New restaurant and bar openings continue apace in London. Here’s a round-up of the latest London restaurant news.

Buddha-Bar

Pan-Asian restaurant Buddha-Bar opens today in Knightsbridge, serving a blend of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food and a choice of “avant-garde” cocktails. Diners are overlooked by a giant Buddha designed by sculptor David Begbie, while DJs provide a mix of electro and tribal sounds. You can enjoy 25% off food plus a free cocktail until 30 October.

Reverend JW Simpson

The team behind quirky cocktail bar Bourne & Hollingsworth have launched a new venue, Reverend JW Simpson, in Goodge Street. During building work the designers discovered an old apartment and decided to keep as many of the original features as possible, including the flooring, wallpaper, chipped paint and mementos of the former occupant – Reverend JW Simpson.

Tonteria

Mahiki founder and friend of the royals Guy Pelly has opened a new venture in Sloane Square with partner Marc Burton. Tonteria resembles a Mexican bar, with distressed décor, Mexican plants and hammocks. There’s a Mexican-inspired menu, sharing cocktails served in skull-shaped vessels, and a shot train that delivers tequila shots to tables.

Rekorderlig Winter Forest Bar

East London’s Old Truman Brewery will be transformed into the Rekorderlig Winter Forest Bar from this evening. Open until 6 November, the pop-up bar will offer Swedish cider and food pairings in Scandinavian surroundings. Tickets cost £5 and include a selection of Rekorderlig flavour tasters and a complimentary dish.

More New London Restaurants

Other new openings include:

• Cabana – the Brazilian chain launches a third restaurant tomorrow at Westfield London
• The Fat of the Land ­­- a new Mediterranean pub and dining room in Marylebone
• Tortilla – the burrito and taco chain has opened a new site on the Strand, close to Trafalgar Square
• The Shed – this new bar and British restaurant in Notting Hill is receiving great reviews
• PipsDish at The Garage – Philip Dundas’s pop-up in an old Citroen repair workshop in Islington is now open permanently
• Maroush Bakehouse – a new Lebanese restaurant and bakery in Earl’s Court
• Piste – Archer Street cocktail bar has opened a basement nightclub with the feel of an Alpine retreat

In the traditionally French area of South Kensington you can find a little taste of Denmark at Scandinavian restaurant Madsen. I went along to investigate for our World in London challenge.

After I’d admired the typically Scandinavian interior (think pale wood floors and lampshades by Danish designer Poul Henningsen), restaurant manager Karolina Vithen talked me through the menu.  

The lunchtime special is “smushi” – a smaller version of the traditional Danish sandwich called smørrebrød. Toppings include Greenland prawns and Norwegian Jarlsberg cheese. Alternatively, you can go for the herring platter served with homemade rye bread.

In the evening, Danish dishes include sweet cured herring, frikadeller (pork meatballs with green cabbage and pickled cucumber) and fiskefrikadella (pan-fried haddock fishcakes with lemon marinated cauliflower, pea shoots and dill relish).

Everything looks fresh and healthy. “It’s quite light food, especially in summertime,” confirms Vithen.

The restaurant has a strong environmental policy and only imports wine and beer from Europe, not the New World. There’s a choice of Danish drinks, including AErø beer from a little micro brewery on the island of AErø, and 40% Akvavit shots, normally drunk with herring.

Madsen is a gathering place for Danish, Swedish and Norwegian ex-pats. “Scandinavians like to go to a place where you can get the traditional food,” says Vithen. “We try to do all the different traditions from all the countries.”

The restaurant regularly hosts seasonal events. Next up is a month-long Swedish crayfish festival starting on 19 August.

Perhaps less traditional is the new Scandinavian afternoon tea, including homemade petit fours, two smushis, coffee and a glass of champagne. “It’s a mix between the British and the Scandinavian high tea,” explains Vithen.

All of the staff are Scandinavian. Vithen hails from Sweden, while the owner, Charlotte Kruse Madsen, and chef, Esben Muhlig Sørensen, are both Danish.

“A lot of people come here and don’t know much about Scandinavia so we have to explain the food,” says Vithen.

So where should Scandinavians head for a taste of home while in London? Vithen recommends the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian churches: “If we need any help we just put a notice up there.”

“There’s Totally Swedish in Warwick Avenue, and this little café, Fika, on Brick Lane. There’s a lot of Scandinavians here so there’s plenty if you know where to go.”

Have you experienced Danish culture in London? Let us know your recommendations.

www.madsenrestaurant.com