LDNFeature

More Pedestrianised Roads, A New Outdoor Venue In King’s Cross, & Other Restaurant News

London restaurant news for the week of March 15, 2021.

Oliver Feldman, Heidi Lauth Beasley, Jake Missing & Rianne Shlebak

March 19, 2021

If you want to stay on top of what’s happening with London restaurants and bars right now, you’ve come to the right place. Every week, we’ll be keeping track of the latest openings, reopenings, takeaway specials, and other exciting or noteworthy updates from around the city.

For all our delivery and takeaway content, check out our collection here. And if you have any tips or questions, send us an email at london@theinfatuation.com.

Week of March 15

Home to some of London’s best sandwiches, Dom’s Subs have opened a second location. Find their deli-style sandwiches filled with everything from mortadella to spicy Thai ground chicken at Bevis Marks in the City.
The team behind The Cause and Costa Del Tottenham are opening another huge open-air venue, this time in a former scrapyard in Canning Town. Keep an eye on their Instagram for the latest updates.
Restaurants across the land are going to have to recycle their ‘Dinner on Boris’ posters as Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the Treasury will not be financing the return of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Since last August, when over 160 million discounted meals were eaten, the scheme has repeatedly been linked to the spike in Coronavirus cases.
Following the events surrounding Sarah Everard’s murder and continued experiences of male violence against women, London bars may be patrolled by plainclothes police officers upon reopening. The government’s ‘Project Vigilant’ scheme will be trialed with Thames Valley Police.
At the end of last year we named The Dusty Knuckle’s milk float selling freshly baked bread, sandwiches, and pastries as one of the best restaurant pivots to happen during the pandemic. Now, this excellent bakery is expanding, with a second spot on Green Lanes serving their classics and a new selection of pizzas. Coming this spring.
London Bakers Against Racism is a charity doing exactly what you’d think they do - sell great baked goods to raise money for organisations fighting racism. Countless London bakers are getting involved in their next bake sale on March 28th, including the people behind The Good Egg, Esters, and Ottolenghi. Find the details here.
As well as the pedestrianisation of the West End, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea will also see some road closures to allow restaurants to set up outdoor dining. The council has put 24-hour closures on Pavilion Road, Bute Street, and Elystan Street, as well as continuing to keep Portobello Road closed to vehicles during the day.
Lovers of roast chicken will be happy to know that Sidechick - Patty & Bun’s delivery-only chicken kitchen/lockdown baby - will open a permanent dine-in location on James Street this Spring. Much like their delivery menu, and meal kits, they’ll be offering roast chicken and sides. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for more news of their opening in May.
Two Tribes Brewery has announced that they are launching Campfire, a new outdoor venue in King’s Cross with food from different London chefs, live music, and beer. The venue is planning to open on April 12th and is kicking off their first residency with the team behind From The Ashes BBQ.

Week of March 8

An octopus and piri-piri mayonnaise roll in the park you say? Huge flex. Great little Portuguese restaurant Bar Douro is launching a street food pop-up this weekend called Roulote. From now till April you can get a preview of what they’re up to at London Bridge, and you can also follow them on Instagram for all the latest deets, including the arrival of their Roulote van later this summer.
One of London’s best sandwich spots, Max’s Sandwich Shop, has released a cookbook dedicated to the art of picnics. Max’s Picnic Book includes 16 picnic menus, all with different themes, and no doubt, some excellent sandwich recipes.
While other restaurants are opening their outdoor spaces and terraces for outdoor dining on April 12th, Le Bab is hosting a bbq party to celebrate the first day of reopening. Keep an eye on their Instagram to get your tickets.
Blacklock is finally delivering hot food out of its Shoreditch restaurant. You can order anything from thick cut lamb chops and pigs head nuggets, to a white chocolate cheesecake, and their not-so-secret secret cheeseburger.
On the 7th floor of E20 hotel, The Stratford, Allegra is a flashy but warm restaurant that serves somewhat serious dishes like beetroot tartare, Scottish lobster, and fig leaf ice cream. That’s all changing this summer with their ‘Happy Burger’ pop-up and a series of residencies from the chefs behind Perilla, Mangal 2, and AngloThai on their oh-so lovely rooftop terrace.

