Monday Bulletin: Anna Søgaard’s new concept and Tatar Bunar

Catch up on the latest industry news stories of the week from the CODE Bulletin

Jomfru

The Danish chef Anna Søgaard, formerly of hit restaurants Bistro Freddie and Erst, is getting back in the kitchen with a new concept, Jomfru. A Nordic, seafood-led residency at Dina Wines in Stratford, it will be a ‘celebration of classic Danish dishes and modern takes’. On the menu, dishes such as smørrebrød, oysters, pickled herrings and roasted pork with cabbage. Søgaard, who was in our Women of the Year list in 2024, told CODE: ‘I’m very excited to be cooking again, this time with the dishes I grew up loving. Danish and Scandinavian food is something barely represented in London and I look forward to bringing the concept to life. The menu will be classic and seasonal, using the flavours of the Nordics.’ Jomfru will launch on Friday 17. Book via Dina Wines.

Tatar Bunar

A Ukrainian restaurant is to open in Shoreditch in March, marking a London debut for the Ukrainian restaurateurs Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko. Called Tatar Bunar, the restaurant is inspired by Cooper’s hometown of Tatarbunary in southern Ukraine and will ‘reflect decades-old family traditions’ with a menu inspired by his grandmother’s recipes. Cooper, most recently based in Kyiv, has been working there throughout the war supporting his team, community, the army and the territorial defence. In the early stages he provided meals for thousands of soldiers every day and turned his restaurants into food distribution points for those in need. Andriienko, meanwhile, has relocated to London and will take charge of running Tatar Bunar. ‘We have long admired the food scene in London and its ability to celebrate and champion cuisines from all over the world,’ the pair said. ‘We believe there is still work to be done in showing London how wonderful Ukrainian food is, which is why we have decided to open.’

Small Plates

• Locanda Locatelli has closed after 23 years. The family announced the news on Instagram last week and said: ‘With a Heavy heart, for reasons out of our control, we are now permanently closed. We will miss all of our clients, many who have become friends. But when one door closes, another opens, so please check our social media for updates on our new project.’
   
• Phil Howard is continuing his collab series this year following a successful run in 2024. Upcoming at Elystan Street in the coming weeks are nights with vegan chef Alexis Gauthier, nutritionist Emily English, and sommelier Tom Gilbey, best-known for going viral while drinking wine throughout last year’s London Marathon.
   
• A third Berenjak has been announced. Next up for restaurant group JKS’ Persian concept is a site in Mayfair. It follows location in Soho and Borough Market, as well as Doha and Dubai. Berenjak has taken a space on Duke Street, though no word yet on when the restaurant will open.
   
• A new wine bar has opened in Leyton with a focus on natural wines and producers from the likes of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. LOTI reports Swirl is the work of Arch Deli founder Michaela Zelenanska and Pandemonium Wines founders Prianka Pradhan and Viliam Tomcanyi. The vibe? ‘City-quality wines at neighbourhood-friendly prices’.
  

• Budgie Montoya is taking a break from the industry to focus on his health. He closed his Filipino concept, Apoy at Market Halls in Oxford Circus, on December 31. ‘The truth is, I need to slow down, breathe and prioritise myself in a way I’ve neglected for far too long. Adjusting my life to live with heart failure has forced me to confront some difficult realities.’ We wish him well.
   

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