It’s a nerve racking experience opening your own restaurant, even if you’ve worked in one beforehand. So to praise those brave souls who have taken on the challenge we have selected some top restaurants that have first time owners.

BLACKLOCK

Set up by former Hawksmoor veteran Gordon Ker, ‘‘ in soho is one amongst a large selection of grilling restaurants in London. The restaurant’s inspiration comes from everywhere including roadside shacks and Turkish Ocakbasis. The food places a huge focus on veal, pork, beef and lamb chops. Meat is cooked on homemade charcoal and manipulated with vintage irons. Individual chops start from (£4.50) and stacks from (£12.50). Not just meat, tuck into extras like charcoal fired bread and ash roasted sweet potatoes.

25 Great Windmill Street, Soho, London, W1D

14th COLONIE

Located on Clerkenwell Road ‘‘ is a Brooklyn inspired restaurant and bar. It’s name is based on the European’s colonisation of the US, since there were 13 colonies this was named the 14th. This is the 1st of number of restaurants intended to be opened by the company under the eye of Mark Oaikhiena (Head chef and General Manger). Food includes something for everyone, including a healthy brunch or a more indulgent pumpkin waffle, tasty burger or Nutella french toast. Drinks utilise craft beers from the US & London. Also on offer are perfectly executed cocktails and fine wines

45 Clekernwell Road, London, EC1M 5RS

COUNTER

Headed by local resident of Vauxhall, Philip Reicherstorfer, ‘‘ is an astounding 200 feet long Brasserie that can fit 175 people. Divided into two, there is a restaurant and bar, as well as ‘The BackCOUNTER’ which will be a smaller and versatile area for private hire. The design of ‘The BackCOUNTER’ will be Deco meets Disco, a play on Vauxhall’s history for pleasure seeking. Food is an all day affair and will include tantalising menu items like Pork rilletes, sourdough and pickled vegetables or 4 Bone short rib of beef, mash, carrots and kale, all of which is made under former ‘Big Easy’ chef Dan Blucert. Wine is exclusively French and American and Coffee is All-press and available for takeaway.

7-11 South Lambeth Place, London, SW8 1SP

MAPLE AND FITZ

Part of the health food craze ‘‘ is a health food and juice bar location opened by chef Adria Wu, who used to be an engineer and managing consultant before she trained in food at ‘Le Cordon Bleu’. The restaurant is built over 2 floors, seating 12-15 people downstairs with an an al-fresco dining option for brighter days. Breakfasts include healthy salads and grain bowls starting from (£6.50) per portion and of course cold fresh pressed juices such as The Little Miss Sunshine: Orange, grapefruit, lemon, ginger and Cayenne. Just cause it’s healthy they haven’t skipped desert; buy a Gluten free salted caramel brownie or a ‘One-Bite Everything Cookie’

36a Berners Street, London, Westminister, W1T 3LY

NAUGHTY PIGLETS

Duo Joe Sharrat and Margaux Aubury decided to take the plunge with ‘, a charcoal grill restaurant in Brixton. Joe Sharrat has previously worked in ‘Trinity’ and Maragux in ‘Terroirs’. Able to take 30 covers, this slightly smaller restaurant is yet another addition to the large grilling scene of London. Includes varied starter items, ranging in price; like Grilled squid or Ox tail (£4), Pork belly with sesame and Korean spice (£9). There is also a short but sweet desert menu with beautiful items like Panna Cotta with Gariguette strawberries.

28 Brixton Water Lane, London, SW2 1PE

HOOD

Brother and Sister team (Robin and Melanie Frean) form the team for ‘‘, A modern British restaurant in Streatham. Food is created by former ‘Caprice’ sous chef Mick Brown. Mick serves items such as Nduja croquettes, with wild garlic mayonnaise and Fillet of Hake, braised artichokes and Dorset clams and Rhubarb snap crackle and pop. Drinks include local Sussex Wines and Gins.

67 Streatham Hill, London, SW2

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