About Time: You Discovered London’s Best New Pop-UpsBy Angelica Malin
Good grief, there’s always something new happening in London. It’s time to shake up your restaurant routine with these amazing new pop-ups. There’s everything from build your own burgers to s’mores and a three day cheese festival. Dig in:
1. For American Treats: Aubaine x Selfridges
What: S’mores are a traditional campfire bite, and the team at Aubaine have brought this well-loved American snack to Selfridges until the end of December. Unlike the American s’more made with Graham crackers, Aubaine have sprinkled some french magic over their biscuit creations – think Fluffy marshmallow sandwiched between two gingerbread biscuits dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate.
The Run-Down: The pop-up, open throughout the month, is a haven for chocolate fans, and lovers of sweet treats from across the pond. Dip options and sprinkles give the humble s’mores an elegant Aubaine upgrade, and include dark, white, or milk chocolate. Get throwing on a range of sprinkles like cocoa nibs, hazelnut, pistachio, crispy rice, popping rice and raspberry bites.
Where: 4th Floor, 400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
2. For a Sensory Experience: Ferrero Rocher
What: Just in time for the festive season, the Ferrero Rocher: Behind the Layers pop-up will immerse guests in a multi-sensory tasting adventure through mini-desserts inspired by the five layers of Ferrero Rocher. This year’s tasting experience will feature powerful light projections, music and motion to help enrich every bite.
The Run-Down: Starting on entry to the golden bar and lounge, visitors will discover a drinks menu created by mixology maestros, Liquid Chefs. Five mini-desserts will be handmade in front of visitors’ eyes, each one inspired by the layers of whole hazelnut, smooth chocolate, crispy wafer, hazelnut pieces and glittering gold. Developed by celebrated chef and gastronomic mastermind, Paul Hannagen, each will honour the unique combinations that make a Ferrero Rocher so damn delicious.
Where: Westfield London, Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush, London
Purchase tickets here
3. For Foraged Cooking: fodder x Curio Cabal
What: Following two sell-out pop-ups as part of the Borough Wines & Beers’ Chef Development series at Brewery Below, Islington, and a two-month residency with Platform 1 (the East Dulwich restaurant known for spring boarding culinary talent such as Perilla and Smoke & Salt), fodder is launching their next residency at Haggerston’s favourite neighbourhood cafe, Curio Cabal.
The Run-Down: Open from Friday (1st December), the team will be cooking up their signature style of ’fine dining gone wild’, using local ingredients and collaborators as well as produce foraged ourselves. There’ll be a seven-course tasting menu including raw venison rolled in acorn; roasted barley with pickled elderflowers and duck; summer and autumn plums; and offal yakatori. Look out for the à la carte options like ox cheek, celeriac and smoked yolk ’ravioli’ - a favourite from the Platform 1 menu, and the return of their famous T-cakes, this time with buckthorn.
Where: 258 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4DG
4. For a Celebration of Cheese: Brixton Rooftop
What: Brixton Rooftop’s South Pole Saloon is set to be transformed into a Cheese Town from Thursday (30th November) for three days only. A weekend dedicated to all the dairy delights at London’s first ever Cheese Town, expect some of the UK’s most popular cheese mongers, makers and street food vendors.
The Run-Down: Enjoy plenty of molten cheese specialties throughout the weekend as resident food traders Mac to the Future launch their new Camembert mac, a mac n’ cheese dish served within an entire baked Camembert. Lamb specialists, The Lambassadors will be serving up a specially created lamb cheese burger, alongside Fancy Funkin Chicken’s cheesy topped chicken wings. Cheese Town welcomes a special visitor, Alpine artisans The Raclette Brothers to the rooftop, bringing with them the finest French-Canadian treats to the streets of Cheese Town.
Where: Pope’s End, Brixton, London SW9 8JH
5. For Veggie Burgers: The Vurger Co x Lululemon
What: Plant based wizards, The Vurger Co, have just launched their winter pop-up in the outside forecourt of Lululemon, Spitalfields. The team have band the bland, ditched the junk, and have kept it fresh with their range of veggie burgers.
The Run-Down: Highlights from the The Vurger Co’s menu include the Auburger made from aubergines, chickpeas, red onion and vegan cheese, and the Mexican with vegan cheese and gucamole. And there’s shakes and sides too. The stall are also serving Canyon Coffee’s drinks, using organic coffee beans roasted at the brand’s home in LA, and they’re the only place in London to stock Canyon Coffee.
Where: 109 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6EW
6. For Build Your Own Burgers: MeatUp
What: MeatUp is opening a new Burger Kitchen pop-up in Chelsea from Monday (4th December), and it’s far from normal. The restaurant is throwing the burger rulebook out of the window, and is offering colourful buns, patties cooked to your liking, and a selection of over 20 exciting toppings, as well as its indulgent Christmas burger.
The Run-Down: With patties made from a secret blend of short-rib, brisket, sirloin, ribeye, chuck and bone marrow, the Build Your Own Burger pop-up will allow you to order your burgers cooked to preference, as all the meat is butchered, minced by hand and pressed. Customers can then choose to encase their patty between a normal milk bun, an inky black charcoal bun, or a festive red beetroot option. Toppings range from indulgent mac n’ cheese, short rib, triple cheese, seared foie gras and bacon to more off-the-wall options such as chow mein, chicken tikka and naan, waffles, lime and chilli prawns, and even Kinder Egg.
Where: 351 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW10 9TW
7. For Burgers and Brunch: Ben’s Canteen
What: Ben’s Canteen are upping sticks to Battersea for a special month long pop-up when you’ll find festive creations, cocktails and their renowned burgers. Opening Thursday (30th November), the Winter Burger & Brunch Shack is located in a tented area in the shadow of the Battersea Power Station, and is fully heated.
The Run-Down: Brunch will be available on Fridays (10-12pm), and Saturday and Sunday (10-2pm) and includes granola with wild fig and orange compote, honey and greek yogurt; smashed avocado served on flat bread, topped with corn and bean salsa, pesto, feta or chorizo. Alternatively, opt for a bun and choose a filling: double cheddar with a fried egg; bacon and egg; or chorizo and egg. Throughout the day and night, Ben’s iconic burgers will be available including an Xmas turkey burger, a classic cheese burger as well as a veggie burger, along with sides like french fries, sweet potato fries and loaded roasties.
Where: Battersea Power Station, London
8. For Creating Your Own Drink: Baileys
What: We love Baileys and this pop-up sounds right up our street. The December, the Irish cream squad are opening Baileys Treat Stop, its first customisable bar menu where you can transform a range of lattes, hot chocolates and exclusive cocktails.
The Run-Down: Open from 4th to 17th December, Baileys Treat Stop has something for everyone; an Alpine themed snug area to chill-out at your leisure, a bar serving Baileys Original Irish Cream, Baileys Pumpkin Spice and Baileys Chocolat Luxe hot drinks, tasty expert workshops and an exclusive Baileys cocktail-style dessert. You can also design and customise your own festive creation with a little help from the Baileys bar experts. Take your taste buds to the max by mixing and adding dozens of tastes and flavours to create something completely bespoke, just for you.
Where: 21 Slingsby Place, Covent Garden, London
