After months of isolation, never in my life have been more excited about brunch in my life. It is only fitting then that my return to the quintessential weekend brunch date was at Ham West Hampstead, because it’s the perfect neighbourhood spot that balances timeless brunch favourites with contemporary British twists.
Located in buzzy, charming (yet not too hectic) West End Lane, Hâm looks exactly like something from your ‘stylish brunch Pinterest board.’ Picture mint green banquettes, pastel-hued arts, exposed brick walls, low-hanging gold pendant lamps and gold-toned countertops. It is exactly what I pictured when imagining my first London brunch after lockdown.
The menu reflects the same kind of casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, offering simple but imaginative modern British cuisine. Don’t expect any fancy foams here, because each dish really allows each ingredient to shine.
Head Chef Matt Osborne creates a weekly menu with highlights including the Burrata, courgette, with pea and mint pesto; Buttermilk fried chicken with satay sauce and lime coleslaw; roasted monkfish with gnocchi; lemongrass strawberry and honeycomb panacotta.
For brunch, we sampled the Lambton and Jackson smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, fried potato and kale and also tried the signature Hâm breakfast. The breakfast is comprised of sourdough toast, fried eggs, streaky bacon, sausage, avocado and tomato relish, a healthier twist to the classic full-English. Both brunch dishes were perfectly executed, highlighting the rich flavours of each ingredient, and without overpowering you with a crazy portion too.
No brunch is complete without drinks and we recommend trying the ‘Skin Contact’ Cantine Rallo, Ciello Bianco, Catarratto ‘orange’ wine. It is a naturally cloudy, vegan and organic white wine that is perfect complement to Hâm’s delicious brunch offer. We will certainly be coming back, not just for the delicious brunch, but also for the casual yet vibrant neighbourhood vibe we’ve been so deprived of during this truly crazy year.
It’s a big BIG month in the hospitality industry, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Last Saturday saw bars and restaurants around the country start to reopen their doors and, while the dining experience will look a little different to your last meal out four months ago, our favourite restaurants need us now more than ever before.
All around London our favourites are throwing open their doors once more. With more and more announced every day this is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a handful of those we know and love that we’d urge you to try a table at if you’re thinking of booking out. And for those not quite ready to head out just yet, some great establishments are still offering takeaway and delivery options around town.
NORTH
Hot Stone, Islington
One of only seven restaurants in the UK to serve certified Kobe beef, Hot Stone is often lauded as one of the best Japanese and sushi restaurants in London. They’re also still offering delivery and collection, so no excuse to miss out. www.hotstonelondon.com
Hoppers, King’s Cross
The first of three JKS restaurants to open, Hoppers kicked things off again today. We’ll be booking in as soon as we can for the delectable Jackfruit + Mushroom Kothu Roti and their unmissable Half Rack BBQ Jaffna Lamb Chops. www.hopperslondon.com
Lina Stores, King’s Cross
We are DEEPLY excited at the thought of Lina’s new al fresco restaurant, Lina in the Piazza, opening just outside the King’s Cross restaurant on 15th July. Serving some of their favourite summer dishes and drinks provided from their very own Paggio Ape mobile bar, a gelato cart will join them at the beginning of August for gelati and sorbetti to go. www.linastores.co.uk
SOUTH
The Laundry, Brixton
With a new south-facing terrace now open, The Laundry’s all-day menu is perfect for lazy grazing and al fresco dining and the unique wine list, tailored by The Laundry’s founder Melanie Brown, is no stranger to fresh summer whites and rosés. We can’t wait to try the grilled peach with grains, rocket and rosemary vinaigrette and the bacon brioche bap. www.thelaundrybrixton.com
Paladar, Elephant & Castle
Making the most of their ‘secret’ courtyard garden and front terrace, this Elephant & Castle favourite will however only be booking in as many customers as can comfortably and safely fit indoors in case London’s famous un-Latin American climate takes a turn fo the worse. Don’t miss La Hora Loca happy hour will run on weekday afternoons from 5-6 pm with 2-for-1 offers on selected cocktails, beers and glasses of wine – or 25% off food dishes. We’re already drooling at the thought of crispy pork belly tacos and a crisp glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. www.paladarlondon.com
Minnow, Clapham
Clapham is well-known for its amazing array of independent restaurants and a personal favourite is Minnow, just on the edge of the Common. Guests can dine in or outside and with an evening menu featuring the likes of moulds marinière and pan fried plaice with brown butter and capers, guests can enjoy two courses for just £20 during their Late Night Supper sitting, 9-10pm Monday – Thursday. www.minnowclapham.co.uk
Brixton Village
An absolute foodie hub, especially in summer, new communal dining spaces have been set-up in designated and colour-coded zones across the markets with 160 additional covers in Market Row and a further 280 in Brixton Village. Lost in Brixton are also offering a unique QR code when ordering, with all of the new measures in place helping the safe zoning of the market to support food and drinks businesses who will not be able to reopen with their full capacity in operation, giving each restaurant up to 16 additional covers to seat and dine their guests.
Seating arrangements have been mapped out across all communal eating zones to ensure diners keep apart. The initial set up will allow for businesses to dress the zones in keeping with their brand as well as taking ownership of a safe dining experience for the return of guests, so they can now enjoy meals from the much loved restaurants including Salon, Tiger & Pig, Franco Manca, Black Bear Burger, Station 26, Jalisco, Eat of Eden and Honest Burger. www.brixtonvillage.com
EAST
Fortnum & Mason, Royal Exchange
The London institution’s outpost in the elegant Royal Exchange building is back up and running, with its favourite all-day dining menu (Welsh Rarebit and Knickerbocker Glory anyone?) as well as their iconic afternoon teas.From July 13th a curated menu of the restaurant’s familiar favourites will be available to order through the SUPPER London app, serving those living within a 2.5-mile radius. www.fortnumandmason.com/restaurants
On The Bab, St, Paul’s
If you’ve never tried the pillow soft bao and sticky fried chicken at Korean street food outpost On The Bab you’re missing out. While their Covent Garden and Soho outposts aren’t quite ready to open just yet, St, Paul’s is open for Deliveroo and takeaway and it’s worth the journey. www.instagram.com/onthebab
Pizza Pilgrims, West India Quay
The pizza palace has fired up the ovens once more at the first of its London location’s to reopen, where guests can be the first to try the pizza pioneers’ new eight cheese pizza; not for the faint-hearted (or the lactose-intolerant) it features Ricotta, Fior di Latte, Provala, Gorgonzola, Stracciatella, Bufallo Mozzarella and two types of Parmesan. Fear not, a menu of classic favourites is also available, all served on its signature 48 hour proved base. The Kingly Street and Dean Street are set to follow on 9th July followed by additional locations soon after. www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk
WEST
Prairie Fire, White City
The Kansas City BBQ pit masters aptly re-opened their restaurant and taproom in White City on 4th July. With all of the slow-smoked favourites such as brisket, applewood smoked pork and chicken along with roadside style smashed burgers and more, the Taproom is also home to 16 individually curated taps showcasing the best of British and American craft beers alongside an ever-growing range of bottles and cans. www.prairiefirebbq.com
