5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
With restaurants gradually opening up, there’s never been a better time to explore London’s ever-changing food scene. From unlimited afternoon tea (yes, you read that right) to poultry creations and tacos aplenty, here’s what you should be eating in the capital this week:
1. For a Pop-Up: The Gentlemen Baristas
What: The Gentlemen Baristas has just launched their new pop-up, Covent Garden coffee house, serving all-day brunch, hot and cold lunches as well as a classic afternoon tea.
The Lowdown: Ideal for an evening after work or shopping, the new pop-up coffee house has partnered with drinks firm Haven Bars, a new bar company made up of some of London’s finest bartenders and bar operators, and will also offer a tempting cocktail menu, beer on tap and will open until 8pm. And those with a sweet are well catered for too as the new menu includes an exciting soft-serve selection featuring coffee floats, ice creams and chocolate floats.
Where: 8-9 James St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8BH
2. For a New Site: Wingmans
What: Poultry-led restaurants Wingmans has landed in Soho. The 3200 sq ft site on Old Compton Street features an exclusive menu of homemade comfort foods with a focus on gourmet chicken wings alongside fresh and flavoursome homemade American-style sides.
The Lowdown: New to Soho are the Hoi Sin Buff Ting, fruity Hoisin glaze-infused chicken wings with sesame and soy, as well as the Han’Oi Geeza, their cult signature chicken wings with fresh Vietnamese flavours and South East Asian ingredients. Tuck into the Straight Outta Old’ Compton, a buttermilk fried chicken thigh with honey mustard, crispy bacon, blue cheese, baby gem and caraway pickled white cabbage, or for vegan diners The Corn Supremacy packs a plant-based punch with a Korean Spiced sweetcorn and onion patty, crushed avo, Sriracha and black sesame vegan mayo, vegan cheese, and carrot, mooli and coriander pickle.
Where: 29-31 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 5JS
Photo Credit: Lateef Photography
3. For Unlimited Afternoon Tea: Cinnamon Bazaar
What: Executive Chef and Founder of The Cinnamon Collection, Vivek Singh, has announced unlimited afternoon tea and chaats at Cinnamon Bazaar for just £15 per person Monday-Sunday, until the end of September.
The Lowdown: Seamlessly marrying the flavours of East India with modern culinary techniques dine on Kolkata fish finger sandwich with tomato chutney cooked in turmeric, chilli and mustard oil; and Chicken Kathi ‘spring rolls’, a take on the traditional street food rolls found in Kolkata. No afternoon tea at Cinnamon Bazaar would be complete without Vivek’s signature chaat, tuck into Pani Puri – semolina shells filled with spiced chickpeas, mint and tamarind water – and Papdi chaat, crisp wheat chaat with yoghurt, tamarind and coriander chutneys. Sweet treats include cinnamon cream macarons; pistachio cake with rose meringue; and bhaapa doi – a steamed Bengali yoghurt with mango curd. A selection of Indian spiced teas make the perfect finishing touch.
Where: 28 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7JS
4. For a Set Lunch Menu: XR
What: Modern-European restaurant XR has launched a brand-new lunch menu that’s sure to save the pounds. Available Tuesday – Friday, take a seat on XR’s sunny outdoor terrace and enjoy two-courses for just £15, or three courses for £20.
The Lowdown: Created by Chef Carlo Scotto and his team, on the menu you’ll find tasty choices such as gravlax salmon tartare with guacamole and crunchy potato; and truffle arancini with mushrooms and parmesan. Mains include harissa chicken with piquillo peppers, spinach and lime mayo; as well as a veggie burger with Kewpie mayo, pickles, tomato and onion jam. If you’re seeking something sweet, creamy vanilla cheesecake with fresh strawberry coulis is on offer for dessert.
Where: 13-14 Thayer St, Marylebone, London W1U 3JR
5. For a Summer Menu: Wahaca
What: Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers and her team of chefs have come together, knocking out a new summer menu of vibrant, seasonal street food dishes, created during lockdown. The new summer dishes sit alongside Wahaca’s street food, bigger plates, salads and sides – and all are made using high quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients.
The Lowdown: Around 50% of Wahaca’s street food menu is now vegetarian, and the roast garden vegetable tacos are leading the charge. Next up: cheese and chilli croquetas – crispy three-cheese and serrano chilli balls, served with a zesty tomatillo salsa along with bean and crumbled feta tostadas with fresh tomato salsa, served on two crisp tortillas. Wahaca’s much-loved sweet potato side dish just got a delicious upgrade – the Sweet potato ‘bravas’ come drizzled with serrano mayo and served with a hibiscus dip. Oh baby.
Where: Locations here
