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Al Fresco Dining: Londons Best Outdoor Eating Spots

Al fresco dining is the way forward for many of us now. What was once a nice weather novelty has become something a lot of people ask as a preference – whatever the weather is saying. From charming rooftop terraces to quaint courtyard cafes, Londons Best Outdoor Eating Spots offer a delightful dining experience amidst the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Whether tables are spaced out that extra bit more or not, there’s the fresh, open air that typically makes many diners feel more comfortable when dining out. We’re also due for at least a week’s worth of last-minute summer so if ever there was a time to make the most of eating outdoors.

Whether restaurants with outdoor seating areas are going to invest in more heaters and cosy provisions to make sitting outside more pleasant as the colder months draw near is unknown as of yet but, in the meantime, we’re due to have a few last days of summer over the next week or so – so we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite places with outdoor eating areas or terraces in London, should you be wanting to dine al fresco for the rest of the year.

Opso

Londons Best Outdoor Eating Spots

“Opso” is an ancient Greek word for a delectable morsel of food. Having dined at Opso a few times between 2015-2016, I was delighted to revisit in 2020, mid-pandemic and still be treated to such delectable morsels. In the heart of Marylebone – minutes from Baker Street station, in fact – sits Opso; a quaint restaurant serving up Greek-inspired dishes. Being a cautious diner, I am definitely more relaxed knowing restaurants have outside seating areas and Opso definitely stepped up with their social distancing measures. Servers wore masks and gloves and kept their 2m distance, whenever possible and there were dividers between tables – which, not only helped with social distancing but also added privacy should you be on a more intimate date or catch up. Please do not forego the cocktails; the menu is available to peruse via a quick QR code scan and you’ll definitely find yourself torn between the summer sangria and the cucumber sour. Feast upon a selection of starts: bread and kalamata olives are a must, and the tangy ceviche featuring the catch of the day (sea bass, for us) is exactly what you need in your life. Let’s discuss the taramas: I am not a fan of cod roe spread but it was a dish highly recommended to us and I’m always down to try new things. It was delightful. Opso adds a fair amount of lemon to this dish, balancing the fishy taste that normally dives taramasalata lovers and haters. The squid ink crisps were a perfect crispy complement too. The metsovone croquette with a gorgeous fig jam went down a treat and the dakos salad featured a zesty blend of cherry tomatoes, capers, feta and olive oil rusks. I’d always recommend the gorgeous lamb shank fricassee but now also the seafood dishes; the catch of the day sea bass was beautifully coated in a beetroot sauce, while the octopus giouvetsi with homemade orzo was a dream. For pudding, look no further than the strawberry profiteroles. One of the few dessert dishes where the ‘fruit’ option trumps the chocolate; this homemade pate choux encapsulated a stunning white chocolate and lemon cream, covered in caramelised almond flakes and topped with fresh strawberries (told you, it was fruit!) – order two, you won’t want to share.

10 Paddington St, Marylebone, London W1U 5QL

Nine Lives Bar

A frequent visitor to Nine Lives Bar, I can personally attest to the fact that it is one of London’s hidden gems of a bar. Great cocktails, great vibe – it ticks all the boxes. Thanks to its spot on Nine Lives Alley, it makes the most of its outdoor space, which should be music to a few people’s ears who wish to keep dining out. There are also heaters and umbrellas upon request – we are in the UK after all and it’s nice that Nine Lives appear to have thought this through for their al fresco dining; summer or no summer! Now, drinks aside, let’s talk about the new food menu. Partnering with Tigre Tacos, the cross section by London Bridge and Bermondsey may well become your new favourite taco spot after you read what’s on the menu. In a world where we heavily rely on a primary meat taco menu (with a veggie and fish option dotted about), it was refreshing to see a fish and veggie-focused menu from Tigre Tacos at Nine Lives Bar. I love an al pastor taco as much as the next person but fish tacos are my one true love. Devour baja fish tacos, Camarones (king prawns) with garlic and ginger and queso (grilled cheese), as well as mango and octopus tostadas – the latter being a citrusy, spicy little firecracker that you don’t want to miss. There’s also guacamole and tortilla chips (is it a Mexican meal without this?!), quesadillas and fried fresh seafood to nibble on in between tacos and tostadas.

8 Holyrood St, London SE1 2EL

Paladar

A hidden gem in Elephant & Castle, Paladar is a Latin-American-inspired restaurant and was actually my first meal post-lockdown. I immediately felt at ease, knowing we were dining al fresco in Paladar’s courtyard. Socially distanced and with track and trace in place, I perused the paper – and therefore one-time use – menus to select tonight’s feast. Like any food-obsessed person with, perhaps, a little too much time on her hands, I had thoroughly perused the menu and even looked up reviews of Paladar before my visit so I knew that the tuna tostadas had to be the first thing I ordered. The vibrant colours and the explosion of flavour as the corn crisps broke in my mouth were divine and led me to order another portion immediately. The plantain crisps were also a great snack to start the meal, paired with creamy, zesty guacamole and the ‘arepa de choclo’ (corn and cheese croquettes) were soul-satisfying and delicious. The seared prawns were succulent and flavoursome, while the sea bass tiradito had the perfect balance of citrusy spice. Chicken empanadas and lamb anticuchos followed and these were certainly tasty but the starters were the stars of the show, for me personally. Don’t forget to save room for dessert; featuring pineapple with lime mousse and purple corn churros. The perfect finish to the evening is enjoying the beautiful artwork that hangs on the walls inside Paladar; the gallery celebrates Latin American artists and is currently celebrating inspirational women through Rafael Rosas-Marin’s stunningly vibrant work.

