Exmouth Grind is now open

Exmouth Grind

Love that coffee ‘n’ cocktail bar on the Silicon Roundabout? Yup, us too. Now there’s a new branch a little nearer to King’s Cross in Exmouth Market. Both the breakfast and the all-day menus mark a more gastronomic era at the Grind with recently appointed head chef Kyle Boyce. On the menu? Chorizo stuffed dates, pancetta and yoghurt, butcher’s steak, red pepper and almonds, and chicken thighs, monksbeard, corn and lemon. The Holborn branch (near the Rosewood Hotel) is also doing evening service now, too. Yum. More info. 8-10 Exmouth Market EC1

Bloom Kitchen opens

Anew venture that, along with, er, hoary old Belgian moules joint Belgo, is part of the £20 million newly refurbished Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn). Bloom Kitchen apparently pays homage to both the Bloomsbury Group (okaaaay) and the area in general, with staff in clothing – neck scarves and cravats – inspired by literary icons Virginia Woolf and her cronies. Expect everything from lobster corn fritters to a specialist gin menu. We’ll see. More info. 1 King’s Cross Road, WC1X

Borderline relaunches

Finally, the folk behind Oslo in Hackney (and more recently the new-look Garage in Highbury) have bought up the iconic W1 live music venue The Borderline (where everyone from Rolling Stones to Oasis played). There’s a sleek new layout and design, and a live music and nightlife programme. Plus the 300-capacity layout has been altered to create a flowing space from dancefloor to the new bar area. There’s life in Soho yet. More info. Manette St W1