Zuaya, Kensington
Zuaya’s sophisticated and contemporary menu brings real Latin American style to Kensington, an incredible fusion of punchy flavours incorporating the perfect selection of signature tapas, sharing plates, ceviches, grilled meats and fresh seafood. We can’t wait to sample the classics with a twist, like Pork Belly Patacones and Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Truffle Ponzu. Delicious. www.zuaya.co.uk
CENTRAL
The Ninth, Fitzrovia
Jun Tanaka’s Michelin starred restaurants has reopened its doors for takeaway and delivery for the first time. With takeaway lunch boxes (to purchase on site) and an extensive à la carte menu for collection and delivery within a 2.5 mile radius of the Charlotte Street restaurant, we’re desperate to try the Australian truffle pasta kit and Jun’s signature pain perdu with vanilla ice cream. www.theninthlondon.com
SOLA, Soho
Victor Garvey’s critically-acclaimed, modern Californian restaurant is offering its five-course prix fixe and longer tasting menus, complemented by its keenly-priced, all-American wine list. Already well-suited to socially-distanced dining thanks to its particularly generously-spaced tables, they’ve also introduced extra measures including infra-red temperature checks of all guests on entry, the use of gloves and disposable menus and hand-sanitiser stations throughout the restaurant. With dishes like Tartare of Tuna Belly with radish, Myoga, Watermelon, Tomato, Charcoal and Carpaccio of Ovuli Mushrooms with Parmesan, Pickled Walnut and Mushroom Ketchup, we’ll be booking a table. www.solasoho.com
The Lebanese Bakery, Covent Garden
With Eid Adha approaching at the end of the month (30th July – 3rd August), the bakery will be offering hampers of maamoul – buttery pastries filled with dates, pistachios and walnuts – available 4th July till 9th August, for home delivery or to pick up from its Covent Garden site. The perfect sweet ending to the feast they’re ideal for gifting. www.thelebanesebakery.com
The Courtyard at St James Court, a Taj Hotel, St James’s
Another al fresco masterpiece right in the middle of London, The Courtyard has a brand new menu with guests able to scan a QR code at the table to get the menu on their phone and minimise touch points. There’s also an offer on daily across the whole menu (12pm-4pm and 6-9.30pm) with four dishes for the price of three; we’ve already eyed up the Shrimp and Avocado Salad, Gnocchi With Truffle Salsa, Chocolate Orange Tart and Gulab Jamun Cheesecake. www.https://www.stjamescourthotel.co.uk/dine/
With restaurants across the UK set to open for business tomorrow and over the next week, one might wonder if the DIY food kits our favourite eateries had been offering might become obsolete. However, the home cooking kits remain to stay for the time being – which is excellent news for anyone who is shielding or does not feel comfortable dining out at restaurants just yet. Plus, is it just us who has enjoyed a few extra nights in recently? DIY home cooking kits allow you to get the best your favourite restaurants have to offer while eating at home in your pyjamas (or dress up for date night, your choice).
So many restaurants are offering these home cooking kits so if what you’re craving isn’t on this list, it’s always worth checking the restaurants’ websites and social media pages as it has been a great way of keeping Londoners fed well (and as they are used to!), as well as making sure ingredients don’t go to waste. But for the time being, we’ve got you covered for kits ranging from burgers to pizza; ramen to curry night.
Quo Vadis At Home
Don’t fret about not being able to dine at Quo Vadis amidst rumours of Tier 3 hitting London, thanks to the at-home menu chef proprietor Jeremy Lee, head chef Doug Sims and their team have created. Celebrating the same seasonal, British produce, this menu has been specifically designed to give Quo Vadis fans their fix, with delightful dishes that require the slightest bit of ‘finishing off’ at home. Hey, see this as your moment to take a bit of credit for the meal you’re about to devour. The menu includes baked salsify and parmesan to start; a choice between cured salmon with pickled cucumbers, mustard and dill or goose and pork rilettes with pickled figs and cornichons (our vote!) before moving onto the main course where you can choose between the classic turkey and bacon pie (that, quite frankly, has us drooling over our keyboard) and winter vegetable cannelloni – both served with a choice of mash or broccoli. Don’t forget dessert now: there’s a real Sophie’s choice here with options including an almond tart with berries, custard and cream or Quo Vadis’ own recipe St Emilion au chocolat. As we’re nearing Christmas, there’s another pudding to pick from: Jeremy’s figgy pudding – with plenty of sherry and brandy to accompany, don’t you worry. Well, we’ve let you know about dinner, you just have to choose.
Cost: £95 for two people.
El Pastor Taco Party
‘Tacos to go’ is music to our ears but to learn that you can also enjoy a Mexican feast at home, courtesy of El Pastor is the exactly the news we needed. The Taco Party by London’s beloved Mexican restaurant is aptly named as it includes, the chips (or totopos) with guacamole; a choice of the divine tuna tostadas or the chicken tinga; one of the sharing plates El Pastor serves: Al Pastor, Short Rib or the Yucatan classic Cochinita Pibil. Enjoy esquites or frijoles refritos on the side, the trio of salsas and copious tortillas to create your delicious tacos. Wash it down with their classic – and dangerous! – margaritas and mezcals, as well as beer and wine being available to add on to your order. If you’re in London, you can receive this all ready to eat – or for those with a longer delivery time, you can ‘finish’ the dishes at home, whereby a little reheating is required – and that’s what those chips, guacamole and margaritas are there for as you do this.
Dishoom Breakfast Naans
Everyone’s favourite breakfast sandwich is now available at home. Dishoom has joined the ranks of restaurants creating DIY kits to recreate your much-loved and missed meals at your favourite eateries in the comfort of your own home. Does anyone get anything other than the breakfast naan when dining at Dishoom in the morning? We definitely don’t. But now you can make your own breakfast naans – choosing between the classic bacon (adding an egg, if you wish) or opting for the new vegan sausage naan. We tried both and both are delicious. We couldn’t choose and we don’t think anyone should have to. One of the more fairly priced DIY kits, these breakfast naan packages come with all of the ingredients and both written instructions and links to a video online. Dishoom is even kind enough to give you an extra doughball – in case your first try doesn’t go exactly to plan. Find all the condiments – cream cheese, tomato chilli jam, coriander – the works – included, as well as loose-leaf Darjeeling tea, chai spices and fresh ginger slices for brewing everyone’s favourite Masala Chai. It’s not bottomless but it does the trick. What’s even better is that even though this is a DIY kit, Dishoom still makes its donation to Magic Breakfast as if you were dining in the restaurant.
Crazy Pizza Tiramisu Kit
Bring some Italian indulgence to your kitchen with Crazy Pizza’s ‘At Home Tiramisu’ kit. Available in both kids and adult version, this homemade dessert kit features Savoiardi fingers biscuits, quality grade coffee, a pre-piped bag of vanilla cream and rich cocoa powder. Bring the magic of Crazy Pizza home with an apron and sieve to ensure that your tiramisu dessert is as perfect as the restaurant’s. So easy to make, the tiramisu involves soaking the biscuits in coffee goodness, layering over the vanilla cream – before leaving in the fridge for half an hour. Remove and sprinkle over rich cocoa powder and grab a spoon – or two.