4-5 London Rd, London SE1 6JZ

The Drop

Coal Drops Yard has a variety of restaurants, most of which offer al fresco dining and that includes The Drop (aptly named). The wine bar and restaurant is operating with a slightly reduced menu given the current circumstances but fear not; there’s more than enough tasty nibbles and dishes to enjoy with a glass (read, bottle) of wine. I’m usually a red girl but after spotting a nice-looking Vinho Verde, I just couldn’t resist. Crisp, light and fresh, this went down a treat – paired perfectly with The Drop’s famous truffle crisps. These things are pretty addictive, I’m warning you now. As I mentioned, it’s a smaller menu, consisting mainly of cheeses and cold meats (which isn’t a bad thing, in my opinion), as well as some oysters, if you fancy them. I must confess: I’m a seafood lover who just can’t do oysters, I’m afraid but I’ve heard good things about these. A positive to this menu change is Karan’s specials where Head Chef Karan Ghosh has played around in the kitchen to deliver you some stunning dishes such as Goan pork ribs, marinated then slowly braised and served with kachumbar (a fresh cucumber, mint, lime, tomato and onion relish) with the date and tamarind chutney and fried curry leaves. The tandoori prawns secured my attention but veggie-eaters can enjoy the chatpata charred tenderstem broccoli and the bhel puri.

Unit 22-24 Bagley Walk Arches Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DH

Emilia’s Crafted Pasta

Previously only a visitor to the Aldgate location of Emilia’s, while it is a great spot; the restaurant at St. Katherine’s Docks offers al fresco dining with a view of the boats. I was all too happy to indulge in a series of pastas with a view of the water – with the sun shining and an Aperol Spritz to sip on, well it’s just like being on the Italian Riviera. Kind of. There’s something about freshly-made pasta that just warms the soul and Emilia’s are paired with a variety of different sauces. It makes it quite hard to choose so I was glad to arrive with an empty stomach and a determined appetite. Starting off with the classics: I could have had continual plates of the bresaola; finely sliced and accompanied by a rocket and parmesan salad (my greens for the day) and the heritage tomatoes with burrata are also not to be missed. Pasta-wise, there are seven dishes to choose from, with pasta types ranging from bucatini to casarecce. I’m (clearly) no vegan but plant-based eaters can take comfort in noting Emilia’s caters well for the vegan customer, with a delicious rigatoni with Puglian lentils, tomatoes and mixed vegetable ragu; as well as the classic homemade tomato and basil. I opted for the carbonara with smoked salmon; a different style to the classic dish with pancetta that I am used to. This was delicious and right up my street but bear in mind, it is extra creamy. The four-hour cooked béchamel bolognese with grated parmesan was a table favourite but the ravioli with organic lamb, parsley and parmesan in a light butter and sage sauce is the moreish dish for which I’d keep coming back. Dessert – the Emilia’s special: vanilla ice cream topped with honey, crushed amaretti and cantuccini biscuits – followed by a couple of shots of limoncello and Italy, is that you?

C3, Ivory House St Katharine Docks, London E1W 1AT

28-50

Who doesn’t enjoy people-watching over a glass or two of wine? That’s exactly what you can expect from dining at 28-50’s St. Martin’s Lane location in London. There’s a lot of inside seating but it’s the terrace tables you’re after if you’re looking for something al fresco while the weather holds out. When it comes to wining and dining, there’s a great selection but I opted for a fruity, pale pink Provencal rosé, which went beautifully with the selection of starters and snacks that were subsequently ordered. Oh, and all the starters and snacks were ordered, don’t you worry. Cheese and charcuterie boards were surrounded by dishes of artichoke tempura, truffle arancini (don’t order this), chorizo bites, salmon ceviche, burrata and olives. Does anyone else get really excited by lots of starters on the menu? Don’t worry – 28-50 does offer a main menu as well; the lamb shoulder was tender and juicy, served with ratatouille, while the rib-eye steak with peppercorn sauce, fries, rocket and parmesan salad went down a treat. With a decent wine list, it was easy to find a red to which I was partial (Argentinian Malbec is hard to argue with), to accompany the second course of my meal.

10 Upper St Martin’s Ln, West End, London WC2H 9FB

El Pastor

Probably my favourite taco spot in London, both El Pastor and its sister restaurant Plaza Pastor offer outside seating if al fresco dining is your priority post-lockdown. Each time I visit El Pastor, I’m always staring at the menu for a good while, trying to eliminate tacos that, sadly, won’t cut this meal. Another spot which serves up an excellent tuna tostada, you now also know my beliefs on ordering a healthy dose of guacamole during a Mexican meal – get El Pastor’s with crispy chicharron. There is the pastor (pork shoulder), chicken, baja fish, crab and mushroom tacos…or there’s the option of getting sharing plates of short rib and bone marrow; pork shoulder or sea bream to make your tacos on the table. This is not only a truly delicious option (I’m telling you from experience) but it’s also incredibly fun. Again, speaking as someone who loves fish tacos, I appreciate the Baja fish, softshell crab and seabream taco options on El/Plaza Pastor’s menu (as well as the succulent cuts of meat, of course). Wash it all down with some killer margaritas; the avocado and passionfruit are my personal favourites, closely followed by the spicy mango. Salud!

