New On Resy: Pitt Cue, Little Kolkata, Kin + Deum

Think you know Shepherds Bush? Think again. Albertine Wine Bar, an oasis of civility off Shepherds Bush Green, reopened with a new restaurant under the watchful eye of Allegra McEvedy, daughter of the bar’s original owner Sarah. Make a beeline for glorious lunches of relaxed Mediterranean food from an ever-changing menu in the upstairs dining room, or drop in for charcuterie and superb wines by the glass in their busy downstairs bar.

With some places, the clue is in the name. A monument to smoke, fire, and meat, Pitt Cue is a carnivorous Xanadu where cuts of rare-breed beef, seafood, and pork from Mangalitza pigs are finessed over open wood fires. The airy, industrial-luxe space is perfect for groups, and an on-site brewery and drop-in bar showcase impeccably fresh beers and a comprehensive list of wines.

A short walk from the mayhem of London Bridge, Kin + Deum was created by siblings Bank, Roselyn and Shakris Inngern after taking over their parents’ old Thai restaurant. A paean to the light, homestyle dishes of their collective upbringing, the restaurant serves a short (and excellent) menu of reimagined Thai classics that sidle next to less commonly seen plates like clay pot prawn noodles and Thai-style dumplings. The restaurant is a neighbourhood gem, and a perfect example of new and old existing in perfect harmony.

How do you improve on something that’s close to being perfect? The Royal Oak is a cherished local on one of London’s most beloved streets, but what isn’t as widely known is that their upstairs restaurant holds its own with the rest of the neighbourhood. The bright, airy dining room is clad in vintage furniture, making it an idyllic place to dine on the restaurant’s excellent gastropub dishes, which are prepared with care and finesse. Meanwhile on Sundays, a fine roast is served. A postprandial pint downstairs, you say? Would be rude not to.

Known for their Little Kolkata events, chef-owners Prabhir Chattopadhay and Biswajit Deb Das have graduated their popular Bengali supper club into a Covent Garden restaurant. Grab a seat in the impossibly vibrant dining room—a lush cascade of greenery, chic tiles and pastel hues—enjoy a cocktail, and order from a menu stacked with modern takes on hard-to-find Bengali dishes. Highlights include Mughal-style chicken in cashew, saffron and rose water, and a whole pomfret fish in a creamy mustard sauce.

Getting a luxe neighbourhood establishment ‘right’ can be notoriously tricky, especially when the area in question is restaurant-packed Golders Green. New arrival One Ashbourne seduces with confidence and verve—a svelte interior is the perfect setting for an evening of relaxed, occasion-worthy kosher cooking. Dishes like truffled arancini and soy-glazed halibut impress, while homely riffs on classic dishes (like a flavour-packed chicken consommé with parsley dumplings) are a nice touch.