"This search follows a restructure of the company to take us into the expansion phase, after launching this city concept in Glasgow," says Fiona. "We bring a quirky take on good food, wine and eclectic retail in a venture following on from the success of our flagship store opened in late 2005 in the city. "We want customers to always feel they are eating among friends! As well as our innovative menus, we source and showcase small, hard-to-find brands producing beautiful quality pieces as well as fresh new design talent."

The new store offers a unique eating, drinking and shopping experience across three individual zones under one roof where wine critic Joe Fattorini will be hosting tasting evenings on a regular basis.  

 

Two contrasting restaurants have opened on Mount Terrace in South Shields - Terrasini, specialising in traditional Italian cuisine and Orangegrass serving authentic Thai and Oriental delicacies. The ventures have been launched by Humayun Choudhury a restaurant industry veteran who has owned successful eateries for over 25 years in Gosforth and Tynemouth.  He believes that South Shields is increasingly becoming a destination area and so is an ideal location for the restaurants in which he has invested £750,000 to "launch a new dining experience".

 

Family-run, 40-cover restaurant Madrasi is bringing a taste of India to Gateshead, offering cooking from the southern coastal region of the subcontinent with a modern twist and specialising in seafood. Owner Forhad Hussain, 27, says he has intentionally avoided the trappings of the traditional curry house. "What stands out at Madrasi is our style of food. We have pushed the familiar curry dishes to one side to introduce new styles of Indian cooking." Festivals will also become a feature with religious holidays such as Eid and Diwali celebrated with six-course banquets and slow roasted cooking.

 

The newly-opened Rosendale in West Dulwich, London is the latest venture from Mark and Sharlyn van der Groot the duo behind the award winning Greyhound in Battersea. Australian Mark, a well known sommelier and manager at top restaurants in London and Sydney, has promoted head chef Matthew Foxon who gained experience under Tom Martinovic and Marco Tori at the Greyhound. He is incorporating the finest produce of Kent and Sussex farms into the menus as well as using the Rosendale's own kitchen garden.

 

After launching the new catering concept in Pallasades centre, Birmingham, partners Dominic Wai and Tim Boyle say they that, if successful, they want to roll out the Breton-inspired Beams Creperie for freshly-made, take-away savoury and sweet crepes, across the West Midlands and London via their franchising operations.

 

Arjun Waney, the principal owner of Zuma and Roka restaurants, has opened La Petite Maison in Mayfair, based on the venue of the same name in Nice, a regular haunt of celebrities and politicians. The essence of the south of France original, offering an eclectic mix of food, wine and style, has been translated to the London restaurant. Head chef Raphael Duntoye, formerly at Zuma for the past three years, bases his menu on Nicoise cuisine with origins in old Genoese cooking with French Mediterranean influences.

 

Newcastle's first Pan-Asian restaurant Barn Asia has opened bringing together the French-influenced cuisine of Vietnam with unique dishes from other Far Eastern countries. It is the brainchild of Mark Lagun, the creator of renowned restaurants such as Barn Again and Barn at the Biscuit Factory. He travelled to Vietnam with his chef, researching dishes and buying memorabilia to give the Newcastle venue an authentic feel.

 

The team behind the successful year-old Arbetus in Soho, London co owner chef Anthony Demetre and manager Will Smith have launched their second site Wild Honey at the former Drones Club in Mayfair. Head chef Colin Kelly has worked with Demetre for five years at Arbetus and Putney Bridge. His dishes include Cornish Pollock; brisket corned beef; Gurnard a la Provencal and shin of Limousin veal.