LDN Feature

Book Now: 239 London Restaurants Taking Outdoor Reservations From April 12th

Week of March 1

The government have announced the budget which details the support being provided for pubs, restaurants, and the hospitality industry as a whole for the next year. You can find all the details here.
The Cow, a much-loved Notting Hill gastropub that first opened in the mid 90s, is fighting Westminster City Council to keep its license. The pub is a favourite for anyone who loves a perfectly poured Guinness paired with oysters, but the council say their license is being reviewed “under the grounds of prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.” Sounds a bit daft to us. If you think the same, check this Instagram post and send Westminster Council an email in support of The Cow.
A confidential report obtained by Sky News has revealed that the £22bn Test and Trace service failed to properly use data collected at hospitality venues to contact people at risk of infection. Justin Madders, the shadow health minister, said it’s “a staggering level of dysfunctionality at the heart of the Test and Trace system”.
If you’re thinking ‘goodness, if only I could find somewhere doing a fried chicken taco special for Mother’s Day’ then you’re in luck. Aptly named fried chicken specialists, Mother Clucker, have teamed up with Mexican pop-up Casa Calavera for a limited edition spicy Mother’s Day taco delivery. It’s available throughout March.
The head chef of Wander, Alexis Noble, will spend the whole of March celebrating women in the hospitality industry as part of International Women’s Day. There will be meal kits and collaborations with other London restaurants and chefs, including Freddie Janssen of Snackbar, and Mandy Yin of Sambal Shiok. Follow Wander on Instagram to stay in the loop.
Peckham residents rejoice: the folks behind The Camberwell Arms and Frank’s - everyone’s favourite summer rooftop - are opening a pizza restaurant. It’s called Mike’s. We don’t know who Mike is, but we look forward to trying his pizzas.
Oklava are doing a five-week al fresco pop-up from April 14th, outside their Shoreditch location. Book online here. For more restaurants taking outside reservations for April 12th, check out our guide.

Week of February 22

Restaurants are back baby. Well, kind of. The government’s roadmap out of lockdown has tentatively highlighted several dates for the gradual reopening of the hospitality industry. Find all of the intel on when indoor, outdoor, and group dining is set to return here.
We’re getting serious flashbacks to last summer, because once again, as of April, selected areas in Westminster will be pedestrianised to allow restaurants to set up al fresco dining. Here’s everything you need to know.
From the 6th March, Brook Green Market and Kitchen is moving to a bigger location, a few roads down, at St. Mary’s primary school in Hammersmith. As well as the regular traders, the new location will see a number of new stalls including Pleasant Lady, Bun House, Smallfry, and more. There will be picnic areas, covered outdoor seating, and also a secret garden. Check their website for more details.
This weekend, Brat are launching a pop-up shop where you can get your hands on one of their whole baked Basque cheesecakes in celebration of St. David’s Day. They’re selling for £45, with proceeds going to The Wickers Charity, and can be preordered for pickup or delivery from their Redchurch Street location.
Berenjak have collaborated with artist Laila Tara H to create a koobideh-shaped ceramic Haft-sin in the lead up to Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Find out more on their Instagram page.
Japanese patisserie spot Kova posted on Instagram that their ‘Chinatown boutique was attacked at 3.34am on Sunday’. They’re offering a reward of up to £2000 for information that leads to the arrest of one or more of the assailants or is of significant use to law enforcement.
Two of London’s best restaurants have joined in a truly holy union involving rarebit sauerkraut-loaded Reuben baos. Beloved Highbury Corner spot Black Axe Mangal have teamed up with Bao for a meal kit collaboration which includes a limited edition t-shirt with every order.
Another week, another meal kit platform. From the people behind the UK’s largest events booking platform, The Deli is the latest online space offering cook-at-home options. Pizza Pilgrims, Cue Point, and Lima are just some of the restaurants that have joined so far.
Zero-waste and foliage-filled restaurant Native was one of the many London spots that closed its doors in 2020. Now, they’re back, with a pop-up at high-end fashion store Browns and DIY meal kits involving fermented potato waffles with chicken liver parfait and a gloriously named ‘Mermillionaire’ seaweed infused shortbread. Delivery nationwide.

