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Despite the constant upheaval and disruption to the hospitality industry from pandemic lockdown restrictions, there are still new restaurants trying to open and create a successful business. We have rounded up three new venues in London, determined to succeed.
Los Mochis
Planned to open in Notting Hill in November 2020, Los Mochis restaurant and bar will mix Mexican spirit with Japanese elegance.
Los Mochis will bring together Mexican art and design with Japanese coolness. In this design-led space, diners will find the design of both ground floor dining room and first-floor lounge scattered with touches of rustic authentic Mexican culture fused with elegant, warm and sophisticated Japanese touches.
On the menu, highlights include the 22-strong Gangster Taco Menu, including Trailer Park KFC (Korean Fried Chicken, Napa cabbage, jalapeno, spicy pickled cucumber, pico de gallo, pickled onions, cheese, poblano sauce) and Miso Black Cod (den miso, pickled cabbage, crispy onions). Ceviches, Tostadas, Tiraditos and, Quesadillas (with the buttermilk fried chicken) and a selection of Maki Rolls make for a Mexican fusion feast.
Billed as a ‘tequileria’, Los Mochis will house a selections of small batch artisanal agaves, which will be put to work in signature cocktails. Try the Late-Night Martini (Ocho Blanco, lychees, vanilla, lemongrass, lime, jalapenos) or the Mezcal Haze Paloma (Mezcal, grapefruit, lime, syrup, sparkling water). Or if feeling very adventurous, guests can try a tequila or mezcal tasting flight with dinner.
Address: 2 Farmer Street, London W8 7SN.
Los Mochis will be open daily from 8am-10pm. For more information and to book, visit losmochis.co.uk.
Cha Cha x Sister Jane
The recently opened, well-appointed, detached Sister Jane Townhouse in Notting Hill, London is a new concept store by Sister Jane in collaboration with restaurant Cha Cha.
Joining forces, Sister Jane and Cha Cha have created a ground floor restaurant with a common aesthetics of distinctive retro warmth created through a palette of burnt oranges, creams and walnut timber.
The Cha Cha menu, which we have previously reviewed, is described by Head Chef, Anthony Garlando, as European with a twist of Latin. All dishes are sharing plates with 5-6 being more than plenty for 2 people (though maybe reduce that number slightly to hold space for dessert). We would recommend the Creamy Burrata with heirloom tomato on sourdough bread, Robata grilled octopus skewers with piquillo peppers and fried potato, and the Beef fillet tartare, served with pickled shallots and cha cha sauce plus optional Baeri royal caviar, presented as a canvas decorated with edible leaves and flowers.
Of the signature cocktails, it is the Cha Cha Margarita (made with Cabrito tequila, cointreau, ginger syrup and fresh lime juice) that is the standout drink of choice. The real reason you will want to try one of these, is not just because of twist of ginger syrup, but the Tajin-dusted rim. Don’t blame us if you keep ordering more.
Address: 36 Golborne Road, London, W10 5PR.
For more information and to book a table, visit: sisterjane.com.
Milk Beach
The all-day Australian restaurant Milk Beach is now open following on from an exciting expansion that saw them double in size after taking over the adjacent restaurant. This means a new bar area, and bigger restaurant area, including outdoor heated seated area.
Head Chef Darren Leadbeater has created a modern, coastal Australian dinner menu with highlights including Cornish Sprats with Yoghurt Tartare and Tasmanian Pepperberry; Gai-lan, Macadamia Cream, Black Garlic; Squid Ink Tagliatelle, Cock Crab and Tomato Fondue; Koji Marinated Chicken ‘Schnitty’ with Fermented Chilli Mayonnaise, and a Coffee Custard Tart.
The new bar features an international wine list of natural wines, cocktails and beer on tap including Wolfpack Lager and Stone & Wood from Byron Bay. Wines are sourced from independent winemakers who practise low-intervention wine-making so each bottle truly reflects the grapes and the land from which it comes.
For diners wanting somewhere for brunch, the all-day menu includes: Folded Eggs with Vietnamese Crab Curry on House-Made Crumpet; Sourdough English Muffin, XO Confit Duck, Korean Coleslaw, Fried Egg; Buttermilk Pancakes with Wattle Seed Crème and Maple Syrup; and Soba Noodles with Confit Salmon and Bacon Dashi.
Address: 19 Lonsdale Road, Queens Park, London, NW6 6RA.
For more information and to book, visit milkbeach.com
