While London’s restaurant scene takes a very brief hiatus this January after a busy Christmas we look towards the month ahead and some of the new openings in store for clues of the culinary trends that will be influencing our palates in 2017.

 

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Kricket | 12 Denman Street, Soho, W1D 7HH

What started out as a simple restaurant – a 20 seat shipping container to be exact – inside the buzzing POP space in Brixton, Kricket caused such a storm it has decided to go indoors, or rather, move to a larger site to celebrate its modern interpretation of Indian gastronomy. Soho’s latest addition, the site will seat 70 across two floors and offer many of our favourite dishes from the Brixton menu, combining the best in fresh, local British ingredients with Indian spices and aromas.

The Other Naughty Piglet | The Other Palace Theatre, 12 Palace St, Westminster, SW1E 5JA

Back to Brixton and this time to our favourite purveyors of natural wines and fine dining, Naughty Piglets. Due to launch ‘The Other Naughty Piglet’ next month in the renovated St. James Theatre restaurant, the new menu will offer a larger scope of options, although always with the same modern European style as their original Brixton venue. Founded by restauranteur couple Joe and Margaux Sharrat, it is said that they were convinced to set up a sister restaurant by a well-known West End entertainer who was so impressed with the Naughty Piglet experience they suggested it be transported to the city centre. Expect quirky French touches and some great natural wine.

The Ivy Soho Brasserie | 26-28 Broadwick Street, W1F 8JB

The Ivy empire continues to grow and will open a brasserie in Soho on Broadwick Street next month. Offering seven day, all-day dining, the new venue will be split up into the main restaurant, a bar and an outdoor seating area inspired by the terraces of Paris, and will be able to seat up to 200 people.

Hai Cenato | Victoria SW1

It’s all in the name perhaps, and we guessed that it was something Italian. The Social Company takes us on a journey to New York’s Little Italy with Hai Cenato – literally: “Have you had dinner”, offering pasta, risotto, grills and pizzas. Launching in the burgeoning NOVA complex located next to Victoria station, the new venue will have a custom-built pizza oven. Chef Patron Paul Hood of Social Eating House will oversee the kitchen, while current senior sous chef at Social Eating House will head up the kitchen at Hai Cenato.