Week of February 15

Jolene, the Newington Green bakery, wine bar, and exposed concrete lifestyle restaurant, is expanding. Firstly to Islington, where they’ll be opening on Colebrooke Row this month, and then to Shoreditch, where they plan to open on Redchurch Street in May.
The Times has reported that ministers are drafting fresh legislation to extend the moratorium on commercial evictions beyond March 31st. This will be welcome news for the restaurant sector. However, as things stand, the hospitality industry is looking towards a possible cliff edge, with the only thing standing between them and the end of furlough (not to mention the withdrawal of the sector’s VAT reduction), being Rishi Sunak’s budget on March 3rd.
It’s guest chef galore at ASAP Pizza (which is based out of Flor) from February 25th. They’re inviting chefs and friends from all over the world, including Aziz Anzari and chef Matty Matheson, to create their own pizzas. £3 of every pizza and £1 of every slice will then be donated to a charity of the guest chef’s choice at the end of the week. First up it’s Nick Bramham (of Quality Wines) with a white pizza take on a Hawaiian...
Local & Independent - a platform for independent UK-based grocers, bakers, fishmongers, butchers, and other ethical producers - has launched. Check out their website to see what you can order.
Select restaurants on independent delivery app Big Night are now offering nationwide delivery. Check out their site for details.
St. John Bread and Wine are now doing a grab-and-go collection menu on weekends. Expect bacon sandwiches, deep-fried fried rabbit, ox tongue hash, apple and rhubarb crumbles, and whatever else takes their fancy.

Week of February 8

With generous support from a whole host of restaurant talent, Curry Club - an initiative to address food insecurity across Islington and beyond - has launched a funding drive. Get all the intel on this excellent new scheme here.
A couple of excellent London restaurants have launched nationwide offerings: Soho- and City-based Udon specialists, Koya, have launched their Omiyage Box. It’s a £14 letterbox kit containing enough noodle and dashi for two generous portions and is available for pre-order now. Meanwhile, Oren, are getting ready to launch a range of Eastern Mediterranean-inspired deli provisions from their Stoke Newington spot.
Patron, the great little spot in Kentish Town and Highbury, are offering London-wide delivery of their mostly-prepped finish-at-home meals. With an à la carte menu of classic French starters, mains, and desserts, as well as specials, snacks, cheese, charcuterie, wine, and cocktails, Maison Patron are delivering seven days a week or offering click and collect.
MrZ, a Chelsea-based ‘luxury’ sandwich service is offering a selection of five sandwiches - containing ingredients ranging from jamón de bellota, black truffle, and Oscietra caviar, to ‘edible gold’ - for delivery around London. Prices start at £25 for a plant-based sourdough creation, and go upwards to £50. Delivery is not included.

Week of February 1

A mental health support service for hospitality workers has been launched by the The Burnt Chef Project. It’s anonymous, entirely confidential, and you can get all the details on it here.
Samuel Mensah, the CEO of Uncle John’s Bakery - the stalwart Ghanaian bakery based in Tottenham - sadly passed away last week.
Gunpowder are launching a dum biryani delivery service called Empire. There will be lamb and mushroom options, plus other bits like beef boti kebab, and paneer butter masala. Follow here for updates.
Mao Chow, the all-vegan Chinese-inspired spot in Hackney, has opened up a second location in Nag’s Head Market in Holloway. The dan dan noodles are essential.
Classic French spot Otto’s has made its legendary pressed Challans duck available for takeaway. So you can stop watching that 19th century press on eBay, and head over to the Grays Inn Road instead. All profits go towards supporting and feeding NHS workers as well.

