Bar Bolivar, Canary Wharf – opening 20 Oct
Named after South American freedom fighter Simón Bolívar, Bar Bolivar in Canary Wharf is from the brains behind Portuguese piri piri palace Casa do Frango in London Bridge. Inspired by 1950s Havana, the cocktails, like The Hemingway Highball, made with white rum, cherry soda, cranberry juice and vermouth, tip their hat to the city and its famous inhabitants. The food, meanwhile, is being looked after by Venezuelan street food outfit Pabellón. Among the highlights are Cubano sarnies, packed with honey-roasted ham, Emmental, shredded pork, pickled cucumber and American mustard. As for the décor, expect well-travelled vintage suitcases, tropical plants and brightly coloured tiled walls.
Kol, Marylebone – opening 20 October
Mexican chef Santiago Lastra’s long awaited London debut venture will finally open its doors in Marylebone this month. Aiming to fuse fiery Mexican flavours with impeccably sourced British ingredients, among the dishes on the debut menu will be kohlrabi, pink mole, pumpkin aguachile and smoked beetroot ceviche; seared lamb leg, guajillo mayonnaise, wild herds and corn crisp tostada; and roasted skate wing, achiote, cabbage purée and clams xnipec, served with salsa, pickles and fresh tortillas. The interiors are as eye-popping as the dishes, taking you straight down Mexico way with earthy orange hues and brightly coloured patterned tiles.
Heddon Yokocho, Mayfair – soft opening 15 October
Mayfair has a new noodle bar in the form of Heddon Yokocho on Heddon Street, a pedestrianised food quarter just off Regent Street. Retro in look and feel, the venue, inspired by 1970s Tokyo, will serve hearty bowls of steaming broth that give you a glimpse of regional Japanese cuisine. Hakodate Shio is a salt and miso-based broth ramen, while Sapporo Miso is a miso-based chicken and pork broth ramen. There’s even an Italian-inspired vegan version filled with tomatoes and mushrooms.
