This week's round-up: New restaurants, revamped classics, and must-visit venues

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The Staff Canteen

This week's opening round-up features the transformation of a popular restaurant offering a vibrant new setting and mouth-watering dishes.

Here's a list of the new restaurants hitting the UK dining scene.

Kerfield Arms

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Adam Symonds and chef Rob Tecwyn are teaming up with chef Jay Styler to launch The Kerfield Arms, a new dining hotspot in Camberwell.

Jay, formerly of The Baring, will lead as both head chef and partner, bringing his signature approach of simple yet refined cooking with seasonal ingredients

The opening menu showcases impressive dishes, including: Starters such as cuttlefish and lardo shish with pul biber; Fried pig’s head with smoked eel & warm tartare sauce; Smoked Costoluto tomato with ricotta mustia & sea kale.

Mains include Yorkshire hogget with violet artichokes & pine nuts; Grilled monkfish with hand-rolled fregola & shrimp bisque; Ricotta & nettle dumplings with broad beans & wild garlic buttermilk.

A few favourites from The Baring will make their way to The Kerfield, including the popular midweek lunch deal - a changing main dish for £12 (£15 with a drink) - and a Sunday Roast featuring Ibérico pork belly, grilled Longhorn rump, and charcoal-grilled Vendée chicken.

Located on Grove Lane, just off Camberwell Church Street, The Kerfield Arms boasts a spacious bar, a relaxed dining room, and a private dining space for up to 25 guests.

The interiors mirror The Baring’s stripped-back yet inviting aesthetic, featuring rich green and cream tones, leather banquettes, and classic wooden furniture. With ample outdoor seating, it’s set to be a go-to spot all year round.

Tatar Bunar

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On Wednesday, April 9, Ukrainian restaurateurs Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko will open Tatar Bunar on Curtain Road, bringing the heart of Ukrainian cuisine to London. Named after Alex’s hometown, the restaurant will showcase generations-old family recipes with a menu inspired by the diverse Bessarabia region.

Led by Head Chef Kate Tkachuk, the menu embraces Ukrainian culinary heritage with a modern touch. Dishes are designed to be shared, featuring:

The restaurant will offer starters like Ukrainian onion bread with lardo, sprat with potatoes, pickled tomatoes, and Bunar tartare.

The wine list highlights Ukrainian winemakers from Bessarabia, such as Baykusk, Kolonist, and Stakhnovsky, personally selected by Alex and Anna.

Designed by I Am Design, the interiors celebrate Ukrainian craftsmanship. Natural tones, reclaimed Carpathian oak wood, and Bulgarian stone set a warm, earthy tone. Vintage rugs, family photos, and a striking olive tree centerpiece add to the friendly atmosphere.

The open kitchen, lined with handmade ceramic plates, allows guests to watch the chefs at work, while handcrafted clay tiles from Kyiv-based artist Svetlana Sholomitska reflect the resilience of Ukrainian artistry. An outdoor courtyard, surrounded by olive trees and ivy, provides a serene dining escape for 20 guests.

Throughout the war, Alex remained in Ukraine, supporting his team and community by providing meals for soldiers and the vulnerable. As he is unable to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict, Anna will oversee Tatar Bunar in London.

Setlist

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Launching on May 8, Setlist is a new riverside bar and venue at Somerset House, celebrating live music, DJs, art installations, and food from London’s top female chefs. Opening during Somerset House’s 25th anniversary, Setlist will bring together the best of London’s creative scene, all within a striking pavilion overlooking the Thames.

Setlist’s four female chefs will serve an eclectic menu, alongside pop-ups, guest chefs, and a summer BBQ series.

Opeoluwa Odutayo x The Future Plate: Inspired by Nigerian flavors, Opeoluwa’s menu includes plantain fritters with parmesan aioli, jerk chicken skewers, and African spiced goat croquettes. Future Plate will also introduce their West African Wahala burger concept.

Sophie Wyburd x Wildfarmed: The comfort food expert partners with Wildfarmed to create pizzette topped with sausage, aubergine, or hot honey, plus snacks like smoked cheese beignets and walnut cream tomatoes.

Masafina (Andrea Montes Renaud & Laura Copp): Honouring Mexican heritage, Masafina will serve Baja fish tacos, mushroom tostadas, and loaded Mexico City nachos using heirloom corn tortillas.

Terri Mercieca x Happy Endings: The award-winning pastry chef will offer rotating soft serves, sorbets, and exclusive ice cream sundaes in collaboration with Setlist’s chefs.

With its mix of food, music, and art, Setlist at Somerset House promises to be a must-visit destination this summer.

The Brasserie at Sopwell House

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The Brasserie at Sopwell House has reopened after a stunning refurbishment, offering a vibrant new menu in a new stylish setting. To mark the occasion, guests can enjoy an exclusive three-course meal with a glass of wine for just £29 until May 2.

Located in the picturesque Sopwell House hotel, The Brasserie blends classic elegance with modern touches, creating a relaxed yet refined dining experience. Executive chef Gopi Chandran and head chef Marilena Ungureanu have crafted a menu celebrating the best of British cuisine, using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients.

The new menu features starters such as chicken liver parfait with apple and blackberry chutney, baked scallops with bacon crumble, and Goats' cheese croquettes with roasted red pepper sauce. Signature mains include Cornish cod with sweet garden peas, Braised lamb shoulder pie, and Slow-cooked beef cheeks with mashed potato.

For steak lovers, The Brasserie offers premium 28-day dry-aged Hereford steaks, including fillet and sirloin on the bone, as well as a 900g rib of beef cooked on a Mibrasa charcoal grill for maximum flavour. Sundays are dedicated to indulgent roasts, featuring Angus striploin beef, Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy.

Black Tap Burgers

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London’s Soho is set to welcome a taste of New York as Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer opens its flagship UK location on April 17. Set on Glasshouse Street, this will be Black Tap’s biggest venue yet, spanning 5,000 square feet across two floors.

Known for its award-winning burgers and world-famous milkshakes, Black Tap’s London home will bring its signature NYC vibes, featuring bold monochrome floors, graffiti-covered walls by artist Bradley Theodore, and a golden-era hip-hop soundtrack.

The London flagship will introduce two exclusive menu items. The Big Apple is a decadent dessert blending NYC and London flavours, with a cream cheese frosted rim, toffee and graham cracker crumble, and a caramel apple cheesecake slice perched on top, alongside a whole toffee apple, whipped cream, and toffee drizzle.

The Londoner burger gives a British twist to Black Tap’s signature style, featuring a thick beef patty topped with Stinking Bishop cheese, Sammy Smith’s apple cider jam, watercress, and Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

Chris Barish, chairman of Black Tap, described the opening as a full-circle moment, bringing the brand from SoHo in New York to Soho in London.

He also emphasised that Black Tap has always been about more than just food, focusing on creating a vibrant atmosphere where people can connect over bold flavours, art, music, and creativity.

Written by Abi Kinsella

 

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Editor 5th April 2025

This week's round-up: New restaurants, revamped classics, and must-visit venues

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