Openings this week: No 197 Chiswick Fire Station, the Cricketers, Talli Joe and more
A look at the latest restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars to open their doors
No 197 Chiswick Fire Station
The end of April saw the opening of No 197 Chiswick Fire Station in west London. The old fire station has been re-imagined with a new design that opens up a forgotten courtyard. This is the fourth location belonging to bar group Darwin & Wallace, and it offers a relaxed, all-day experience with an open, utilitarian feel. The furnishings include traditionally made and upholstered sofas, terracotta tiles, handmade chunky oak chairs and cake tables, similar to those seen in sister locations No 32 The Old Town and No 1 Duke Street. Original artwork has been chosen in partnership with the Hang-Up Gallery in Stoke Newington. The cocktail menu has a selection of spirit infusions, house-made syrups and sherbets, including lavender Rob Roy, Tanqueray 10 gimlet and a range of local craft and international beers and lagers.
Designer Lou Davies at Box 9 and Lionel Real De Azua
Operator Darwin & Wallace
Founder/managing director Mel Marriott
Head chef Tomasz Wezyk
Manager Damian Ritter
Covers 150
Typical dishes Fillet of sea bass with baby artichoke, new potato, asparagus and crème fraîche tartar (£17.50); and baked orange cheesecake with fresh grapefruit (£6.50)
Websitewww.no197chiswickfirestation.com
The Cricketers
Brasserie Bar Co has opened a new pub in Cobham, Surrey. The pub, which has been restored to reveal its original 17th-century features, overlooks Downside Common and features a semi-private snug for 20 guests.
Covers Brasserie: 70; bar: 40; terrace: 40
Executive chef Clive Fretwell
General manager Chris Catfield
Typical dish Pimontaise chicken salad and lamb cutlets with Moroccan vegetables
Websitewww.cricketerscobham.com
Hilton Garden Inn
The Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland has opened next to the Stadium of Light, the home of Premier League football club Sunderland FC. It is one of 45 Hilton Garden Inns across Europe and is the first hotel in the immediate vicinity of the stadium.
Operator HMI Hospitality Management International
Bedrooms 141
General manager Kim Kelso
Websitewww.hgi.com
Talli Joe
Talli Joe is an all-day venue headed by a former Benares chef on London's Shaftesbury Avenue. The restaurant aims to take Londoners on a journey through modern India.
Executive chef Sameer Taneja
Typical dishes Lawrence Road kulcha (naan stuffed with cottage cheese and brushed with truffle ghee); and Raghogarhi fish bake (baked sea bass and rice, wrapped in a banana leaf)
Covers 73
Websitewww.tallijoe.com
The George Townhouse
Pub operator and brewer Brakspear has reopened one of its eight managed pubs, the newly renovated, grade II-listed George Townhouse in Shipston-on-Stour.
Bedrooms 15
Head chef James Neve
Executive chef Antony Ely
Features The Carriage Room for private dining, the 40-cover Pantry restaurant and the Garden Room overlooking a decked patio area
Websitewww.brakspear.co.uk
Trufflesecco
A bar/restaurant offering the Italian exports of truffles and Prosecco has opened in London's Camden. It focuses on cuisine with an "authentic edge", inspired by Florence.
Founders Irina and Lana Bondar
Typical dishes Gorgonzola Dolce, artichoke and truffle cream crostino platter with Ubriaco Prosecco; and mortadella with pistachio and truffle salami platter
Covers 24
Websitewww.trufflesecco.com
Walter and Monty
Former pop-up grill restaurant Walter and Monty has opened its first permanent site in the City of London. It offers barbecue cooking.
Owner Alex Kaye
Head chef Nick Ross
Covers 30
Typical dishes Beef picanha/top sirloin, as well as butterflied leg of lamb marinated in mint, garlic and lemon, served either wrapped in a flatbread warmed on the grill or with rice and salad
Websitewww.walterandmonty.com
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