Last minute lovers can still bring the wow factor this Valentine’s Day thanks to luxury delivery brand SUPPER London. Instead of calling in a local take-away, go all out and treat your loved one to a Valentine’s meal from one of the capital’s finest restaurants.
SUPPER London has teamed up with English Sparkling Wine producer Nyetimber to send out a fleet of Valentine’s Day bikes, delivering delicious dishes to your doorstep, as well as thoughtful gifts or foodie delights from established retailers including Fortnum & Mason.
Impress your beau with your own at home dining experience without all the fuss and stress of cooking. Expect Valentine’s menus and specials from renowned restaurants including 45 Jermyn Street, NOBU, Holy Carrot, ROKA Aldywch and many more alongside a beautiful bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee MV, which is available to add to your order exclusively on 14 February, making your dinner even more memorable this Valentine’s Day. Don’t panic if you have forgot to get your significant other a gift, as well as ordering a slap-up fancy meal, SUPPER London can pick up a special treat from stores like, Fortnum & Mason and deliver it via SUPPER London today, meaning your Valentine will still feel the love and be none the wiser.
Whether you are spending today with your lover, friends or family, relax, put your feet up and enjoy some irresistible cuisine from your favourite restaurant.
In fromage to the day of love, we have put together our cheesiest gifts and date ideas for those that are budget conscious or boujee. Love doesn’t have to cost the earth, but it better taste delicious…
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Chicago Town Pizza
Chicago Town Pizza offers the ‘Stuffed Crust Takeaway Loaded Cheese’ pizza for couples who want to raise a slice but don’t want to break the bank this Valentine’s Day. Perfect for a cosy date night with some bubbly without having to be in the midst of PDA dinners out on the town. Keep the cheese in your own home! From £3.75, chicagotown.com
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The Fine Cheese Co.
What could be more cheesy than a cheese gift that takes the theme of a classic love song? The ‘Stand By Me’ Valentine’s Day cheese celebration cake by The Fine Cheese Co. is just that. Cute and cuttable, the ‘cake’ featured two heart-shaped soft cheeses, a French goats’ milk cheese, and a big hunk of delicious cheddar. Aesthetically pleasing and absolutely perfect with crackers alongside a lover’s ballad. From £30, finecheese.co.uk
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José Pizarro
José Pizarro is the king of special occasion food and the ‘Valentine’s Spanish Board with Rioja’ is no exception. The gorgeous hamper has been carefully curated to showcase the very best of Iberian pork cold cuts and Spanish cheese on offer, plus some extras to complement the items on the board. The hamper includes melt-in-the-mouth delicacies such as Manchego sheep milk cheese, Idiazábal sheep milk cheese, José Pizarro picos and a bottle of Marqués de Vargas Reserva. The hamper brings the magic of José Pizarro into your own kitchen this Valentine’s Day. £70, shop.josepizarro.com
There is something truly magical about London’s Southbank, even in the depths of winter. As you are expelled from Blackfriars station, wind whipping scarves and blow dried curls around your face as you take in the expanse of the inky black Thames. The slightly ominous stretch is softened as you peer over the wall to see the gentle lapping waves tickle a sheltered bank where two geese have decided to make home for the night and you wonder if they take stock of the cityscape in front of them the same way you do. The dome of St Paul’s casting majesty over his more modern counterparts, the wobbly walkie talkie looking slightly embarrassed by his drunken addition to the other bolt upright city slickers. You take it in, you digest it and then you realise how frikkin’ cold you are in this battering wind when finally your eyes settle on the bright neon lights and you know Sea Containers is your salvation.
Welcomed in to the sleek, modern restaurant with nods to both British and American culinary institutions – think display cubes filled jars of Marmite and bottles of French’s mustard – an open kitchen offers a background chatter of hustle and bustle and a centrally located 360 bar presents the perfect opportunity for people watching. Floor to ceiling windows allow diners to continue basking in that Southbank view whilst staying safe from the elements.Nautical curiosities are elegantly positioned around the venue allowing guests to feel like they are on a 1920’s cruise liner minus the sea sickness and scurvy (one would hope) – this restaurant truly is dinner and a show.
