Monday Bulletin: Luso | Khao Bird | Chuck’s

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

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LUSO BY MJMK

There’s good news and bad news from MJMK. First the bad news: Lisboeta, Nuno Mendes’ ‘love letter to Lisbon’ is closing after nearly four years on Charlotte Street. The good news: Mendes’ friend and former colleague, chef Leandro Carreira, is taking over, relaunching the site with MJMK as Luso this September. The new 90-cover Portuguese restaurant will delve into the flavours of the Iberian Atlantic coastline, exploring the crossover with Andalusian, Basque, and Galician traditions. Highlights of the opening menu include pregos with Savora mustard and garlic, clams à Bulhão Pato, suckling pig, and chilled pineapple pudding. MJMK’s co-founders Marco Mendes and Jake Kasumov comment: “This is a proud moment for MJMK—to honour the legacy of Lisboeta and support its evolution into Luso is incredibly special”. Nuno Mendes, meanwhile, will focus on his consultancy projects (including at The Rose in Deal) and is working on a new London project, to be announced in due course.

CHUCK’S

Chuck’s, the cult smashburger brand with branches in Milan, Madrid, Paris, and Rome, is setting up shop in London. After popping up at Carousel No.23 bar last summer, it will launch a permanent site there early next month.

THE GRILL AT THE DORCHESTER

Following Tom Booton’s departure, The Grill at The Dorchester reopens on 15 September, led by culinary director Martyn Nail and head chef Jacob Keen-Downs. Highlights will include tableside tuna tartare, roasts, and a dessert trolley.

KHAO BIRD

After a year-long residency at The Globe Tavern, northern Thai restaurant Khao Bird is to open in Soho this October (in what was the area’s last adult cinema). On the menu: prawn khanom jeen, and beef larb with Campari.

• Brother Marcus is taking over the former Social Eating House in Soho for its seventh site, opening this autumn.
   
• Twelve years since its launch in Hackney Wick, CRATE brewery and pizzeria is opening a second location in Canary Wharf. 
  
  
• More pizza, this time in Westbourne Grove, where NY-style slice shop Slayer launches next week. CODE members can get an early preview at 50% off.
  
  
• Last one, north of the border, Sear’s Pizza in Glasgow has opened its second branch, in Edinburgh.
  
  
• Solidarity Suppers is a new series of fundraising dinners, organised by Perilla’s Matt Emerson and Ben Marks, and PR Gemma Bell. The first one (feat. Meedu Saad, Joké Bakare etc) is on 8 September at BRAT Climpson’s Arch. All proceeds to Amos Trust and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
  
  
• Voyage with Adam Simmons at The Megaro Hotel in King’s Cross has closed after just over six months, citing “the challenging economic climate and disappointing trading performance”.
  
  
• Dom Taylor has paused Marvee’s Food Shop at its current location after four months “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
  
  
• Shoreditch fresh pasta spot Burro e Salvia has shut its doors after 12 years.
  
  

WHAT WE’RE READING

Britain’s brilliant burgers: The Good Food Guide

Slutty Cheff answers your questions: CODE Hospitality

New perks on the block: Lauren Linford’s Home Truths Substack

Jay Rayner visits Pip in Manchester: The Financial Times

THE DUMBWAITER

K-Pop star Lisa from BLACKPINK is the latest popstrel (following Charli xcx) to fall for the ice cream and wine at The Dreamery in North London.

Riz Ahmed, meanwhile, was spied at the Miris y Maíz residency at Paradise in Soho last week.

In a surprise poacher-turned-gamekeeper move, Telegraph critic William Sitwell has announced plans to open an Italian restaurant in Wiveliscombe in Somerset. He can dish out the bad reviews, but can he take them? Chefs on the receiving end of a recent spate of one star reviews (three this summer alone) will be watching with interest.