Latest openings: Ugly Dumpling, Lucianos, Playroom and more
Ugly Dumpling
Ugly Dumpling has opened its second London restaurant, in Fitzrovia. The brand was co-founded by Ping Wong and Philipp Chaykin, who started out as street food traders before taking over the former Pitt Cue site in London's Carnaby in 2017.
The new restaurant is in a larger site with space for up to 60 diners, as well as a bar counter and semi-private space for groups of up to eight.
Dumplings are filled with a mix of traditional flavours, such as pork belly and aromatic duck, as well as more creative pizza Margherita, Thai green curry and spring roll fillings.
To mark Veganuary, the Fitzrovia site is serving a limited edition vegan cheeseburger dumpling filled with a soy bean-based meat substitute and melted vegan cheese, topped with burger sauce and avocado-lime vegan mayo.
Other plant-based dishes include tempura aubergines dressed with golden syrup and peanuts; Daikon salad with a Vietnamese-inspired dressing; and dessert-style dumplings filled with banana and cinnamon.
Opened 4 January
Address 30 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JG
Websiteuglydumpling.co.uk
Happy Face Pizza
The Neapolitan pizza brand's London expansion has begun with a 50-cover restaurant in Victoria. It serves pizzas made with 72-hour fermented dough priced from £7.50 alongside Italian beers, wines and cocktails.
Opened 4 January
Typical dishes Pizzas include a vegan pepperoni; and the Rucola with mozzarella, rocket, prosciutto crude and Parmesan
Address 23 Eccleston Place, London SW1W 9NF
Websitehappyface.pizza
Playroom
DJ and music producer Tom Zanetti is to launch a late-night restaurant and club in Leeds, named Playroom. It will serve ‘globally-inspired' small plates and feature a lounge with VIP tables, heated indoor courtyard, outside terrace and stage for live performers.
Opening 27 January
Address Electric Press, 14 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3DW
Websitewww.playroomvip.com
The Vices York
A Victorian police station building in York has been transformed into a luxury hotel with three suites, a cocktail bar and wine library for tasting experiences. Its restaurant, Allium, overseen by chef Luke Sanderson, serves a £70, six-course tasting menu.
Opening 19 January
Room rate From £350
Address 15 Alma Terrace, York YO10 4DQ
Websitewww.thevices.co.uk
Founders Daniel Curro and Moreno Carbone
Negronis
The team behind Lobos Tapas in London's Soho has launched an Italian bar and restaurant down the road on Frith Street, serving pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes priced from £5-£32.
Opened 17 December
Typical dishes Gnocchi with blue cheese reduction, radicchio, guanciale and walnuts; truffle cacio e pepe
Address 15 Frith Street, London W1D 4RE
Websitewww.negronis.co.uk
Gallio
Mediterranean restaurant Gallio has launched in Canary Wharf's Cabot Place development, serving pizzas, mezze-style small plates to share, salads and loaded flatbreads. It is decorated with a water feature and an olive tree.
Typical dishes Moroccan ras-el-hanout chicken with padrón peppers, pickled red onions, mozzarella and pomegranate seeds
Address The Atrium Kitchen, Level 2, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT
Websitewww.gallio.uk
Lucianos
The casual dining chain set up by Luciano Pierre White, son of Marco, has chosen Woking for its third restaurant. The menu focuses on hearty Italian dishes priced from £14.50 with a complimentary glass of wine or beer.
Opened December 2021
Typical dishes Spinach and ricotta ravioli; shellfish bolognese; Mr White's ragu
Address Unit 53/55 Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, Woking GU21 6XX
Continue reading
You need to create an account to read this article. It's free and only requires a few basic details.
Already subscribed? Log In
