5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
When the nights draw in and it’s time for us to dig out our umbrella, we find comfort in warming bowls of ramen and any carb-based dish. Great news then, because this article features all of the above; a new pizza collaboration, a spicy burger, and a limited-edition ramen. Wack on your cable knit jumper, it’s time to feast:
What: London’s first Laotian restaurant, Lao Café, opened in late 2016 and us city folk lapped it up. The menu is set to receive a shake up, and offer a second batch of authentic, exciting dishes from this lesser-known culinary region. Lao Café is a continuation of co-founder and head chef Saiphin Moore’s on-going mission to showcase a more diverse selection of dishes from the region.
Why: New dishes include Tom Super – a spicy and sour chicken feet soup with galangal and lemongrass; Mohk Pla – a herbal curry with white fish steamed in banana leaf as well as Laab Hed – a mixed mushroom laab salad with toasted rice. These dishes will sit alongside chargrilled meats and freshwater fish; piping hot curries; crispy fried bugs; ant’s egg curry and punchy, fragrant dipping sauces.
Where: 60 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HG
2. For a New Collaboration: Pizza Pilgrims x Cannon and Cannon
What: Pizza Pilgrims have joined forces with British cured meat specialists Cannon & Cannon to produce one almighty British meat feast pizza, available exclusively from 6th September to 6th October across all Pizza Pilgrims sites.
Why: Pizza Pilgrims and Cannon & Cannon are reinventing the classic ‘meat feast’ pizza by showcasing some of the UK’s finest artisan cured meats on one special pizza. A twist on the Quattro Formaggi, with the Pizza Pilgrims white base topped with melted smoked lardo from Trealy farm in Wales, and each quarter topped with one of the following cured meats: seaweed and cider salami from Cornwall; blood, wine and choc salami from Monmothshire; rosemary and garlic salami from Kent; and finally, Cornish coppa from Cornwall.
Where: Locations here
3. For a New Dish: Gourmet Burger Kitchen
What: Gourmet Burger Kitchen has turned up the heat with their latest beefy addition, Mr Lava Lava. Like the good investigate journalists that we are, we gave the new burger a try. Our verdict: it’s delicious with a secret heat that we couldn’t get enough of.
Why: The Caribbean inspired sizzling special boasts a 6oz jerk rubbed beef patty, smoked Applewood cheese, jalapeno relish, mango slaw and chipotle mayo, all held together by a glossy soft sesame bun. Order a portion of onion rings, and some baconaise (bacon and mayo mash-up) for a rip-roaring good time.
Where: Locations here
4. For a New Refurbishment: Courtesan
What: Courtesan has undergone a refurbishment, and has now relaunched as a dim sum restaurant, tea room, cocktail bar and subterranean late-night entertainment space. So basically, everything all under one roof.
Why: Reflecting ancient China’s specialist techniques, the all-female chef team at Courtesan honour the origins of dim sum while at the same time producing an inventive menu that uses modern ingredients from around the globe. The distinctive menu features dim sum, noodle dishes, rice dishes, bao buns and an ever-changing list of specials, focusing on MSG and preservative-free ingredients, with extensive vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Where: 69-73 Atlantic Road, Brixton SW9 8PU
Photo Credit: Bites of Brixton
5. For a One-Off Dish: Kanada-Ya
What: Kanada-Ya HQ have created a limited edition ramen dish in homage to the upcoming launch of videogame, Destiny 2. To celebrate this hotly anticipated release, Kanada-Ya will be exclusively serving the Destiny 2 Ramen from their Piccadilly restaurant from 4th- 17th September. And if you’ve never heard of DesinTy 2 (we haven’t), you can still go and slurp the warming bowls of ramen, because it’s that damn tasty.
Why: In Destiny, fan-favourite, Cayde-6 has a penchant for Ramen and is often heard discussing his favourite food from the ‘Spicy Ramen’ store. As a result, Kanada-Ya created the bespoke Destiny 2 Ramen dish consisting of Niboshi dashi, hand pulled noodles, chashu pork belly, chilli prawn, red oil, bamboo shoots and shredded leek for gamers and Kanada-Ya fans alike to enjoy.
Where: 3 Panton Street, Soho, London, SW1Y 4DL
One for luck…
6. For New Residences: The King & Co x Tem Ban x Taco Rebels
What: The King & Co in Clapham will welcome back much loved pop-up chef Tem Ban and will also host the first extended takeover by hot newcomer, Taco Rebels. Launching on Monday (4th September), the Autumn kitchen residency double-header will see Taco Rebels debut their bold and mischievous flavour combinations to the pub’s guests every Monday and Tuesday, then Tem Ban will serve up another taste of their sensational fresh take on traditional Thai food from Wednesday to Sunday each week.
Why: Ten Ban’s small and large plates are designed to be enjoyed together family-style, such as grilled corn on the cob with salted coconut cream, chilli and lime; red duck curry with ginger, green beans and Thai basil; and pork belly salad with crispy fish flakes, lemongrass, coriander and red chilli dressing. Next up: Taco Rebels will showcase their interesting innovative twist on classic Mexican tortillas. Ideal for sharing over a few pints, the taco lineup for the twice-weekly takeover will highlight top picks from their recent supperclub series at the London Cooking Project including the Pan-Asian Piggy filling of aromatic pork belly, pineapple and ginger salsa, sriracha and crema; and their signature beet balls with spiced carrot hummus, feta and charred kiwi salsa; as well as brand new creations like the Slumdog Muttonaire mix of curried lamb shoulder, raita slaw, bhaji crisp and pickles.
Where: The King & Co, 100 Clapham Park Road, London SW4 7BZ
Photo Credit: Nic Crilly-Hargrave
