The Union
Following on the heels of the impeccably cool Circo bar (now sadly closed) in Birmingham and the Plough in Harborne, Adam Johnson and Ian Wade have opened this new pub with food in Four Oaks.
Opened: 14 November
Food: chip butties in doorstop bread with rocket and hollandaise and fish finger, ciabatta sandwiches with sun-dried tomatoes.
Average spend: £7 (without drinks)
Address: 287 Litchfield Road, Four Oaks, Birmingham B74 2XH, Tel: 0121 308 2215
Fothergills Brasserie at the Spread Eagle hotel
Robin Gibb (of the Bee Gees) and his wife Dwina were guests of honour at the relaunch of what was formerly the hotel's silver-service dining room. Now refurbished, it's been transformed into a relaxed brasserie operation.
Opened: 31 October
Head chef: Yohan Chapelle
Average spend: £20 (excluding wine)
Address: Cornmarket, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2BW, Tel: 01844 213661
Essence Bar & Restaurant
Rebecca Davies and Doris Carabetta are behind this new bar and restaurant which says it will encapsulate the qualities associated with the Spanish dining experience. Apparently it's like Fino without the high prices.
Opened: 27 October
Consultant chef: Nieves Barragan (formerly at Simply Nico)
Average spend: £15 (with wine)
Address: 2-5 Carthusian Street, Smithfield, London EC1,Tel: 020 7253 6009