7A Stoney St, London SE1 9AA or
Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ

Parrillan

Carrying on with the nature of cooking your food, Parrillan is Barrfina’s al fresco grilling terrace, where diners can enjoy a fun-fuelled dining experience. I was glad to see some of my Barrafina favourites on the menu such as the pan con tomate, ham croquettes and Iberico ham. It was by some miracle that I arrived before my usually punctual friend and I can confirm that should this ever happen to you; the guys at Parrillan/Barrafina can sort you out with a pan con tomate super speedily – leaving zero evidence of your snack by the time your guest arrives. When it comes to ordering for the parrilla, throw it all on there. I love grilled seafood so the red prawn and tuna toro were both must-orders for me and I gave myself a good dose of grilled vegetables, like the responsible, adult eater I am. Meat-wise, I opted for the lamb moruno (kebab), Iberian pork and the beef sirloin. Usually, this is the part where I’d add something (one would hope) like ‘cooked to perfection’ but that, of course, is all down to you. Parrillan’s servers give you a bit of an idea of how long to leave things on the grill but take relish in your new, temporary career as a grill chef and enjoy the feast which you cook. I did.

Coal Drops Yard, Stable St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AB

The Green Room

It’s no secret that Southbank is a key spot for al fresco dining – making it even more popular post-lockdown in London. The Green Room is a bar and restaurant between Southbank and Waterloo and offers a mixed menu to cater for all. Start with some snacks (snacks are always a good idea in my book, again, in case you hadn’t realised) – the sauerkraut and cheddar croquettes are a popular choice, as is the buttermilk fried chicken. The larger plates include black rice and courgette salad with your choice of chicken or halloumi; a crispy chicken burger complete with gravy mayo and haddock and chips. Or you can opt for one of the pizzas; offering your classic margarita style as well as pizzas with chorizo and ‘nduja and a white-based pizza with grilled leeks, courgettes and truffle. Even the vegan option sounds worth a try; featuring confit aubergine and cashew. Good job you have the stretch of Southbank to walk off all the food afterwards.

101 Upper Ground, Bishop’s, London SE1 9PP

Deli Cat & Sons

Looking for somewhere slightly off the beaten path? Deli Cat & Sons is a cute little cafe spot set alongside the Thames. On the slightly less busy Bankside (as opposed to Southbank), it is the perfect little corner for a catch-up over some cocktails al fresco, cheese and charcuterie. At lunchtime, the deli offers a selection of salads and sandwiches – featuring smoked salmon, carrot hummus and a variety of cold meats. Guests can also choose to go for sharing platters of cheeses, charcuterie and, my personal favourite, the mezze board, which includes carrot hummus, chilli roasted feta, kalamata olives, marinated mushroom and rocket. All platters came with sourdough to accompany and I was pleasantly surprised that it was the vegetarian board that took my fancy above all – although the cheese and charcuterie were delicious as well. I thoroughly enjoy when eateries make an effort with their cocktails; sadly I didn’t get to try the full menu at Deli Cat & Sons because I was far too obsessed with the Tropic Thunder (Bayou spiced rum with coconut water, spiced syrup, banana and pineapple shrub) and the Green Glitter (Rooster Rojo Blanco tequila, cucumber shrub, chillies and sugar).

2 Broken Wharf, Queenhithe, London EC4V 3DT

Paradise

Enjoy Sri Lankan food al fresco in Central London at Paradise in Soho. Feast upon traditional South Asian dishes such as blackened beef brisket with tamarind, banana leaf roasted mackerel and crabmeat kothu roti, accompanied – of course – by the necessary hoppers (egg is my favourite), sambols and rice dishes. There’s a fair selection of veggies and vegans to tuck into as well; green papaya and long bean salad a popular choice, as is the fried aubergine and jaggery Moji. Raw green mango is another delicious dish – you don’t even need to not eat meat to know that’s going to be delicious. Keep going back for those crab patty empanadas and mutton shoulder rolls and enjoy your Sri Lankan banquet in the heart of Soho.

61 Rupert St, Soho, London W1D 7PW

Looking for the best outdoor dining spots in London? Check out our guide featuring some of the sun-filled restaurants in the city on House of Coco.

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Silver Lining for British Tailor Launching Multi Award Winning Spirits Collection

These last 18 months have been hard for most business owners but here at House of Coco, we love hearing how they pivoted, used creativity to survive and how they are now thriving. This could not be more true for this company…

Multi- award winner Drapers England, is celebrating the launch of its signature drinks portfolio with both a silver and bronze medal win for its contemporary pink rhubarb, cardamom, and orange gin at this year’s IWSC Awards, in addition to its current shortlisting as a finalist in the Great British Food Awards with its innovative smoked oak and vanilla spiced rum.

After eight days of intense tasting, over 80 experts sipped, evaluated, and reviewed over 4,000 samples sent in from 86 countries across the world at the biggest spirits judging in IWSC history.

Bespoke Tailor, turned spirits producer Matthew Wignall and co-founder and Speakeasy proprietress Jamila Juma-Ware, officially launch their handcrafted premium spirits this month, shaking up the gin and rum categories, with a unique and contemporary handcrafted signature collection, now, officially accredited with the IWSC seal of approval.

As the IWSC judges noted, “in contemporary gin there is an opportunity to showcase botanicals which strongly reflect the terroir and provenance of a distillery.” Drapers Rhubarb, Cardamom & Orange Gin delivered: “Bold nose of rhubarb with a smattering of raspberry. Nice brightness of fruit and a light level of sweetness.”