Cost: Kids kit – £28 / Adult kit – £30
Spicebox Vegan Curry Box
Spicebox At Home gives you and your family an entire box of ingredients needed to make the perfect plant-based curry in the comfort of your own home. The box comes with instructions, meaning in just 60 minutes, your family feast will be sorted. There are two options to choose from; the Tikka Masala and the Korma and it wouldn’t be a proper curry night if the boxes weren’t complete with naan bread, kachoris and samosas. The Tikka Masala box is great for anyone who loves cauliflower and peppers while the Korma option offers sweet potato, mushrooms and cannellini beans. Each box comes with a step-by-step recipe card but there are videos on Spicebox’s website as well, if you prefer a cook-along vibe. All that’s left to do is get creative with the curry sauces, chutneys and building your own curry. It’s a hard choice so maybe Tikka Masala this week and Korma the next?
Cost: £39.95 for six people.
Eat Crudo DIY Bowls
There are certain meals that sometimes feel a little trickier to recreate at home and ceviche is one of them. However it’s actually quite simple – if you have the right ingredients. The team at Crudo Cevicheria has come up with DIY crudo bowls to enjoy Aguachile in your home – or garden, if this weather keeps going strong. Aguachile is Crudo’s shrimp ceviche dish but you can also select a sea bass option online (they also have sea bass, salmon and a vegan option if you’re looking to eat in or take away). The kits include shrimp (or sea bass), Mexicana Leche de Tigre (ceviche sauce), quinoa, salad, corn chips and jalapeños to create and enjoy this refreshing dish at home. What we love about it is how quick it is to make – so your tummy won’t have to rumble for long!
Cost: £18 for two people, £34 for four.
Crudo has also just launched a Pisco Sour DIY kit – right in time for National Pisco Sour Day. Mark your calendars for 6th February and order your kit now so you can celebrate the occasion properly. Since we’re likely to be in lockdown for a bit longer, who could say no to this delicious and popular cocktail in the comfort of your own home?! The Pisco Sour kit contains everything you need to make the perfect drink; pisco, lime juice, egg whites, Angostura bitters, sugar syrup, passion fruit syrup – the works. There’s even canca corn snacks so you can nibble on something tasty as you knock back a few. Cocktail glasses are option as well, if you’re looking to emulate the full bar experience.
Who hasn’t been craving their favourite burger during lockdown? Luckily, if you’re not keen to go out to eat at restaurants, the best burger spots are still offering their DIY food kits so you can enjoy a good burger at home. Perk’d Up is no exception with their build-your-own-burger kits (BYOB has an entirely different meaning, right now!) Currently only available for delivery to London postcodes, those living in the capital can sink their teeth into a classic cheeseburger, the brand’s signature Espresso Jam burger or even a plant-based patty. The cheeseburger DIY kits come with mince to make your patties, brioche buns, burger cheese slices, Wagyunnaise sauce and crispy onions – although you’ll have to source your own lettuce and any other salad or garnish you might enjoy in your burger. If you’ve gone for the Espresso Jam food kit, you can enjoy streaky bacon and Espresso plum jam too. It’s whisky butter mayonnaise for the plant-based burgers – it’s important to note that this option is vegetarian but not vegan. We’ll take one of each kit, please.
Cost: £30 for four burgers.
Polú Poké Ramen Kit
If you’ve been missing poké or ramen during the lockdown and still don’t want to venture to a restaurant, Polú’ Poké is your go-to for creating the delicious dishes at home. The DIY food kits include all the ingredients you need to make a refreshing bowl of poké or steaming bowl of ramen at home. You’ll be sorted with pickles, marinades, seasonings and fish for a high quality, sustainable poké. If you’re a ramen-lover, enjoy a 12-hour slow roast Chashu pork belly, fresh handmade noodles and garnishes such as chillies, sweetcorn and spring onion – as well as a ramen egg with which to top off the bowl of comfort.
Cost: £20 for two people.
Al Dente
Our favourite Fitzrovia-based pastificio has launched its own DIY kits so you can create its much-loved pasta dishes at home. Customers can choose from four options: a classic Carbonara dish; the Amatriciana (with guanciale, pecorino cheese from Amatrice and tomato); a truffle ravioli and the restaurant’s best-selling special dish: broccoli and sausage pasta. These kits can be picked up from the restaurant or you can order via Deliveroo. The traditional pasta place is, indeed, open again for bookings but if you’re still spending time at home, you don’t have to miss out on a delicious dinner.
Cost: £18-22, depending on choice of pasta, for two people.
Dirty Bones x Dirty Vegan
Craving your NYC-inspired comfort food but not ready to go into Central London for it? Not to worry; Dirty Bones has launched its Dirty at Home DIY kits to cook your favourite dishes at home. Not only can you enjoy the classic Mac Daddy burger (complete with mac ‘n’ cheese and pulled rib short rib) and lamb fries, you can also opt to ‘get down and dirty’, with a pouch of an Old Fashioned cocktail – and a condom is even included. Vegans don’t have to turn away either as the restaurant’s collaboration with Dirty Vegan (which launched in February earlier this year), means you can get your hands on the Dirty Vegan DIY kit too, featuring plant-based chilli cheeseburgers.
Cost: Mac Daddy Kit for four people: £25; Dirty Vegan Chilli Cheeseburger Kit for four people; £25; Get Down and Dirty Kit for two people: £35; Lamb Fries kit: £10.
Arabica Falafel Wraps
Create one of Arabica’s most iconic dishes with their DIY falafel wrap kit. Falafel is one of those things that makes a great snack or main course; fitting into a sandwich or alongside a bowl of couscous. Arabica’s classic mix of chickpeas, broad beans, onions, sweet peppers, garlic, green chilli and fresh herbs and spices is packed full of flavour and simply requires building on the flatbread, alongside the included chopped salad, crunchy pickles, chilli and tahini dressings. Best enjoyed on the same day you make the falafel out of the restaurant’s mix, the question remains: will you ever be able to eat store-bought falafel again?
Cost: £20 for five wraps.
Passyunk Avenue Philly Cheesesteak
Another American food you might be craving is the famous Philadelphia cheesesteak. Thanks to Passyunk, you can enjoy one of its LOVEbundles – which includes everything you need to make your own iconic sandwich. The bundle kits will ensure you’re fully prepared with prime rib eye steak, homemade Wiz Cheese sauce (it is said to be to a cheesesteak what mayonnaise is to a BLT), chopped onions and, of course, a hoagie roll (no cutting corners when it comes to this DIY sandwich creation). If a Philly cheesesteak doesn’t take your fancy, there are also DIY kits for Buffalo wings; steak and wings; and hoagie and wings to enjoy at home too.
Cost: Cheesesteak LOVEbundle kit £32.99 for four people, £42.99 for six; other bundle kits available from £19.99.
The Ninth Truffle Pasta
Chef Jun Tanaka’s The Ninth At Home will feature a DIY truffle pasta kit – in addition to some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Truffle pasta is a classic favourite for most of us and is the perfect measure of lockdown luxury – if you’re still avoiding dining out but don’t want to miss out on the chance to indulge. While we’ve been in lockdown, people seem to have developed their chef skills but there are certain dishes signature to restaurants that we have all been guilty of craving. The kit includes freshly made Conchiglie pasta, 10g of Australian winter truffle, truffle velouté, egg yolk and parmesan, so everything you need to make that bowl of cheesy, truffle goodness you’ve been craving.