Before diving into our meal we started with cocktails – a SeaCo Gimlet and a Seven Seas Old Fashioned – as beautiful as they were delicious, the mixologist clearly knows their way around a cocktail shaker. The perfect lubrication for the new ‘Transatlantic Journey’ menu. Designed by Exec chef Ryan Matheson and Head Chef Terence Barrow, this menu promises a combination of Modern American and British cuisine with hints of West Indian Spices as a nod to both chef’s roots.
SeaCo Gimlet & a Seven Seas Old Fashioned.
The menu consists of small and large plates, designed to be shared with a focus on seasonal ingredients. Before I go any further, I must admit that I chose totally the wrong dining partner for this event. I broke my cardinal rule and took a vegetarian, well pesci if we are going to get into it. Little did I know we would be having the same meal because ya know, sharing plates. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the fruits of the sea as much as the next person, I am even partial to a pulse-y plant based dish from time to time. However, when you are nibbling on grilled sea bass and green beans and a whole deep fried chicken with homemade hot sauce rolls past to the next table, fish is just not going to cut it. Don’t get me wrong, our food was delicious – this is just a warning to those carnivores with herbivore friends. Take someone else.
I digress. Let’s talk about the food I did eat. Tomato flat bread loaded with onion, blue cheese, cheddar, basil and rocket was the perfect way to begin our Transatlantic journey, for something that read as quite simple, the flavour packed into each bite was fantastic and enough to make my veggie friend squeal in delight. I was too busy begrudgingly staring at the curried goat edition to squeal.
On to some small sharing plates, squid on soft potatoes with chilli and garlic. I honestly feel there is an art in the perfect pomme puree. Sure, you can get a good one just about anywhere but to get one so smooth and perfectly seasoned that it makes you want to cry with joy is rare. Praise be, Sea Containers delivered. The grilled sweetheart cabbage was magical. Drowned in red miso aioli and crispy shallots. Drowned usually has a negative connotation, especially when in a restaurant designed to look like a cruise liner but I mean this with the utmost respect – I would have bathed in that dressing if I had the chance. Massive punches of umami paired with the bitter char of the cabbage leaves. This dish was enough to make me consider turning my back on protein. Until I saw another of those deep fried birds go past. And so on to our big boy sharer – a whole grilled seabass stuffed with lemon and parsley. It was nice. It was lovely in fact, perfectly cooked, delicately flavoured to allow for the subtle sweetness of the fish to shine.
For dessert roast pineapple and pistachio ice cream. How they made that pistachio ice cream is beyond me. It was more pistachio-y than a sack full of pistachio nuts but not in the synthetic flavouring way. I think someone may have spent a week hand grinding pistachios to a paste added in some unicorn hair and dragons blood and set it in an ice cream machine because holy macaroni, that shit was magical. I have a friend who searches high and low for the perfect pistash and always wails that nothing ever compares to one she had in some boujee place in Italy, it’s very annoying but now I rejoice, because for birthdays furthermore I shall take her here, plonk her down in front of a bowl of the green stuff whilst I dig into my fried chicken for two, for one.
Tucked up a lane in Hertfordshire is an old inconspicuous farm plot. Blink and you could easily miss it but for those in the know, it has quickly become a buzzing weekend outpost for locals, Londoners, and the occasional celebrity. The site has been home to fashion and homeware brand, Osprey for 15 years and has gradually expanded to include a gin distillery, beauticians, and more recently, JJAM, a countryside kitchen serving brunch style breakfast plates, light lunches and delicious dinners using fresh and where possible, local, seasonal ingredients.
JJAM Cafe
Set in a pretty courtyard, JJAM was founded by school friends Jack Ellisdon and Scott Martin during the first lockdown. The pair have a hospitality background, Jack previously worked in the hotel industry for the likes of Dorchester Collection Hotels while Scott has experience in private members clubs including the renowned Annabel’s.
