Monday Bulletin: Poon’s at Somerset House & Pala

Catch up on the latest industry news stories of the week from the CODE Bulletin

To get the CODE Bulletin direct to your inbox every Monday morning sign up here

Let us know your news to potentially be featured in the CODE Bulletin or The Good Food Guide Weekly newsletters, as well as across CODE and The Good Food Guide social platforms.

POON’S AT SOMERSET HOUSE

Amy Poon, named one of CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year in 2024, can no longer deny her calling. Seven years after her first pop-up—and over fifty years since her parents opened their restaurant Poon’s in Chinatown—she is finally launching her first permanent restaurant, Poon’s at Somerset House, this September. The 60-cover restaurant in the New Wing promises to be “an evolution not a replication” of the original Poon’s. Its focus will be Chinese home food including Amy’s signature claypot rice, her magic soup, and Poon’s famous wind-dried meats, still made to her grandfather’s traditional recipe. “This is a way of welcoming people to my table,” says Poon. “Where you come if you don’t have a nice Chinese friend who will cook for you at home.”

Small Plates

• Tom Booton is to leave The Dorchester in August. Appointed executive chef of The Grill in 2019 at the age of just 26, Booton has not yet revealed his next move. The Dorchester Collection has also yet to announce his successor.
   
• What is this Corner Shop we’re seeing all over our feeds? It’s a grocery, bakery, café, florist and wine bar from Nick Jones, now open at 180 The Thames. It joins neighbours Ikoyi and Toklas in what must be one of London’s chicest food hubs.
   
• Pala, a pizza pop-up from Twelve Triangles, one of The Good Food Guide’s Britain’s Best Bakeries, has now opened in Leith. On the menu: Roman-style slices with toppings such as potato, garlic and salsa verde, until the end of summer.
  
  
• Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abc kitchen and New York bar Dante are taking up residence at The Maybourne Riviera on the Côte d’Azur this summer. Call it abc d…
  
  
• Pizza Pilgrims and East London institution Beigel Bake have collaborated on a salt beef special available at Pizza Pilgrims Brick Lane until 31 July.
  
  
• Legare’s bottle shop and wine bar Luna opens in the former Pont de la Tour deli space on Shad Thames on 8 July.
  
  
• Babur in Forest Hill, famous for its 100-hour marinated lamb shoulder, celebrates 40 years with a Ruby Jubilee party on 17 July and a summer-long anniversary menu.
  
  
• Rita’s in Soho is celebrating Pride with a limited edition cocktail menu inspired by queer icons Lady Phyll, Charlie Craggs and Bronski Beat.  Until 5 July.
  
  
• Gary Usher has shuttered his Manchester restaurant Kala after six years, citing a downturn in trade.
  
  
• Officina 00, the Italian pasta group, est. 2019, has closed all three of its restaurants in Old Street, Fitzrovia and Covent Garden.
  
  
• Stuart Ralston’s tasting menu restaurant Aizle will close its doors after ten years on 21 September.