LDN Guide

8 Meal Kits From London's Best Restaurants

Week of January 25

Pinch us, because Supermarket Of Dreams in Notting Hill has started selling new stuff from London restaurants. They’ve got bagels from Papos, sauces from Bubala, and more things that you can find here.
The expansion of London’s most stylish and tasty restaurant juggernaut, Bao, continues. Shoreditch will be the latest location for the Taiwanese mini-chain. They’re taking the old Andina site on Redchurch Street. More details when they come.
Riding House Cafe has created a new service called Soul Food, delivering Caribbean-inspired meal kits from Fitzrovia. Think salt cod fritters, cajun pepper stew, and jerk chicken burgers.
There’s a new delivery kid in town. Restaurant Box, will be delivering meal kits from some of London’s best-known restaurants, including Scully, Barrafina, Dinings, and more. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for news on their launch date.
The last week of January has come bearing gifts in the form of brand new meal kits from Borough Market’s Tacos Padre.
You can now get Filthy Buns burgers out of the hatch of The Three Compasses in Dalston.

Week of January 11

Brat x Climpson’s Arch, the outdoor pop-up which opened in the middle of the pandemic, is here to stay. Head chef, Tomos Parry, took to Instagram to announce that following its success since opening in June 2020, the London Fields spot is now permanent.
Borough Market has become the first outdoor space to make wearing a mask compulsory. Among other measures to keep visitors and staff at the market safe, anyone failing to respond to requests from security staff to cover up will face a fine.
Lockdown sandwich legends, Dom’s Subs, have announced they’re opening a second location in a converted Subway on Bevis Marks in the City. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.
In what feels like a late Christmas present, a number of sushi spots are beginning to offer new takeaway and delivery services. Among them Sushi Tetsu, Sushi Atelier, and new Charing Cross spot Bisushima.
Following the launch of an online shop during lockdown 1.0, chef Skye Gyngell, is opening a pop-up store in Shoreditch where you can get the same fresh produce, and baked goods in real life.
A 90 minute debate took place on Monday 11th January, following a petition to create a Minister for Hospitality, which a number of MPs from both sides of the house spoke in support of. Read here for more details of what went down in the debate, and what it could mean for the hospitality industry.

Week of January 4

From midnight on Wednesday, Londoners must follow new restrictions in the form of the government’s National ‘Stay at Home’ Lockdown. While restaurants have been restricted from opening for dine-in service since the December 16th closures, the new rules mean that takeaway and click-and-collect alcohol is no longer permitted. Read more about the latest measures here, and stay safe everyone.
Hot on the heels of the lockdown news, Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, a trade body representing the hospitality sector, called on the government to offer the restaurant industry a longer-term plan that would foster confidence and some kind of commercial certainty for the industry. Enforced closures have hit restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, and other hospitality venues hard, and while admitting that the chancellor’s promise of additional financial support for businesses affected by repeated lockdowns would go some way towards keeping them afloat, Nicholls branded the proposed settlement ‘a sticking plaster for immediate ills’. Check out our feature on four ways you can help the restaurant industry right now to support businesses hit by the latest lockdown.
London’s chicken options continue to grow - a very satisfying sentence to write - with the news that the group who owns Quality Chop House will be launching Arrosto, with Quality Wines head chef Nick Bramham at the helm. Replacing the Quality Wines meal kit offerings, the new delivery service will be doing whole and half birds, potatoes roasted in chicken juices, aubergine parmigiana, and more from January 14.
Albert Roux - the chef and restauranteur who, along with his brother Michel, introduced Britain to the butter-laden luxuries of French cuisine in the shape of legendary Mayfair spot Le Gavroche, has died aged 85.