Cost: £38.
Rudy’s Vegan Diner
Craving something plant-based this lockdown? Rudy’s Vegan Diner has launched its DIY delivery kits, featuring four of its favourite meals – ready for you to cook/assemble at home. Chef Matthew Foster’s recipes will be easily recreated in the comfort of your own kitchen, witht he kits featuring Rudy’s Reuben, the Dirty Burger, the Grilled Chick’n Caesar Burger and the Broccoli Mac ‘n’ Cheeze. We opted to try the classic Reuben, which came complete with a whole loaf of rye bread, vegan pastrami, sliced cheeze, pickles, sauerkraut, grilled and crispy onion and Russian and creamy ‘cheese’ dressings – allowing us to pile high a fair few sandwiches! Every kit comes with the necessary ingredients, as well as a recipe card so you know exactly what to do. If you’re feeling a little out of depth, there’s also a QR code which takes you straight to Rudy’s YouTube channel for a cook-along with Chef Matthew. As if this vegan DIY goodness wasn’t enough, £1 from every box sold is donated to Friend Farm Animal Sanctuary; a long-time partner of Rudy’s.
Costs: £18.
Shuk Via Plateaway
Plateaway launched in July 2020 and now hosts a wide range of restaurant partners, all offering DIY kits of their meals to make at home. We tried Shuk, an Israeli-style pita stall, offering its fish tagine, spiced lamb meatball or sabich (roasted aubergine) sandwiches on the Plateaway website. All kits include all the ingredients needed to create your delicious pita pocket, including sauces like harissa and tahini and garnishes, such as coriander; mint and dill. A full set of instructions comes with each kit so you’re in safe hands when building your sandwich and if you listen carefully, you’ll be almost able to hear the buzz of Borough Market.
If you’re looking for recipe boxes to make cooking at home easy but don’t fancy the subscription, look no further than The Cookaway. A particularly good choice for those trying to cut down on meat, there are a lot of vegan and vegetarian recipe boxes (along with meat and pescatarian options) and the boxes are available for delivery across the UK. Perfect for home chefs wanting to expand their repertoire, every recipe box in The Cookaway’s Healthy range has been created by chef May Simpkin and is deemed healthy but delicious. May has a Masters in Personalised Nutition and has worked with hundreds of clients, supporting them develop healthy eating habits. We tried the jackfruit stew – which is a great meal choice for anyone new to cutting down on meat, given jackfruit’s texture – with Italian-style couscous and chickpea and green bean salad. It’s a hearty selection that will keep you full and free from snacking later on in the day/evening.
Promising a festival vibe in a beautiful building on the beach, welcome to the pop–up food hall redesigned to provide a safe social foodie destination from the 4th July.
It’s been a quiet and somewhat troubling time for the hospitality industry of late. Enforced closures and a countrywide lockdown have resulted in a huge rise in home cooking and, sadly, a huge downturn in the food and drink industry. If like me, you’re sick to the back teeth of banana bread and have started plotting the untimely murder of your sourdough starter, help is at hand. Shelter Hall Raw, the foodie destination that works within the Brighton community rather than alongside it, opens on Saturday 4th July.
Bringing together an eclectic line-up of Brighton’s best food and drinks businesses under one roof and supporting the farmers and suppliers that maintain them, the revamped Shelter Hall originally built in 1880’s and occupying 15,000 square foot will open its ground floor. The concept has been designed during COVID-19 to provide a dining experience that meets social distancing and safety guidelines.
Shelter Hall Raw is the first venture from Sessions Market Ltd, an ethically driven business building food halls that are cemented in local culture and support local businesses and residents. Set up by ex-Managing Director of Deliveroo, Dan Warne has worked hand-in-hand with Brighton & Hove City Council to transform Brighton’s iconic Victorian Shelter Hall building into a place for local food and drink traders and suppliers to thrive.
The food hall will feature up to ten of Brighton’s brightest culinary businesses on a pop-up, rotation basis, to give support to a vast collection of Brighton businesses. Shelter Hall Raw kicks off with delicious food and drink from local food and drink superstars such as Fatto a Mano, Lost Boys Chicken, Carlito Burrito, Brighton Coffee Works, Toasted by GB Charcuterie and Smorls, all offering their specialties to eat in or take-away. With a focus on fresh artisan produce and supporting local businesses, especially SMEs and start-ups, Shelter Hall Raw aims to help them flourish, particularly in the difficult times brought by COVID-19 to the hospitality industry.
To ensure the building is safe for a COVID-19 era, extensive safety measures have been taken to avoid any spread of the virus include minimising contact between staff and customers, with orders taken via a mobile app, thegoodtill.com, using an apple or android device. Food and drink will be delivered to tables for guests to dine in or ready for collection at a separate takeaway window.
For those concerned about dining out during our “new normal”, please be assured that all steps have been taken to maximise the large hall space and keep social distance. Access will be via one entrance so staff can closely monitor the number of people in the building at any given time. Tables will be distanced, some fitted with screens, with groups limited to four people, so you can still enjoy a catch up over a plate of deliciousness without worrying about cross-contamination or crowded restaurants.
Session Market’s CEO Dan Warne, said: “Hospitality has been one of the hardest hit sectors in the pandemic, and Shelter Hall Raw provides a new, safe environment from which these businesses can now operate, as many have been unable to fully reopen. In the future, when it’s safe to do so, we will extend this space to local musicians, DJs and artists. Our vision has always been to run a vibrant community-led space on the beach. We want it to feel like a small festival, where visitors and locals will get a flavour of the city’s delicious and diverse food offerings, and its cultural scene, all under one roof.”
As well as encouraging all traders to source produce locally, the new Shelter Hall Raw team has worked closely with non-profit Brighton & Hove Food Partnership to streamline the hall’s food waste and offer sustainable packaging. Additional signage, bins and recycling facilities will be added to the beach to ensure its kept clean and staff will monitor outdoor areas to ensure that waste is disposed of responsibly. The Hall is also serving as a case study for Circular Brighton & Hove (CBH), a network supporting the transition to a circular economy in the greater Brighton region.
As well as creating opportunities for independent local businesses and providing a vibrant place for residents to meet, the hall will generate 100 new jobs and benefit the local economy.
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion added: “It’s good to finally see this project nearing completion and that the new look Shelter Hall will soon be opening its doors. I’m looking forward to seeing the project showcase our city’s brilliant and vibrant independent food and drink sector, bringing much loved businesses from across the city to Brighton beach.
“Like much of the seafront, years of under-investment had taken its toll and Shelter Hall had fallen into disrepair. I hope this new Food Hall will show what can be done when coastal towns are supported through proper funding. Protecting our seafront heritage is an issue of city-wide importance and I’m proud of the role Green Councilors played in securing the £9 million of Government investment for this project.”
Labour MP, Peter Kyle, said:“The hospitality sector is in crisis, so I’m proud and filled with hope to see this innovative solution on Brighton seafront. Rather than slump in disappointment at an enforced delay to fully opening, owners have shown the best of British by creating this food hall for the Covid-19 era. I want the public to love it and I want other small business owners to be inspired by it, and I’m sure they will be.”
Opening Times:
· Monday to Thursday from 11am to 11pm
· Friday and Saturday from 11am to 12am
· Sunday it will close at 9pm
Note: All food stalls will stop serving an hour before the venue shuts.
