After such a tumultuous year we’re sure we’re not the only ones who want to make the most of eating out while we can. This time of year London’s dining scene comes alive with festive menus and winter terraces and while we’re still unable to dine indoors with anyone outside our household or bubble, there’s still plenty of options for booking some fun this festive season and a glut of new openings to try out.
There’s A New Head Chef at Fenchurch
Sky Garden’s contemporary British fine dining restaurant Fenchurch, with its imposing views over London from the 37th floor, has a new head chef in the form of Michael Carr, bringing with him fresh new menus and vibrant dishes with innovative flavour combinations.
Having recently paid a visit myself I can very much vouch for the Scottish scallops with cauliflower puree, bacon jam and coriander dressing – an absolute explosion of flavour – and the sumptuous aged beef fillet with braised cheek, bone marrow, carrot purée and thyme jus,
Fenchurch at Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF
www.skygarden.london/restaurants/fenchurch
Enjoy Dining From Down Under At Milk Beach
Inspired by the diverse cultures that make up Australia’s cuisine, Queen’s Park’s Milk Beach serves all day brunch and a menu of seasonal sharing plates in the evenings. Speciality coffees are sourced from all over the world, as are the wines it handpicks from independent winemakers, making for a truly varied menu.
The kitchen is led by Aussie Head Chef Darren Leadbeater hailing from Mackay, Queensland. With dishes like banana bread with espresso cream cheese, smashed avocado with confit cherry tomatoes, whipped goat’s curd and pumpkin seed crumble and a sourdough english muffin with xo confit duck, korean coleslaw and a fried egg, it’s a tasty alternative to a bog standard brunch.
19-21 Lonsdale Road, London, NW6 6RA
Hit up Havana in London at Bar Bolivar
We may not be jetting off to Cuba for the time being, but luckily October saw the opening of Bar Bolivar, a vibrant cocktail bar with Cuban-inspired cocktails and Venezualan street food heroes, Pabellón serving up a spread of mouthwatering grub. Opening on the 20th October in Reuters Plaza at Canary Wharf, it comes from the team behind Casa de Frango and the bars at Vinegar Yard and Pop Brixton, and transports guests to 1950s Havana.
We can’t wait to try The Hemingway Highball, a cocktail inspired by the writer’s favourite drink at institution El Floridita, while food comes courtesy of Pabellón, winners of the British Street Food Awards in 2019, will be serving up south American street food, with signature dishes like Arepas, grilled corn bread filled with cheddar cheese; Pico de Gallo salad, avocado chunks and sweet fried plantains and slow cooked beef brisket, winner of the British Street Food Awards ‘Sandwich of the Year 2019’.
Bar Bolivar, 2 Reuters Plaza, London, E14 5AJ
Bring London’s Best Restaurants Home With Dishpatch
If you’re still not keen on venturing out, revolutionary home delivery service Dispatch works with some of London’s best restaurants to deliver their dishes to you with all the cooking and prep work done by the chefs. December’s menu includes a Parsi Feast from Farokh Talati, Thai Tasting Menu by Farang, a West African Feast by Chishuru and a Classic Fish Suppe ray Parsons, not to mention three stunning Christmas menus from Andrew Edmunds, 10 Greek Street and Bubala.
Dine Jamaican at Rudie’s Jerk Shack
Brixton Village is the latest location from Rudie’s Jerk Shack, the third site from husband and wife team Matin and Michelle Miah. Situated in Market Row, the 50 cover restaurant (with both indoor and outdoor seating) serves an innovative menu including their famed ‘Real Jerk’, marinated for 24 hours in their secret blend of herbs and spices, before being grilled and smoked slowly over charcoal in a steel drum.
Sample KERB’s Latest on South Molton Street
From ‘climate positive burgers’ and Thai comfort food, to chimney cakes that will take you back to the European Christmas markets of yesteryear (or… you know… last year…) South Molton Street plays host to street food market KERB’s latest venture, opening on 9th December for two weeks before Christmas.
Visitors can expect an array of street food that caters to every palette and dietary requirement from climate positive burgers from GROUND, artisan baked treats from Sweet Chimney Bakers, signature crispy seafood from Calamari Canteen and Thai comfort dishes from Yaay Yaay, all fully compliant with the latest government guidelines and bathed in South Molton’s Street’s twinkling Christmas lights. It will be open from 12pm-7pm on Wednesdays – Fridays and 12pm-4pm on Saturdays.
www.mayfairandbelgravia.com/south-molton-food-market
Get A Taste Of Honey At Selfridges’ New Hive
A honey-based restaurant launched at Selfridges last week, resplendent with on-site bee hives and keepers. Diners can experience an immersive honey-inspired environment while enjoying an all-day menu of innovative dishes and a range of honey and cheese pairings, including Comte and Chestnut Honey and Fourme d’Ambers with Buckwheat Honey. The range of honeys utilised in Hive’s menu is harvested on-site from the restaurant’s own rooftop hives as well as procured by the artisanal farm Le Miel des Français.
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