfair. My pre-visit research suggested the Peking duck was the best in town—find out my thoughts below. Did it live up to the hype? Read my verdict here →

3. Marjorie's Soho - Opening in May to rave reviews, I was fashionably late to this party, but I believe this restaurant/wine bar is well worth visiting as it offers something genuinely different. Find out what makes Marjorie's so special →

4. Fazenda, Bishopsgate - Finally, my first venture into Bishopsgate for a review of this premium Brazilian steakhouse and an authentic churrasco experience. See if this Brazilian feast is worth the journey →

A thumbs up to the following restaurants I also visited this month, Gastro pub The Royal Oak in Marylebone, Gaucho Richmond, and Dasa do Frango in Heddon Street, all very good.

Special Feature: Affordable Mayfair Dining

I'm often asked "Is there anywhere cheap I can eat in Mayfair?" So I decided to challenge myself and hunt down restaurants providing exceptional value whilst serving outstanding food. The results might surprise you!

Read "Where to Eat in Mayfair for £20" and discover how to dine well without breaking the bank

Latest Industry News

Harrods Bids Farewell to Celebrity Chef Partnerships in Major Dining Overhaul

Harrods is saying goodbye to several high-profile chef collaborations as part of a strategic shift towards in-house dining concepts. Following a comprehensive review of customer preferences and hospitality trends—including the move towards earlier evening dining—the Knightsbridge institution is rebalancing its food and beverage offering to focus on Harrods-owned restaurant concepts that provide all-day dining flexibility.

The changes will see some notable departures over the coming months:

• Sushi by Masa closed on 9th August

• Kerridge's Fish & Chips and Calum Franklin's evening menu at The Georgian wrap up on 31st August

• Gordon Ramsay Burger will be the last to finish, serving final dishes on 11th January 2026

Managing Director Michael Ward praised the "fantastic chefs" Harrods has partnered with, acknowledging they've "served many thousands of diners" during their residencies. The Georgian will continue its award-winning afternoon tea service (recently crowned Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK), whilst new Harrods-owned dining concepts are set to launch in the coming months.

Akira Black Parts Ways with Mandarin Oriental

The Michelin-starred chef and the Mandarin Oriental have parted company after just one year. The chef's name has been removed from all restaurants, marking the end of what was hoped to be a longer-term partnership.

Novikov

Our friends at Novikov Mayfair are elevating their already indulgent Italian offerings with two show-stopping additions that launched on 20th August. The restaurant's new XL Ravioli takes the beloved pasta classic to luxurious new heights with oversized, handcrafted parcels available in two divine varieties - Black Truffle Carbonara Ravioli for the ultimate indulgence, and a sublime Ricotta & Spinach option for vegetarians. Alongside this pasta perfection, they're serving up Chateaubriand, a prized centre-cut of beef tenderloin that melts in the mouth

Review the food critic

William Sitwell is taking over The White Hart in Wiveliscombe, which closed recently. He is reopening as a hotel and Italian restaurant. No doubt all those who suffered a bad review at Williams' hands will be getting their own back.

London Oyster Championships

The legendary Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill are back with their fabulous annual London Oyster Championships, and darling, this is the seafood extravaganza that has Mayfair's most discerning palates positively swooning! Mark your calendars for Friday, September 19th when Swallow Street transforms into the ultimate celebration of British native oysters and the glorious return of the season. Watch England's most skilled shuckers battle it out in the Speed Shucking competition for the ultimate bragging rights, while the capital's most creative chefs go head-to-head in the Best Dressed Oyster contest, dreaming up the most divine and innovative toppings that'll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about these briny beauties. With tickets including unlimited oysters (yes, you read that right!), flowing drinks, and exclusive access to the afterparty, this is one shell of a good time that no serious foodie should miss.

Special Lunch deals

Gaucho Richmond

I road-tested this gem earlier in the month—three courses for £19.95 is exceptional value. I started with prawn chicharrón, followed by sea bream for mains, and finished with chocolate brownie. Top tip: Mondays offer free corkage, so bring your own wine for an even better deal.

Check their website for all venues

Theo Randall Cucina Italiana

The excellent Theo Randall offers a set lunch menu at his restaurant in the Intercontinental Park Lane. Three choices per course: £28 for two courses, £33 for three courses.

One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1J 7QY

Ambassadors Clubhouse

Lunch & pre-theatre menu for £36pp, beginning with Amritsari papad and chutneys, then a choice of starter and main course from their special menu.

25 Heddon St, London W1B 4BH

The Salusbury

This pale wood gastropub offers a set menu at £24.50 for three courses. Do check their website as the menu changes frequently.

50-52 Salusbury Rd, London NW6 6NN

Estiatorio Milos

Experience one of London's finest fish restaurants with their lunch menu: two courses for £32, three courses for £36. Plenty of choice available, plus they offer a similar pre-theatre menu.

