5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
We’re always hungry: hungry for new openings, menus and special pop-ups. Here’s five tasty things that are worth spending your sparkles on this week. Happy munching, London:
1. For a New Pizza Spot: Yard Sale Pizza
What: Today, Yard Sale Pizza will open its second home on Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park. Having built up a loyal following over the past two years from its Clapton home, the team at Yard Sale pride themselves on a carefully selected menu of five staple pizzas plus a regular rotation of specials, all handmade from double fermented dough and stone baked for bubbly crusts. And to celebrate, the chaps are giving away free pizza – so arrive early from 5pm Monday to Thursday or from midday Friday – Sunday for the chance to get your hands on one of the 50 free 12” stone baked pizzas.
Why: Try out the likes of The Holy Pepperoni’with Cobble Lane pepperoni, Napoli piccante, and crumbled Nduja sausage; TSB with tender stem broccoli, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil; or one of the regular specials such as Cheesus Walks, with Smoked cacetto, gorgonzola, mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan cheeses and walnut pesto. All pizzas are available in both 12” and super-size 18” for sharing (or not!). A selection of homemade dips, salads, sides such as the infamous cheese and marmite garlic bread, Nonna’s gelato, local London beers, Borough Wines, and soft drinks complete the lineup.
Where: 54 Blackstock Road, London N4 2DW
2. For a New Opening: Tombo, Poké & Matcha Bar
What: Yes, the rumours are true. Tombo, the award winning matcha and Japanese food specialists have opened their new digs in Soho. The café specialise in poké, the Japanese inspired Hawaiian raw-food sensation that is already taking the London casual dining scene by storm. Wave goodbye to standard sushi rolls: the tides are turning.
Why: Tombo, Poké & Matcha Bar offer a range of poke; marinated raw fish imbued with fresh and exotic flavours of the pacific. These dishes are also healthy, filling and endlessly customisable. The bowls at Tombo, Poké & Matcha Bar are made up of ingredients including salmon, tuna, prawn, kimchee, avocado and edamame served over sushi rice, courgette noodles, or black and white rice. You can also choose between six signature poké bowls such as Classic Tuna Poké, Salmon Avo Lux and the unique Matcha Miso Tofu, alongside the option to build their own bowl. The bar also offers delicious side salads such as Hijki Black Seaweed and root vegetable as well as Miso soup.
Where: 28 D’Arblay Street, Soho, London
3. For a New Soft Launch: Zia Lucia
What: Launching in Islington on Friday (17th June), Zia Lucia brings their own style of pizza to the capital. By combining a special selection of unique doughs, rare in the London pizza scene, with a flair for real Italian community style, Zia Lucia will create a distinctive experience for pizza lovers across the city. Running until Thursday (16th), the restaurant will be soft-launching with 50% off pizza. Offer is only valid if you book in advance.
Why: Zia Lucia’s unique variety of Italian 48-hour slow fermented doughs are inspired by ancient traditions brought from across Italy to London. The recipes will range from the traditional flour dough to an unusual vegetable charcoal black base, from a healthy wholemeal option to special dough made without gluten. The wood-fired pizzas will feature fresh, classic Italian toppings, all available on the four types of dough. The menu also features white pizzas, with unusual toppings such as pecorino cheese, truffle honey, asparagus, spicy orange sauce and toasted almonds. Alongside the pizzas, the menu features a selection of Italian style starters, salads and desserts, including an innovative and appetising pizza dessert.
4. For a New Pop-Up: Claw x Hat and Tun
What: Bringing a taste of the Devon coast to the big city, street food vendor CLAW is popping up at The Hat and Tun in Farringdon for two weeks this month, serving up a range of bespoke crab dishes and seafood delights made fresh to order. CLAW will serve signature seafood options between 5:30pm – 9pm from Wednesday 15th – Friday 17th June and the following week, Wednesday 22nd – Friday 24th June.
Why: At The Hat and Tun CLAW will be serving the CLAW burger, a Devonshire crab burger topped with samphire slaw and lemon aioli in a brioche bun, steak and verde – a plateful of sliced sirloin, topped with tangy salsa verde in a brioche bun, and their epic KFC – kimchi fried softshell crabs. There’s a variety of mac ‘n cheese to choose from, with the option of customising the dish with either; smoked pancetta, super food veggies or Devonshire crab. Bites and sides include, tempura asparagus and anchovy aioli, smoked cod roe fries and cockle popcorn.
Where: 3 Hatton Wall, London EC1N 8HX
5. For a Taste of America: Liberty Cheesesteak Company
What: While there is no shortage of American food in the capital, Liberty Cheesesteak Company goes beyond superficial Americana. It strays away from the stereotypical limelight, and instead focuses on sharing the Philly culture through the iconic and with highly sought after sandwich made of bread, steak, and secret recipe cheese, known as ‘Wiz’. With the opening of the Spitalfields location in September 2015, Liberty launched a delivery business to ensure everyone across the city would be able to enjoy Cheesesteaks on demand.
Why: The cheesesteak sandwiches are made using prime ribeye beef, and topped with Liberty’s very own Wiz, made to a very precise recipe. All of the above is stuffed into a white Italian loaf, that is both soft and chewy, yet with enough of an exterior crust to ensure it doesn’t fall apart with the addition of hot meat and cheese. Other Philly classics on offer include South Philly style Italian roast pork sandwiches, Italian hoagies, buffalo chicken cheesesteak and Philly style cannoli. Gluten-free options are also available.
Where: Lamb Street entrance to Spitalfields market, Shoreditch, London
