New On Resy: Cornerstone, Bubala, Scully, Homeslice

With Cornerstone, supernova chef Tom Brown raised Hackney Wick’s game to destination dining status, and showed that a seafood restaurant could be contemporary. Here, in a coolly minimalist room accented with chic blues and dusky greys, oysters come pickled or with delicious hot sauce, nutty brown crab comes atop a delectable crumpet, and there’s dayboat fish with a roast chicken butter sauce that will turn your world upside down. 

Brand new and helmed by a team late of legendary restaurants Palomar and Berber & Q, Bubala downplays its incredible pedigree behind an affectionate moniker and a cosy, plant-wreathed dining room in Spitalfields. The restaurant champions exceptional produce cooked in a playful style, and inspired by the flavours and dishes of Turkey, Lebanon and Morocco; dishes like crisp confit potato latkes with garlic-laced toum, or fried aubergine with zhoug and date syrup. Oh, and it’s pure vegetarian—not that you’ll miss meat and fish when the food’s this good. 

Homeslice’s M.O. is beautifully simple and devastatingly effective; huge, delicious thin-crust pizzas with toppings like spiced lamb and sumac, or classics like parmesan and salami, paired with a short but sweet drinks list that keeps lets diners focus on the person sitting across from them. Portions are generous, the vibe is laissez-faire, and there’s prosecco on tap for a fiver—uncomplicated pleasure at its finest. 

A Kensington essential, the Wine Rooms have been one of the neighbourhood’s go-to wine bars for a decade, with regulars and new clientele alike flocking to its intimate, bottle-lined shop for exceptional wines by the glass, and unpretentious seasonal fare. As well as an impressive lineup of everyday bottles, there’s also a list of once-in-a-lifetime vintages and natural varieties; meanwhile, dishes range from snack-y jamon and duck rillettes, all the way to full-blown steak frites and handmade pasta. 

Arguably some of the most exciting food being cooked in town right now, Scully is named for its head chef, an Ottolenghi alum who can trace his heritage across the Malaysian peninsula via Sydney, Ireland, London, and Bali. With that, the food at this St. James establishment is, unsurprisingly, astonishing, both in flavour and refinement; top-tier ingredients like aged halibut and pork knuckle are elevated by mind-blowing flavours like pistachio sambal, green chilli oil or bergamot labneh, each homemade by the chef and his team. 

One of the original—and still the best—steakhouses in town, Sophie’s in Soho is hugely impressive, both metaphorically and literally. Housed in an old theatre, complete with art deco flourishes and soaring ceilings, there’s a pretty covered terrace for spritzes, a glam bar for cocktails, and a seductive, banquette-lined restaurant for everything from statement dinners to hot dates. The headline attraction is superb: beautifully-aged cuts of native breed beef (via Warrens in Cornwall) prepared over an open fire pit to the perfect char and tenderness. 

The use-case for Homeslice’s Shoreditch location is incredibly simple—casual, uncomplicated, and fun. Overwhelmed by small plates and natural wine? Or running with a mixed crowd and need a crowd pleaser?  Then head here—you’ll find huge, perfectly-baked thin-crust pizzas with premium ingredients (like Italian salumi, or cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy in Borough), a laid-back crowd, and a succinct drinks list with prosecco on tap. 

Just steps from the Tate Modern, Camino fills with a lively post-work crowd sipping sangria and icy glasses of Estrella. For the location, the tapas here is a gimme: crisp-yet-molten Serrano ham croquetas, fat prawns spiked with garlic and white wine, and tender Segovian suckling pig make the restaurant perfect for a pre-or post-museum hang, and is just minutes from the river itself. It’s especially good for groups, and there’s a large terrace for warm days. 

Just off Oxford Street, Homeslice’s Marylebone restaurant is perfect for a casual hang or a slice fix: perfectly baked thin-crust pizzas are huge and perfect for sharing, including a fiendish wagyu and truffle crème fraîche creation that has to be tried to be believed. Drinks are straight and to-the-point, and the restaurant attracts an unpretentious crowd after a good time. No mess.