December Round Up

Fellow Foodie,

I can't believe I'm writing the last newsletter of the year; time has flown. Anyhow, I know Christmas is on our doorstep and you are busy, so I will keep this newsletter brief. For those of you taking part in the Christmas quiz that I sent out, the answers are at the bottom of this newsletter. If, for any reason, you did not receive the quiz email, please click here

This Month's Review

Just one review to talk about this month: restaurant and bar Ukai on Portobello Road. It was so lovely to be back in the area and especially visiting Ukai for the first time. The Japanese-inspired menu worked so well. Read more here.

Its not a review but I did have the absolute pleasure recently trying these festive delicacies at the new L’ETO Brompton Road. My favourite was the Clementine Chocolate cake. I’m sure these delightful treats will be available throughout the Christmas period at all 9 L’ETO’s’ across central London.

Best Reviews of 2025

It was another fantastic year of restaurant reviews, so I've put together a mini "best of" list – basically just added random titles as an excuse to mention some of my favourite restaurant reviews and dishes this year:

1. Best Newcomer – Lilibets, it’s so good. If you go, you have to try the Triptych of Fish,

2. Best Set Lunch Menu – We championed restaurant set lunches on our newsletter this year (as we will in 2026). Winner: The Cocochine. Out-of-town winner: Starling. To be honest, both set menus were exceptional and great value.

3. Best Restaurant Signature Dish – Peking Duck at Mimi Mei Fair. I still dream about the duck; it was delicious.

4. Hidden Gem – SILVA, next door to the wonderful Guinea Grill, a lovely friendly Mediterranean restaurant in Bruton Place, outstanding food.

5. Best Neighbourhood Restaurant – Nipotino, a local, friendly Italian restaurant, which is always a winner.

6. Best Pie – Ox cheek and bone marrow pie at The Punchbowl. I ate this on possibly the hottest day of the year – not ideal, but I had to have it. It was a very good pie.

7. Best Asian Restaurant – Novikov. I just love it and the fish counter is amazing special and the was the dim sum was sensational.

8. Best Vegetarian Restaurant – Tendril. Chef Rishim Sachdeva is a genius with a vegetable.

9. Best Private Dining Room – Caviar Kaspia and The Cocochine. You could happily live in either room; they both have very comfortable lounge areas

10. Best Wine Bar – Marjorie's Soho. Opened this year to great reviews, including mine. Along with the wine, the food is also very good.

On My Hit List for 2026

In no particular order:

1. Legado, Shoreditch – Nieves Barragán's highly acclaimed new restaurant

2. The Elizabeth, Ebury Street – Wild Honey's Anthony Demetre has added his touch in developing the menu. That's good enough for me to want to go

3. The Dover, Dover Street – It was on this year's list and I've still not been. Must try harder next year.

4. Carbone, Mayfair – Despite mixed reviews, I still want to go

5. The Marlborough/Crisp Pizza – I need to be convinced that a pizza can be so special.

6. Motorino, 1 Pearson Square – 1970s-inspired Italian

7. Alta, Kingly Court – Featuring dishes from Northern Spain. I've only heard good things about Alta.

8. Poon's, Somerset House – See more details below

9. The Hart, Marylebone – A recent opening by The Public House group.

10. Dorian, Notting Hill- another restaraunt/bisro thats been on my hit list for ages

I'm sure I've forgotten some, but that's enough to be getting on with!

New Restaurant Openings

Labombe by Trivet

Labombe is classed as a casual restaurant by Jonny Lake and Isa Bal, the duo behind 2 Michelin-starred Trivet. The restaurant is centred around a wood-fired oven and grill. As well as an à la carte menu, there is a great-value set lunch menu that we shall be featuring in the new year in the newsletter.

19 Old Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1LB

Chargal Mayfair

Taking over the former Jeru site on Berkeley Street, restaurateur Serdar Demir (The Mantl, Knightsbridge) has launched this ambitious three-storey Turkish venture. The ground floor offers relaxed mezze-focused dining, whilst upstairs delivers a more formal tablecloth affair. Live-fire cooking is the heart of the operation, with oak-charcoal flames applied to everything from grilled halloumi doughnuts to wagyu iskender

Aces Foodcraft

Alex Craciun's debut restaurant in Fitzrovia is a project eight years in the making with his wife, Aleksandra Jazevica. The ex-Sosharu chef showcases the very best of British produce through dishes influenced by Japanese precision from his time in Michelin-starred Tokyo kitchens, but tied to no particular cuisine. The menu changes regularly with produce selected only at its absolute best – expect unexpected combinations like expertly cooked prawn dumplings balanced on test tube chasers filled with French green mussel sauce, or chicken liver parfait whipped into a light mousse with parmesan, beetroot and coconut.