Week of December 14

After two glorious weeks of mild freedom, London is officially moving from Tier 2 into Tier 3. If you’re wondering what the new restrictions mean for restaurants and your al fresco Christmas party plans, click here for all the details.
Despite the fact that this year has been an extremely challenging time to be in the restaurant industry, some great new places have opened. Here’s a round up of the spots that have opened the doors for the very first time during the final months of 2020: Hiden Curry Lab - Coal Drops Yard, N1, Kineya Mugimaru - St Pancras Station, N1, WC Bloomsbury - Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1, Kraft Dalston - Kingsland High Street, E8, Cafe Bao - Pancras Square, N1, Crudo - Brick Lane, E1, Andanza - Weston Street, SE1, Tomahawk Steakhouse - Westland Place, N1, The Last Talisman - Bermondsey Street, SE1, Golden Gai - D’Arblay Street, W1, Joan - Bethnal Green Road, E1, Flat Iron Marylebone - James Street, W1, Hideaway - Mount Street, W1, Casacosta - North End Road, SW6, Nobu Portman Square - Portman Square, W1, Only Food and Courses - Pop Brixton, SW9, Paella Shack - Blackstock Road, N4, Tonkotsu Walthamstow - Hoe Street, E17, Meatliquor Bloomsbury - Brunswick Square, WC1
Even as exciting new restaurants open, some London favourites have temporarily closed. Singburi has shut its doors for now, but hopes to reopen in the new year.
Meanwhile Roganic will not reopen its Marylebone restaurant in 2021. It hopes to move to a new London location soon, but for now it has joined the ranks of restaurants that have permanently closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Week of November 30

The River Café, London’s most famous(ly expensive) Italian restaurant is opening a sibling spot next door. Sylvia’s will be a dinner-only, set menu affair, and mains will be entirely vegetarian.
In other vegetable news, vegetarian Spitalfields restaurant Bubala will launch a new delivery service called Bubie on December 10th. Expect laffa sandwiches filled with falafel or their excellent grilled mushrooms.
London’s best looking, friendliest, and tastiest restaurant juggernaut, Bao, is opening a café in King’s Cross on December 9th. The menu will feature an XO chicken kiev (be still our beating hearts) and lots of baked goods.
East London ramen pros Supa Ya Ramen are back with another collaboration, this time with Soho Italian spot Manteca. The menu features a bowl of noodles in a pork and parmesan broth, homemade mortadella croutons, a fudgy egg, spring onion, and chilli.

Week of November 23

The government has announced that London will be in tier two following the end of the national lockdown on December 2nd. Read about what that means for London restaurants here.
Chiltern Firehouse’s chef Nuno Mendes is collaborating with Sweet Thursday Pizza in De Beauvoir Town, and will be offering a new menu of lunchtime pizza sandwiches.
Joy at Portobello is teaming up with Spiritland to open Spiritland at Joy, a new venue space that will host talks, cabaret nights, and music events. The food will be provided by Pastaio, and there will be beer, wine, and a cocktail menu from Spiritland and The House of Suntory. Find out more here.

Week of November 16

A few weeks ago we were mourning the closure of their King’s Cross branch, but now we’ve learned that Meatliquor will be opening a new restaurant in Brunswick Square next week. Hippie fries for all.
Bistrotheque have had a few pivots this year, and their latest one sees them switch their classic delivery to a new delivery service called The Chic Hen. If the name didn’t give it away, there’s a focus on roast chicken, half chickens, whole chickens, and chimichurri-covered chickens. Place an order here.
PSA: From Saturday, you can collect Brat’s whole roast turbot from Climpson’s Arch. We repeat: Roast. Turbot. Starting this coming weekend, they’ll be opening for collection from 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For the full menu check their Instagram.

