October Update

Welcome Fellow Foodies,

For me, autumn always gets a raw deal in the world of seasons; officially, it stretches from September to November. In reality, September comes, and we are clinging on to summer. Then, halfway through November, we get full-on Christmas and winter mode, which is a shame as Autumn is such a lovely season full of contrasting colours and a time of the year when seasonal menus reflect the change of weather and the beautiful autumnal produce.

We have a lot to cover in this month’s newsletter, so I’d better stop waffling and get on with it. Let’s start with what I have been doing this month, the latest London restaurant news, and finally, what we are up to in November.

October Foodie recap

So, what has been happening on the Mayfair Foodie since our last newsletter? A couple of very enjoyable reviews in the shape of Jason Atherton's Mary’s on his former Pollen Street Social site and Nieves Barragan’s Michelin starred Sabor. I can highly recommend both; although they are very different restaurants, the level of cooking and service at both restaurants was exceptional.

Finally, I did make it out of Mayfair and ate at the recently opened Wildflower in Pimlico. Wildflowers is the new venue of Head Chef Aaron Potter (formerly at Elystan), and we visited in week two of the restaurant’s opening. Located in an exclusive shopping arcade, they have spent a lot of money on the decor. I’m delighted to report the quality of the food matched the decor; there was a lot to like about Wildflower, and it might be worth getting in early.

If you are looking for a party venue or are involved in planning events, you might be interested in our guide to Private Dining restaurants. This guide will provide a wide range of private dining options and take the hard work out of finding the perfect space for you. And on a similar theme, we nominated our best restaurants for a Christmas party.

Latest News

Last month I mentioned the Mayfair Chippy was opening a new restaurant in Knightsbridge; I’ve been told the opening has been delayed by a couple of weeks and will now open at the end of November. The new restaurant will be open for breakfast and boasts a gin bar in the two-storey restaurant.

Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai is opening his third luxury Indian restaurant, Vatavaran, in Beauchamp Place on 7 November. I've only heard good reports about the sister restaurant Manthan on Maddox Street.

Many of our readers will be celebrating Thanksgiving day, so I bring you news of two London restaurants offering special Thanksgiving menus. The Northall at Corinthia is offering traditional fare (turkey and pecan pie) in its set menu, while Chutney Mary is adding some spice to the occasion with the likes of Kerala Roast Duck or Jewel of a Lamb Curry—Kundan Kalia and Hill Station Sticky Ginger Toffee Pudding with candied pecans. The set menu at Chutney Mary includes cocktails as well.

You might remember that the Berkley Hotel opened its rooftop bar to the public in the summer. They have been at it again and opened a winter version called Feast off-piste.

The immersive ski gondola dining experience will run from 14 November 2024 to 1 January 2025. It will feature an après-ski-inspired sharing menu with gingerbread s’mores, winter cocktails, and Laurent-Perrier Champagne. So if you are looking for something different for your Christmas party, this could be a fun option.

If, like me, you've struggled to secure a table at A. Wong (incidentally my favourite Chinese restaurant), booking was made much more difficult after it received its second Michelin star this year; however, there's now a new opportunity to enjoy Chef Andrew Wong's cuisine. He has partnered with The Donovan Bar in Mayfair for a three-month residency, with two other renowned chefs set to follow. Under the guidance of Adam Byatt, the Chef Director at Brown's Hotel, who also oversees Trinity in Clapham, Andrew will introduce a variety of new dishes to the bar menu.

As with most months recently, it's time to announce another Jason Atherton new restaurant opening. This time, the restaurant in question is Three Darlings in the heart of Chelsea. The restaurant is named after Jason’s three daughters. 

LAVO, the Bo Tree’s signature restaurant, is launching a new  ‘Taste of LAVO’ set menu, offering a delightful 3-course dinner for £58 per person, available daily from 5 pm. Guests will dine in an elegantly designed space featuring Mediterranean décor and lush greenery. The menu highlights include Antipasti like Handmade Burrata, Beef Carpaccio, and Hamachi Crudo, followed by Secondi options such as Silk Handkerchiefs with wild boar Bolognese, Chicken Parmigiana, and Mediterranean Seabass. For dessert, choose between the 20-layer Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake or a personalised Cannoli served tableside. The experience also includes LAVO’s signature Pomelo Paloma cocktail for a refreshing finish.

Bocconcino Mayfair, the renowned Italian restaurant on Berkeley Street, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this November. Known for authentic Italian cuisine and sophisticated dining, Bocconcino invites guests to a month-long celebration featuring a special menu of its top 10 most popular dishes from the past decade.

The anniversary menu highlights classic favourites such as Beef Carpaccio, Tuna Tartare, Lobster Linguini, and Tiramisu, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to high-quality ingredients and Italian culinary traditions.

Additionally, guests can enjoy complimentary bubbles every Monday to Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm with a reservation. Bocconcino will continue its popular events, including the Thursday Dinner Party with bottomless Prosecco, the Saturday Ciao Bottomless Brunch, and the luxury Il Grande Sunday Brunch, offering a lavish buffet experience.

Caviar Kaspia London Presents Exclusive Art Exhibition Featuring Holzweiler x Bjarne Melgaard. Caviar Kaspia London is excited to announce the launch of a unique art exhibition in partnership with the esteemed Norwegian fashion and lifestyle label Holzweiler and acclaimed artist Bjarne Melgaard. 

The exhibition will be showcased at Caviar Kaspia London in Mayfair from October until Tuesday, 12 November 2024. Guests are welcome to immerse themselves in this extraordinary blend of fashion, art, and gourmet dining at one of London’s most esteemed venues.

Some last-minute news dropped into my inbox today: La Mome London will be opening in The Berkeley Hotel, taking over the former Marcus Waring restaurant sight.

In January 2025, French restaurateurs Ugo and Antoine Lecorché will bring the glamour of the French Riviera, past and present, to The Berkeley in Knightsbridge with an iteration of their sophisticated restaurant La Môme. At La Môme London, they will channel the vibrant energy and timeless style of their sought-after institution, which spans an entire street, inside and out, minutes from the legendary Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes.

I'll follow up with more details closer to the opening.

 Coming up next Month

Plans for the Mayfair Foodie next month include our review of the new food menu at Le Magritte at The Beaumont Hotel. We are also excited to visit the Japanese restaurant Roketsu to try their Kaiseki experience. I will be making my way to Knightsbridge for a pre-opening meal at the new Mayfair Chippy. And if that's not enough fun for one month, I’ll be delighted to join the birthday celebrations at Bocconcino Mayfair.

Oh, I nearly forgot. I hope to take a peek at the new Delamina Townhouse in Covent Garden.

Lastly, if my new kitchen is finished, I will try to add a new recipe to the website; I’ve missed doing them.

So, many thanks for making it this far in the newsletter. Have a lovely November, and I will speak to you at the end of the Month.

Best wishes

Martin, Mayfair Foodie

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www.mayfairfoodie.com

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