FOOD & BOOZE NEWS
THE AVENUE REOPENS
The mighty D&D London, owners of Coq D’Argent, Pont de la Tour and Skylon, are relaunching St James’s stalwart The Avenue with a new chef, ex-Launceston Place cook Mikko Kataja, on 18 January. The new-look restaurant has gained a private dining room and a new menu that focuses on modern British cooking – think stilton and spiced pear tart, poached brill with crème fraiche and nutmeg, and raspberry cheesecake with black pepper ice cream. 7-9 St James’s Street, SW1A 1EE, tel: 020 7321 2111.
GLAM JAPANESE IN COVENT GARDEN
Super-glossy Japanese restaurant Kyashii first opened last year but is already relaunching itself under new management. The glamourous two-storey restaurant will sport a sushi bar, sit-down dining on two levels and a mezzanine champagne lounge – fingers crossed the food lives up the the dramatic interior’s promise. Opens 18 Jan, 4a Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2H 9NY, email [email protected].
LOTTERY AND SUSHI AT TSURU
To liven things up a bit for January, Tsuru, a sushi restaurant near Tate?Modern, has launched Fukubiki, a Japanese lottery game. Customers will collect three stamps (one for every £5 purchase) for a go on the Fukubiki machine, which contains different colour balls representing prizes, including champagne dinners, ticket to events, Asahi beers and free lunches. Not a bad way to accompany your make rolls and katsu curries. From 18 Jan for one month. Tsuru, 4 Canvey Street, SE1 9AN, tel: 020 7928 2228.