This month we'll be welcoming you to tashas, our last new opening of the year. Hailing from South Africa, founder Natasha Sideris is an inspiring businesswoman, and we can't wait to introduce her warm hospitality, exquisite eye for design, and knockout cooking to London.

'Tis the season for festive food once again, but working with the UK's most exciting chefs means Christmas feels fresh and innovative this year. Think Stevie Parle's sprout gnocchi; James Knappett's seasonal game secrets; The Palmerston swapping smoked salmon for sustainable trout, and toasted s'mores on The Beaumont's terrace. The holidays are coming, and we're ready for them.

Latest News 

TASHAS to open at Battersea Power Station this November

We're excited to welcome South African born café tashas to London this month. Industry virtuoso Natasha Sideris will open the doors to her first UK restaurant at Battersea Power Station, combining a light and bright all-day menu with elegant interiors and a sweeping terrace. Start the day with Dr Paw Paw - a tashas classic of fresh papaya topped with yoghurt, honey and almonds - and end it with a Cornflake Pork Schnitzel. Read more here.

John Javier launches Chef's Studio experience at THE TENT (AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE)

Now's your chance to get up close and personal with chef John Javier, who has launched an exclusive Chef's Studio experience at The Tent. Available for up to 12 diners, the family-style meals will see John personally guide diners through an 8-course set menu of his top dishes from his menus at MASTER in Sydney and Hong Kong’s critically acclaimed Happy Paradise, including his Lobster noodles with superior sauce. Read more here.

BRILLIANT CORNERS celebrates its 10th birthday with parties, guest DJs and izakaya menus this month

Brilliant Corners, the pioneering audiophile bar and Japanese restaurant in Dalston, is celebrating its 10th birthday this month. Naturally, one party is not enough: as well as a house party on 18th November - starting with a 5-course izakaya menu followed by music until late - founders Amit and Aneesh Patel will host two day parties on 11th and 12th at The Baths in Hackney Wick, via their travelling sound system Giant Steps. Read more here.

Tonic is working with STREETSMART to raise money for homeless charities in Scotland

We're pleased to share that Tonic has once again been working with incredible charity StreetSmart to support its annual winter campaign in Scotland, which sees restaurants raise vital funds to support homeless people. Top restaurants such as Heron, Celentano's and Restaurant Martin Wishart are among the participating restaurants making a difference by adding a voluntary £1 donation to every bill during the festive season.

What's on this month

November begins with a bang at JOIA, where Rooftop revellers will get a front row seat to Battersea Park's fireworks on 4th November, along with hot cocktails. On the 5th, 40FT Brewery will throw a party to celebrate its 2023 Eccles Cake Stout collaboration beer with St. JOHN. Rosa's Thai will mark Pad Thai Day on 7th November, offering all diners the chance to win free noodles. From 13th November, Pastaio will team up with podcasters Sophie Wyburd and Hannah Crosbie to serve a festive pasta and wine pairing. This Thanksgiving, chef Ben Boeynaems' celebratory menu at The Colony Grill Room includes traditional turkey and pumpkin pie with spiced coffee ice cream. And of course, if you're still stuck for plans, hot new openings Kolae and Mauro Colagreco are a must-visit.

Chef spotlight: Mauro Colagreco 

It is no exaggeration to say that Mauro Colgreco is one of the most exciting chefs in the world right now. The Argentinian-born chef’s most recent project has seen him open three restaurants - Mauro Colagreco, Mauro’s Table and Saison - at Raffles London at The OWO, but he is best known as the chef behind Mirazur, the three Michelin-starred restaurant that was named No.1 at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards in 2019.

Located in Menton, France, Mauro opened Mirazur in 2006, and it has since become a global pioneer in sustainability-focused dining, championing locality of produce. Set inside a 1930’s Modernist building with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea, the restaurant’s menus focus on locally sourced meat and seafood, as well as fruit and vegetables grown on Mirazur’s own estate.

Mauro’s concerns for the environment are intrinsic to his gastronomic philosophies and ways of working - in 2020, Mirazur was the first restaurant to achieve Plastic-Free certification. This strong connection to nature is channelled at his new restaurants at Raffles London: inspired by the Elizabethan concept of the Knotted Garden, the menu at his eponymous fine dining restaurant explores the richness and biodiversity of the UK’s terroir.

Christmas is coming...

Christmas is so close, we can practically smell it - and that might have something to do with the festive specials making their way onto restaurant menus this month. Among those whetting our yuletide appetites are Acme Fire Cult's meaty sharers served with Brussels sprouts and kale with sourdough miso ‘Caesar’; Nessa's Vienessa dessert, a playful take on the nostalgic ice cream treat; The Beaumont's festive afternoon tea featuring Roast Norfolk bronze turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberry, and Confit duck with parsnip purée, beetroot relish and orange salad at The Laundry. We're also looking forward to epic feasts on Christmas Day itself, featuring Rack of lamb with migas at JOIA, and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce at The Colony Grill Room.