Latest openings: the Bedford, Farzi Café London, Salt Flakes and more
The Bedford
The Bedford pub, music venue and comedy club in London's Balham has relaunched following a multimillion-pound refurbishment. The five-floor, Grade II-listed venue features five bars, four private rooms, a ballroom and a 250-capacity live music club, as well 15 new bedrooms.
The restored interior pairs art deco glamour with original 1970s touches, including marble bar tops, velvet booth seating and chandeliers against exposed walls, original parquet flooring and vintage punk art.
A seasonal British menu features burgers, beer-battered fish and chips, pizzas and fresh seasonal salads, as well as small plates including lamb or chicken skewers with miso mayo and Scotch eggs. The pub also serves cooked breakfasts, including salt beef hash, and roasts on Sundays.
At the bar, the drinks list features a dedicated tequila and mezcal menu, craft ales and London-brewed beers.
Owners Three Cheers Pub Company
General manager Jessi Borhart
Head chef Aaron Cakebread
Covers Standing: main bar 150; saloon bar 50; Club room 250; ballroom 180; cocktail bar 30; private dining room 70
Bedrooms 15
Starting room rate £89
Website www.thebedford.com
Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South
Located near Abingdon, the new hotel features the Oxen Bar & Grill, a fitness centre and four meeting rooms able to cater for up to 120 delegates. The interior design features a nod to the local area.
Bedrooms 170
Owner Reef Estates Hotels
Operator EQ Hotels
Design Urban Reef
Website www.marriott.co.uk
Farzi Café London
The Farzi Café brand has arrived in the UK with a site in London's Piccadilly Circus, offering experimental Indian dishes with molecular gastronomy and theatre. Dare Hospitality has created a laboratory-style bar serving drinks inspired by the history of India.
Operator Massive Restaurants
Head chef Saurabh Udinia
Typical dishes Tandoori wild mushrooms, truffle and walnut dust; dal chawal arancini; raj kachori
Website www.farzicafe.com
Salt Flakes
Salt Flakes in London's Twickenham has launched a new menu and lounge bar in an overhaul of operations overseen by House of Feasts chef Damian Wawrzyniak on a consultancy basis. Championing seasonal, British ingredients, the restaurant offers set lunch, dinner, à la carte and Sunday roasts.
Covers 80
Typical dishes Crayfish soup; wild mushroom pappardelle; braised beef ribs with hoisin sauce
Website www.saltflakeslondon.co.uk
Over Under
Over Under, the west London coffee brand focusing on the commuter market, has opened its latest branch at West Brompton crossing. Over Under offers single origin coffee roasted in partnership with Brixton's Assembly Coffee. The new site serves breakfast and lunch.
Owner Ed Barry
General manager Jennifer Lewis
Typical dishes Spinach and ricotta croissant; breakfast brioche with Parma ham and egg
Website www.overundercoffee.com
Legna
Legna, the second site from chef Aktar Islam's AI Restaurants, has opened in Summer Row, Birmingham, close to sister site Opheem. Legna, which is Italian for firewood, launched in December and offers à la carte dining, pizzas and a set lunch menu.
Covers 70
Typical dishes Wood-fired hake, samphire, walnut and caper sauce; veal sirloin with aubergine and salsa verde
Website www.legnarestaurant.com
