Latest openings: Ziggy's Bar, Old Compton Brasserie, Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration and more
Ziggy's Bar
Hotel Café Royal in London's Soho has opened a new bar paying homage to one of its most renowned past patrons, pop icon David Bowie. The singer held a retirement party for his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, at Café Royal in the 1970s.
Adjacent to the newly opened Laurent restaurant on the first floor, the bar serves a modern twist on some of Bowie's favourite drinks, as well as classics and new creations, many inspired by Bowie's life and his album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, with drinks named after lyrics from the record.
The new cocktails include ‘darkness and disgrace', a combination of dark rum, tawny port and coffee liqueur; ‘animal grace', made with leftover orange skins; ‘tiger on vaseline', a mix of cachaça, Tanaka-spiced rum, roasted pineapple juice and lime juice; and ‘femme fatale', using Japanese liqueur, saké and French aperitif Byrrh.
The room will also feature a curated selection of photography of David Bowie by music photographer Mick Rock, who was Bowie's official photographer during the last years of Ziggy's career.
Opens 20 September
Covers 36
Website www.laurentatcaferoyal.com/ziggys
Mount Pleasant hotel
The Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant hotel in Doncaster has opened 16 new bedrooms, including two signature spa suites. The rooms are in a new two-storey wing, designed to match the existing building, with a mix of modern and contemporary features. The property has been owned and operated by the same family since 1938.
Bedrooms 84
General manager Richard Tyas
Website www.mountpleasant.co.uk
Farmer J
Farmer J has opened its second London site in the City, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, and cocktails and kombuchas, with ingredients sourced from high-welfare, sustainable UK farms. Lime-washed brick and polished concrete walls are offset by trailing greenery.
Founder Jonathan Recanati
Typical dishes Harissa chicken; charred tofu steak with white miso, aubergine and ginger dressing; and whole roasted cauliflower
Website www.farmerj.com
Genesis
Vegan, organic restaurant Genesis, from the founders of grab-and-go suppliers Raw Imagination, has opened in London's Shoreditch, offering a menu of plant-based dishes with street food influences from around the world. The menu comprises sharing plates, salads, soups, tacos, burgers and hot dogs.
Founders Alex and Oliver Santoro
Typical dishes Shawarma with Israeli salad; Thai papaya and mango salad; and laksa soup
Website www.eatgenesis.com
Old Compton Brasserie
Old Compton Brasserie has opened on London's Old Compton Street, serving British food and cocktails created by "the Talented Mr Fox" Matt Whiley. The restaurant features pop art of Soho celebrities such as Kate Moss and Twiggy as well as work by local street artists.
Operator Maxwell's Group
Design Grapes Design
Typical dishes Grilled hake and pea salad; truffle roast chicken with garlic potatoes
Website www.oldcomptonbrasserie.co.uk
The Lioness
The Lioness pub, a members-only gastropub, has opened in Wembley Stadium. With a capacity of 1,000 people (500 seated), the Lioness has three bars as well as a self-serve beer station. The pub is decorated with graphic displays, photographs, trophies, models and football memorabilia showcasing some of the greatest ‘Wembley moments'.
Covers 500
Design KSS Design Group with Design Coalition
Website www.clubwembley.com
Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration
Inception Group has opened its fifth Mr Fogg's venue, Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration on London's Strand, inspired by Jules Verne's Around The World in 80 Days. The bar features a life-sized model of a Victorian-era Orient Express, complete with banquette seating and brass lamps.
Operator Inception Group
Typical dishes Crumpets; croquettes; and meat and cheese boards
Website www.mr-foggs.com