Bottled at 40%, the globally inspired taste sensation delivered by Drapers England, is captured in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, where it is distilled. The complexity of the botanical balance, seasonal produce, and handpicked aromatic spices has been carefully fine tuned over the last two years, before finally bottling into this well-polished, elegant spirit collections, filled with flavour and refined in opulent elegance.

The brand takes their inspiration from Wignall’s background in bespoke tailoring, which is visible in the concept and design of each product. Specific attention to detail has been paid to the iconic structure and design of the brand, which is based on the form of a bespoke suit pattern, and incorporating the essence of British craftsmanship down to the last thread – which is represented by the embossed fabric of the label, printed onto ‘Savile Row Tweed’ to give a herringbone finish, and instil an element of couture to the finished product.

Wignall, commented: “We’ve combined our passion for textiles, design and travel with our love of authentic food and drink experiences to be able to bottle a sensational experience. Each bottle is designed with the latest fabric trends in mind and conforms a bold presence on any shelf.”

“We wanted to create a collection of spirits which are designed for the senses, from their visual appeal, through to the intense aroma, silky texture and exceptional taste.” said Juma-Ware.

Drapers Rhubarb, Cardamom & Orange Pink Gin is four times distilled to create a sleek and elegant texture. Weaving 17 hand selected botanicals including juniper, angelica, mint, chamomile and elderflower alongside its key notes of Yorkshire Rhubarb, aromatic cardamom and sweet orange peel to deliver a taste sensation expected of an accredited restaurant creation.

Drapers Pink Gin also boasts the detoxifying benefits of silver birch sap, which is added to the basket of the still to add a real silver lining to this exciting distillation.

Currently running as a finalist for the Great British Food Awards, Drapers Smoked Oak & Vanilla Spiced Rum begins formation as sugar molasses, imported from the Caribbean, and double distilled with hand-selected botanicals including ginger, cinnamon and black pepper, which enhance its signature notes of smoked oak chips, vanilla, cocoa, caramel and coffee.

Drapers Spiced Rum and Drapers Pink Gin both have an RRP of £38 per 500ml.

The collection is currently available from Masters of Malt, online via their site www.DrapersEngland.com and through independent wine and spirit retailers across the North East of England.

Final comments from the judges: “Overall this was an outstanding tasting and gin is set to continue on its meteoric rise.” As Spirits Judging Committee member and gin aficionado David T Smith says, “2021 has been a record-breaking year for the gin judging at the IWSC”.

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Get your five a day with Pret A Manger

Move over Netflix, there is a new subscription service in town and it’s offering even better value. Pret is launching the UK’s first in-shop coffee subscription on Tuesday 8th September 2020. With the subscription, YourPret Barista, coffee fiends can enjoy endless caffeine for just £20 a month. That’s five red stars from us.

To celebrate, the subscription is completely free for the first month and is available at participating Pret A Manger shops nationwide. All barista-prepared drinks are included from silky smooth flat whites, hot chocolates to refreshing iced lattes, teas and smoothies. Theinitiative is the first of its kind and indicates the start of Pret’s recovery in London and the wider UK. Ready to transform the way the UK buys its coffee, YourPret Barista lets subscribers enjoy Pret’s full range of barista-prepared drinks, up to five times a day. Organic milk alternatives are also available free of charge.

Briony Raven, UK Food & Coffee Director at Pret, said:

“Not only is YourPret Barista incredible value and something that has not been done in the UK before, it’s also a chance to enjoy and celebrate the huge range of drinks our expert baristas offer every day.”

While more and more people are heading into its shops, Pret has also launched a host of new products specifically designed for customers to enjoy from wherever they are. Examples include Pret’s ‘Heat Me at Home’ meals, its first ever range of ground coffee and espresso beans, available via Amazon and a new dinner menu available for delivery.

YourPret Barista subscription – how it works:

  • Customers can subscribe at your.pret.co.uk or can be guided through QR codes available in every Pret store nationwide
  • The subscription is loaded onto customers’ Apple or Google digital wallets or can be accessed via emailed QR codes. Scanners installed in Pret shops enable customers to verify their subscription status and redeem hot drinks
  • YourPret Barista coffee subscription is valid for one month, and auto-renews with no minimum term contract. Customers can unsubscribe at any time
  • Only redeemable in-shop for takeaway or eat-in. Redemption is limited to one drink per transaction, up to five per day, with 30 minutes intervals between each transaction to prevent misuse
  • For a full list of participating shops see pret.co.uk/YourPretTerms
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Grass-fed beef, what is the difference?

Grass-fed beef is the healthy alternative to grain-fed beef, but what are the benefits that set it apart?

Cows eat grass. Every primary school pupil knows that to be true. But is it still the case in modern agriculture?

Once upon a time, it certainly was. Before the industrial revolution, farming was almost exclusively a small-scale, local business. Cows were raised on the land, with a natural diet of grass, flora and clover. But the advent of large-scale, industrialised farming put a stop to that. The needs of the animal, as well as the welfare of the environment, stopped being as high a priority when it was established that profit margins could be increased by raising cattle faster on a high-energy diet of imported cereals and soybeans. These poor creatures aren’t always treated well, and are never given the time to exercise and absorb the nutrients they have ingested.

So grass-fed beef is the ethical choice, but is it the healthy one? Some sceptics will argue that there is little difference between grass and grain-fed beef in terms of health benefits, but they are wrong. Below we’ll explain a little more about the superior nutritional value of grass-fed beef, and tell you the best place in the UK to buy it.

Grain-fed and grass-fed beef, what is the difference?