So there you have it: an official excuse to put down the yeast, shove the cake tins back into the dark depths of the cupboard, and admit to yourself that sometimes it’s nicer to have someone else cook for you. Do your bit for the local economy and let’s make the Brighton food scene bloomin’ brilliant again.
Bookings for Shelter Hall Raw can be made directly at https://www.shelterhall.co.uk/
While the debate is still going about how we can safely return to our favourite pubs and restaurants, we shine the light on the coolest London restaurants bringing their culinary offerings straight to your couch. Because who says you can’t add a gourmet twist to your Thursday night takeaways?
Hakkasan Group has launched an authentic Mexican (virtual) pop-up that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Casa Calavera was inspired by the traditional Mexican holiday ‘Día de Los Muertos’ and takes delicious culinary cues from the street side taquerias and beachfront restaurants of Mexico.
We can’t stop raving about the mouth-watering tacos which include the Chipotle beef brisket, grilled yellowtail with sirracha and pico de gallo, and grilled cactus with salsa verde and guacamole. Is it Taco Tuesday yet?
Casa Calavera is available online via Supper, Deliveroo, and UberEats.
Mac & Wild has launched the D-I-Y burger of our dreams and is just the perfect thing to impress at your next socially distanced backyard barbecue.
Mac & Wild’s Venimoo DIY Burger Box includes four beef patties, four venison patties, four brioche buns, and a hefty serving of pickles, lettuce, cheese, onions, bearnaise and red job sauce. Now that’s how you fire up a grill.
To accompany those delicious Venimoo burgers, Bar Douro has launched a DIY White Port and Tonic Kit that will soon be your favourite summer sundowner. The cocktail is made with Churchill’s White Port, Fever Tree, and with a zesty orange peel that makes it the just the right drink for afternoons in the sunshine.
One of our favourite Chinese dim sum teahouses, Yauatcha, has launched rainbow pot stickers in support of charity Magic Breakfast. The rainbow dumplings are available to order via Deliveroo, Supper and UberEats throughout the month of June, with each box funding a month of breakfasts for a child in need.
The red dumpling is filled with Szechuan tenderloin, the orange with cumin spiced lamb; the yellow with chicken and chive; the green with mushroom and bamboo pith; the blue with seafood and spinach; the indigo with pork and prawn and finally, the violet with truffle sweet potato.
Yauatcha and Magic Breakfast have set the goal of funding 8,000 breakfasts in June. One bite into this colourful array of dumplings, and we’re certain they’ll reach their goal in no time.
While the hospitality sector across the country has changed beyond recognition over the last few months and we still don’t know when, or if, it might fully recover, one thing is for sure; it’s fighting for survival and every week more and more of our favourite names are staging a comeback.
With bars, restaurants and suppliers coming up with innovative new ways to keep going over the last couple of months, from takeaway cocktails to delivery boxes from favourite dinner spots, slowly but surely London’s foodies are starting to get their fill once more.
This month’s column might not be the usual fare of favourite restaurants to sit and enjoy a meal in, but it’s sure to set your tastebuds tingling and tide you over until we can all get out and about again.
Get Your Wing Fix Delivered
London’s chicken wing festival might not end up happening this year but you can still get your wing fix with Wingmans’ home delivery. Choose from their signature Buffalo or Sweet & Smokey BBQ with each kit delivering everything you need to dish up 1.5kg of wings; enough for four people apparently but we’re pretty certain we could tackle it solo… www.shop.wingmans.co.uk
Pick Up A Boss Brunch From Eggslut
I for one am missing a weekend brunch, but Notting Hill’s Eggslut are open for takeaway, the perfect excuse to cycle over to Portobello for a weekend stroll and pick up a nibble. They can also deliver two of their signature dishes – including The Gaucho, seared wagyu tri-tip steak, with egg, chimichurri, red onions and dressed rocket in a warm brioche bun – and The Slut (coddled egg on top of a smooth potato purée, poached in a glass jar, topped with gray salt and chives, served with slices of baguette) within a couple of miles. Come July, Eggslut will also be opening a second London site on Fitzrovia’s Percy Street, staffed by hospitality workers who were made redundant as a result of COVID-19. Good eggs all round. www.eggslut.com
Serve Up Jewish Street Food Smoked In Brixton
Ruben Dawnay isn’t letting a little thing like coronavirus stand in the way of his dreams. The 19-year-old was awarded a six month residency at Brixton Village after making his mark in the Brixton Kitchen competition and mentorship programme, aiming to find the next big talent in food, whilst studying for his exams last year. While the crisis may have derailed his big plans, he’s quickly adapted his business strategy by offering delivery of his slow-smoked meats and fish to South West London.
Specialising in Jewish-style street food, Ruben’s Reubens serves up a 10-day slow-cured salt beef, pastrami cooked low ‘n slow over hickory and maple glazed hot smoked salmon, with meat sourced from Ginger Pig and salmon from Chapman’s of Sevenoaks, all of which are cured and smoked at his Brixton home and delivered by bicycle to customers in South West London. Order via his Instagram @rubenzreubenz.
Have Your Fill Of Smithfield Steak
We’re all missing eating out, but if you’re dying to get your teeth into a great steak then Heliot Steak House has joined forces with their meat supplier, third-generation master butchers Tom Hixson of Smithfield, to launch a premium fresh meat box. Curated with the help of Heliot’s Executive Head Chef and the world’s first Meatologist™ Ioannis Grammenos, the box brings restaurant fine dining to your kitchen.
It’s not for the faint-hearted, with 22 premium grade steaks including 2.5kg of Argentine Black Label Ribeye, 1kg of deluxe Wexford Valley Chateaubriand and 1.2kg of Angus Pichanha. While it will set you back £100 that’s a lot of steak for your dollar, and it comes with free delivery anywhere in the UK. www.tomhixson.co.uk/the-heliot-box
Support A Local Fishmonger
With stores in Clapham South, Dulwich, Islington and South Kensington, fishmongers Moxon’s buy the best fish daily from Newlyn and Plymouth in Cornwall, Brixham in Devon, Peterhead and the Faroe Islands in Scotland, Scalloway in the Shetland Islands, Newhaven in Sussex and from Billingsgate market – it really does get the pick of the British Isles. Since lockdown, began Moxon’s are selling three times more John Dory, twice as many turbot and twice as many seabass at the same price as 20 years ago to help support the struggling fish industry. All of their fish, plus their deli selection of fish pies, fish cakes, sauces and stock are available to safely collect in store. www.moxonsfreshfish.com
Bring The Greek Islands To Your Dinner Table
We might not be making it to the islands as soon as we’d hoped this year, but with news that famed Greek restaurants Mazi and Suzi Tros have launched a takeaway and delivery service you can bring the flavours of Greece to you this summer.
Available for delivery in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea (as well as W2, W10 and W12), the menu features delicious dishes such as smoked aubergine salad with thyme honey and creamy feta, their celebrated grilled octopus with garden herb potato salad and olive tapenade and orzo pasta giovetsi with braised milk-fed ossobuco. There will also be special dishes created on a weekly basis centred around seasonal ingredients. Order online at www.mazi.co.uk for delivery or pick up from Mazi, 12-14 Hillgate Street, W8 7SR.
