Four in Hand set to re-open in May

The first shots were fired on the weekend in what is shaping up as a big 2014 for Paddington food-lovers.

With Justin Hemmes buying into the suburb and Guillaume Brahimi opening his new restaurant at the old Darcy's site in coming months, long-time food resident Colin Fassnidge has pinched the lead on his competition.

Fassnidge's move at the Four in Hand is less "just opened" and more "re-opened" after the chef closed his toqued pub restaurant for a pre-emptive redesign.

The first stage of the Four in Hand's new food offering was on show at the weekend. The opening menu, with crisp pig's ear, black pudding and duck egg, wasn't just any bar menu.

"The plan is to open the restaurant on May 8. We've pushed the kitchen into the old courtyard space, so the dining room is longer. We can probably seat an extra 35," he says.

The restaurant menu has also been overhauled. One addition will match raw scallops with house-cured bacon and potatoes cooked in a ham hock stock.