The seven biggest openings this week: featuring Farmstand Covent Garden and InterContinental London – The O2
The end of January saw the opening in south east London of the InterContinental London - The O2. It is one of the largest hotel launches in the capital for some years. The hotel, which is adjacent to the O2 Arena, is operating under a franchise agreement with Meridian Hotel Operations Limited and managed by a division of the Arora Group.
Angela Brav, chief executive, Europe, IHG, said the hotel is set to become a destination in its own right, next to one of the UK's most popular entertainment venues. "East London is going through an unprecedented transformation and I'm confident InterContinental London - The O2 hotel will be the perfect luxury retreat for both local residents and guests."
Opened 26 January 2016
Operator Meridian Hotel Operations
Bedrooms 453
Facilities Five food and beverage outlets,
spa, 3,100 sq m pillar-free ballroom, additional 19 meeting rooms
General manager Hasham Soliman
Websitewww.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/reservation
The Eagles Corner
Star Pubs & Bars has opened a training pub, the Eagles Corner, in Arnold, Nottingham, following a £336,000 investment. Once established it will provide on-site training for Star personnel and prospective licensees.
Covers 90 inside; 25 outside; upstairs function room for 40 seated or 100 standing
Drinks Premium ales, lagers and ciders as well as cocktails, mocktails and sharing pitchers
Typical dishes Pizzas, platters and burgers
Websitewww.eaglescorner.co.uk
Farmstand
A new healthy fast-casual restaurant, Farmstand, opened on London's Drury Lane in Covent Garden at the end of last month. It offers a range of ready-to-go seasonal boxes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Founder Steven Novick
Covers 30
Typical dishes Four-grain porridge with organic oat milk; grilled harissa chicken; and split fava bean, butternut squash and cumin
Websitewww.farmstand.co.uk
Galley
Galley, a restaurant and bar specialising in small and large international plates with an emphasis on fish, launched on Upper Street in London's Islington earlier this month. It is run by siblings Oriona Robb and Marcel Grzyb.
Founders Oriona Robb and Marcel Grzyb
Covers 70
Typical dishes Hereford beef carpaccio, wild mushrooms, beef jelly, pistachio and smoked garlic pesto
Websitewww.galleylondon.co.uk
Burger Shed 41
Roberts & Wade Restaurants has opened a new restaurant in Chester. Burger Shed 41 is a US-inspired take on a classic New York burger bar. Roberts & Wade Restaurants runs Urbano 32 in Chester and plans to open six restaurants in the next two to three years.
Founders John Roberts and Ian Wade
Covers 50
Typical dishes Brisket and skirt burgers, hot dogs, milk/hard shakes and craft beers
Websitewww.burgershed41chester.co.uk
Tiny Leaf
A new 'zero waste' restaurant opened last month in London's Notting Hill. It uses surplus food from suppliers to offer a daily changing vegetarian menu and nut 'mylks'.
Chef Justin Horne
General manager Jonathan Krauss
Marketing director Alice Gilsenan
Typical dishes Courgetti with hemp pesto and toasted almond; and rye wafer with butter
bean ragu, tomatoes and homemade paneer
Websitewww.tinyleaflondon.com
The Turk's Head
The Turk's Head pub, owned by the team that runs Whitelock's Ale House and the Five Points Brewing Company, has opened in Leeds in former workers' cottages.
Owner Ed Mason
Head chef Robbie Andrews
Designer Lord Whitney
Typical dishes Home-made pork scratchings; crispy pigs' ears served with caper tartar sauce; and deep-fried cauliflower with spiced yogurt
Websitewww.turksheadleeds.co.uk
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