Week of November 9

South London fried chicken institution Morley’s is expanding its empire north of the river. A new shop has opened on Brick Lane and another is getting ready to open in Finsbury Park. We’ll have to wait and see how Eden’s responds.
Restaurant siblings Salon and Larry’s have joined a host of other restaurants - such as 10 Greek Street and Koya Bar - as offerings on the independent delivery app, Big Night. Check out our guide for more exciting orders that aren’t on the usual delivery apps.
Lyle’s have launched Lyle’s Provisions. Menu Boxes are priced at £140, and contain high-end produce like scallops from Orkney, cep mushrooms from Norfolk, and red deer from Scotland. There’s enough for two people and it’s all prepped and ready for you to finish at home. They’re also doing a mince pie kit for £54 and you can order all of it here.
Ottolenghi has launched a range of ready meals which are being delivered nationwide. Expect packets of chicken soup, tagine, or shakshuka, priced individually at around a tenner. Order here.
During the first lockdown, Four Legs’ takeaway was one of the most popular options in north London, and their new offering - which includes delivery for larger orders - should be just as popular. They’re taking payment for their Friday/Saturday set menu via their dedicated website, and you can expect it to include things like XO wings, celeriac remoulade, fried potatoes with aioli, a pudding, and - of course - their excellent cheeseburger, all for £25.

Week of November 2

The government have announced that England will enter its second national lockdown, on Thursday November 5th. London’s restaurants, cafés, bars, and pubs will close to dine-in and drink-in customers from 10pm Wednesday, November 4th until at least December 2nd. Read everything we know about Lockdown 2.0.
Following news about the new national restrictions, and Smokestak have both resumed the meal kits they debuted during the first lockdown.
Meanwhile Flor’s Borough Market-based pizza pivot ASAP have resumed their Wednesday to Sunday local delivery and collection offer.
Aulis, the Soho chef’s table and development kitchen from the team behind Roganic in Marylebone and L’Enclume in the Lake District has launched a series of three-course at-home meal kits. They’ll be hand-delivered to addresses in Zones 1-3, and the first starts with beetroot and orange cured salmon with whipped cheese and beetroot salad, followed by beef cheek with bean cassoulet and roasted kale, and finishing with a caramelised apple tart with treacle sauce and pickled blackberries. They’re £45 per person, and you can order for the next few weeks here.
River Café have opened an online store shipping everything from books and homewares through to 1.4kg cuts of Tuscan t-bone steak, Scottish langoustine, blocks of Lombardia taleggio, walnut and amaretto cake, and finish-at-home dishes like their Florence fennel parmigiani. Order here.

Week of October 26

Cash & Kari is both an excellent pun, and also a new online shop from Hoppers, the Sri Lankan restaurant that started in Soho and now also has branches in Marylebone and King’s Cross. They’ve got snacks, spices, and drinks, as well as meal kits that feed up to four people, and all is available for nationwide delivery on Fridays. Get your orders in for next Friday by Sunday at 11pm.
Supa Ya Ramen will be collaborating with Manteca in Soho for one night only on Sunday, November 15. The £35 menu - which includes snacks, small plates, and a bowl of Supa Ya’s trademark ramen - will be available to ticket holders only. Check Instagram for more details about the tickets which are on sale from 11am on Thursday.
Snackbar are teaming up with Wander at Home for a Halloween weekend meal kit. The £50 Mexican-inspired meal for two includes a party plate filled with totopos, guac, pickles, and queso, a pumpkin, mushroom, and Ticklemore tamal, pork belly tacos, and a chocolate fondant for dessert. Order the kit alongside Snackbar’s margarita, their ‘Fuck Trump Paloma’, and discounted wine here.
Flor’s pizza pivot ASAP Pizza is coming back to Borough Market on Sundays from November 1st. Indoor reservations for households and bubbles of up to six people are available here, while heated and covered outdoor tables can be booked by emailing info@asap.pizza.
TĀTĀ Eatery’s collaboration with Mr Ji on Old Compton Street is set to become a bit more permanent with a sit-down menu supplementing the sandos and DIY katsu kits they’ve been serving from Soho throughout the closure of Arcade Food Theatre. Follow Mr Ji on Instagram for more details of the new menu and reopening.