I took my daughter and husband on a Saturday afternoon in January and the place was literally JJAM packed. The indoor space seats around 30 covers which adds to the intimate personalised service however, outside there’s a courtyard with a firepit for those who prefer to dine alfresco. Despite a chill in the air, there were couples meandering around the Osprey outlet store, people nipping in and out of the distillery and groups relaxing around the courtyard with hots drinks. Ellisdon tells me “People tend to come here for the best part of the day. They might have a leisurely breakfast with us then have a look around the shops or perhaps have a beauty treatment with Francessca, (who is also an old school friend), then pop back to us for drinks and dinner”. Dinner at JJAM is a big hit, especially in the summer when you can make the most out of the outdoor space, but more on that later. We were sat on a cosy corner table with a chilled glass of Sancerre while we scanned the food options. The menu at JJAM is refreshed every month and is an eclectic mix of classic British, and rustic, internationally inspired dishes. The chef has put his own spin on flatbread style pizzas, sharing platters and sandwiches which make this place more than a café. Front of house is big Dutchman, Parcifal, who casually mingles around the café chatting to people, answering any questions about the menu, and making you feel welcome.
We ordered the JJAM toastie, steak sandwich and triple stacked pancakes. Each plate served would look at home on any foodie’s Instagram page. Presentation here is next level and when our food arrives it looks too good to eat. The conversation grounds to a halt as we tucked into each plate. For the next few minutes, the table was filled with lots of nods and moans of appreciation. My daughter, a pancake connoisseur, took one bite from her fluffy stack and exclaimed it was the best plate of pancakes ever! My toastie was not your regular Breville toastie, wedged between a parmesan crusted sourdough was succulent, chunky slices of Wiltshire ham, melted mature cheddar cheese and a tangy onion chutney. The sourdough had just the right amount of crunch while the sweet onion chutney balanced out the cheddar and parmesan. I sneaked a bite of the steak sandwich and again it didn’t disappoint. The meat was melt in your mouth tender, enveloped in a toasted ciabatta bun.
Dinner at JJAM is the jewel in the crown. They switch up the menu to include specials and larger plates. There’s live music every weekend and no time limit on tables. In the summer tables are like gold dust with people vying over a courtyard seat. Fairy lights adorn the space, blankets and fire pits keep it cosy.
After lunch I had a wander around the shops. Ellisdon tells me they have plans to expand the site, host regular events and turn it into a destination location. The venue lends itself to private events and is already popular for parties and weddings. From May, they will be running JJAM x WELLNESS, a series of weekly subscription-based yoga, running and fitness classes that will be followed by a light breakfast, juice and coffee. The view is to then expand these ‘wellness brunches’ to include beauty treatments such as massages by their onsite beautician. As well as the venue in Hertfordshire, JJAM Regent Street has just opened offering coffees and tasty bites served with the same enthusiasm and passion.
JJAM has vibe, it’s one of those places you want to take your friends just to show off but at the same time you want to keep this place a secret. Word is already getting around so book your table in advance to avoid disappointment.
To book a table or find out more on the wellness events visit JJAM Group or follow @jjamgroup
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, don’t get caught up making last minute plans. We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting special events in some of London’s most romantic restaurants, so you can wow your partner this V-Day.
A cosy dinner at Kutir, Chelsea
Behind the doors of an elegant Chelsea townhouse, acclaimed restaurant Kutir boasts beautifully decorated interiors in an intimate, cosy setting that is perfect for a lowkey Valentine’s Day meal.
Chef Rohit Ghai has created a 6-course Valentine’s Day menu of signature dishes, including masala prawns and pheasant with beetroot chutney. The menu is priced at £80pp with additional wine pairing options, and a vegetarian menu is available too.
A romantic meal in private booth at The Colony Grill Room, Mayfair
Transport your date back to the roaring 20’s at The Colony Grill Room, the Beaumont Hotel’s glamorous 20’s-inspired restaurant. The restaurant is led by Chef Ben Boeynaems and offers an incredible menu of transatlantic dishes. Finish off with drinks at Le Magritte which offers creative cocktails inspired by René Magritte and can be enjoyed alongside a luxurious Oysters & Caviar menu.
