The June Hit List: Cavita, Bar Daskal, El Rancho de Lalo, and More

Having worked at some of the world’s most famous kitchens – most notably El Bulli and Pujol – Mexican-born chef Adriana Cavita’s arrival in London bolsters a scene growing in confidence. Her first solo restaurant arrives fully formed within a smart Marylebone townhouse, with a dining room adorned with textured clay and brick tones, plus a chef’s table where guests are looked after by Cavita herself. Dishes including a whole grilled octopus served with warm tortillas and rice, pig’s head tamal and mussels Esquites are just a few standouts on an impressive menu. There’s also a subterranean mezcaleria for those seeking a pre-dinner cocktail or nightcap.

With the arrival of Parrillan, Harts Group is beginning to fulfil the promise of its Borough Yards summer bonanza – a destination mini-complex of stellar venues further cementing Borough Market as a world-famous culinary destination. As with the Kings Cross original, there are chic tabletop grills for guests to grill fine ingredients to their hearts content – but there’s more of an emphasis on dishes emanating from a trio of woodburning ovens in the kitchen, like whole fish, txuleta (ex-dairy cow steak), and seasonal vegetables. The whole thing is sheltered in an arch, with a pristine view of Southwark Cathedral, and perfect for special occasions or escaping from the crowds for a spritz or two. Don’t miss the Catalan-style pineapple to share.

The playful upstart to older siblings Barrafina and Parrillan in the new Borough Yards development, this chic new sherry bar has quietly opened ahead of its official mid-June launch. Here, sip on elegant sherries plus a variety of Spanish wines and cocktails; if you’re hungry, graze on classic bar snacks like smoked almonds, gildas and jamon. The split-level bar is gorgeous to behold, with Mallorcan interior details galore, rendered clay walls and banquettes, and a beautiful elm bar. Early drinkers are rewarded as the bar catches the late afternoon light, while the gentle glow of orange lamps at night makes it difficult to leave.

Walk-ins only until June 14th.

Having relocated from Brixton Arcade to a modern space behind Brixton Town Hall, this neighbourhood cantina continues to pack them in with pitch-perfect renditions of hearty Colombian dishes like crisp yuca frita, beef empanadas with punchy salsa, and delicious chicharron. Lunch offers unparalleled value in a neighbourhood that offers plenty of bang-for-your-buck – try the carnivorous smorgasbord of bandeja paisa or bistec a caballo, grilled beef steak with creole sauce and fried egg, served with rice, plantain and avocado salad. This establishment bills itself as humble, but the quality of cooking is top-drawer.

The return of summer means that, invariably, East London’s favourite Italian restaurant has returned to the peak of its powers. It’s all here: sunny terraces, spritz galore, antipasti to make even the most jaded swoon, and one of London’s best tiramisu. The terrace is perfect for post-work drinks, and posting up here for a couple of hours should form the centrepiece of any Hackney sojourn; just be sure to order one plate of pasta per person to avoid fisticuffs.

The rooftop of the former Ace Hotel played host to all manner of boozy (and bouji) soirees, all punctuated with gorgeous vistas and sunsets from a corner atrium boasting floor-to-ceiling windows. Its reincarnation as the rooftop at the slick new One Hundred Shoreditch is notable, with an all-new look as befitting new ownership; pastel pinks, potted cacti, and brushed gold fittings evoke a retro Palm Springs vibe, along with an Americana-inspired menu and tequila cocktails aplenty.

Housed on the former Flor site, the new iteration of this smash hit Iranian grill restaurant (and one of Dua Lipa’s favourites, to boot) ups the ante with a larger site, and an expanded wine and food offering. New to the party: large format family-style dishes, like lamb fillet kabab served with ta-dig or charcoal roasted saffron chicken with barberries and shiraz salad, plus a beefier wine list, with bottles from across the Levant and Caucasus.

Collaborations in the restaurant world are not a new concept, but rarely are they done with the kind of breadth that Koya has loaded its summer calendar with. The tiny London Fields arm of the acclaimed udon bar (which also has branches in Soho and the City) will offer guest bowls created by a constellation of famous neighbours, including Café Cecilia’s Max Rocha (tea-stained egg breakfast udon), Mitshel Ibrahim of Ombra (cuttlefish and sweet pea udon), Florence Knight (clam and wild garlic udon), and many more. Each will run as a special for two weeks each throughout the summer, kicking off with Rocha on June 24^th.

Beloved in his native LA for pairing punchy Thai dishes with natural wines, NIGHT + MARKET chef Kris Yenbamroong is popping up at The Hoxton in Holborn for a four-month residency at the subterranean Rondo La Cave space. Entitled Chet’s, the chef’s love of Thai flavours and American comfort food shines on a menu of Thai-Americana riffs, like a smashburger smothered with bird’s eye thousand island dressing, hot dogs spiked with nam prik ong, and buttery bucatini amped up with pla raa fermented fish. So far, so fun – just pair with your natural wine of choice, and finish with an ice cream sandwich for a no-fuss good time.

With Soho becoming synonymous with bland chains, establishments like Missy Flynn and Gabriel Pryce’s wine bar and restaurant are to be cherished for their singular approach to making guests feel like, well, family. Superb natural wines and easy-to-love riffs on American dishes make for a fabulous time, as does a crowd that draws from both the restaurant and fashion worlds; new for summer is the long-awaited opening of the restaurant’s garden, a rarity in London and even more so in Soho. They’re taking booking from the 1^st of June at hello@ritasdining.com – if you’re planning a celebration of any kind this summer, here’s the place to have it.