MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, including Battersea Power Station and new venues from JKS Restaurants, The Cocktail Club and more
Battersea Power Station
Following a regeneration scheme that cost £2m per day at the peak of its restoration, Battersea Power Station will open its doors today (14 October) with over 250 shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Highlights of the F&B offer include Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Street Pizza brands; Inception Group’s Control Room B; Megan’s; Tonkotsu; Vagabond Wines; Where the Pancakes Are; Clean Kitchen Club; Tapas Brindisa; Roti King; and an Arcade food hall from JKS and Taiwanese concept Bao, both opening in 2023.
Speedboat Bar, Chinatown London
Speedboat Bar, the Thai restaurant concept and third brand from JKS Restaurants, will open on Rupert Street. With a menu created by chef Luke Farrell, the offer is inspired by Bangkok’s Chinatown and will have a range of dishes with specialist Thai ingredients.
Zhang Liang Malatang, Chinatown London
Chinese eatery Zhang Liang Malatang, which has more than 5,500 outlets across the Asia-Pacific, will make its European debut on Shaftesbury Avenue. The 1,200 sq ft site will serve malatang – a Sichuanese soup – as its hero dish.
The Cocktail Club, Birmingham
The Cocktail Club has opened its 16th and largest site on Temple Street in Birmingham. The two-floor, 450-capacity venue will offer bottomless brunch, a weekly setlist of promotions, cocktail masterclasses, and cocktails exclusive to Birmingham.
The space is divided into three bars – the Temple bar, Eden bar, and Star bar – and was designed by interior designer Matthew Williamson to reflect The Cocktail Club’s brand identity.
The Real Greek, Solihull
The Real Greek will open its 25th site and first in the Midlands in Touchwood, Solihull, on 17 October. It will be the brand’s fourth opening in 2022, following openings in Manchester, Newcastle, and Gloucester.
The 146-cover restaurant will have indoor as well as al fresco seating and will offer the brand’s signature Greek food and wine menu.
Longboys, Coal Drops Yard
Gourmet doughnut brand Longboys will launch a flagship site in Coal Drops Yard by Kings Cross this month. The brand currently has two stores in Seven Dials Market and Boxpark Wembley, with some products available from concessions within Harrod’s and Selfridges.
The offer includes the brand’s core product – finger doughnuts – as well as gourmet soft serve ice cream, specialty coffee, and sodas.
CAVO, Tottenham Court Road
Mediterranean restaurant CAVO will make its London debut next month with a 11,300 sq ft site in the Outernet building. The offer and interiors will be centred on Mediterranean culture and ingredients, with a 1,300 sq ft rooftop terrace focusing on oysters, seafood, Mediterranean wine, and champagne.
Lucarelli, Knightsbridge
The Lucarelli brand will open on the fifth floor of the Harvey Nichols department store in Knightsbridge. The 60-cover venue will be Lucarelli’s fourth opening in 12 months and offer Italian casual dining staples.
It features an open kitchen with a Mediterranean-inspired interior.
Benugo, Clerkenwell
Benugo reopened its first café on Clerkenwell’s St John Street on 12 October. Originally opened in 1998, the café concept offers Benugo’s unique espresso blend along with a range of sandwiches, salads, and homemade cakes.
