Monday Bulletin: Top tacos, a £15 set lunch and all the key openings

Top tacos to Arcade

Tacos are having what might be described as ‘a moment’ in London: La Chingada in Rotherhithe is consistently impressive, and the now eminently famous Kol continues to shine. Another with pedigree, Sonora Taqueria, is opening at Arcade this month, though in a new form. Owners Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier will bring their ‘alter ego’, Mexa, to Centre Point on September 16. It’s been billed as a ‘celebration of the flavours’ that made Sonora such a success, along with new dishes and combinations. ‘Expect quesadillas, tacos and mariscos (seafood) together like you’ve never tried before’, said the team. The seabass ceviche, a recipe passed down through Michelle’s family, is likely to be a standout; cured prawns with salsa negra and cracked chillies, served with totopos, or crunchy, moreish corn chips, is another. The pair said: ‘We’re excited to bring Mexa to Arcade. It’s been a unique opportunity for us to explore the other side of Mexican food and to also introduce our version of Sinaloan Mariscos – a taco shop specialising in seafood in Pheonix, Arizona – which are close to our hearts.’

Small plates

• London’s bakery boom continues with artisan baker Michelle Eshkeri’s expansion to Lower Holloway. She’s opened a branch of her enduringly popular Margot Bakery in an old metalworks, bringing babka, croissants, and other fine pastries to Islington.
• Brother Marcus, best-known for its Eastern Mediterranean cooking and big-time brunches, is also expanding, adding a fourth site in the capital. The latest will open in Kensington this month, with new dishes such as feta and ricotta borek and crispy calamari with garlic and saffron aioli.
• Josh and Holly Eggleton’s Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the opening of their new restaurant, The Pony Chew Valley, has raised more than its £110,000 goal, with a total of £115,126 from 522 backers. The fundraiser has now closed, allowing the pair to focus on what will no doubt be an exciting opening in the West Country.
• The celeb-favourite, Mykonian odyssey of a restaurant group Nammos will make its London debut next year. The group, which also has sites in Cyprus, France and Dubai, will open a ‘neighbourhood-style’ restaurant in Knightsbridge Village, focusing on ‘an authentic taste of the Mediterranean’.
• Nikkei restaurant Chotto Matte will reopen in Soho on Friday September 9 ‘after closing for an exhilarating restyle’. As well as new hues of ‘green, purple and oran’, chef Jordan Sclare will be serving dishes such as yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, coriander, and yuzu truffle soy.

Energy bills update

The country is well aware of soaring energy bills and their devastating impact on our industry. CODE has learned of a few examples: Gauthier Soho said its annual fee has risen from £25,000 to £160,000 a year; James Allcock, from the Pig & Whistle in Beverley, said the bill at his 22-cover restaurant has climbed from just under £3,000 annually to well over £20,000; at a small café in Leicester, one owner is facing costs of £55,000 in the same period, up from £10,000. Something has to give. We caught up with UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls to get an update on what we hope will be an immediate and direct Government response.

Derbyshire abattoir

The supply chain is also being rocked by rising costs. Mettrick’s abattoir in Glossop, Derbyshire, will close after more than 100 years, Farming UK reported last week. We heard about the news through the much-loved Pack Horse Hayfield, who called the news ‘devastating’ and wrote: ‘We’ve used Mettricks since day one, and it’s been our immense privilege to support them and share their passion for the importance of local food chains and sustainable meat processes.’ Campaigners called the news ‘extremely worrying’ for local farmers.

Mark Hastings

Raffles London at The OWO has appointed Mark Hastings as its new director of food and beverage. The Grade II-listed building is set to be transformed into a new destination in the heart of Whitehall, with three signature dining experiences from chef Mauro Colagreco, alongside three destination bars. Hastings said: ‘I am absolutely delighted… Working alongside one of the world’s most highly acclaimed chefs and his team, this landmark destination is being transformed into the capital’s most exciting culinary hub.’

Dhwani Agarwal

Dhwani Agarwal has been named head chef at Farzi Café in London. The Mumbai-born chef will be launching a new, pan-Indian menu at the restaurant next month, and her appointment marks a return to Massive Restaurants after a time away. Agarwal joins Farzi Cafe following a position as head chef at Atul Kochhar’s fine dining fixture Kanishka, in Mayfair. New dishes at Farzi will include avocado and waffle tokri; bhuna goat tacos with pomelo; Mangalorian rava fried prawns; and dal chawal arancini.