5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
The month of May sees loads of exciting foodie things happening in the capital including new pop-ups, a South American lunch menu, and a permanent site from a street food favourite. Hungry? It’s time to eat:
1. For a New Lunch Menu: Isabel
What: Need lunch, but not into shop bought salads? We feel you. Isabel in Mayfair has launched a new Express Lunch Menu, meaning you can enjoy South American fare in under an hour.
Why: The newly-conceived ‘Express Lunch’ menu features many of the restaurant’s signature favourites, including its famed pizzette to start, the base of which comprises of the restaurant’s freshly-baked arepas, a savoury pancake-style dish made from a special cornflour. Another much-loved favourite that features on the new menu is the blackened chicken for main, a dish regularly ordered at Isabel and its sister restaurant, Casa Cruz.
Where: 26 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4HY
What: This spring there’s no need to fork out on a trip to North Africa when you can find all the spices of the souk in GBK’s new special: Moroccan the Boat. Now is the time to tuck into the winner of GBK’s annual in-house burger competition, celebrating the top chefs from GBK restaurants across the country.
Why: Available across all GBK sites, the burger features a Moroccan spiced beef patty topped with smoked Applewood cheese, harissa mayo, courgette fritti, rocket and pickled onions, all held together with a tasty turmeric bun. If you love a bargain, but don’t want to barter, grab a Moroccan the Boat, fries and a drink as part of a bundle for under fifteen quid.
Where: Locations here
What: Marrying together two lunchtime greats, sushi and sandwiches, Norigami fuses together the best of east and west in one handful that’s gluten, lactose, nut and wheat free (but not fun-free). Grab a sushi/sandwich love child from Norigami’s pop-up at Source Market St Pancras Station until 11th May.
Why: The menu includes bites like the The Vegan Curry – spicy potato curry, onion and spiced pickled carrots, coriander and parsley; The Miso Roasted Salmon – sesame seed marinated salmon, crunchy pickled cucumber and green beans; and The Egg Chorizo, an unusual combination of chorizo, red onion and egg. And, lastly, The Chermoulah Chicken – marinated chicken, sweet and sour red cabbage and spinach leaves.
Where: Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QP
4. For a New Menu: Coin Laundry
What: Coin Laundry on Exmouth Market has relaunched with a new menu that celebrates British producers and lets seasonal ingredients sing. The reimagined Coin Laundry is open for everyday drinks, as well as working lunches and weekday suppers, bottomless weekend brunch and Sunday roasts.
Why: Group Head Chef Nik Prescott’s pared down food menu emphasises the bounty of the British larder through its simple bar snacks such as fennel pork scratchings or crispy anchovies, and larger plates like crab on toast, lamb scrumpets, and whole grilled Brixham sole with cockle butter. And it’s not just the food menu that has had a revamp: the cocktail menu now includes classics, such as vermouth Grapefruit Martinez, alongside playful treats such as the unexpected Strawberry Ice Cream Negroni.
Where: 70 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QP
5. For a New Summer Makeover: Pergola Paddington Central
What: The rumours are true: Pergola Paddington is back for spring/summer 2018. A slick line-up of restaurants, two huge open bars set over two levels, seating for 850 and seven comfy day beds on their top deck terrace to soak up the sun – Pergola Paddington has returned for season two with a bang.
Why: Open Wednesday to Sunday, there will be no excuse not to soak up Pergola Paddington’s relaxed festival feel. Lounge around on one of their giant day beds, sip on bespoke cocktails or eat from one of the best independent eateries. This summer, the food line-up sees the return of burger legends Patty & Bun and Mexican fast food specialists DF Mexico, as well as new additions including shredded duck restaurant Canard and Vietnamese barbecue masters MAM.
Where: 5 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central W2 6PY
Photo Credit: Pasco Photography
One for the Diary..
6. For a New Permanent Site: Mother Clucker
What: Fried chicken kings Mother Clucker are coming home to roost with the opening of their first permanent site in Clerkenwell. Five years since the first strip was fried – Mother Clucker is taking their white poultry to the bright lights of Exmouth Market. And believe us when we say, this joint will be so much more than a chicken shop.
Why: Opening from Tuesday 15th May with 50% off all food and drink, the restaurant will feature banging breakfasts, seriously strong coffee, the freshest tunes all day long, and ice cold beers courtesy of The Five Points Brewing Co. Let’s not forget about their almighty fried goods – think Mother Clucker signature strips, chicken/sandwich mash ups, cajun fries, black-eyed peas, and enough hot sauce to melt steel.
Where: 49-51 Rosebery Avenue, Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4SD
Photo Credit: Johnny Stephens Photography
