Have you missed that whole wandering past an Ottolenghi, being tempted by the cake displays in the window, and then popping in to order as much as you could carry thing? Well, that chance is coming back with the news that two of the stores are getting ready to reopen. 

It all starts with Notting Hill today, with Islington to follow on Friday. They're starting slowly - first with a reduced "essentials"

Sambal Shiok in Holloway has been a huge success, with the warming bowls of laksa being a big draw in Holloway and beyond. Now owner Mandy Yin expands next door with a takeaway serving up affordable Malaysian rice boxes. 

Hot Dinners Exclusive

A new restaurant in Islington certainly highlights the cyclical nature of the restaurant business. Trawler Trash on Islington's Upper Street shut its doors in 2019 and the site has been closed ever since. But now a new restaurant has opened in the space and locals will be very pleased to learn that it's a fish and chip shop called Trawlerman's Fish

After success in south and west London, Megan's are opening in the Islington Square development, just off Upper Street. They'll have their usual Mediterranean menu and, of course, will welcome dog owners with open arms. 

Popular Kentish Town brasserie Patron is expanding - they've picked Blackstock Road for their second site, serving up all manner of classic French wine and dishes.

While wandering through Angel over the Christmas break, we spotted this restaurant that opened somewhat under the radar in December. Owner Tae Yeol Kim was apparently International Korean cup Championship 2015 Winner Bartender and is also a Korea traditional alcohol Ambassador. Ogam will serve up a Korean tapas menu (obviously) in a small restaurant that's primarily counter seating. At the time of writing, there's a choice

Rok may be gone, but Nordic dining in Islington is back with the opening of Skal. They've quietly taken over the space left by Rok on Islington's Upper Street promising traditional Nordic recipes but with a modern, seasonal twist from head chef Lauri Hilli (formerly Sanctum Soho). The space looks much the same as it was with Rok - it still has a stripped-back Scandi vibe, so fits the new restaurant well. 

As for the menu - here's

Updated with full launch info

We've slowly been hearing what's planned for N1's Islington Square (taking over the old post office site off Upper Street) and now we've confirmation of at least one restaurant - but it's not a standalone one. 

Odeon Luxe & Dine is Odeon's latest attempt to bring dining and a movie together. So if the very idea of people eating away while you try to enjoy

They've already secured a place in the London burger hall of fame, so it'll be interesting to see what Four Legs - the residency at Islington's Compton Arms - do with Sunday Roasts.

Kicking off this weekend, the mains will be:

• Roast beef with potatoes and Yorkshire pudding
• Whole/half

Change has come to Islington's LIttle Bat, the cocktail bar run by the same people behind Calooh Callay - it's been divided into two. The front part of the building will remain the Little Bat Bar, where the cocktails will continue to flow as before - but there's a change at the back. That's become the Little Bat Kitchen. 

Looking for decent places to meet and eat before a game at The Emirates? Here are our suggestions

A Hot Dinners exclusive

Regular readers of Hot Dinners will know that we're keen supporters of the Irish in London. As second-generation Irish ourselves we're always delighted to be able to bring Londoners a taste of Ireland here in this city.

But we couldn't be more thrilled to break the news that one of our favourite food bloggers and authors Niamh Shields - better known to some of you as

Right next door to their pizza restaurant, Zia Lucia are opening Berto, a fresh pasta restaurant in Holloway. There will be affordable fresh pasta, Italian wines and more.

London has been no stranger to big restaurant closures over the past few months, but one of the biggest was announced last night. In an email, Jeremy King of Corbin & King, revealed that they'd be closing Bellanger in Islington this summer.

"It is with great sadness I must inform you that, after over three years trading, we have decided to cease trading Bellanger on Sunday 11th August.

"It is a great shame but, although we loved being in

It isn't that often that a new London burger blows us away - but this Islington pub has a major contender for the city's best cheeseburger.