Openings this week: Ceru, Martello Hall, DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport and more
A look at the latest restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars to open their doors
Ceru
Ceru, a contemporary Levantine restaurant, opened at 7-9 Bute Street in London late last year, and aims to bring the colourful cuisine of the eastern Mediterranean to South Kensington. The restaurant serves a varied all-day menu, inspired by the owners' travels in Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, using more than 100 ingredients and 20 spices.
Ceru's permanent home in London is born out of three London pop-ups and appearances at numerous summer festivals. It serves a specially-created list of cocktails alongside home-made lemonades and Ceru Pale Ale, a three-grain ale brewed exclusively for Ceru by Hop Kettle Brewery.
Owners Barry and Patricia Hilton
Covers 43 covers inside and 10 outside on heated benches
Design Barry Hilton with Stephen Gee and Sonja Klaus
Typical dishes Lamb shoulder, chermoula aubergine, Ceru village salad and pita bread (£9 as part of the express lunch); lamb shoulder, slow-roasted for five hours in a blend of 12 shawarma spices (£10); Karides (whole grilled garlic prawns with a dried lime and coriander labneh) (£9); and vegetarian options including courgette and feta fritters (£6.25)
Websitewww.cerurestaurants.com
Six Storeys
Events and hospitality group Camm & Hooper opened its fifth venue in London in January. Billed as a private members' club without the fees, the venue functions as a bar and restaurant, open from early until late, offering distinct zones across each floor.
Opened 3 January
Typical dishes Carved flat-iron chicken; confit lamb; twice-baked soufflés with sloe gin jelly; and peanut butter and chocolate pudding
Websitewww.sixstoreys.com
Martello Hall
Martello Hall, on Mare Street in London E8, is the first bar from the Albion and East Group. The cocktail and banquet hall offers coffee and hot-desking by day and cocktails and pizza by night. There is an on-site gin distillery and wines selected by wine consultant Zeren Wilson and served on tap.
Founder Sarah Weir
Operations manager Darren Rumbelow
Covers 310 over two floors
Websitewww.martellohall.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport
Following a £2.5m investment and renovation, the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport has reopened. The property boasts 150 refurbished guestrooms, as well as the Space restaurant, offering traditional Scottish food.
Rooms 150
Meeting rooms 22
General manager Chris Lynch
Websitewww.hilton.com/Edinburgh-Airport
Kricket
Kricket is set to open in London's Soho this month, on Denman Street. It will offer modern Indian dishes, with an open kitchen and counter dining. The restaurant started life in a 20-seat shipping container in Brixton.
Covers 70 (plus semi-private seating for 14)
Chef Will Bowlby
Front of house Rick Campbell
Typical dishes House-made Goan sausage fry, coriander chutney, peanuts and pickled fennel
Websitewww.kricket.co.uk/soho
Alpha Beta Bar
The Modern Pantry in London's Finsbury Square is to launch the Alpha Beta bar on 16 January. Mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana of Mr Lyan Group has created a cocktail menu inspired by head chef Anna Hansen's use of globally-inspired ingredients.
Typical cocktails Firecracker Fizz (Compass Box Artist's Blend whisky, lemon, apricot and chilli sherbet fluffed with soda)
Seats 18
Websitewww.themodernpantry.co.uk
Chicken Society
Chicken Society, a new concept restaurant trialled by Mitchells & Butlers, opened in London's Finchley in December 2016. Diners can choose from a spit-roasted chicken or duck, cut to three different sizes, with sides such as fried courgetti, mac ‘n' cheese or Parmesan crinkle-cut fries.
Divisional director Susan Chappell
Covers 90
Manager Henry Geen
Websitewww.chickensociety.co.uk
