Catherine Hanly

London

Founder and Editor at Hot Dinners

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hot-dinners.com

Articles

Test Driving Luna, a City omakase that brings a modern sensibility to the classic sushi experience

1 week ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

What's the elevator pitch? Luna is billed as being London's highest omakase restaurant (the only other high-rise one is Endo at the Rotunda, which is a floor lower). It's a restaurant within a restaurant, tucked away behind sliding doors inside the popular Mexican Japanese fusion restaurant Los Mochis City and seats just 12 guests. There are two sittings each night, at 6pm and 8.30pm.
Thomas Straker opens all day restaurant and deli Acre in Notting Hill

1 week ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

Chef Thomas Straker is making things easy on himself with his second restaurant opening, as it's just a few doors further down from his eponymous restaurant in Notting Hill. Acre is being described as a restaurant and deli that's "all about simple, quality cooking and putting seasonal ingredients on a pedestal."While work on the space progresses they've already thrown open the doors to the casual dining restaurant.
5 very London twists on the viral Dubai chocolate

1 week ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

Londoners' desire for all things pistachio (and kunefe) based treats shows no signs of waning with literally everyone coming up with some take on the viral Dubai chocolate bar. Here's our pick of some fun takes on the viral treat currently to be found across London. Soho - 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJSoho bakery Cutter & Squidge have come up with a Dubai biskie as their contribution to the craze.
Bleecker hit up Soho for their next restaurant

1 week ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

Is it a sign of the times that a celebrity-backed vegan burger restaurant's former site in Soho has been taken over by a longstanding London independent group? Well, that's what has happened on Old Compton Street, where Lewis Hamilton-backed Neat Burger's old space is being turned into a Bleecker Burger. Bleecker Founder Zan Kaufman is clear that she sees it as a milestone for herself, personally. "Opening on Old Compton Street is a full circle moment for me," she says.
The best things we ate and drank in May 2025

1 week ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

The best things we ate and drank in May 2025 This month featured a trip to Paris, some excellent cocktails across the Channel and back here in London, theatrical sushi and more. Luna (Liverpool Street) - Caviar and worm salt tacoA genuinely thrilling (and fun) evening with Hot Dinners readers at new omakase restaurant Luna in the City threw up all manner of high points including this fantastic sweet potato taco shell filled to the brim with Italian caviar.
French smashburger hit Dumbo is heading to Shoreditch

2 weeks ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

A year on from their fellow Parisians Junk Burger arriving in London, Dumbo and their smash burgers are also crossing the Channel. Of the two burger companies, Dumbo were the first to introduce smashburgers to Paris and their arrival in London will be the brand's first place outside of that city. If you haven't tried the burgers before, then the Dumbo approach is very minimalist and much more along the lines of Supernova.
Test Driving Town - Stevie Parle's bold return to the London dining scene

2 weeks ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

What do we need to know about Town? This is the first big new London restaurant from popular chef Stevie Parle since he opened Joy at Portobello back in 2020. If you haven't tried his food before, then let us give you a quick potted history. Parle first came to our attention with the amazing Dock Kitchen restaurant (also at Portobello, in the same space he later opened Joy). He also used to run the very popular Rotorino in Dalston and is behind the central London fast pasta restaurant Pastaio.
Clapham gets a new Michelin-level sandwich truck in Outside by Trinity

2 weeks ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

Anyone working from home in Clapham is going to have a hot new place to hit up for sandwiches when the new sandwich truck at Trinity opens up. Called Outside by Trinity, it's taking over the Michelin-starred restaurant's terrace, so you can eat it there although it's primarily a takeaway.
Theo James joins Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton in opening Lupa restaurant in Highbury

2 weeks ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

As Highbury locals ourselves, you'll have to forgive us for focusing more on the fact that actor Theo James is also apparently our neighbour, than the news that he's opening a restaurant here. But if we stop wondering why we've never seen the White Lotus star out and about in N5 and look instead at what he's actually involved in, then Lupa does sound rather interesting. First off, Theo's got himself a solid business partner in Ed Templeton.
Market Place St Paul's reveals its launch food traders for the City

2 weeks ago | hot-dinners.com | Catherine Hanly

The City of London is about to get its second food hall in as many months as Market Place prepares to open opposite St Paul's Cathedral. The company, which already has halls in Peckham and Vauxhall (with Baker Street on the way) has got itself a two floored space on Cheapside. On the ground floor is where you'll find all the food traders and a big bar. Downstairs from that will be a cosier space with booths, a second bar and pool tables.