Pour The Perfect Negroni At Home
Primo Aperitivo launched in January, but with bars still shut for the foreseeable and little chance of enjoying the real thing on the Amalfi coast as planned this summer, what more of excuse does one need to indulge in the perfectly mixed Negroni, created by a dynamic duo of Italian-born mixologists and the founder of the Roma Bar Show? Handcrafted in Italy using the finest ingredients, the bespoke blend of dry gin, sweet vermouth and bitter comes resplendent in a slick glass bottle that will look right at home on any bar trolley. £29 for 500ml (5 serves) from www.primoaperitivo.com
Pimp Up Curry Night With A Spicebox Delivery
North London favourite, vegan curry house Spicebox, is sharing its spicy flavours with the nation having launched a family curry night recipe box, complete with nationwide delivery service. Choose from a Tikka Masala or Cashew & Coconut Korma – both 100% plant-based – can be delivered to your doorstep a Thursday or Friday, ready to pack a punch on curry night. SpiceBox’s founder Grace has also created accompanying YouTube recipe videos live on SpiceBox TV on YouTube, and each £45 box (serving four) donates £2.50 straight to The Woodland Trust. www.eatspicebox.co.uk.
Serve Up A Feast From Cérès
Newington Green local Cérès might still be closed but it’s delivery offering is second to none. WIth dishes made from scratch to order and ingredients sourced from trusted local vendors, choose from starters like octopus salad and mains including sous-vide duck slow-cooked with cocoa nibs and homemade pasta. Indulge in the decadent Afternoon Tea Box or the luxurious Oysters and Wine Box, which includes a dozen oysters, homemade bread and a hand-picked wine pairing, or satisfy a sweet tooth with their brioche loaf, a dozen classic madeleines, or a pint of homemade ice cream – surely this is the ultimate one stop shop for delicious home deliveries.Visit www.cereslondon.co.uk/shop to order and book a delivery slot, within 5 miles of the restaurant.
Order A BBQ In A Box To Your Doorstep
National BBQ Week might be behind us but with the warm weather set to continue that’s no reason to forgo everyone’s favourite summer supper. BBQ In A Box, founded a few weeks into lockdown to meet food demand in small towns across the Home Counties that currently do not have Deliveroo or Uber Eats, the service has proved so popular it’s expanded to offer to London, Surrey, and Essex. Build your own pick & mix box choosing from dishes such as 48-hour marinated jerk chicken piece, homemade burgers blended together with their special herb recipe, teriyaki tuna and king prawn kebabs, as well as sides like homemade slaw with pomegranate and parsley garnish, corn on the cobs, mini halloumi bites and stuffed peppers. With music at its heart and the motto ‘chill and grill’ each box comes with a carefully curated playlist to max out on those summer vibes. www.bbqinabox.co.uk.
Banging Burgers To Rival The Big Guns
Seven Dials Market might be closed for now, but a host of its traders are offering delivery services, including the rather delicious Truffle burgers. Their DIY burger kits are available for delivery within the M25, with their signature Truffle Burger and Aged Beef Burger along with two veggie options from Beyond Meat. The £25 box includes enough to create four mouthwatering burgers with all the trimmings, including a piping bag of their signature sauces. www.truffleddiyburgerkitlondon.com
Dine A La Carte A La Living Room
Flat Iron Square’s critically acclaimed Lupins has just this week kicked off its new ‘Lupins at Home’ service, ahead of opening a new deli and kitchen shop later this month, meaning you can now enjoy their delicious dishes in the comfort of your own home. While like so many others restaurant owners, top chefs Lucy Pedder and Natasha Cook, had to rethink their business model to adapt to the current circumstances, they’ve since come to the conclusion the changes to their restaurant may well be permanent. The new at-home offering includes many of the restaurant’s favourite sharing plates, some new recipes developed during lockdown, an extensive deli to include delicious homemade quiches, sandwiches and seasonal salads, plus a kitchen shop selling unique tote bags, handcrafted goods, delicious freshly baked bread and kombucha. They’re offering set meals for two (with or without meat) alongside A la Carte favourites such as rosemary focaccia with brown butter and their hugely popular signature dish Cornish crab thermidor. While there is a delivery service available, customers are also invited to pick up their order and enjoy a glass of cold beer or coffee while they wait. www.lupinslondon.com
During these difficult times, we think it’s important to provide you with your daily dose of escapism to beat the lockdown blues. It is also equally important to share the stories of people and businesses who are showing their heart at times of crisis.
Two of our Jermyn Street favourites — Wilton’s (London’s second oldest restaurant) and classic Italian trattoria Franco’s — have reopened their kitchens to provide gourmet meals for frontline workers all over London.
The meals are being delivered to NHS Workers, key workers, and the homeless through the Westminster Connects Scheme and with help from St. Patrick’s Church in Soho.
Wilton’s Head Chef Daniel Kent said, “Wilton’s and Franco’s restaurants are fortunate enough to work with many of the finest producers and suppliers in the UK. Many of which are small, independent and family-owned.
“We wanted to continue to support these as well as the NHS, keyworkers and those most vulnerable during these unprecedented times. By adhering to social distancing and opening the kitchens of both restaurants we can feed those who need it most, whilst continuing to work with our valued suppliers.”
“Good food is a joy to eat and can comfort, nourish and sustain”
“We want to harness our resources, suppliers and wholesalers to provide healthy meals. The NHS workers and key workers are putting their lives at risk every single day. Good food is a joy to eat and can comfort, nourish and sustain,” added Franco’s Head Chef Stefano Turconi.
“This is vital to those who are homeless, vulnerable and on the frontline. As two of London’s most respected restaurants, we are passionate about serving the finest quality dishes to our patrons and we are overjoyed to be using our skills and suppliers to help in this difficult time.”
It’s a fantastic show of kindness and empathy amid forced restaurant closures, and a timely reminder that there are indeed still good things happening in the world right now. Now more than ever, it is important to show our support for the restaurants we know and love – because soon enough, when all this is over, we will certainly be back to enjoy a meal post-lockdown.
I hope I’m not alone when I write, “I dream about desserts”. Chocolate with a temper so shiny that onlookers could be forgiven for thinking they’re looking at a mirror, macarons so crisp and chewy that you can be transported to Paris in just a bite, and mousse so soft you’d think you’d imagined it but for the lingering taste of fruit or chocolate in your mouth. The taste of fine desserts has never been in question before, but what has kicked our dreams into overdrive is the sheer beauty of them and seeing them far more frequently all over Instagram and Facebook. In the past, connoisseurs would travel from across the globe to try their favourite chef’s latest creations without ever knowing what would be on offer in the restaurant that night. This was a great experience for the pilgrim who’d made this epic journey, but it kept the world of patisserie adoration small. Social media has done a lot to change that.
Now, chefs and artisans can bring their wares to millions in a moment, with hyperlapses demystifying the meticulous creation process and filters increasing the contrast and shine on the final dish even further. Even if you don’t know their names, you’ve probably drooled over Amaury Guichon or Anne-Sophie Pic’s work when scrolling through your favourite platform.