Grass-fed beef is one of the most nutrient-dense protein sources you can buy, bursting with brain-boosting omega acids, and containing a higher percentage of vitamins and minerals than grain-fed alternatives. But let’s break down the exact health benefits of opting for grass-fed beef.

Lower in calories

The natural, clean diet of the cattle means that the meat they produce will contain fewer calories. Grain feed consists mostly of cereals and soy, which have very high energy levels. This helps the cattle to grow bigger faster, producing more meat, but it also means that that they absorb a lot of carbohydrates and sugar. Since grain-fed cattle typically don’t have the freedom to exercise to the extent that they should, these calories are not burned off, and thus remain in the beef you consume – i.e. fattier meat.

Free from chemicals

Cattle that are free to roam around fields and pastures from birth come into contact with fresh air, sunlight and, importantly, germs. While this might not sound like a good thing (and certainly not appetising), it is. Cows that encounter natural bacteria develop strong immune systems, and are therefore far less likely to develop serious disease. In contrast, grain-fed animals, whether cows, chickens or pigs, rarely come into contact with the natural bacteria that will help them combat sickness in later life. This makes it much more likely that these animals will develop more serious illness (especially as they are kept in such close quarters), which will require the intervention of antibiotics.

Plenty of healthy fats and disease-busting vitamins

Grass-fed beef contains up to six times more omega 3 fatty acids compared to grain-fed beef. These acids are truly a miracle mineral, helping combat joint inflammation, depression, and heart disease. The natural, vitamin-rich diet of a slow-raised cow also means far more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the meat itself.

So, grass-fed beef, what is the difference? All the difference in the world.

Where to buy grass-fed beef?

Now we’ve whet your appetite, where is the best place to buy high-quality grass-fed beef in the UK? There are plenty of sustainable delivery options, like the Dorset Meat Company who offer 100% grass-fed beef. The Dorset Meat Company works alongside 20 small, family-run farms in Dorset and Wiltshire to deliver high-quality, ethical meat to homes across England, Wales and much of Scotland. They care about the produce they deliver, from stable to table. All their beef is grass-fed, and free to roam and graze to their heart’s content. Visit their website today to find out more.

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Top London restaurants that now deliver to your door

With the Eat Out to Help Out scheme now over (thank you Rishi) and the nights beginning to draw in, cosy evenings at home are the order of the day. Food fanatics no doubt rushed back to their favourite restaurants as soon as they could during the summer but as the weather now turns colder, House of Coco have rounded up a selection of top London restaurants that are now delivering to your door. Fire on, feet up and let the fine-dining feasting begin.

Aquavit London

The Michelin-starred Nordic-inspired restaurant located in St James’s Market, sister to the highly acclaimed two Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name in Manhattan has launched a new delivery and takeaway menu. Bringing the Michelin-star to you, Aquavit London has partnered with food delivery service platform Supper and Deliveroo. Head Chef Jorjon Colazo’s food is defined by clean flavours, simple presentation and healthy ingredients. Stand-out choices include the Nordic salad with hot smoked salmon, pickles, lettuce and rye; langoustine bao buns with torched infused seaweed oil, a Swedish twist on the classic steamed Chinese bread roll and traditional Swedish meatballs served with mashed potatoes, pickled cucumber, mushrooms and lingonberries. To create the perfect at home restaurant experience, a selection of fine wines, beers and inventive soft drinks are also be available to order. The perfect choice for a hygee night in.

Available to order from Wednesday to Sunday. Delivery is available within a 4km radius of the restaurant. aquavitrestaurants.com

Lina Stores

Everybody has heard of Lina Stores. The stalwart and equally sumptuous pasta provider for the capital. For those living outside London and unable to make it to the delis (Soho and Kings Cross), Lina Stores now offers nationwide delivery. Having successfully developed its online shop, the team at Lina can now provide their most popular Italian products to the whole of the United Kingdom. From antipasti and olives straight from the deli counters, Lina Stores also offers a wide selection of cured meats and cheeses including Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella with truffle, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, smoked Mozzarella Scamorza and creamy Gorgonzola amongst many others. For those looking for the essentials, the online shop is well stocked with everything needed for the store cupboard, from the deli’s own brand of dried pasta and olive oil, to tinned San Marzano tomatoes and a selection of specialist flours, risotto rice, Italian beans and pulses. It time to live la dolce vita, in your own kitchen.

National delivery is now available four days a week. linastores.co.uk

Lina Stores

Ormer Mayfair

The new delivery and collection service, Ormer at Home is led by Executive Chef Kerth Gumbs (BBC TWO’s Great British Menu 2020 finalist). The Mayfair menu is bursting with a wonderful bounty of Channel Island and British fare that is simply prepared and cooked to perfection. Dishes include Yellowtail Ceviche with avocado, tomato and Vietnamese dressing, Black Cod with pickled squash, orange, pack Choi and sake dressing, or Dorset Lamb Cutlets with spiced aubergine, pomegranate and pine nuts. Ormer Mayfair has consistently been rated as one of the top ten restaurant in London for fine dining, perfect for a high end date night in the comfort of your own home. On Sunday, a high-end sharing roast for two will be available and desserts including Ormer’s signature apple crumble and rhubarb and white chocolate panna cotta will also feature, alongside wine, beer, cocktails and champagne.

