New on Resy: Legare, Wild By Tart, Wun’s Tea Room & Bar

What happens when you pair the food from London’s best Italian to the impeccable service of the city’s best Spanish restaurant? Legare is the result, a flawless modern Italian a stone’s throw from London Bridge, with all the intimacy of a treasured neighbourhood spot. The team ran the kitchen and dining rooms at Trullo and Barrafina respectively, and as well as impeccably-sourced meat, vegetables and seafood to die for, there’s a see-it-to-believe lobster spaghetti for two, plus natural wine for days. Drop everything and go. 

One of the season’s most hotly-tipped openings, Wild By Tart comes from Jemima Jones and Lucy Carr-Ellison, the duo who lit up the city with their to-die-for dinner parties and bespoke events. Focusing on fresh, seasonal cooking (per the owners’ favoured approach) the restaurant also features produce from Carr-Ellison’s farm, cooked to perfection in a wood-burning oven that takes pride of place in a spacious room that also features a bar and bakery. Casual dinners, leisurely lunches and celebrations all feel elevated here. 

When it comes to secret spots, they don’t come much more well-kept than Corner Room in Bethnal Green. Tucked away in the stunning Town Hall hotel, this bright, modern bistro is an oasis of natural light and greenery during the day, later throbbing with intimacy come evening. Dinner and weekend brunch are undeniably popular here; during the week, it’s an excellent place to escape for a couple of hours with a plate of gnocchi and a glass of wine (of three). 

Haya is the latest addition to a neighbourhood that’s seen a culinary renaissance of late, with a bright, lively space — think pastels, marble counters and lots of natural light — drawing a chic crowd who come for standout Middle Eastern cuisine. Perfect for relaxed dates and get-togethers with friends, Haya takes a cue from Tel Aviv’s best restaurants; highlights include za’atar duck breast and grilled octopus with rainbow chard, while the brunch menu includes a standout shakshuka, and polenta cakes with quail’s eggs and parmesan. 

Chinatown is dead — long live Chinatown. The neighbourhood’s old-school Cantonese dim-sum parlours have been traded for slick new Sichuan spots, but Wun’s Tea Room, over in Soho, is a headrush of nostalgia. A pristine tea parlour setup upstairs wouldn’t look out of place in a Hong Kong period drama, while a moody neon-lit bar downstairs comes straight from a Wong Kar-Wai film. Sharing plates and cocktails are the draw, with smokey Iberico pork charsiu and pan-seared dumplings the go-tos, and HK-style peanut toast and satay noodles for weekend brunch. 

An excellent bakery and restaurant in Brentford backed by Robin Gill (The Dairy, Darby’s), this bucolic spot overlooks a prime location on the River Brent — there’s sourdough sandwiches and pastries by day, luscious pastas and grilled dishes at night, and lazy brunches by the water at the weekend that are absolutely worth the trip west. So, so much better than the hastily-arranged road trip that you had planned, and the perfect spot for an autumnal lunch. 

A cosy, independent wine bar in Covent Garden, Lady of the Grapes is platonic ideal for drawn-out conversations, dates and relaxed hangs with friends. The bar champions organic and natural wines from female producers, with an outstanding selection by the glass and carafe; meanwhile, food swings between superb charcuterie and cheese (try the raclette to share), to heartier plates of French-style seasonal cooking. 

This coolly intimate neighbourhood restaurant in (where else?) Hackney is living proof that it’s possible to mix business with pleasure. Here, chef Josh Dalloway’s creative bistro plates could embarrass most high-end establishments, but never stray from outright deliciousness. Served in a casual dining room (with a ‘carte blanche’ tasting menu for £35, no less), it’s a baller move for impressing without appearing to try too hard. Hit their sister bar next door for bracing pre- or post-prandial cocktails, and contemplate a move to E9 while you’re at it. 

One of the original places to kickstart London’s love affair with the humble burger, Patty & Bun separated itself — and continues to do so — with melty, messy burgers that require nothing less than one’s full attention, both hands, and a wad of napkins to tackle. The vibe is always laid-back, fun and unpretentious, and it’s equally good for hanging out with friends or casual dates (though perhaps not the first one). The confit wings and rosemary fries are as good as ever, and craft beer is the move drinks-wise. 

Founded by the Wolseley’s former maître d’, this outstanding restaurant transports the thrilling seasonality and ambience of the West End’s best eateries into a relaxed, neighbourhood setting. The wine list is accessible and lovingly-curated; meanwhile, cooking leans towards the unpretentious and comforting, with unmissable handmade pasta and desserts sandwiching mains like slow-cooked beef ribs or pan-fried red mullet with earthy girolles and a sauce of rosemary butter. Sunday lunches are also notable, and it’s perfect for a drink and snack any time during the week.

Perfect for pre-gaming and no-fuss catch ups in Soho, Patty & Bun’s Soho restaurant may be small, but it’s never less than a blast. While the Ari Gold and Lambshank Redemption are still classics, the restaurant has retooled its vegetarian burger offering since it opened, with The Pamela (a satisfying plant-based bun with vegan bacon, cheddar and spicy mayo) the order of choice. Don’t forget the napkins. 

Occupying a prime spot on one of West London’s prettiest greens, Brooke House’s one-two punch of charm and hospitality has made it irresistible to locals and visitors alike, who return for uplifting modern British cooking and excellent Sunday roasts. Its owners have a track record of success (having opened the popular Cross Keys pub nearby), and this relaxed, smart space is a winner for the casual and occasion-worthy alike. The chocolate cremeux is a perfect way to end a meal here. 

Kurisu is a sushi counter that could only exist in London — a Japanese-trained sushi chef slinging bespoke omakase (chef’s selection) menus of pristine, melt-in-the-mouth nigiri with influences from his Thai and Colombian background. The DIY-aesthetic (the eight-seat ‘counter’ is set up in a Brixton wine parlour) adds to the intimate atmosphere, as does the chef’s good-natured banter. One of the very best sushi dinners you can get in the city right now — just don’t tell anyone else about it.