Best known for his illusion creations and masterful miniatures, Amaury has carved his niche in making seven or eight select desserts on repeat, with chocolate showpieces or rare new creations delighting audiences time and again. Though he may be young, his 1.9 million Instagram followers have grown steadily over the last four years, with posts going from 2.5k likes all the way up to 124k likes and 2.1million views on recent posts.
A rising rock star in the world of pastry chefs, his work is aesthetically focused with rich chocolate hiding tart fillings, all under the guise of some elaborate and intricate form. The chocolate clock face with a hidden caramel core seems impossible to balance, even as you watch it being sliced into. The transparent sugar case protecting the compass below shatters and your mouth waters in tandem. Amaury’s work is undeniably aesthetically brilliant, but when there’s less record of taste or testimonials, his youth shows in the lack of awards that chefs typically dream of for themselves. Plus, never knowing where you can find his wares will always make it harder for the end dreamer like you or me to try his work for ourselves.
They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but when it’s impossible to taste through Instagram it’s hard to know whether form is coming before function. After all, who really wants a dessert they’ve been drooling over to be disappointed by? Fortunately, this conundrum can now be solved… Having travelled the world teaching masterclasses and passing on his secrets to eager new chefs, Amaury has finally opened his own patisserie school in Las Vegas, so that those of us who dream of desserts can learn the tricks of his trade.
But high-end patisserie isn’t just a boys’ club, so prepare to dive into the delicious world of Anne-Sophie Pic, the chef with eight Michelin stars under her belt across five dreamy cities. Closest to home is La Dame de Pic which delivers divine French cooking from Anne-Sophie’s mind. Nested in the former Port of London Authority headquarters (now the Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square) you can relax in the expansive and airy restaurant whilst you sample every course — without a doubt leaving plenty of room for dessert. Though Anne-Sophie’s following is smaller than Amaury’s, her dishes focused on taste rather than tricking the eye, she attracts more traditional culinary pilgrims, who will truly travel the world for just a single taste.
If you feel like finding Anne-Sophie in warmer climates, your options range from her self-titled restaurants in Paris and Valence, or – if you’re reading this from further afield – you can find her culinary delights at La Dame de Pic Raffles in Singapore. At every location you’ll discover a full menu of delightful French cuisine, and always (possibly most importantly) beautiful desserts.
If you can’t help but wonder: does all this beauty and majesty have a downside? Are we now discounting great flavour in favour of a great aesthetic? Is a dish any less satisfying when its presentation isn’t perfection? An Eton Mess may not be the most symmetrical dessert, but it’s still damn good. Well, these questions can be asked of pretty much anything on social media, but the one thing you can’t discount is the sheer amount of work that goes into each stage of every piece — and you have the humble hyperlapse to thank for that.
Fancy yourself a bit of a mixologist? Well now is the chance to hone those skills during lockdown. World Cocktail Day, 13th May is the ideal time to perfect your flaring! It’s a day for the global celebration of cocktails and marks the publication date of the first definition of a cocktail on May 13 in 1806. We have rounded up signature cocktails from around the world for you to try. From botanical and fruity flavour sensations to healthy mocktails, here is a selection of delicious cocktails you can make from home. Taking inspiration from around the world, taste the rainbow (without the skittles).
For anyone who has already been making the most of quarantine, there are also some fresh and tasty mocktails to mix things up!
Botanical Garden Cocktail
Inspired by Belfast City’s Botanical Garden, this fresh flavoured cocktail uses intriguing botanicals such as fresh apple, elderberry and wild clover to enhance the cocktails floral tone. This cocktail is beautifully balanced and vibrant, perfect for a warm spring evening. Created by Hastings Hotels’ in their Grand Central Hotel, Belfast’s Observatory Bar in Northern Ireland.
Ingredients:
30ml Shortcross Gin (or any gin available)
10ml Aperol
15ml Rhubarb Liqueur
10ml Pomegranate Cordial
20ml Citrus Juices
1 Egg (Whites only)
Pink Peppercorns and Viola Flowers for garnish
Method:
Chill your Martini Glass by filling with ice
Combine all the ingredients (excluding garnish) in a cocktail shaker and dry shake (no ice)
Add ice to cocktail shaker
Shake again to create a velvety foam top
Double strain into a chilled Martini Glass and garnished with Whole Pink Peppercorns and Viola Flowers (or whatever you have available)
Love at First Sight
Savour the sense of the slopes of Courmayeur Mont Blanc in the Italian Alps with this signature cocktail from Le Massif’s Bernardo Ferro. With these fragrant herbal flavours, you will be transported to the untouched nature and wild landscapes of the mountains.
Ingredients:
2cl of Vertosan Genepy;
2cl Aperol;
2cl Cointreau;
1cl raspberry syrup;
8cl Fripon (sparkling white wine from Aosta Valley);
1 raspberry/1 orange slice to garnish
Method:
Take a wine glass and fill 2/3 of the glass with ice
Add ice into the shaker with all ingredients apart from the Fripon white wine
Drain any melted ice water from the glass.
Shake vigorously and pour into the glass
Add the white sparkling wine
Gently mix, add garnish on top and serve
MarBellous Cocktail
This tropical fruity cocktail from MarBella Corfu will remind you of summer holidays on Corfu’s stunning beaches. With refreshing citruses and sweet passion fruit, this simple signature cocktail will have you feeling as if you’re poolside and soaking in the sun.
Ingredients:
0.5ml Rum
0.25ml Fresh Lime Juice
0.30ml Passion Fruit Puree
0.3ml Orange Jam
2 dashes of Chocolate Bitters
Orange Slice or Peel and Fresh Mint Leaves for garnish
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice and shake well
Once shaken, pour into a tumbler through a fine strainer
Add crushed ice and garnish with an orange slice or peel and top with fresh mint leaves
Mary Pear
Take your tastebuds on a journey to the Algarve with this delicious cocktail. Its sweet, herby and floral flavours are reminiscent of Quinta Do Lago’s luscious landscape. Quick and easy to make, this cocktail is the perfect after ‘work-from-home’ drink. Created by the mixologists at Bovino Steakhouse in Quinta do Lago Resort, Portugal
Ingredients:
40ml Gin Mare
20ml St. Germain
50ml Pear Juice
20ml Lime Juice
10ml Sugar Syrup
Pear Slices and Rosemary for garnish
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and shake well
Double strain into an old jam jar or tumbler
Add garnish and serve
Renaissance
Created by Julian Biondi, Beverage Consultant & Founder of “BarOmeter Consulting” this is a refreshing and summery twist on a classic Negroni, the traditional cocktail of Biondi’s home town. Perfect for an evening spent in a Tuscan Villa, it’s easy to make and equally easy to drink. Think Pimm’s Cup with the taste of Tuscany, courtesy of Tuscany Now & More.
Ingredients:
25 ml Tuscan Vermouth Winestillery (or any other Red Italian Vermouth with a bitter note, such as Punt e Mes)
25 ml Amaro Ruffino (or any other Amaro with a nice herbal and bitter note, such as Nonino or Averna)
15 ml Peter in Florence London Dry Gin
15 ml honey & thyme syrup
15 ml lemon juice
1 slice of cucumber
1 slice of orange
Tonic water
Method:
Chill a highball glass with ice
Combine all ingredients (excluding Tonic Water) and shake well
Strain the cocktail into the glass and top with tonic water.
