Lauded Hackney Restaurant Will Make Its Weekly Menu a Mystery

Corinthia Hotel London announces executive chef — it’s not Tom Kerridge

André Garrett will take over as executive chef at Corinthia Hotel London from January 2019, overseeing all the food at the hotel — aside from Kerridge’s Bar and Grill. Garrett will steer The Northall restaurant, which will complement/compete with Kerridge’s new operation, promising a menu long on Mediterranean seafood.

Popular ramen chain seeks further growth

Tonkotsu, London’s most established ramen chain with nine restaurants to date, has appointed investment advisors to plot out its growth plan — according to MCA. The chain has most recently opened on the Circus West development at Battersea Power Station, with a site in Ealing on its way.

Celebrated Hackney restaurant announces mystery menu

Pidgin, the Wilton Way restaurant celebrated for its creative, weekly-changing menu with 660 original dishes to date, is evolving one step further. The restaurant currently announces the week’s menu in a Monday newsletter: going forward, “we won’t be revealing the menu at the start of the week. Or indeed when you sit down for dinner. Food will just start coming. There will be a few extras.” An expanded wine list will match the new menu. Owners James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy made the move alongside head chef Adolfo de Cecco, with Ramsden telling Eater that “we’re keen not to get too comfortable and to keep pushing ourselves. From a customer perspective this new approach — or new to us at least — adds a bit more mystery and excitement with any luck.” The meal will still be four courses bookended by snacks and petits fours, in essence — what that meal consists of, will be a mystery until the first course arrives.

National pastry chain saved from imminent financial ruin

Patisserie Valerie has been granted a reprieve by a £20 million cash injection into the business. Chairman Luke Johnson will bail out his own group with a pair of £10 million loans — according to Big Hospitality — after its shares were suspended over fraudulent activity.

Sicilian supper clubs will join rotation at London restaurant residency

Emilia Strazzanti will bring her Sicilian dining to Carousel 23 — 27 October, following a series of successful supper clubs at Hackney City Farm and Hackney Coffee Co. The menu promises ricotta, basil and lemon ravioli with langoustine bisque, pistachio and confit langoustine; involtini di melanzane with stuffed and rolled parmesan-baked aubergine; and her signature cakes of Sicilian pistachio, almond and hazelnut. Reservations through Carousel’s website.