Available for delivery and collection from Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 9pm. Delivery is available within a 2-3 mile radius of the restaurant. flemings-mayfair.co.uk/fine-dining-london/ormer-mayfair-restaurant

FishWorks Fishmonger and Restaurant

FishWorks has launched a new delivery service including an at home Oyster Box for those looking for a more epicurean night in. The delivery menu is carefully prepared and packaged to order by FishWorks’ expert chefs and fishmongers. Ready-to-eat dishes will include oven roasted sea bass with lemon and thyme, seared yellow fin tuna and garlic butter lobster with chips. The gourmet Oyster Box includes a mixture of a dozen Jersey, Carlingford and Morecambe Bay oysters. Covering all preferences, an assortment of condiments including lemon, merlot vinegar, and Tabasco will be included – all to be perfectly paired with a bottle of FishWorks’ Fernão Pires white wine. For those new to the oyster game, FishWorks have you covered with a shucker and a link to a ‘How to Shuck an Oyster’ video tutorial. Delicious British and Irish oysters can be brought to your doorstep at £60 per box.

Available to order seven days a week for London zones 1 – 4. fishworks.co.uk

FishWorks Fishmonger and Restaurant

OPSO

Greece is well and truly having a moment. The white-washed towns of Mykonos and Santorini have featured in every enviable holiday snap this summer. For those who have missed out this year, the team at high-end restaurant OPSO, serving up modern Greek dishes, have introduced OPSO at Home for you to have a taste of Greece in your own kitchen. Centred around a special menu of home-cooked authentic dishes, this new collection and delivery initiative reflects the favourite childhood memories of the executive chefs/co-owners Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussos. The menu features seasonal dishes such as Chicken Lemonato – roasted chicken thigh with lemon-oregano gravy and creamy potato mash; Beef Stifado – braised beef shin with onions and sweet onion gravy; and Spanakorizo – spinach rice pilaf with fresh herbs and barrel matured feta cheese. OPSO is an ancient Greek word for a delectable morsel of food, and with sumptuous Greek tapas dishes using the finest ingredients and an exclusively Greek wine list to pair with the delicacies, you will quite literally, savour every last bite.

Opso at Home is suited for two or more, the delivery menu is also available throughout the week delivered to doorsteps in Marylebone and nearby neighbourhoods. opso.co.uk

OPSO

Bocca di Lupo

Bocca di Lupo at Home will see Head Chef Jacob Kenedy introduce a menu featuring some of Bocca di Lupo’s most popular dishes. Echoing the restaurant’s focus on stripped-down, regional Italian cuisine, diners will be able to choose from antipasti dishes such as creamy burrata with grilled aubergines and caramelised datterini tomatoes, spinach and ricotta Malfatti pasta, Orecchiette with ‘nduja and the umami-packed Spaghetti with Bottarga. For the risotti there is an earthy Girolle, an indulgent Chard & Scamorza and a classic Venetian Risotto Nero made with cuttlefish ink. The menu aims to bring the gourmet buzz of Soho into your own home. Each dish comes with a step-by-step recipe guide and video tutorial, making them accessible to even the most unaccomplished home cook. A few bottles of ever elusive orange wine also feature on the menu making it the perfect option to sip something unusual on your own sofa!

Bocca di Lupo at Home is available for delivery Wednesday to Saturday with free delivery on orders over £80. Delivery to a wide variety of London postcodes. athome.boccadilupo.com

Bocca di Lupo

Wun’s Tea Room & Bar

The restaurant and bar located in the heart of Soho, where Old Compton Street meets Greek Street is offering the delivery of one of its most beloved dishes, the mouthwatering Iberico Char Siu pork. The launch of the Iberico Char Siu home delivery kit means that Londoners can taste authentic Cantonese flavours at home. The kits can be cooked to perfection and easily assembled within 25 minutes. The kit includes Iberico Fatty Char Siu, pillowy Blini Buns, House Spiced Sugar Pack as well as cooking instructions and is designed to serve between two and three people.

Delivery is available from Wednesday to Sunday or can be picked up from the restaurant. Delivery within a 4 mile radius of the restaurant. tearoom.bar

Benares

Vibrant and inventive Indian cooking with modern British flair with Executive Chef Sameer Taneja at the helm. Using his classical training and experience working alongside some of the best chefs in the world, Sameer embraces and elevates traditional Indian cuisine which can now be enjoyed at home. Fan favourites include a lamb seekh kebab, prawn kasundi, chicken makhani, dal makhani and saag aloo.

Delivery is available from Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 9pm and Sundays 12pm to 8pm. Collection is available from Tuesday to Saturday only. Delivery is available across Greater London and for delivery further than a 6 mile radius, three hours’ notice is needed. benaresrestaurant.com

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Coco Kitchen

#CocoKithcen : The Ivy Leeds

We all emerged from the pandemic lockdown, different people. We went into it with a hankering for some great food and cocktails, and we have come out slightly less hungry, but thirstier than ever before. We went along to The Ivy in Leeds to check out the ‘new normal’ post-pandemic dining experience in style.

Spoiler alert: dining out post-pandemic is 95% the same as it was before. Now, you can expect the tables to be further away, cashless payments encouraged pre-bookings, and more stringent cleaning. Erm, hello, aren’t these all great things? The Ivy, doing nothing by halves, has taken your personal safety and hygiene to the next level and has provided branded bottles of gorgeous hand sanitiser at the table.

Anyone who’s visited an Ivy Brasserie before (there are 33 of them now just in England alone, plus another four across Ireland, Scotland and Wales) will know that the menu is vast, and something certain from your visit is that at one point, you will be absolutely spoiled for choice.