Stir gently
Garnish with a sprig of thyme and orange slice
Piton-Rita
This cool cocktail will have you dreaming of the Caribbean and Windjammer Landing’s beautiful beaches in Saint Lucia. The super sweet citrus flavours makes it easy to drink, but watch out for the brain freeze! Substitute with another beer if you need to, but look forward to trying it with the real Piton flavour soon.
Ingredients:
4 oz Tequila
2 oz Triple Sec
2 oz Lime Juice
4 scoops of Ice
Bottled Beer
Sugar to taste
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth
Add sugar if required and mix again
Pour into a large glass and top with beer
Lady Rose
This light, floral cocktail celebrates Venice and the beautiful Grand Hotel Dei Dogi, The Dedica Anthology. With natural ingredients inspired by the hotel’s stunning botanical garden and delicate flavours of Italy, this cocktail is refreshing and showcases expert mixologist skills from the creator Alessandro Caro.
Ingredients:
40 ml infusion of Verbena, Mint Tea and Orange Blossoms
20ml Homemade Rose Petal Syrup
40ml Moscato Fiori D’Arancio Colli Euganei Maeli
Raspberries, Blackberries and Mint Leaves for garnish
Method:
To infuse: soak the tea bag of in boiling water and allow to cool
To make the rose petal syrup: boil water and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Next, mix in rose petal and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup and allow to cool
Fill a glass with ice to cool
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake well
Serve in a tumbler and fill with crushed ice.
Stir and garnish with berries and mint leaves
Cinderella
A delicious sparkling cocktail with bitter citrus flavours and a hint of sweetness. A perfect reminder of long lazy summer days and perfect for an afternoon treat. Elounda SA Hotels & Resorts suggests adding any blossoms from the garden to create a delicious and visually stunning drink.
Ingredients:
50ml Aperol Aperitivo
10ml Fresh lime juice
30ml Prosecco
100ml Pink grapefruit flavoured soda
2-3 Dashes lavender aromatic bitters
Cucumber and Lavender Blossom for garnish
Method:
Combine Aperol and lime juice in a glass and add ice
Stir gently
Top with soda and prosecco
Garnish with cucumber and lavender blossom
Tip: mist with lavender essence spray (lavender water not perfume)
Pina Colada Mocktail
For a healthier, non-alcoholic option, try this delicious Pina Colada mocktail from Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel. Perfect for any time of the day, this creamy, coconut drink makes for the ultimate pick me up. Tasting just like the cocktail, this virgin Pina Colada will transport you to Portugal’s beautiful Algarve Bay.
Ingredients:
200 ml of coconut milk
1 mint leaf
2 slices of pineapple
Cinnamon (optional)
Method:
Combine coconut milk and mint leaf in a blender and mix
Cut the pineapple into cubes and blend with coconut milk and mint leaf
Pour mixture into a large glass and add a sprinkle of cinnamon
Agave Punch Mocktail
This tasty alcohol-free mocktail is sweet and refreshing and inspired by The Shack in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. With two simple steps and tasty Mediterranean flavours, this drink will give you a healthy kick of vitamins.
Ingredients:
1/2 lime cut into wedges
15ml agave nectar
1/2 passion fruit
2 strawberries
50ml freshly squeezed orange juice
Crushed ice
Method:
Place strawberries, passion fruit seeds and agave nectar in a glass and crush with a muddler or end of a rolling pin
Add orange juice and crushed ice then stir and serve
London’s latest Indian, Farzi Café, has the full ability to present first impressions of grandeur, over-priced food and flashiness but it is, in fact, quite the opposite. The Indian import landed in London last year, with venues already present in India and Dubai. Sitting proudly amongst theatreland, next to the Only Fools and Horses Musical, it’s blatant that this restaurant has landed itself a real whopper of a spot in the capital, turning heads with its golden hued signage amidst a sea of concrete buildings.
The restaurant offers two levels of dining alongside opulent colours of luxurious gold and emerald green, which hint towards the Indian heritage. Downstairs is the more intimate of the two areas, with plush sofas and darker lighting. Upstairs, where we found ourselves seated, is a more airy and bright space, equipped with a statement bar and open kitchen to appease the people-watching desires of guests.
Proceedings began with a truffle negroni. Farzi has a booming drinks menu which includes a 12-drink heavy Ayurvedically-inspired tasty cocktail menu, cleverly based around your star sign. Aries, for example, makes use of inhouse hemp shrub with a heady hit of coconut and cardamom, whilst Leo presents itself as a delectably light and refreshing spritz, with aromatic bergamot.
Brunch, the boozy stopover between breakfast and lunch, brings people together to raise glasses and natter, and Farzi Café sure does a good one. Try their feasting menu and expect an eclectic journey through India’s complex and colourful food scene.
To begin, we delved into a barley and apple salad with aerated dahi Bhalla; an exquisite dish with a fluffy texture I’d never tried before. The fermented rice pancakes served with feta and baby asparagus playfully mixed the tastes of sweet and sour, with feta wholesomely complementing its rice pancake counterpart. The quesadillas with butter chicken, kidney beans and smoked cheddar were a favourite of my dining companions who raved about their crispy exterior and soft oozy cheese.
When it came to the main course, it was all about one thing… Chateaubriand. As one of the most succulent cuts of beef, it’s a pleasure to try any cuisines take on it, and Farzi’s didn’t disappoint. A dark crust on the exterior from the lick of the hot flame grill and masala spice rub was a beautiful contrast to the perfect pink medium rare that we ordered. The presentation brought a theatricality to the course, as the beef was sliced and draped on a long metal skewer horizontally.
If that wasn’t enough, the waiter slowly poured the rich and spicy tomato jus along the skewer, creating a lagoon of sauce which we were ready to dive into. Tender, smoky and luxurious were the words that came to mind. We almost forgot about the sides as the beef was stealing the limelight however it would be rude not to mention the assortment of Indian breads including naan and roti, all glistening with butter ghee and garlic. These were the perfect vehicle for the black lentil daal that was served as well.
Bottomless drinks are available for two hours and include Cobra beer, house wine, prosecco and soft drinks. The inclusion of beer, wine and soft drinks made for a nice change to most brunches, which tend to offer just the one drink, typically leading to a mimosa-related hangover! We also chose a classic old fashioned – a recommendation of the waiter – happily opting for their Indian take on it which included a subtle hint of cinnamon. It’s not always wise to mess with the classics but seeing as cinnamon pairs delightfully with whiskey and bitter orange notes, we gave this adaptation a thumbs up.
And, to keep stomachs lined, I highly recommend delving fork first into Farzi’s exemplary dessert platter, featuring candied sweet lime fondant with lemon cannelloni, strawberry short cake and the best coconut sorbet I ever did eat! Farzi Café’s mission is to get Indian cuisine back “in-Vogue” and certainly dispels the inherited view of Indian resto interiors being stuck in the 1980s with their beige, leather embellishments. Farzi is luxe and the food follows suit with its modernist influence leading to customers being shy to ruin the artistic decadence in front of them. Big on table theatrics but at a low cost, Farzi Café has a lot of qualities I look for in a restaurant; reasonable prices, funky looking dishes and service with a smile.
Farzi Café can be found at 8 Haymarket, West End, London SW1Y 4BP. For more information visit www.farzilondon.com
