U.S. Burger Chain Five Guys Heads Into Canary Wharf — Plus More New Openings

Five Guys confirmed to be opening another site — in Canary Wharf

The US burger chain Five Guys has secured another flagship site in Canary Wharf, MCA reports. The company has confirmed the latest addition to its estate is to be on the Jubilee Place site formally occupied by Wildwood, the “pizza, pasta & grills” chain.

Five Guys now has over 80 restaurants nationwide, and reportedly has its sights set on a further 20 UK venues by year end; a site in Canary Wharf would be the company’s 23rd in London. Five Guys’ continued growth and expansion flies in the face of its local competitors; British burger chain Byron has been involved in a very public tussle for its survival, while others in the casual dining sector face similar woes.

Via Emilia brings northern Italian specialties to Shoreditch

Hoxton Square has welcomed its latest arrival from Italy in the form of Via Emilia, a new venture from Christian Pero and the team behind Fitzrovia’s In Parma. As the name suggests, Via Emilia focusses on the traditional fare of Emilia-Romagna — the northern Italian region that is the home of Parma ham, Parmesan, Mortadella, Aceto di Balsamico, Lasagne, Lambrusco, and a whole swathe of other culinary icons.

As if to underline its authority on the matter, Via Emilia titles the majority of dishes on its menu in the local dialect, including icons like turtlèin in brôd (tortellini in brodo) and tajadèl bulgnaisi col ragó (tagliatelli al ragù — or Bolognese in layman’s terms.) But the star of the show is really gnocco fritto — a revelatory traditional fried bread that is the perfect accompaniment to the fatty, rich cold cuts and creamy squacquerone cheese on offer.

Via Emilia
37a Hoxton Square, N1 6NN

Buns & Buns confirms permanent Covent Garden site following Deliveroo debut

Buns & Buns, the American burger and steamed bun venture that made its London debut last year as a Deliveroo Editions kitchen, is confirmed to be opening a permanent venue in Covent Garden in March, Big Hospitality reports.

Founder Alex Zibi created Buns & Buns with the aim to offer “proper food served fast at an affordable price with high quality ingredients,” and while the company’s model will be tailored specifically to suit their new 140-cover Covent Garden venue, it seems safe to assume that the offering will continue in a similar vein to that available on Deliveroo. Options like the chilli Thai prawn steamed buns or prime rib eye ciabatta buns tread that line between “fast” food enjoyment and fresh, quality ingredients that will underpin the menu at the new site.

The Buns & Buns operation in London is said to be backed by Ari Ojalvo of Samba Brands — the company behind Liverpool Street favourites Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle.

Buns & Buns
5 Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RA