Latest opening: Heritage

What:​ A smart new addition to the less-glamourous end of Rupert Street in Soho, Heritage has taken over the former Brindisa site and claims to be ‘London’s first modern Swiss-inspired restaurant’.

Who: ​Heritage’s kitchen is being overseen by Canadian-born chef Aarik Persaud, who was previously a private hospitality consultant for two years specialising in kitchen operations in London and Dubai. Prior to that he co-founded Hong Kong based restaurant group The Butcher’s Club, where he was the group’s corporate executive chef for three years; working closely alongside the CEO to develop the concept, as well as overseeing all business operations and a team of 150 staff. During his training, Persaud also held stages at a number of international renowned restaurants including Susur in Toronto, Quay Restaurant in Sydney and St. John in London.

The Food:​ Heritage has positioned itself as a brand of luxury and sophistication that resonates throughout the restaurant’s Swiss/French menu, as well as in some of the prices (charbonnade for two with Atlantic lobster, red prawns and diver scallops comes in at just under £60 per head). There are small, dedicated menus for the rösti, raclette and fondue options – the latter of which is available served with either a range of vegetables, meat or seafood – as well as a selection of small and larger plates including a dry-aged steak tartare with beetroot and yoghurt dressing, crumbled egg yolk and caperberry; whole red mullet with red prawn, caviar and samphire fricassee; and Dedham Vale beef fillet bordelaise prepared with braised shallot and mushrooms.

The vibe: ​Heritage is very much a restaurant that looks the part, with the dining room mixing industrial features with soft furnishings. And, as you would expect, there are plenty of rich, alpine colours and mahogany hues. The 80 covers are predominately table focused, but there is also some seating available at the centralised bar, and a semi-private dining area for ‘banquet-style feasting’.

And another thing:​ Fittingly, given how close it is to the West End of London, there’s a real sense of culinary performance to Heritage’s menu, with the raclette served table side. Diners will also be able to barbecue their own meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables on the charbonnade grills, which – following on from the recent launch of Parrillan in Coal Drops Yard – makes Heritage the second restaurant to open in almost asmany months to feature a table-top grill element.