10 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
A new month sees a slew of new openings, menus and spring dishes hit the capital. There’s everything from a pizza deal to a cookies and milk pop-up. Enough chit chat – let’s get munching:
What: Mondays aren’t often appreciated. But now the days are getting longer, the sun sparkles a little more, and we’re all getting swept up with the thrill of summer nearing – school nights are tempting.
Why: VICO, Jacob Kenedy’s Covent Garden restaurant have gotten a little carried away and hit the Margarita button or is that Margherita? They didn’t know whether that was Margherita (as in their 2017 Michelin Bib Gourmand winning pizza), or Margarita (as in it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere). So they’ve come to the irrational conclusion that Monday is fun day and are launching a new weekly special – all day. Just a fiver for a Margherita pizza and just a fiver for a Margarita cocktail on Mondays – that’d only be £10 for both.
Where: 1 Cambridge Circus, Seven Dials, London WC2H 8PA
2. For a New Afternoon Tea: St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel
What: St James’ Court, A Taj Hotel have just launched a new afternoon tea, and we think it’s right up your street. The whole tea is based on the narrative of Sherlock Holmes, and is the perfect gentleman’s tea party. The tea showcases a mystifying selection of culinary rarities, inspired by the puzzling narrative and Sherlock’s intriguing attributes.
Why: The 221 B Macaroon is infused with 25-year-old Scotch, whilst the Moriarty’s Bomb is a tantalizingly alluring coffee and Bailey’s Cheesecake. The Sherlock Holmes Smoky Cigar arrives in the form of a smoked caramel mousse, and Watson’s Moustache, is the ultimate boozy addition in the form of a Stout Cupcake. The selection of savoury sandwiches is inspired by The Sign of The Four, the second of the Sherlock Holmes novels. The Hound of Baskerville, is one of the more traditional sarnies on offer, with a filling of roast beef and English mustard – the explosion of flavours leave no stone unturned.
Where: 54 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1E
3. For a New Lunch Menu: Encant
What: Modern Spanish restaurant Encant in Covent Garden is welcoming the arrival of spring with new dishes and a new set lunch menu. Purse friendly prices, and big, bold European flavours. Oh yes.
Why: Highlights from the new menu includes – yellowtail ceviche with blood orange leche de tigre and crispy jicama, and braised pork belly with piquillo pepper glaze, garnished with crisp radish and fragrant coriander.
The classic Patatas bravas have been given a quirky spin – the sautéed potato cubes are presented with a dish of spicy mojo picon, a dried pepper and paprika-based sauce, and whipped-to-order aioli.
Where: Encant, 16 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7NJ
4. For a New Outdoor Terrace: SMOKESTAK
What: With sunnier months ahead (here’s hoping), SMOKESTAK has announced the opening of an outdoor terrace at its Shoreditch restaurant, alongside a new seasonal weekday lunch menu, available now.
Why: Mains include signature dishes such as the beef brisket with pickled red chilli, and thick-cut pork rib with pickled cucumber. There’s also new options like the coal-roasted aubergine, feta, balsamic and spring onion, and chicken kebab, grilled tropea onion and wild garlic tzatziki. A selection of substantial summer salads including grilled peach, stichelton, rocket, candied pecan and crispy bacon, and hot smoked trout with baby spinach, walnut pickled shallots and dill sour cream are now on the menu. The cocktail offering has also taken a very seasonal approach with the Rhubarb Sour, Green Chilli Tommy’s Margarita, and the Peach and Thyme Spritz ideal summery tipples.
Where: 35 Sclater St, Shoreditch, London E1 6LB
5. For a New Hotel: The Napoleon
What: The team behind award winning bars Black Rock and Worship Street Whistling Shop have just opened the doors of their most anticipated project yet: London’s smallest grand hotel, The Napoleon.
Why: Literally building on the success of Black Rock, which was named one of the world’s best whisky bars, The Napoleon will launch with three exciting new bar concepts, all under one roof at 9 Christopher Street in Shoreditch. With Black Rock situated in the basement, the ground floor will be the home to Sack, a sherry and tapas bar that promises to reignite London’s love for the Spanish tipple. On the first floor, The Devil’s Darling will open its doors as a decedent hotel-style cocktail bar specialising in classic cocktails. And finally, for those in the know, the second floor is home to one beautifully designed bespoke bedroom suite, equipped with its own drinks trolley featuring bottled cocktails from the Aske Stephenson range – and a lift that brings cocktails up from each floor.
