Esquires, Hitchin
UK coffee chain Esquires has opened its newest store in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Acquired by Cooks Coffee company in 2013, the brand has outlined plans to strategically scale Esquires in the UK and Ireland this year.
It currently operates around 55 stores in the UK and 13 in Ireland.
“This store opening marks another milestone for us as we continue on our mission to bring more responsible coffee to communities far and wide”, a spokesperson for the brand said.
Yummy Pubs, Hammersmith
National pub co Yummy Pubs has aquired the former Villagio restaurant in Hammersmith. The site is set to undergo a complete refit and will reopen as ‘Faber’, debuting Yummy’s new British seafood restaurant concept.
Anthony Pender, Founder of Yummy Pubs says, ”We’re very excited to announce that we have created a new British seafood restaurant concept as part of our Yummy Pub Collection, and we will be working alongside Christie & Co to obtain a pipeline of sites to roll out the concept over the next five years.
“The character and composition of this property in Hammersmith makes it the perfect pilot site and we look forward to bringing the new restaurant to life.”
Fazenda, Bishopsgate
Fazenda has opened its first restuarant in the capital this week. Fazenda Bishopsgate will focus on its rodizio meats concept alongside small plates and a sharing menu.
It joins the Huddesfield based business’ existing sites in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Edingburgh and Liverpool.
Tonkotsu, Clapham
Ramen specialist Tonkotsu has announced it will open a new site in Clapham later this summer. Serving up its homemade noodles, gyoza and sides, the high-street site will mark the brand’s 17th opening.
Co-founder Ken Yamada says, “We’re delighted to be able to bring our amazing ramen with freshly made noodles and bone broth to Clapham!
“It’s an area of London we love and have been looking in for the right property for Tonkotsu for a while. We’re installing a DJ booth as well, so watch this space for some lively evening events.”
Geode, Beauchamp Place
A new destination restaurant and bar by Arrow Hospitality is set to open next month. Located in a three-storey townhouse on Beauchamp Place, ‘Geode’ will focus on open-grill cooking with Mediterranean and Asian influences.
The restaurant led by Salvatore Broccu and Marios Louvaris, boasts 5,500 sq. ft, with a unique sculptural cocktail bar, mezzanine conservatory and open kitchen.
Grays and Feather, Brixton
Grays and Feather is expanding in the capital with its first outpost in Brixton. Finch will be the brands first neighbourhood wine bar and follow in the footsteps of its Covent Garden counterpart.
It marks the second bar to open by the wine focused experience company and is part of Grays and Feather’s wider expansion plans as the company is set to open a third avian-themed wine bar, Peregrine, at Leadenhall Market later this year.
Andrew Gray, Founder of Grays and Feather, says, ”Finch will have more of a focus on English wines and our goal will be to to provide the residents of Brixton and visitors to the area with a buzzing place to catch up during the week or spend a weekend evening drinking and dining.
“2023 is set to be an exciting year for the company and we hope to bring more wine bars to the city with a focus on great wine, delicious food, and a sense of theatre that sparks conversation.”
