5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
From a new bar menu to new spring dishes, 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: Lotus at Darbaar
What: The team behind Darbaar are bringing a different drinking and dining experience to The City with the launch of their new bar, Lotus. The bar has been given a new identity and an inventive new cocktail menu, featuring spice-infused spirits and unique Indian twists on classics, matched by a fresh menu of Royal-inspired dishes from chef-patron Abdul Yaseen. And there’s a new soft launch to celebrate: 50% off drinks 5pm – 7pm on 23rd and 24th May, before their official launch event on 25th May.
Why: Inspired by the flavours and spices of India and the opulence of its Royal Courts, the new cocktail menu features the likes of the Haldi Margherita, a heady mix of tequila and triple sec, shaken with orange, lime and turmeric. Meanwhile, the Kala Jamuntini combines the flavours of black plum with gin, orange and lime, while the Lotus Collins gets the Darbaar twist with refreshing coriander, mint and chilli. Chef Abdul’s Lotus food menu has been created to pair perfectly with the exciting drinks offering. Snacks include punchy gun powdered nuts, masala cumin olives and tandoori momos, unique delicacies from the North East of India, similar to dim sum but cooked in Darbaar’s tandoor.
Where: Lotus at Darbaar, 1 Snowden Street Broadgate Quarter London, EC2A 2DQ
2. For a New Pop-Up: Archer Street Bar
What: A Caribbean-inspired pop-up beach shack has arrived at Archer Street Bar in Soho. Grab a cocktail, get your flip flops on and be transported to the laid-back glamour of Antigua and Barbuda with its picture-perfect beaches, sublime sunsets and warm welcome.
Why: Inspired by the popular hideaway to A-list celebrities like Elton John, Eric Clapton, Lord Sainsbury and Sir Paul McCartney, this fun London hot spot offers live singing shows and ice cold holiday cocktails like Coco Beach made with Cîroc vodka, coco water, strawberries, Koko Kanu, soda and gomme, and Freeman’s Bay made with English Harbour rum, mango, Hibiscus liqueur, lime and cranberry juice. The Antigua and Barbuda Beach Shack at Archer Street Bar boasts a sizzling combination of upbeat music, colourful cocktails, Antiguan snacks and real pure white sand to sink your feet into.
Where: Archer Street Cocktail Bar, 3-4 Archer Street, London W1D 7AP
3. For a New Cocktail Menu: Zuma
What: Zuma in Knightsbridge has recently launched a new seasonal cocktail menu, and it’s brimming with alcoholic liquid goodness. Curated by esteemed Bar Manager, Pawel Rolka, previously Bar Manager at Coq D’Argent, the menu features a selection of light and refreshing drinks, perfect for the warmer months.
Why: Seasonal serves include; The Rhubarb and Fennel Collins, a fruity blend of Silent Pool gin, rhubarb and fennel cordial, yuzu juice and Mediterranean tonic water, and for something a little more floral, the Hokkaido Blossom, an aromatic blend of Tanquery no.10, Lillet Blanc, plum sake, lemon sherbert, orange blossom and champagne. Fashioned as the perfect accompaniment to the complex flavours of the food, The Ishigaki Cooler, is a new addition to the Kurashikku (classic) selection. Created using Zuma’s home-infused spiced rum, velvet falernum, fresh ginger and lemongrass, and topped with mango soda – it’s the perfect punch for rum lovers.
Where: ZUMA, 5 Raphael St Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DL
4. For a New Spring Menu: Les 110 de Taillevent
What: As spring makes its long-awaited return, Les 110 de Taillevent and Head Chef Raphael Grima have unveiled a new menu of culinary delights perfectly paired with 110 wines by the glass. The new seasonal menu is bursting with authentic and seasonal French delights. It’s glorious.
Why: Curated to showcase each product, which has been selected for its quality and seasonality, each dish is executed with precision and enhances the qualities of the wines on offer. Highlights among the light spring menu include entrées of white asparagus with Maltaise sauce, and spelt risotto with lobster bisque, green peas and asparagus. Also available is dishes such as lobster, roasted with peas, girolles, raviole and lobster bisque; Scottish rump of lamb, roasted, with confit shoulder, quinoa and aubergine caviar; and wild sea bass, à la plancha, with green ssparagus, shellfish and pasta bugatonni.
Where: Les 110 de Taillevent London, 16 Cavendish Square, London W1G 9DD
5. For a New Bar Menu: SUSHISAMBA
What: SUSHISAMBA has a new bar menu, people, and it’s absurdly delicious. Created by Executive Chef Claudio Cardoso, the new bar menu is inventive and exciting, with plenty of new dishes to try including kobe slider, tiger maki and so much more.
Why: Snacks from the new menu include; kobe slider with horseradish mayo, tomato and lettuce; potato chips topped with truffle; and salt and pepper squid with dry miso, shichimi, sea salt, crispy garlic and smoked soy. New maki rolls have also made an appearance – the veggie maki roll features takuwan, cucumber, avocado, sesame, sweet gourd, spring onion and tempura crunch, and the classic California roll is stuffed with snow crab, cornish brown crab, cucumber, avocado, sesame, japanese mayo and truffle oil.
Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