Where: The Napoleon, 9 Christopher Street London EC2A 2BS
6. For a New Pop-Up: Blondies Kitchen x Selfridges
What: The dynamic cookie duo are back! Following the success of their Old Street Station pop-up, Blondies Kitchen has announced their first retail collaboration with Selfridges. And it’s open now.
Why: For one month only, the brand-new raspberry and coconut cookie and Frosted Flakes cereal milk will be available exclusively at the Selfridges’ Foodhall pop-up – a limited edition pairing not to miss out on. Known for their freshly-baked cookies with just the right amount of chew, crunch and ooze, dig into their signature cookie icon – two classic milk chocolate cookies sandwiched together with an outrageous honeycomb chocolate mousse. Gluten-free and lactose-free diets are also catered for with the return of gluten who? – peanut butter oats cookie and almond milk by Plenish.
Where: Selfridges Food Hall, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB
7. For a New Opening: Melrose Diner
What: This opening is probably best for anyone who lives on the Piccadilly line. Recently openings in Isleworth, Melrose Diner is an all-day modern American eatery bringing excellent hospitality and an inventive menu of American comfort food to West London.
Why: All American heroes from the Melrose Diner menu include lobster and prawn donuts; the allotment burger (featuring 10 vegetables); the Arizona dog (a reworked Sonoran Dog); apple slaw; plus a cobb and super food Salad. Indulgent brunches include vanilla pancakes with blueberry compote, and French toast fingers with Nutella Sauce. Daily changing specials are displayed on blackboards throughout the interior. And there’s freakshakes (apparently still a thing), and chocolate tart for pudding.
Where: 481 London Road, Hounslow TW7 4BX
8. For Spring Feasting: No 11 Pimlico Road
What: No 11 Pimlico Road, No 32 The Old Town, No 1 Duke Street and No 197 Chiswick Fire Station have unveiled a refreshing array of spring dishes made from locally sourced food, scratch cooked on site. There’s new brunch dishes, cocktails and salads galore.
Why: The spring mains welcome tasty, seasonal dishes to the menu, with highlights including steamed mussels marinière, roast lamb rump served with grilled wonky aubergine and minted feta, beetroot and barley risotto accompanied by horseradish crème fraîche, as well as grilled sea bass and chips. Coconut chia pudding, white chocolate crème brûlée paired with passion fruit, and finally a raspberry posset with orange blossom and pistachio crumble provide the perfect finish to a spring feast. The sharing menu has the perfect light bites to accompany the extensive drinks menu, including Jerusalem artichoke soup, beef and black pudding croquette with smoked paprika aioli, and the unmissable satay tiger prawn skewer.
Where: No.11 Pimlico Road, London SW1W 8NA, No1 Duke St, 1a Duke street, Richmond, London TW9 1HP, No 32 The Old Town, 32 The Pavement, London SW4 0JE and No197 Chiswick Fire Station, 197-199 Chiswick High Road, London W4 2DR
What: You can’t keep a good burger away… or so the phrase almost goes. And with this in mind BRGR.CO turned to an old favourite as we welcome springtime with open arms. The santana burger featuring a golden-coated chicken breast is back on the menu. Hold onto your hats, people.
Why: Channeling sun-drenched Mexican afternoons, this is one BRGR that really embraces the vibrant flavours of Baja California. A piece of tender marinated chicken breast is coated and fried for that wonderful crunch, and is accompanied by a sweet corn salsa, creamy guacamole, and a zingy chipotle mayo. This winning combination is then nestled inside a soft demi-brioche bun.
Where: Locations here
What: Cartel in London’s Battersea has flung open its doors, boasting a late-night tequila bar and taqueria. The bar has over 70 different tequilas, boasts an extensive tequila-based cocktail menu and specialises in authentic, hand-pressed tacos.
Why: Cartel’s signature dish is of course, tacos. Hand-pressed the traditional Mexican way and freshly made each day using gluten-free Masa Harina corn flour, this taqueria takes its tacos seriously. Inventive fillings have a global feel, ranging from pulled chicken cooked in Mezcal and lemon to slow-cooked beef brisket with chorizo, radish and coriander. Vegetarians and vegans are well looked after too, with options like a tofu, black bean and roasted tomato in chipotle sauce taco. The menu also features a range of quesadillas with fillings like chorizo and potato or pulled pork and red onion, plus a must-try homemade guacamole, handmade tortilla chips and three types of house salsa.
Where: 517-519 Battersea Park Road, London SW11 3BN
