Monday Bulletin: All Roads | Vesper | Zylia

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

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VESPER

Jackson Boxer, chef patron of Brunswick House in Vauxhall and Dove in Notting Hill, is crossing London to open Vesper – meaning the evening star – on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell in May. Designed by Jermaine Gallacher, the new 70-cover restaurant will occupy a double-fronted corner site with floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace, a bar at the entrance, and a candlelit dining room. The launch menu suggests Vesper will share a facility for easy-going, accessible luxury with its West London sibling Dove. Dishes include croquettes ‘Arnold Bennett’; Dorset clams, black beans and white pepper; and chicken liver agnolotti. Jackson Boxer comments: “In Vesper we want to build a fitting tribute to London, the greatest city in the world – naturally cosmopolitan in outlook, fiercely proud of its native produce, at ease in its own unique skin, confidently hospitable to all. Offering grown up pleasure and childlike joy; a restaurant for the city we want to live in.”

CAFE JIKONI

The new V&A East in Stratford officially opened its doors at the weekend, as did the museum’s in-house cafe, created by Jikoni’s Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany. Head on over for shakshuka saffron buns, ful medames, iced buns and more.

ZYLIA

Nick Molyviatis of Singburi and Barry Karacostas are opening Zylia, a new Greek Cypriot taverna, adjacent to Arcade Covent Garden, on 22 May. Look forward to summer holiday favourites including sheftalia, grilled prawn saganaki, and lamb chops with olive oil chips.

KIEZ KEBAB

London will get a taste of Berlin-style kebabs next month as Kiez Kebab hits Golborne Road in Notting Hill. Kiez’s streamlined selection will feature three core kebabs: veal, chicken, and vegan, stuffed into fluffy pide. Cocktails by A Bar with Shapes for a Name.

• Nominations are now open for hospitality network Checking-IN’s 10 LGBT+ Hospitality Champions 2026. The list aims to recognise LGBT+ people and allies making the industry an inclusive space for employees and customers.

• The new Soho branch of Padella opens tomorrow. No reservations – walk-ins and virtual queue only.

• After three years of successful supper clubs, Malika Green and Paschelle Brown have secured a Brixton site for their Caribbean-inspired concept All Roads. Opening 6 May.

• Elsewhere in Brixton, Naughty Piglets has an experimental new South Asian kitchen in the house: catch Firangi there until 2 May. Don’t miss the skate wing with green peppercorn curry leaf sauce.

• Permanently Unique Group will open a second London location of its modern Chinese brand Tattu in Canary Wharf this winter.

• First the bad news: Franklin’s in East Dulwich shut its doors yesterday after 26 years. Now the good news: many of its staff are staying on for the site’s relaunch as The Victory. More soon.

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WHAT WE’RE READING

Where dinner is a work of art: a first look at Michael O’Hare’s In Lamentation, Boston Spa: Good Food Guide

A lifetime of achievement: critic Fay Maschler on her enduring appetite: CODE

For people with autism, can restaurant kitchens be a haven?: The New York Times

Labour’s successive economic raids on the hospitality business are killing the industry: Daily Mail

THE DUMBWAITER

Every man and his dog seemed to have a book launch last week but only one had Alexa Chung in attendance: Jago Rackham (AKA @ecstasy_cookbook), whose debut cookbook To Entertain: Instructions for a Dinner Party is out now. 

The Berkeley Bar & Terrace in Belgravia is raising a glass to local businesses with its new “SW1 Sips” cocktail collection. It’s not all royal couturiers and luxury brands: credit to the luxury hotel for dedicating a drink to their local newsagents Mayhew News. 

Simpson’s in the Strand not only played host to CODE’s Women of the Yearlast week, it also welcomed Dame Joan Collins and Liz Hurley, who dined there together.