Lunchtime offers a casual 3–4 dish menu replicating a refined neighbourhood tapas bar, whilst evenings bring an immersive tasting menu at the 9-seat chef's table. Aleksandra's role as Director at Primeur allows Aces to serve extraordinary quality produce at accessible prices, whilst the European-leaning wine programme features bottles from small artisan growers and traditional producers, including rarities from Alex's native Romania.

8 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF

Dim Sum Library UK

Aqua Restaurant Group brings its acclaimed Hong Kong concept to Covent Garden – the first international outpost since launching in 2016. Chefs Jian Jia (formerly Din Tai Fung) and Dim Sum Master Leung Kwok Wah lead the kitchen, reimagining dim sum through a modern lens with signatures including Wagyu Beef Puff with Black Pepper, Dan Dan Xiao Long Bao, and Black Garlic Siu Mai. A dim sum creation station at the entrance lets guests watch chefs at work.

136 Long Acre, London WC2E 9AD

MA/NA

Thanks to Floella for this one. The Thesleff Group opens its first Mayfair venue this January at 30 Upper Grosvenor Street. MA/NA combines modern Mayfair elegance with Japanese energy, flowing from refined dining into an after-dark lounge. Executive Chef Leonard Tanyag's menu blends contemporary style with traditional Japanese techniques, featuring dishes like Scallop Dynamite Maki, Kani Tartare Salad, and Bulgogi Robata. For founder Markus Thesleff, the project is deeply personal – his father was born in Japan and his grandfather served as Finnish Ambassador in Tokyo.

30 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, W1K 7PH

Poon's at Somerset House

Amy Poon brings her family's restaurant dynasty into a new era, five decades after her parents opened the original Poon's in Soho in 1970. The menu is described as Chinese home cooking, featuring dishes like "The hill that Amy didn't die on" (sesame prawn "toast" on a lardo base), "Ode to Fuchsia" (a tribute to food writer Fuchsia Dunlop), and Zha Jiang Aubergine in Poon's signature Lisle Street sauce. Find the entrance via the New Wing on Lancaster Place rather than the main courtyard.

Somerset House, New Wing, Lancaster Place, London WC2R 1LA

Claridges Bakery

Opening 21st January 2026, Claridge's new bakery on Brook's Mews is led by internationally acclaimed baker Richard Hart (Hart Bageri Copenhagen, Green Rhino Mexico City). The menu celebrates classic British baking – think Bloomers, Jammy Dodger Tarts, Belgian Buns, and Iced Fingers, alongside Hart's renowned sourdough. Savoury options include Marmite Cheese Straws, Hampshire Pork Scotch Eggs, and Claridge's Sausage Roll.

Brook's Mews, Mayfair, London

New Year's Eve / New Year Specials

Julie's Holland Park

Neighbourhood restaurant Julie's, known for parties and glamour for seven decades, is hosting a legendary New Year's Eve with two seatings: early at 6pm (£120pp) or later at 8.15pm (£160pp). Chef Patron Owen Kenworthy's menu features Crispy Potato with Caviar, Dressed Oysters, Lobster Cocktail, Beef Wellington with all the trimmings, and Mi-cuit au chocolat with crème anglaise and pear, finished with Eau De Vie and chocolate truffles.

135 Portland Road, London W11 4LW

Novikov Mayfair

If you are looking to push the boat out Novikov welcomes 2026 with its Groovy Baby! celebration, inspired by the golden era of Soul, Funk and Disco. Early seatings (5.30pm–7.30pm) are available in both Italian and Asian restaurants with à la carte menus and minimum spend, welcoming all ages. Late seatings (from 8.45pm/9pm) carry a £275pp minimum spend, adults only. The Italian restaurant hosts a live Soul, Funk and Disco band from 9pm until 1.30am.