Champagne and Caviar at Trivet, Bermondsey
For a truly exceptional dining experience, look no further than Trivet, the first solo restaurant from Fat Duck alumni Jonny Lake and Isa Bal. Here, you can enjoy stand-out dishes, including the signature ‘Hokkaido Potato’ dessert, as well as exquisite wines from the 350-strong wine cellar.
For added luxury on Valentine’s Day, indulge in champagne and caviar – in the form of a buttermilk fan-tan with cultured butter and caviar – can be arranged on arrival on February 14 for £95 per couple.
Drag Bingo at Double Standard, King’s Cross
Valentine’s Day certainly doesn’t have to be a drag – especially if you’re going to an incredible night of drag bingo at the Double Standard.
This month’s Valentine’s special will be held on February 14, and will be hosted by long-term host Grace Shush, who will be accompanied by fellow drag superstar, Sue Gives a Fuck. Perfect for those looking for a non-conventional Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s puddings at The Proof, East London
Tantalise your partner’s sweet tooth this Valentine’s Day with a visit to East London bakery, The Proof. This year, The Proof is offering a range of special Valentine’s Day pudds including the L’Amour cake and Profiterole Heart.
The Proof will sculpt their signature profiteroles into heart-shaped wreaths, each pastry filled with crème Chantilly and topped with dark chocolate and gold leaf.
The L’Amour cake features three layers of sponge – either chocolate or vanilla – and is topped with red and white Swiss meringue buttercream. Perfect for a sweet ending to Valentine’s Day.
Dress to the nines at The Ninth, Fitzrovia
Perfect for a romantic meal, The Ninth is a Michelin-starred restaurant that encourages intimate dining with a sharing plate menu, which focuses on simple yet refined Mediterranean-style cooking made with the best seasonal ingredients.
This contemporary French restaurant is a beautifully decorated, sophisticated spot on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street, perfect to ramp up the romance on Valentine’s Day.
Leave room for the dessert menu, which includes Chef Jun Tanaka’s signature Pain Perdu.
Native at Browns, Mayfair
The epitome of sustainable chic, Native at Browns sees the foraging-focused restaurant take residency in one of Mayfair’s most luxurious department stores. So, you can finish off your next Valentine’s date with a little retail therapy.
Perfect for treating your eco-conscious partner, small plates to share include wood pigeon kebab with Native harissa, while dessert-lovers can indulge in the signature Marrowmel – a bone marrow and white chocolate caramel. Natural wines and cocktails made with foraged ingredients complete the date. Romance and sustainability going hand in hand – now that’s something we really love. While Native isn’t open on 14 February, it’s open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Go on a culinary escapade from Italy to Japan at Angelina, Dalston
This Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy a 10-course Italo-Japanese omakase tasting menu at cult Dalston restaurant Angelina. Dishes include chawanmushi (savoury egg custard)andhamachi with truffle and handmade pasta, all served up in the intimate, candlelit dining room.
For a real celebration, match the menu with Angelina’s ‘rare and old wine’ pairing, showcasing a hand-picked selection of unique and exceptional Italian wines.
Authentic and intimate Italian dining at Luca, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell’s much-loved Luca is one of London’s most beautiful restaurants and the ideal spot for an intimate dinner on Valentine’s Day.
You can start the romance at Luca’s gorgeous bar for a cocktail and plate of their signature parmesan fries, before moving either into the main dining room or to dine al fresco (if you dare to brave the weather).
The secluded terrace surrounded by olive trees and jasmine is warmed by the open fire, and makes for an idyllic spot to enjoy dishes of rigatoni with pork sausage ragu or taglierini with black winter truffle. It’s amore!
Disclaimer: While Luca isn’t open on 14 February, the restaurant is operating on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Spice up your night at Decimo, The Standard, Kings Cross
Spice up your Valentine’s Day at Decimo which is widely hailed as one of London’s sexiest restaurants. Decimo is the ultimate date night spot, thanks to a mix of incredible Spanish-Mexican cuisine from Michelin-starred Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, playful drinks, plush interiors and unmatched views across the city.
