Openings of the week: Harts, Big Smoke, Acai Berry

Harts Group will open Bar Daskal, a new Spanish wine bar from the team behind Barrafina, in Borough Yards this summer.

Named after the Hart brothers’ artist grandfather Vladimir Daskalof, it is inspired by the Mallorcan village of Estellencs where he lived, and will serve classic and exclusive Spanish wine, sherry and cocktails, as well cold snacks and cold tapas.

Bar Daskal will sit alongside Harts’ other Spanish-inspired concepts Barrafina and Parillan at the shopping and restaurant development from Meyer Bergman on the former Vinopolis premises.

Big Smoke Brew Co and Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) have teamed up to launch an independent pub and restaurant at London Luton Airport (LLA).

Opening in June 2022, Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen follows a previous partnership on a venture at Heathrow’s Terminal 2.

The Surrey-based craft brewer and pub operator has a separate eight-strong joint venture with Punch Pubs & Co.

Quick service concept SushiDog will open a new site on Brewer Street in Soho in May.

The sushi roll brand from Greg Ilsen and Nick Goldstein currently has two sites, in Covent Garden’s Tower Street and Westfield White City.

Opening on the former Flight Centre site, Soho will be followed by another site in Bishopsgate, with the brand planning a further five this year.

New York-based desert concept Chocolate DIP is making its UK debut with new concept Cocomelt London on Wardour Street.

Opening on the former Enrique Tomas Jamon Iberico site, Cocomelt will serve Belgian chocolate themed desserts, including crépes, waffles, fettuccine and sushi crépes.

Meanwhile health food café, Acai Berry, is set to open in the adjacent 130 Wardour Street unit for their sixth London location, with Shelley Sandzer acting on both deals.

Acai Berry operates in Oxford Circus, Carnaby Street, Chelsea, Shoreditch and Notting Hill, and serves health-focused smoothie bowls and drinks.

Chicken Shop has relaunched its Baker Street, Islington and Notting Hill Gate sites under its new branding.

The Sir Charles Dunstone-backed business, which previously traded under the name Chik’n, recently acquired the IP and brand of the Soho House founded Chicken Shop.

Led by John Nelson, it plans to expand to 17 sites – a mixture of restaurants and delivery-only kitchens – by the end of 2022 under its new name.

The team behind London-based Neapolitan pizza group Made of Dough is launching an Italian bar and diner in Crystal Palace next month.

Palazzo, a 2,000 sq ft, 80 cover neighbourhood-style restaurant will take over the former Church Grill site on Church Road.

Made of Dough originally launched in Pop Brixton, and now has sites in Peckham and Shoreditch.