If, by some miracle, you haven’t melted during the heatwave, you’ll be super glad to know that The Ivy has launched their summer menu, with dishes like quinoa and watermelon salad, or blackened cod fillet. But fear not, nobody is stopping you from tucking into a shepherd’s pie in 33-degree heat should you so wish.

The Ivy Leeds

Thrifty foodies will be very happy to know that The Ivy is taking part in Eat Out to Help Out scheme with a new bespoke set menu from Monday to Wednesday in August, saving a tenner on a two-course menu that would usually be £30, or three courses at £35 (pre-discount). Nice one, Rishi!

This new set-menu narrows down the options to three choices per course, but is somehow still just as difficult to choose as before. To start, choose between yellowfin tuna carpaccio with jalapeño and avocado sauce, crispy five-spice duck salad, or a stunning mozzarella with grapes, mint and hazelnuts. Tough right? And that’s before you get to the mains of a roasted beef filet drizzled in truffle sauce, lobster and tomato linguine, or grilled sea bass fillet with smoked aubergine. It’s like choosing a favourite child and we don’t even have kids.

To finish on a very high note, there’s a frozen berry and sorbet selection pitted against a baked apple tart with ice cream, but the third contender makes this an unfair fight. You guessed it, it’s the chocolate bombe. Get your Insta-stories at the ready for this culinary cabaret!

Between the lobster linguine and the chocolate bombe, washed down with a very carefully selected wine, it’s the same Ivy we have grown to love. There are some very small differences of course. When you arrive, pass no further than the floral entrance archway and you’ll be temperature-scanned. But we say, better they scan us on the way in than the way out, four months of lockdown and it doesn’t take much wine to fire us up.

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Food & Drink

Dangerous Desserts for the Adventurous Foodie

We’ve all heard of the wild concoctions from charcoal ice cream to gold leaf cake, but those are just exciting variants that, albeit curious, don’t necessarily challenge you when you decide to take it on. The culinary world has always seen many an attempt to change things up and still come up with something delicious, and sometimes these can be a challenge to consume for one reason or another. In America alone, people are eating more dessert than before. It’s no wonder the dental industry is also increasing in need of orthodontics appliances as sweet teeth tap into everyone.

Are you not looking to be careful with what you eat? Here are some of the most interesting challenges to explore with your taste buds.

  • Tokyo’s Tallest Ice Cream Cone

This one is not necessarily made of any weird ingredients or the like, but the danger comes with navigating a tower of ice cream that’s over nine inches tall teetering on a cone. The huge ice cream is offered in Tokyo’s Nakano Broadway district and caters to those who could eat all the goodness themselves and also want to get a taste of everything. Yes, everything. The towering confection is made up of eight different flavours that are periodically changed depending on their line-up.

Some of the staples that aren’t necessarily out of the box are mocha, vanilla, and the like. The more interesting flavours that would appeal to those looking for something new includeramune, matcha, and grape.

  • Cricket Goodies

This one is more of a matter of will, since most people may not be completely prepared for the notion that you can eat insects. Among the many purposely bug-filled delights you can try out if you’re adventurous are the many variations of cricket offerings. There are fritters, ginger cookies, snaps, and even cheesecakes to try out. All of them have the main ingredient of crickets as the extra special touch, and if you’re still in an ice cream mood, some even offer soft serve with cricket toppings.

It’s an exciting way to consume some protein, and it can be pretty tasty to boot.

  • The Flaming Sundae

Yes, a flambe is not unheard of and pretty much just another way to provide a toasty dessert. But this particular variation was put out of commission in the 1950s because it involved serving a sundae with some sugar cubes and marshmallows on top that were then covered with lemon extract and set aflame. That created a remarkable effect of a fiery dessert that blended the hot and cold and still danced in your mouth in extremely sweet fashion. If you think about it, the danger might lie more so in the amount of sugar than the blast of fire.

Though that particular variation was halted, there are still restaurants that serve ice cream lit up, and you can do your first spoon dip while it is still aflame.

Are you thinking of something to spice up your dessert adventures? Try these out for yourself!

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Food & Drink

Delectable Cookies & Cream Party Cake Recipe

Baking a super delectable cake to add sweetness to different celebrations is a must. With so many cakes blacklisted on your list as you have already tried those, you must be running out of options. Well, here we are with this cookies and cream party cake that is simply yummy and creamy. Let’s get started with the cake recipe.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Sponges

  • 300 ml vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing
  • 400 gm plain flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 400 ml buttermilk
  • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 130 gm cocoa powder
  • 560 gm light brown soft sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 200 ml strong coffee or espresso

For the Icing

  • 250 gm pack of slightly salted butter, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 600 gm icing sugar
  • 280 gm tub full-fat cream cheese
  • 10 Oreo biscuits

Recipe / Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 180 degrees C. Oil and line two 20 cm cake baking containers with parchment paper.
  • Put 200 gm flour, 2 tsp preparing powder, 8 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 tsp salt, and 280 gm light brown sugar in a bowl and blend well. If there are lumps in the sugar, press these through your fingers to split them up.
  • Add 200 ml buttermilk, 150 ml oil, 100 ml espresso, and 2 tsp vanilla in a container. Include 2 eggs and blend until smooth. Empty the wet ingredients into the dry ones and blend until all mixed well.
  • Pour the cake mixtures equally into the two baking containers, and bake for around 26 to 30 minutes until risen. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then invert it on the wire rack to cool totally.
  • Repeat the above process to prepare two more cakes similarly so that you have a total of four cake sponges now.
  • To make the icing, place the butter in a big bowl and filter half the icing sugar. Now crush along with a spatula, and blend with a hand blender until smooth. Include the cream cheese and filter in the rest of the icing sugar, crush together once more with the hand blender. Put the Oreos in a food processor and crush to fine crumbs. Add the biscuit pieces to the icing and blend again until mixed.
  • To assemble the cake, place one of your cake sponge on a turntable with a tad bit of the cream cheese icing. Utilize half of the icing to stack the rest of the cakes on top, spreading the icing between each layer. Now use the remaining icing to cover the top, edges, and sides of the cake. Use a spatula to level the icing. Your cake is ready to serve. If you wish, you can refrigerate the cake and then serve.

