In a month blessed with three bank holidays, there are plenty of opportunities to raise a glass this May. Noble Rot opens its first West End site at a historic Mayfair pub and in Somerset, The Three Horseshoes gives its kitchen over to Margot Henderson. Further afield, both L.A. and Hong Kong are graced by two new Japanese restaurants of very different stripes. Read on to discover the best new restaurants opening in May 2023.
NEW RESTAURANTS TO VISIT AROUND THE WORLD IN MAY 2023
The Three Horseshoes, Somerset
Margot Henderson’s guiding hand made Rochelle Canteen a jewel in East London’s fashionable crown. Now the chef is taking over the kitchen of Batcombe’s 17th century inn to serve British classics such as poached chicken, ox heart, Tamworth chops, sprats and potted duck. With five guest rooms on site and the Mendips on the doorstep, it would be a shame not to make a weekend of it.
Open now, thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk
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YESS, Los Angeles
At a new Arts District venue, former Koya chef Junya Yamasaki is serving seasonal Californian ingredients using the traditional Japanese techniques that made his name. Seafood takes a starring role with rockfish sashimi or steamed whole, and classics including miso black cod and grilled abalone. Surprisingly, vegetables steal the show: grilled onions and beanpods show off the flavours from Yess’s wood stove and charcoal grill while its grilled stuffed morels reveal Yamasaki’s eye for colour.
Open now, instagram.com/yess.restaurant
Noble Rot, London
On Trebeck Street, the third outpost from Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew continues to fly the flag for Noble Rot. At the site of a 19th-century pub, head chef Adam Wood (formerly of Perilla) has put together a menu of chophouse-inspired dishes such as smoked eel and caviar, sea bream and oyster tartare, and roast duck with cep gratin. But its strongest appeal comes from the wine list; everything from rare vintages of Chateau Latour and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to affordable gems by the glass and bottle.
Open now, noblerot.co.uk/restaurant/mayfair
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Follie, Rome
Melia’s Roman venue flings open its doors to celebrate Luciano Monosilio – Italy’s kitchen prodigy. Few will be surprised to discover Follie’s focus on pasta and Italian ingredients (ricotta, asparagus, wild herbs…). But Asian ingredients – seaweed, lapsang tea and shiso – create a twist on the classics. Follie also boasts a mind-boggling wine list that makes an epic sweep through every regione (plus all neighbouring countries).
Open now, melia.com/en/hotels/italy/rome/villa-agrippina-gran-melia/restaurants/follie
The Rows and Vine, Sussex
Ridgeview Vineyard has just launched its first restaurant for Summer 2023, barely a stone’s throw from Brighton. Feast on local ingredients like Ditchling’s gin-cured salmon, Trenchmore Denver steak and local cheeses, or snack on oysters, which pair well with Ridgeview’s award-winning blanc de blancs. The restaurant is also an idyllic spot for a wine flight. After all, vineyard tours are thirsty work…
Open now, www.ridgeview.co.uk/visit/the-rows-vine-restaurant
Petermen, Sydney
Another hit from Josh and Julie Niland and team, Aussie seafood gets the luxury treatment in this new Sydney dining room. Expect the unexpected: whether tuna wellington, sea urchin crumpets or abalone schnitzel, these seasoned chefs have taken a sideways approach to local and seasonal fare. Nevertheless, the classics remain: tuna tartare, scallops and grilled John Dory all make an appearance. Round off dinner with handmade ice cream or madeleines.
Open now, petermen.com.au
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Enishi, Hong Kong
Offering modern teppanyaki on the Strand, Enishi offers teppanyaki omakase menus to blow you away: sashimi, wagyu and delicate desserts with a stunning wine and sake list besides. Set lunches can be taken at the table or teppan but the main events here are the two omakase sittings in the evenings, in which a seven-course parade of mackerel, abalone and oysters sanbaizu is served over the counter. Chef Shun Sato teams up with Toru Takano and Ami Hamasaki – the trio first met by chance in Australia and named their Hong Kong venture ‘enishi’ after the Japanese for ‘fate’. Making a booking here seems almost inevitable.
Open now, enishi-hk.net
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Gwen, Machynlleth
Say ‘helô’ to the latest project from the team behind Ynyshir. Corrin Harrison had much success as the head chef at the acclaimed restaurant-and-rooms on the edge of the Brecon Beacons (now in possession of two Michelin stars). Gwen, its sister venue in nearby Machynlleth, takes fine dining to town with a 10-course menu for just eight covers. Expect, as with Ynyshir, dishes led by what’s local and seasonal but, unlike Ynyshir, Gwen serves food and wine throughout the day. Look out for its adventurous by-the-glass wine list packed with cool new names from Hungary, Georgia and California.
Open now, gwenrestaurant.co.uk
