Spanish Chef David Muñoz’s StreetXO Hits London October 31

One of Spain’s most lauded restaurants lands in London this month: Chef David Muñoz’s StreetXO just announced it’s opening October 31 in the Mayfair district, after more than two years of anticipation.

The chef describes StreetXO as the "Cirque du Soleil of gastronomy," serving small plates with Asian and South American influences. Sporting a mohawk and horns through his gauged ears, Muñoz has been declared Spain’s “culinary enfant terrible” by the New York Times.

StreetXO is the more casual, more affordable sibling to Madrid’s DiverXO, which has the distinction of being Madrid’s only Michelin three-star restaurant and books up several months in advance.

The original StreetXO in Madrid is located on the seventh floor of the upscale El Corte Ingles department store; cooks wear chef jackets designed to look like straightjackets, and frequently emerge from the open, theater-style kitchen for tableside preparations.

New dishes for the London location will include octopus with bone marrow foam and churros and a rabbit dumpling with carrot foam and Chinese five spice. (Yes, foam as a garnish is still going strong in Spain.) The cocktail bar will utilize unusual ingredients like coconut vinegar and smoked pea soda.

London’s Mayfair neighborhood is home to a number of pricey, exclusive restaurants, including the three-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester and clubby Asian fusion spot Hakkasan (where, coincidentally, Muñoz worked as a cook in his younger days).

Unlike its Madrid sibling, the London outpost will accept reservations, though seats at the counter will be reserved for walk-ins. Tables can be reserved by emailing reservations@streetxo.co.uk or calling (020) 3096-7555.

• Madrid Chef David Muñoz Brings His Experimental Cuisine to London [E]
• Madrid Chef David Muñoz on Getting His Third Michelin Star at DiverXO [E]