On our radar: NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS

As restaurants remove the dust covers ready for covers of the dining kind, Alex Mead gets excited about a flurry of new openings across London, Berkshire and Sussex

The date '17 May' is undoubtedly underlined in chefs' diaries across the country, marking the day we can once again dine inside. Ironically, it comes at a time when going alfresco is a choice for many of us, but is a huge step forward nonetheless. And there’s plenty of new restaurants coming our way.

From the team behind Hackney's Nest, Fenn in Fulham is one of the first up, having already launched its outdoor space and seasonal British menu in April for 14 very lucky covers. Expect dishes such as hand-dived scallops with roast chicken butter and Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and truffle dumplings. fennrestaurant.co.uk

Next, we’ve got The Farrier, a new gastropub in former stables in Camden Market, set to serve up a high-calibre menu from a three-Michelin-star-trained chef. thefarriercamden.com

Native, which featured on this page for its Osea Island launch, is returning to London with Native at Browns in Mayfair. It comes with the wild food and sustainable dining practices the founders are known for. nativerestaurant.co.uk

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, run by successful restaurateur Imad Alarnab – whose Damascus restaurants were destroyed during the war – will bring all the flavours of his homeland to Kingly Court. Think fattet makdous (crispy baby aubergine stuffed with lamb with flatbread and garlic sauce) and tender hamsit iahem (slowcooked marinated lamb shoulder). imadssyriankitchen.co.uk

Nearby, an intimate yakitori bar is coming to London’s Frith Street. Humble Chicken's ‘comb-to-tail’ ethos will see the bird cooked every which way over binchō-tan charcoal on a Japanese grill.

Meanwhile, Adam Handling is set to open a pub/restaurant with rooms with fellow chefs Steven Kerr and Jonny McNeil. With two luxury bedrooms, The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor, Berkshire will be his first-ever venue outside of London (fear not: 'mother' is still on the menu). lochandtyne.com

And, in the south east, Sussex Pass in Wadhurst is focusing on the best of Kent and Sussex produce. sussexpass.restaurant

Clockwise from top left: Dickie's grilled pork belly ribs; Fenn's cofounders; inside The Farrier; the restaurant's lamb, wild garlic and pea main; Townsend's seasonally led 'The Weekender' box