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You Might Need A Vaccine Certificate To Go To The Pub, US Chicken Chain Popeyes Is Coming To London, & More Restaurant News
The London restaurant news you need to know for the week beginning March 22nd, 2021.
Pubs Might Require Vaccination Passports, but Nobody Actually Knows
Speaking on Wednesday at the House of Commons Liaison Committee hearing, Boris Johnson said, with all the clarity and certainty of a substitute teacher sitting in the wrong classroom, that the requirement of pub goers to show a vaccine certificate “may be up to individual publicans”.
On Thursday, after unhappy responses from pub owners, Johnson backtracked: “You might only be able to implement a thoroughgoing vaccination passport scheme . . . in the context of when absolutely everybody had been offered a vaccine.”.
All of which is to say that vaccine certification is quite likely to be a part of our lives in the future, but whether or not it involves pubs and restaurants remains to be seen.
Fried Chicken From Across the Pond
Calling all fans of American chain, Popeyes. You will soon be able to get their fried chicken sandwiches right here in London. The fast food chain has shared its plans to open its first UK restaurant in London by the end of 2021, before continuing to open another 350 spots throughout the rest of the UK.
An Outdoor Pop-Up to Book Ahead
Two syllables that will have anyone and everyone on high alert this coming spring are pop-up. And West End spots, The Palomar and The Barbary, both excellent restaurants serving Middle Eastern food in Soho and Covent Garden respectively, are turning their terraces into outdoor pop-ups. The Palomar will reopen on Wednesday 14th April, and The Barbary on Friday 16th April with an intimate terrace that will accommodate 16 guests at a time. They’ll be serving small plates, grilled dishes, and more. Keep an eye on their socials to avoid missing out.
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
The Dusty Knuckle's New Location
The Dusty Knuckle - Dalston’s favourite bakery and easily one of the best bakeries in London - is opening a second spot and pizzeria on Green Lanes in May according to Hot Dinners. Throughout lockdown they’ve been rolling their milk float (slowly) around London to get potato sourdough loaves, doorstep focaccia sandwiches, morning buns and more to people all over the city. It’s one of our favourite pivots of the last year. This second location just up from Harringay Green Lanes station promises even more, as it’ll be a pizza restaurant three nights a week. Mark May 15th in your diaries, and if you’re interested in working there, check out the vacancies on Countertalk.
The Government Relaxes Planning Permission on Outdoor Spaces
In preparation for restaurants with outdoor spaces reopening on April 12th, the government has eased restrictions for the likes of pubs and restaurants on setting up marquees, gazebos, and other outdoor spaces. This temporary loosening of the planning application process is part of a £56m ‘Welcome Back Fund’ that will encourage local councils to offer hospitality venues more flexibility after over a year of intermittent closures.
Brixton Village Is Doing Its 'Own Eat Out to Help Out'
From April 12th - 14th, Brixton Village will offer diners 50% off (up to £10) in order to encourage people back to restaurants. The discounts will be funded by restaurants and Brixton Village landlords Hondo - a property investment company headed up by Taylor McWilliams - who last year faced a backlash for attempting to evict Nour Cash & Carry after 20 years serving Brixton locals. McWilliams is also a DJ, running an event company called ‘Housekeeping’ that focuses on ‘creating hedonistic vibes globally’.
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