Head Chef of King’s Cross Behemoth Moves to Takeover Marylebone Wine Bar — and More News

Aaron Ashmore of The Lighterman Takes Over Kitchen at Clarette

Aaron Ashmore, head chef of King’s Cross restaurant The Lighterman, is set to take over the kitchen at Marylebone wine bar Clarette. Having worked with Open House London (the group behind The Lighterman, which also operates The Larder and Percy & Founders in Fitzrovia) for three years, and overseen a team of thirty chefs serving “up to 1400 covers a day”, Ashmore told Eater London he’s excited to go back to his roots with a more refined style of cooking, and fewer covers.

Ashmore says he’s switching it up at Clarette, and is looking forward to having “full responsibility [for] the menu, inspired [by] ideas bounced around the kitchen” as well as to working with and developing a new team. The kitchen will be serving a seasonal menu of small sharing plates (as per), but Ashmore says it’s about creating “an environment that’s relaxed and casual [and] has great tasting quirky food ... that really lives up to and surpasses the expectations of just being the typical ‘wine bar.’”

Temakinho Set to Open Second UK Site as One Tower Bridge Continues to Grow

Temakinho, the Brazillian-Japanese temaki/caipirinha chain has signed a 20-year lease for a site in the new One Tower Bridge development — their second in the UK after their Soho venue debuted last year. The chain, which was founded in 2012 by the Maroli family and now operates six restaurants in Italy and one in Ibiza, is reportedly pursuing further international expansion, and the One Tower Bridge venue is just “the first in a number of sites the restaurant is looking at in the city.”

Temakinho is the latest tenant to join the ranks at One Tower Bridge, alongside others including Rosa’s, Prosecco House, the Ivy Collection, Gunpowder, and By Chloe.

By Chloe. Release Opening Date for Covent Garden Debut

Speaking of By Chloe., the “plant-based” (a.k.a. vegan) chain has confirmed it will open its first London venue in Covent Garden in January 2018. Expect lines down the (frozen) pavement as their vegan takes on mac 'n' cheese, salade nicoise and their Guac Burger become available this side of the Atlantic for the first time.

More Japanese Fusion as Sushi Shop Adds Hampstead Location to Its Ranks

Sushi Shop, the Japanese/Californian fusion chain, have opened their fourth London venue in Hampstead. The chain, which was started by two Frenchmen in 1998 now has more than 130 shops worldwide, adds their Hampstead shop to their existing branches in Marylebone, Notting Hill, and Kensington.

Zelman Meats Takes Over Former Burger & Lobster Site in St Paul’s

Zelman Meats adds a second “proper” venue to their portfolio today with the soft opening of their St Paul’s branch in a former Burger & Lobster site, Hot Dinners report. They’re promising a menu similar to that of their existing sites, so diners can expect to see old favourites like their priced-by-weight smoked short rib, Chateaubriand, or Picanha cuts, served up with their black truffle & parmesan chips and other barbecued accompaniments.
Zelman Meats St Paul’s soft opens 21-25 November at 30 Old Bailey, EC4M 7AU