Unmissable menu highlights this Valentine’s Day include the iconic Spanish tortilla (with a caviar-topped version available for those looking to indulge), gambas rojas and chistorra and black bean tacos. While Decimo may not be open on 14 February, it is open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.
Chotto Matte is putting on a luxurious Love Parade on Valentine’s Weekend to celebrate love in all its formsincluding love for your girls. The incredible activation has been designed for everyone to enjoy and it’s perfect for a Galentine’s night out!
The event will see the return of the brand’s entertainment programme Chotto Lates, with flamboyant live shows and sensual acts inspired by the wild bird love parades of Peru, perfect hot spot to celebrate love with friends or loved ones.
Sumosan Twiga invites guests to fall truly, madly and deeply in love this Valentine’s Weekend!
On Saturday 12th, guests will enjoy celebrations late into the night at the famous Sloane Street location. Live entertainment throughout the night will feature the best of Cabaret, from pin up singers and cancan dancers to trumpet players, drummers, and even a mime, captivating the audience all night long.
Meanwhile, on Monday the 14th of February, Sumosan Twiga will ensure guests have a wonderfully romantic experience with live music, saxophone players and an incredible tango duo to set the mood alight.
The earlier sitting, costing £120 per person, will welcome guests from 6:30pm with a glass of Kir Royale followed by a selection of Sushi and Maki Rolls, carefully chosen by Chef Alessandro Scala.
Enjoy a ‘Lovestruck’ cocktail composed of Beefeater pink gin, sour mix, strawberry puree and topped with basil leaves alongside a three-course set menu (£24.95) including Bill’s infamous Crispy Chicken and Sesame Dumplings.
No Valentine’s meal is complete without dessert, opt for either the Sharing Profiteroles, complete with vanilla ice, hot chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of gold glitter, or the ever-indulgent Carrot Cake Doughnuts.
If you’re looking for a special place to celebrate with your partner or gather your best friends for that ‘Galentine’s Day’ experience, Bill’s is ready to treat you to the most romantic evening.
New to the wellness scene is The Body Lab. Located in West London, the brand is pioneering a new and unique health offering to empower people’s lifestyles. Exclusive to the UK, the facilities have been expertly curated to meet the rise in demand for those looking for optimal health that’s intelligent, informed, and more connected than ever. From the Hyperbaric Hydroxy AirPod that speeds up the body’s healing process, the first of its kind in the UK, and the coldest whole body Cryotherapy Dual Chamber in Europe at -110 degrees Celsius, to enhanced recovery treatments such as the Float Tank, The Body Lab London is set to disrupt the luxury wellness market.
Overseen by industry professionals in the vibrant atmosphere of an expert-led facility, the state-of-the-art therapies are designed to improve the body’s ability to perform and recover at its best. The treatment benefits include reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerated fat loss, increased metabolism and stimulation of collagen production. The company vision is to offer the most comprehensive and holistic journey to optimal health currently available on the market.
The Kensington HQ screams the kind of luxury synonymous with a five-star hotel, Dyson hair tools and ADEM hair and skincare products feature in the changing rooms. The Wellness Lounge has been designed as a relaxation area to enjoy the range of premium coffees, protein shakes and juices.
High-end fitness equipment has been carefully selected from leading industry brands to create a world-class gym facility, including Prime Fitness, Atlantis Strength, Watson, Eleiko, Keiser and Technogym. Bespoke personal training is offered as standard across all membership packages and is unlimited with The Body Lab London’s Signature Membership package. There’s also an on-site podcast room where expert guests will be dropping in to discuss all things wellness and keep members updated with the latest news. The facility itself features the highest standard of air purification and ionisation plus lighting that mimics the body’s natural circadian rhythm (i.e. warm in the morning and evening, cool in the day). Every sensory factor has been considered from the music to the scent in the air, to optimise training performance.
