5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
Suffering from the bank holiday blues? We’re here to help. From a new Peruvian opening to a Hello Kitty afternoon tea, here’s the best things you need to be eating in London this week. Go forth and always order dessert:
1. For a New Soft Launch Offer: Tootoomoo
What: If you’re saving the pennies after a blow-out bank holiday, pop into Tootoomoo for their 50% off food during their soft opening. The new fresh and healthy pan Asian restaurant is opening their doors at their Islington venue, with the offer available until 11th September for dinner on Tuesdays – Thursdays and all day Fridays – Sundays (for walk ins only – the restaurant does not take bookings).
Why: Currently offering takeaway, collection and delivery, Tootoomoo is inspired by the open and honest ‘shophouses’ of Vietnam and Malaysia, cooking up quality street food inspired by Asian street markets.Tootoomoo is the brainchild of Philip McGuiness and Executive Chef Ricky Pang, where sharing plates take centre stage. Think Asian tapas, with small places of shichimi squid, BBQ pork ribs and chicken gyoza. And the beef rendang and Szechuan chilli with tofu provide Eastern flavours with a kick. Cocktails have a distinctive Asian twist including the flavoured Caipirinha – with the choice of lychee, mango, passion fruit, pineapple or chilli.
Where: 278 St Paul’s Road, Islington, N1 2LH
2. For a New Opening: Butifarra
What: South America has landed on Rupert Street in Soho, thanks to the opening of Butifarra, a take-away picanteria straight out of the mercados of Peru. Appropriately named after a popular Peruvian street snack made of bread with slow-cooked meat and salsa, the new grab and go space is open for the early-birds to the late night snackers.
Why: Breakfast includes a healthy option of crunchy homemade granola and yoghurt, or a take on the bacon buttie that replaces the roll with hot, traditional South American Arepas, a bun made of ground maize dough. Butifarra’s own brand coffee and the selection of freshly squeezed juice – including the chichi morada, a purple fruit juice made with corn – are a perfect way to start the day. At core of the menu is the Butifarra. Tailor make the contents of your crusty bread to your taste, choose one of juicy fillings – beef short rib, slow cooked pork or, chicken and chorizo, and one of the three traditional chilli based sauces (Anticucho, Pachamanca or Amarillo ketchup).
Where: 24 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 6DQ
Photo Credit: Ben Sage Photography
3. For a New Menu: Ben’s Canteen
What: Ben’s Canteen is the South West neighbourhood hangout who have nailed the brunch life. If you can’t get down to enjoy their spicy Eggs Benny, don’t fret – they’ve just launched their new dinner menu this week at both sites in Battersea and Earlsfield.
Why: The menu features great new additions to Ben’s popular burger and wine pairing including starters of spiced duck nuggets, crispy prawns with chorizo and jalapeños, and watermelon with tomato, feta and almonds. For mains, there’s the new salad dodger burger, and it contains a hell of a lot of meat – 7oz beef patty, pulled pork, bacon, nduja, American cheese, onion rings, mustard and Ben Canteen’s famous BBQ sauce. Sides have also been given a makeover, choose from mexi fries, a dreamy combination of skin on fried with nacho cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa and jalapeños, or the spicy nduja mac and cheese. And try the boozy Manhattan shake featuring whisky, sweet vermouth, vanilla ice cream, angostura bitters, double cream and milk. It’s a dessert come drink and we like it.
Where: Locations here
4. For a New Drinking Spot: Burlock
What: Opening on Duke Street between Mayfair and Marylebone on Friday (2nd September), Burlock will be a cavernous rum bar with a party atmosphere, celebrating the Caribbean region’s most storied spirit. That’s rum, to you and I. Burlock is the name that was given to the twine and hemp packaging that Rum Runners used during the prohibition era to move their rum.
Why: With over 200 of the world’s finest rums available under one roof, Burlock will be one of the UK’s largest rum houses. Signature cocktails include Mary’s Pickled – Bacardi Heritage, Maraschino, pineapple shrub, clementine juice, pomegranate, and the Grasshopper Deluxe – Rum, chocolate liqueur, crème de menthe, milk, cream, and Daiquiris made with sugar, hand-pressed on site for extra zing, fresh fruit juices changed daily, depending upon what is in season. Bar snacks and small plates will complement each cocktail. From Brazilian cheese buns and empanada’s (curried lamb, sweet potato, peanut potato, cauliflower, sultana, and turmeric), to seabass ceviche and molasses glazed pork ribs, the regional delicacies will be available to enjoy whilst throwing some shapes on the dance floor. Dancing and eating doesn’t bode well (we’re speaking from past experiences).
Where: 31 Duke Street, London W1U 1LG
5. For a Last Chance: Cutter and Squidge
What: Cutter & Squidge in Soho are into to their last few weeks of their highly successful Hello Kitty pop-up. The innovative bakery created a bespoke afternoon tea for Hello Kitty and transformed their downstairs garden into a mecca for the beloved character.
Why: The bespoke collaboration, the first of its kind in Europe, runs until September 14th. The afternoon tea features Kitty’s snacktime sandwiches, filled with cucumber and cream cheese, hummus and red pepper, cheese and red onion, and smoked salmon and chives. Other savoury bites include cheese scones served with red pepper relish and cream cheese, and coronation crackers. There’s ton of sweet treat to go around; a strawberry milkshake biskie (the bakery’s signature dessert), vanilla cookie, chocolate dipper strawberries, and Kitty’s chocolate mud pie. And if you want to say hello the lady herself, Hello Kitty will be at Cutter and Squidge on Thursday (1st September), between 11am – 5pm to meet and greet afternoon tea guests and fans.
Where: 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ
