Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: London restaurant hits and misses from Martin Williams

In recent weeks, the Evolv Collection has experienced both praise and criticism for its latest restaurant openings. The Angler, Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern, and Vinoteca have been shortlisted for the upcoming Toast the City Awards. Meanwhile, Quaglinos is set to re-open with an exciting new concept, surpassing even Simpsons in terms of popularity.

One of the newly opened venues is Café Clement, the first solo restaurant from Nick Jones, known for his work at Soho House and The Ned. Situated at Temple Place, this venue features a front terrace and garden, and offers a European menu overseen by ex-River Café head chef Danny Bohan. Despite the presence of a celebrity clientele, the food was generally pleasant, though some dishes, such as the Rowley's scallops, were criticized for being small and overcooked.

Another nearby venue that has undergone a transformation is Eve Bar, located under Adam Handling's Michelin-starred Frog. The basement bar now focuses on a "Three Cs" concept, featuring caviar, Champagne, and cocktails. The signature choice is a martini and caviar flight, which pairs miniature martinis with spoonfuls of Handling's Ahrelia caviar. The service at Eve Bar is considered exemplary.

Fenix, a Manchester-based modern Greek restaurant, opened in Mayfair in March and has attracted attention in the city. However, the jury is still out on whether the brand will successfully translate to the London audience. The design of the restaurant attempts to replicate its innovative predecessor in Manchester, but the food and wine menus appear to be less impressive.

During a visit with legendary Chop House chef Mike Reid, the watermelon salad and tuna tartare were passable, while the moussaka and Wagyu stifado were less memorable. Despite the challenges, Fenix joins other notable Mayfair dining spots, such as Lilibets, MA/NA, and The Maine.