So, that was the super easy cake recipe. You can bake this cake perfectly by following the instructions as mentioned above. If you can’t bake the cake, then send cake online to surprise your dear ones on different occasions.

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Food & Drink

Homemade Easy Popcorn Recipes with Popcorn Popper

Popcorn is one of the most versatile snacks across the world. Be it sweet or crunchy or buttery- they are available in a plethora of flavours according to the taste of various individuals. It is extremely delicious and tastes good with anything like butter, salt, chocolate, or caramel.

Although it comes in a variety of flavors, it provides immense nutrition. Thus it is a very healthy snack to have. But some popcorns available in stores are drenched with salt and additives for making them taste better. So to avoid the intake of unhealthy ingredients in the body, homemade popcorn is the best solution. All you need to do is choose one of the top popcorn poppers and inside a few minutes, it is ready to be enjoyed.

There are quite a few popcorn recipes that can be made at home quite easily.

  1. Almond popcorn: This is a very healthy yet tasty snack to have.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup popping corn
  • 1-2 tbsp popping oil
  • 3 cups of rice krispy’s
  • 1 cup toffee peanuts
  • 1 cup honey roasted peanuts
  • 1 package almond bark
  • 3 tbsp peanut butter

Instructions:

  • Popcorn using one of the top popcorn poppers with the recommended amount of oils and kernels.

Source: https://3zsmz73ycy0o482l6t1qvq2e-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/peanut-butter-almond-caramel-popcorn-1.jpg

  • The popped corn should be mixed with 3 cups of Rice Krispy’s, 1 cup of toffee peanuts and 1 cup of honey roasted peanuts.
  • All the above ingredients should be put in a large bowl.
  • Next, the almond bark should be melted and 3 tablespoons of peanut butter is added.
  • This should be poured over the popcorn mixture and spread out on wax paper for about an hour. Your almond popcorn is ready!
  1. Caramel-nut Popcorn Clusters: This is one of the most delicious preparations.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package caramels
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  • 12 cups popped popcorn
  • 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts

Instructions:

  • The caramel and whipping cream should be mixed in a bowl and put in a microwave for about 3 minutes and stirred well.
  • Popcorn and peanuts should be kept in a large bowl.
  • Drizzle with caramel sauce and toss gently to provide a nice coat.
  • The popcorn mixture should be put on a lightly greased jelly roll pan.
  • The mixture should be baked at 250F for about an hour and allowed to cool. Your caramel popcorn is ready and ready to serve about 13 cups.
  1. Cinnamon popcorn: This is another tasty flavor that can be made easily at home.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons buttery-flavored canola oil
  • ½ cup white popcorn
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • Sprinkled salt
  • Pure ground sprinkled cinnamon

Instructions:

  • The popcorn should be popped in a popcorn popper and made ready for use.

Source: https://createbakemake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cinnamon-Popcorn-2-500×375.jpg

  • The popcorn should be poured in a large bowl with a lid and well shaken with cinnamon, salt, and sugar to add the finishing touches before serving.

Final Word

Popcorn is often our go-to snack and often enjoyed together while watching movies. But if you want a break from the unhealthy packaged popcorns, you must lay your hands upon one of the top popcorn poppers. It not only looks after your health but also saves time and you can try your hand at a variety of flavors right at your home. Besides they are also economical. So just put the oil and kernels in the popping chamber, plug the machine into a socket and your popcorn is ready. Now add the flavors and spices according to your desire to enjoy your snack.

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Coco Kitchen

Coco Kitchen Weekend Bakers: Easy Challah

Ain’t no challah back girl…

For a loaf that looks complex, challah is deceptively easy. Whether you opt for a simple three strand braid, an ambitious eight strand masterpiece, or just throw it it in a cake tin to do its thing, you won’t be disappointed with the soft crumb and golden crust of this classic.

Ingredients:

  • 250ml lukewarm water
  • 2 tsp dried yeast
  • 500g strong white bread flour
  • 50g sugar
  • 2tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk (save the whites for the egg wash)
  • 60ml vegetable/sunflower oil

Method:

  • Combine the yeast and water in a bowl with a pinch of the sugar. Leave to foam for 10 minutes.
  • Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, egg yolk, and oil. Stir to form a loose dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured worktop and knead for 10 minutes. Alternatively, mix in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 5-6 minutes on a medium speed.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a loose sheet of cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 90 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into three or six equal pieces depending on the type of braid you have planned. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece into a circle the thickness of a 10p coin. Roll each circle into a scroll.
  • Gather the scrolls and layer the ends on top of each other before braiding. Tuck the ends before covering the loaf loosely in clingfilm and leaving to rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 180C/160C (fan)/gas mark 4.
  • Brush the top of the loaf with the egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
  • Challah is beautiful toasted, but is also great in bread and butter puddings or served with a drizzle of honey or chocolate spread. Keep in a cool, dry place and consume within three days.
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