Sorrel, London
This new venue aims to add a modern European, Italian-influenced flavour into the City of London's midmarket restaurant sector. It's intimately lit, and means to offer good quality dishes that won't break the bank.
- Opened: 19 September
- Owners: Robert Saunders, Benjamin Tish, Richard Martinez
- Head chef: Benjamin Tish
- General manager: Richard Martinez
- Capacity: Restaurant 60-70, bars - upstairs 30, downstairs 40
- Food: To start, there's carpaccio of smoked swordfish, and pressed terrine of ham hock. Mains include chargrilled tuna with pepperonata and marinated new-season lamb rump. End with blood orange cheesecake.
- Prices: Starters, pasta and risotto from about £7, mains for £13 and desserts from £5
- Address: 5 Minories, London EC3N 1BJ
- Telephone: 020 7481 1779
The Glade, London
Located on the ground floor of Mayfair's Sketch, Glade uses green carpeting, red walls, thick wooden tables and black velvet curtains to conjure up the feel of a forest. It's open for lunch only, from noon to 5pm, and the menu is devised by Sketch chef-proprietor Pierre Gagnaire.
- Opened: 5 September
- Owner: Mourad Mazouz
- Head chef: Anthony Garlando
- General manager: Marcus Etty
- Capacity: 50
- Food: Includes eggs en cocotte with peppered gambas and serrano ham, chicken sautŽd with Parmesan served with vegetable tortellini, and beef tartare with mustard, piment d'espelette, potato fondant and fresh spicy tomato.
- Prices: Dish prices £4-£16, wine £12-£50
- Address: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG
- Telephone: 0870 777 4488
Colebrooke's, London
Colebrooke's is an intimate space, with thick wooden furniture and decorated with 1930s prints of Islington. Patrons can wine and dine to a soundtrack of jazz, blues, funk and house music.
- Opened: 24 August
- Owners: Ross Nickolson and Jake Nartey
- Bar manager: Felix Cemmel
- Capacity: 36 seats plus standing and pavement tables
- Food: Designed by upmarket deli La Fromagerie; there are sharing plates of antipasti, charcuterie, p‰tŽ and cheeses, and a small but rich choice of desserts. Drinks focus on wine, Champagne, Continental beer and cocktails.
- Prices: Sharing plates for £11.95, lighter bites from £3.75
- Address: Colebrooke Row, Islington, London N1 8AA
- Telephone: 020 7226 7517
La Vina, Leeds
From the owners of Spanish chain La Tasca, this new restaurant is aimed at a sophisticated, older crowd. Rich wooden furniture, plentiful foliage and brick-wall finish bring a touch of Spain into the heart of Leeds.
- Opened: 19 August
- Owner: La Tasca Group
- Restaurateur: Jose Narango
- Head chef: Diego Chaves
- Bar manager: Paulo Lopes
- Capacity: 120, plus two private rooms for six to 20 people
- Food: Spanish cuisine. Tapas include mussels, serrano ham, and chorizo cooked in cider, plus vegetarian options. Meat and fish skewers and baked sea bass for mains, plus paella to share.
- Prices: Tapas from £2.65 to £5.95 for a selection of dry-cured meats. Meat mains about £13.55 and paella from £7.85
- Address: 6-7 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QX
- Telephone: 0113 247 1592
Apostrophe, London
This is the sixth outlet from café chain Apostrophe. Decorated with limestone flooring, wood furniture and plasma screens, the cafŽ is open from 7.30am to 7pm.
- Opened: 27 August
- Managing director: Amir Chen
- Head chef and baker: Peter Gawronski
- General manager: Jane Kristiansen
- Capacity: 50, plus 16 outside
- Food: Sandwich options include Brie, pear and watercress, or salami, rocket, mayonnaise and chilli jam, plus tarts, quiches, pastries and cakes and a wide selection of bread, freshly baked on site.
- Typical spend: Average for a take-away sandwich is £3.30 and an eat-in sandwich, £3.70
- Address: 40-41 Great Castle Street, London W1W 8LU
- Telephone: 020 7637 5700