50 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8HA

Nessa Soho

Ring in 2026 with 70s glamour at Nessa, where the restaurant transforms into a shimmering Art Deco-inspired homage to Biba-era Soho. Expect golden lighting, velvet textures, disco balls and a live DJ spinning disco, funk and soul classics. Executive Chef Tom Cenci serves a celebratory set menu (£65–£75) with optional upgrades including caviar, oysters, champagne pairings and premium steak. Two seatings available: 5pm or 9.30pm, with the latter flowing into Nessa's New Year's party.

86 Brewer Street, London W1F 9UB

Christopher's Covent Garden

Ring in the New Year at this iconic Covent Garden American restaurant with a £100 minimum spend. Enjoy classics from Dynamite Shrimp Tacos and Maryland Crab Cakes to their viral signature Chocolate French Toast. Head downstairs to the atmospheric Martini Bar where a DJ plays until 3am, or stroll to Waterloo Bridge to catch the London Eye fireworks at midnight.

18 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DD

Fazenda Bishopsgate

Celebrate New Year's Eve Pampas-style with their Churrasco experience. Passadores carve premium grilled meats tableside – from Picanha to Cordeiro – with access to the abundant Market Table. Three tiers available: Gold (£66 lunch/£78 evening) includes sparkling wine and sweet treats; Platinum (£73/£85) adds Croquetas de Asado and Fugazzeta; and Indulgent (£96/£107) features Butter-Bathed™ Lobster Tail, Roasted Bone Marrow, and a 21-day dry-aged Tomahawk for tables of four or more. Vegan, Vegetarian (£37) and Pescetarian (£47) menus available.

100 Bishopsgate Tower, London EC2M 1GT

What's Coming Up in January

It's a busy start to the new year. Plans so far include a visit to Jay Rayner's favourite Sunday lunch restaurant. I've also got a few days planned revisiting Madeira – Funchal is home to some lovely restaurants, if you are planning a visit to Madeira I will report back on my culinary experience. Once back, I'm very much looking forward to eating at Brother Marcus and breakfast or brunch at the decadent L'ETO Caffe. Oh, nearly forgot – a birthday lunch at Starling. There are not too many positives on getting older but going to Starling is one.

So that just about wraps it up for another year. It's been a fun journey for me, and I'm so pleased to have you along for the ride. Thanks for reading – it is very much appreciated.

Finally, I absolutely insist you and yours have the very best Christmas and New Year. I look forard to catching up with you in 2026!

Best,

Martin (The Mayfair Foodie)

[email protected]
www.mayfairfoodie.com
Instagram @themayfairfoodie

Scroll down for quiz answers ↓↓↓

Quiz Answers

Here are all the answers to this year's Christmas quiz. How did you do?

Restaurants

1) Tokyo 2) b) Skof 3) Carbone 4) c) 1965 5) The Ritz Restaurant 6) b) Matt Abé 7) The Connaught 8) c) 1995 9) Sketch 10) c) Domino's Pizza (with 1,800 stores)

Food

1) Birmingham 2) c) Japanese Spider crab 3) Marks & Spencer 4) Basque Region 5) c) Raclette (it's Swiss) 6) Pho 7) b) Pakistan 8) Salt cod, known as bacalhau 9) b) Chocolate 10) China 11) Australia 12) Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy 13) Smoked haddock 14) Lamb, hogget, mutton 15) Butter, flour, and milk

Drink

1) Costa Coffee 2) b) 37.5% 3) Punt 4) c) 1886 5) Germany 6) Cosmopolitan 7) c) Russia 8) White rum 9) a) Pol Roger 10) Hawkstone 11) c) Mild by Penzance Brewing Company 12) Spain 13) c) Hungary 14) Oak 15) Sauvignon Blanc 16) Puglia 17) b) Glögg 18) Dutch Barn Vodka 19) Raki 20) Mojito

General

1) Aldi (Lidl didn't arrive until 1994) 2) a) Harry Maguire 3) a) 1856 4) c) Newcastle 5) Financial Times (FT)

How Did You Score?

47–50 correct: Foodie Genius! You're a true culinary expert. 37–46 correct: Excellent! You certainly know your stuff. 27–36 correct: Very good! A respectable foodie performance. 17–26 correct: Not bad! There's always next year to improve. Below 17: Better luck next time! Perhaps you need to read Mayfair Foodie more regularly!

We hope you enjoyed this year's quiz. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Mayfair Foodie!