1 Regent Street, Saint James's, London SW1Y 4NW

Exciting New Restaurant Openings

Richoux Returns

Richoux is set for a comeback this September, opening just north of Oxford Street. Launching as a Parisian café (very much in vogue these days), the venue will operate all day, offering classic French dishes alongside pastries served from a traditional trolley.

I'm told there will be both a set-price lunch and pre-theatre menu available. Full details will follow once Richoux opens.

14-15 Langham Place, London W1B 2QS

Rosi at The Beaumont Mayfair - October Opening

Exciting news for October as The Beaumont Mayfair unveils Rosi, their brand new Modern British restaurant helmed by the remarkable Lisa Goodwin-Allen as Culinary Director. As one of the UK's most celebrated female chefs and part of that exclusive Michelin-starred club, Lisa brings over two decades of experience holding a star at Northcote. She's joining forces with Executive Chef Brendan Fyldes and newly appointed Executive Head Chef Jozef Rogulski (formerly of The Game Bird) to create something rather special in the heart of Mayfair.

What can we expect from Rosi? Think reimagined British classics with Lisa's signature playful twist - seasonal showstopper pies, impeccably sourced steaks including English Wagyu and Lake District beef, and desserts with proper tableside theatre. The Mayfair Millionaire's Tart particularly caught my eye with its cheeky nod to the neighbourhood's affluence! The restaurant design is moving away from The Colony Grill's clubby feel towards something brighter and more characterful - perfect for both locals and visitors. Reservations open soon, and I suspect this one will be rather popular given Lisa's reputation and The Beaumont's pedigree.

Brother Marcus opens in Soho

Brother Marcus is making a bold move into the heart of Soho this autumn, taking over the former Social Eating House site on Poland Street. London's beloved East-Mediterranean brand—renowned for their relaxed weekend brunches and generous hospitality—will transform the space into an 84-cover restaurant spread across two floors.

What can we expect? Think mezze-style sharing plates bursting with bold, fresh flavours, contemporary design that feels both sophisticated and welcoming, plus free-flowing Greek wine to accompany that signature East-Med warmth we've come to love from Brother Marcus.

It's quite a leap from their existing locations into prime Soho territory, but given their track record for creating that perfect weekend brunch atmosphere, this could be exactly what Poland Street needs. The question is: can they translate their laid-back charm to a bustling Soho crowd?

Opening Autumn 2025

The Marlborough Arms

The Beaumont Mayfair unveils Rosi, their brand new modern British restaurant helmed by the remarkable Lisa Goodwin-Allen as Culinary Director. As one of the UK's most celebrated female chefs and member of that exclusive Michelin-starred club, Lisa brings over two decades of experience, including holding a star at Northcote. She's joining forces with Executive Chef Brendan Fyldes and newly appointed Executive Head Chef Jozef Rogulski (formerly of The Game Bird) to create something rather special in the heart of Mayfair.

What can we expect from Rosi? Think reimagined British classics with Lisa's signature playful twist—seasonal showstopper pies, impeccably sourced steaks including English Wagyu and Lake District beef, and desserts with proper tableside theatre. The Mayfair Millionaire's Tart particularly caught my eye with its cheeky nod to the neighbourhood's affluence!

The restaurant design moves away from The Colony Grill's clubby feel towards something brighter and more characterful—perfect for both locals and visitors. Reservations open soon, and I suspect this will be rather popular given Lisa's reputation and The Beaumont's pedigree.

Opening October

The New Chancery Rosewood Hotel, Grosvenor Square

This exciting new hotel opening in September brings several new dining destinations:

Tobi Masa - Led by world-renowned Chef Masayoshi Takayama, bringing his refined omakase vision with a menu that blends Japanese precision with London sensibilities.

Carbone - Mario Carbone's Italian-American restaurant has become the go-to destination in New York's Greenwich Village, now making its London debut.

Serra - Mediterranean and Greek cuisine restaurant, headed by Chef de Cuisine Alex Povall, previously Executive Chef at Berenjak in Soho.

Jacqueline - Tearoom and dessert salon, likely to be the hotel's afternoon tea venue.

GSQ - A deli serving light snacks, sandwiches and pastries, boasting a large terrace.

Eagle Bar - Rooftop cocktail bar with views over Grosvenor Square and beyond—this should be extremely popular.

Coming Up Next Month...

Shock horror, dear reader! Possibly only one restaurant review next month, with a visit to Michelin-starred Trivet. Don't worry though—I'll be enjoying plenty of exceptional food (hopefully) with trips to Lisbon, then onto Porto to board a river cruise down the Douro, back for a few days, then to Spain for a week in La Manga for more great food, golf, and my first attempt at padel tennis.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of news and gossip in our next newsletter at the end of the month. Please follow my exploits during the month on Instagram [@themayfairfoodie].

Until next time, keep eating well and thanks so much for taking the time to read,

Best, Martin The Mayfair Foodie

[email protected]

www.mayfairfoodie.com

Instagram @themayfairfoodie

Don't forget to check out our July newsletter if you missed it.