John Attard, Managing Director of The Body Lab London says: “The Body Lab London is the ultimate premium lifestyle experience that will revolutionise the wellness and fitness sector and we’re excited to be providing facilities and treatments like no other. All of our therapies, programs and expert-led initiatives are scientifically proven, and we’re excited to be offering some of these for the very first time in the UK, combined with state of the art facilities and leading innovations.”
The Body Lab London has the wow factor as well as the expertise and tech to take your wellbeing to the next level.
Membership packages range from £5,000 – £18,000 per annum. For more information visit The Body Lab London
Christmas may be over but Six by Nico is carrying the festive cheer all the way through to joyful January with the ‘Miracle On’ Christmas menu.
There’s a story every six weeks at Six by Nico, and the ‘Miracle On’ menu – which was launched on the 14th and will run until the 9th of January is certainly one worth telling.
The six-course menu is a celebration of old-fashioned nostalgia. From Christmas traditions to festive decorations, the menu is a journey back to Christmas spent with family – and serves as a reminder of why we cherish it so much today.
The ‘Miracle On’ menu was inspired by beloved Christmas themes and goes like…
Memories of a Christmas Market – Smoked Sausage & Onion Compote, Smoked Sausage Espuma, Crispy Potato, Gherkins & Pickled Shallots
Partridge in a Pear Tree – Partridge, Duck & Chicken Boudin, Haricot bean, Pickled Walnut & Salsify
Who Doesn’t Like Brussel Sprouts – Chanterelle Mushroom, Sprout Tops, Ewes Cheese Royale, Confit Egg & Fermented Black Garlic
Smoked Salmon Blinis – Smoked Salmon, Celeriac, Queen Kale & Granny Smith Apples, Smoked Caviar & Potato Blini Foam
Festive Fun and Game – Haunch of Venison, Game Pie, Jerusalem artichoke, Toasted Hazelnut Emulsion & Sherry Juś.
Buche De Noel – Dulce de Leche Mousseline, Sour Cherry, White Glacage & Hazelnut, Chocolate Aero
Commenting on his latest culinary masterpiece, Nico Simeone said: “Nothing will stop us all from having a fun-filled Christmas this year, and I think we all appreciate festivities more than ever.
Most of us are familiar with the traditional Christmas lunch and all the trimmings but this December, our team at Six by Nico wanted to bring the magic of Christmas nostalgia to the plate with our ‘Miracle On’ menu and create the perfect Christmas dining experience for all of our customers”.
Miracle On is open from midday, Monday through to Sunday in Six by Nico Canary Wharf. Each six-course menu will be available from noon. The menu will be priced at £37 per person with the option to enjoy an expertly selected wine pairing for an additional £33 at each restaurant. As ever, there is a vegetarian alternative available for every course, as well as festive inspired snack sides, such as Sourdough bread with festive spiced chicken fat butter and Pigs in blankets; smoked ham hock and pancetta ballotine from £5.
Our #TeamCoco review is coming soon – so watch this space
Oh my goodness, where to start? On invitation to Colonel Saab, I did a quick google to see what I was in for. A modern, innovative, smart approach to Indian cooking taking inspiration from an army officer and his wife’s travels across India. Ok, I was down – that sounded like a bit of me. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be spending the evening in a restaurant that could easily be classified as a museum, where the decor competes with the dishes and the food does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a transportation through India depicted by more than perfectly executed dishes, done with love and passion (and some really banging food).
We began our evening with a couple of cocktails – I went for the Noora, a combination of tequila, almond and raspberry beer. I wasn’t sure what to expect but being a creature of comfort, and that comfort being tequila, this seemed like a great option. I was not disappointed, I would go as far as to say, the best cocktail of 2021, and I drink a lot of cocktails. My friend opted for the Colonel Saab – she wanted to to keep things legit with a hit of chai spiked with bourbon and coffee, another sensational drink.
We pawed over the food menu for the best part of an hour, oohing and aahing as other diners’ meals arrived and then trying to work out exactly what they were eating. In the end we admitted defeat, everything just looked too good so we asked the incredible Maitre’d what he would recommend. He was soon telling us all about his favourite dishes and why they were so special – the enthusiasm that the staff have for the food that is created within these walls is unsurpassed – on his recommendation – poppadoms and chutneys but these were not regular poppadoms, these were Colonel Saab poppadoms, a mix of the ones we are accustomed to, their miniature, puffed counterparts and the tapioca pearl version – I am not ashamed to admit I was that person hoovering every last crumb. From here we went to paneer tikka, Kataifi Prawns and Jaipur Baby Aloo. The paneer was the standout dish for me (from this round) generous slabs of cheese, sandwiching a green chilli paste, marinated and expertly spiced, grilled and then served with a warming chutney. The prawns were also divine, wrapped in Kataifi pastry, deep fried till crisp and bejeweled with pomegranate seeds.
Onto the mains – Memsaab’s chicken curry (highly recommended by our pal), there was a small part of me unsure if I had made the right decision. Who goes out and orders a chicken curry when there is so much exciting stuff on the menu? But something was telling me this would be a chicken curry like no other and that something was right – light and creamy, the most tender of chicken, a base level of subtle heat – Memsaab knew what she was doing! My friend, the veggie, went for the Gutti Vankaya – a dish of baby aubergine with a curry leaf and tamarind sauce. I was allowed the smallest of tastes – for which she will be paying the price of never dining with me again – however, from that smallest taste, I could understand why she was reluctant to share. The tamarind and curry leaf absolutely singing to each other to create the most perfect harmony. We also tried the Daal Makhani – one of my favourite dishes of all time. Now we all know of that famous Indian restaurant that does THE best daal… well I think it might have met its match, heavy in butter and heady spices. This is the stuff of dreams. And last but not least, we shared the truffle and parmesan kulcha, a small naan style bread. I thought the addition of truffle to this menu seemed odd but being one of my favourite ingredients I didn’t want to pass it up. It worked perfectly, dunked in the creamy, decadent daal – oh my lord, I can’t even put into words the mind blowing mouth orgasm that occured.
After all this we were too full for dessert, although it all looked amazing, we got packed up with doggy bags for our respective trains home – the best train snacks ever, may I add. But before we departed we were treated to a tour of all the artwork within the restaurant,all of which had been transported from India and lovingly curated and rehomed in the repurposed Holborn town hall. Every artifact had a story: doors over 400 years old, paintings commissioned for the most special of celebrations, chairs and tables that had once stood in great Indian homes, now making for cosy dining nooks on the upper floor of the space. The stairway to the bathrooms is something to get lost in all on its own (and a great photo opp). Colonel Saab is so much more than a restaurant. It is a love letter to India and I for one am in love.
Last month, #teamcoco food writer Hannah Gregory visited Osteria by Searcys, a modern Italian restaurant perched on the second floor of the Barbican, offering views over the iconic lakeside. The menu specialises in bold, ingredient-focused Italian cooking in a true bistronomy style.
We decided to share starters because the thought of only having one each was just incomprehensible. Truth be told, I could have ordered every single starter on the menu, but trying to show some sort of restraint – it is a classy establishment after all – we landed on the Burrata Pugliese (because who says no to burrata?) served with pumpkin, Treviso and balsamic pearls and baked figs served with lardo, frisee and robiola cheese. Both dishes served their purpose – an instant transportation to Italy. The burrata was just as it should be, creamy, oozy, luxurious, paired perfectly with the autumnal pumpkin, bitter Treviso leaves (which usually I am not a fan of but in this situ, they just sang) and the sharp pop of the balsamic pearls. I could have licked the plate. The figs were jammy, draped in lardo, stuffed with cheese, creating the most decadent mouthful with welcome lightness from the frisee. If the starters were anything to go by, we were in for a treat when it came to the mains.
I went for the pan fried chalk stream trout with potato rosti, courgette, mussels and a fennel cream. It was exceptional – so much so that I am still dreaming of it a month later and furiously trying to recreate it in my own kitchen but never quite hitting the mark. The trout was perfectly cooked, flaking with crispy skin, plump mussels, ribbons of courgette and rich, buttery potato rosti perfect for mopping up the creamiest, velvetiest sauce spiked with fennel and aniseed. My friend chose the pappardelle pasta with braised venison and hazelnuts. She’s a purist, she couldn’t quite get her head around going to an italian restaurant and not ordering handmade pasta. She was right in her decision. On a cold, wet and windy November afternoon you could not have asked for more from a dish. The depth of flavour that I am pretty sure can only be achieved by a Nonna out back stirring a huge pot with love for the best part of a day. Venison that melted in the mouth, a rich sauce that clung to the pasta in a loving embrace and finished with a generous grating of fresh pecorino – this dish was perfection.
Needless to say, we were stuffed and couldn’t quite manage dessert. However, we thought it would be rude not to at least stop at the Negroni bar on the way out. That’s right, you heard, a dedicated Negroni bar serving up ten versions of the iconic cocktail. Our only complaint… we couldn’t quite make our way through all ten of them before closing time.
Osteria, you were beautiful. I will most certainly be back.
TeamCocopup Charlie and doting dog mum Hannah Tan-Gillies headed to vibrant and bustling Stratford to check out the newly-opened The Gantry. Coined as Stratford’s coolest new dog friendly destination, The Gantry blends East London cool with a decidedly sleek, contemporary aesthetic that we couldn’t get enough of.
Part of The Hilton’s Curio Collection, The Gantry is certainly unlike any Hilton you’ve ever stayed at. The 290-room hotel is all about contrasts and mixes the well-known hospitality and amenities of The Hilton Group, with the dynamism of Stratford’s art scene.
We stayed in one of the hotel’s stunning suites. Occupying a generous 41 square metres and with incredible views of the Olympic Park and the City, the suites are anything but ordinary. A large lounge area greets you when you walk in, two 49’ screen TVs enhance the indulgence of the space, while a Dyson hair dryer, espresso machine and free standing bath and separate shower create an atmosphere of effortless luxury.
TeamCocopup too was greeted with a warm welcome, and though wasn’t allowed in a few of the hotel’s common spaces, certainly got the VIP treatment in the suite.
A gorgeous welcome package from General Manager Saurabh Kukreja greeted us at our room. And while some of The Gantry’s soon-to-be-opened spaces, such as Stratford Grocer & Co, and the Sky Bar and Terraces, were still closed during our visit – the care package gave us a taste of what’s in store at the hotel in the months to come.
The hotel’s restaurant, Union Social, is vibey without being stuffy and offers a fabulous menu of fusion cuisine helmed by Chef Salvatore Coco. For starters, we indulged in a plate of charcuterie from Bottega, fresh-baked, rosemary-infused focaccia and olive oil, fried tofu and Nocarella olives. To follow, we sampled the cleverly-named ‘oven sesame’ glazed south coast sea trout, which sat on a delicate brew of miso, tamari-mirin infused ginger broth, blanched pak choi and bean sprouts.
For a heartier dish, the slow cooked Hampshire grass fed beef cheeks, dressed with Lychgate red wine jus and pressed lyonnaise potatoes offered the perfect winter dish – and was slow cooked to absolute perfection. The Asian-inspiration extends to the desserts, with the vegan Thai Empress Rice Pudding an absolute sensation.
The Gantry’s striking terrace, complete with mid-century modern fire pit, is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two. The striking, stylish space is inviting even in the thick of winter, and a precursor of what we can expect when the hotels’ Sky Bar, the highest in East London, eventually opens its doors.
The hallways are never really a focal point in any hotel review, but the hallways at The Gantry, filled with a wonderfully curated selection of artwork from Jealous Gallery are certainly worth talking about. The hallways celebrate the spirit of the East London’s dynamic art scene – underscoring The Gantry’s commitment to uplifting the local community. Guests can also purchase the artwork on the walls.
From the eclectic lobby, the buzzy Union Social restaurant on the first floor, the stylish Coupe wine bar, and the art-filled hallways, The Gantry is a love letter to the vibrancy and juxtapositions of Stratford’s local community and is undoubtedly more than a place to rest your head. We shall certainly be returning.