Week of October 19

Corbin and King have said that they will be taking indoor reservations for business meetings of up to six people at their restaurants - including The Wolseley, Brasserie Zédel, and the recently reopened The Delauney - amidst ongoing confusion about whether workplace exemptions to Tier 2 restrictions can be extended to working lunches.
Bao’s latest venture comes in the form of Bao Connect, a group meal kit delivery service which means you can have a shared meal experience with anyone, anywhere in the UK. That’s right, there’s nationwide delivery.
Chinatown spot, Evelyn’s Table, is set to reopen on October 27, and will be serving up 5-course tasting menus at their small counter in the basement of The Blue Posts.
On Sunday 25th October, P. Franco will have Pachamama’s John Javier cooking a menu alongside Sebastian Myers. Check out their Instagram for more information.
Bancone will have a limited edition take on their silk handkerchiefs in celebration of world pasta day this weekend. You can get the Silk handkerchiefs with girolles, parmesan cream, and confit egg at both locations on the 23rd and 24th October only.

Week of October 12

Some more London restaurants are reopening, including The Tabernacle, Pedler, and Rabbit.
Bao’s Rice Error delivery is launching from King’s Cross on the 15th October, and they have a new DIY kit called ‘fish o black’.
You can now buy all things Gymkhana, Brigadiers, and Trishna from their new general store Ambassador General. It has everything from DIY meal kits to pantry food, and restaurant experiences.

Week of October 5

Sabor, the Mayfair tapas restaurant that makes a suckling pig so good we once referred to it as ‘Babe: Pig In Our Stomach’ reopened for lunch and dinner on Wednesday the 7th.
There’s a new resident chef at P. Franco. His name is Jeff Claudio, he’s from Berlin, and if P. Franco like him, you probably will too.
So-so about Sunday roasts? Well, modern Turkish restaurant and all-around lovely place to eat and be, Oklava, is now open on Sundays, so you can swap gravy for a hunk of honey-covered grilled halloumi instead.
Supawan, the superb Thai restaurant in King’s Cross, is starting a Monday vegan supper club.
King of the London brasserie, Jeremy King (see what we did there?), has reopened The Delaunay in Covent Garden.
The Quality Chop House - a restaurant that truly lives up to its name, is now delivering its QCH at home kits nationwide.

Week of September 28

In a bid to encourage diners to eat dinner earlier (or later) following news of the new 10pm curfew, some restaurants have decided to offer set menus and discounted meals and we’ve made a guide of them. Check it out here.
If you find yourself in and around Bethnal Green on Thursday, you should know that Bistrotheque is doing a kind of happy hour for schnitzel lovers called, brilliantly, Schnitzel Time. Reservations are available from 5.30pm, and the rules are simple, whenever you order your schnitzel, that’s what you pay. Order it at 5:45, pay £5.45. Order it at 9:15, pay £9.15. Check out their Instagram for more details.
Calling all kebab lovers, The Palomar is now doing a meal kit that includes British beef, lamb, aubergine cream, fresh pittas, ras el hanout, and pickled chillies.
Starting October 5th and lasting a month, Bombay Bustle are hosting a Tandoor Takeover. Chefs from Native, Salon, and Berber & Q, are amongst those who’ll be preparing dishes in the Mayfair restaurant’s traditional tandoor.
Tayer and Elementary is one of those slick, cool restaurants where you hope your ex will catch you reading a Murakami novel in the corner. And now, for the first time since lockdown they’re reopening. In our opinion, the martinis here are mandatory.
The first rule of eating at excellent Italian spot, La Mia Mamma, is go hungry, or don’t go at all. And now, because of curfew you’ll soon be able to eat London’s best cacio e pepe at lunchtime. Find all the deets on their Instagram.
Daytime spritzes are like, so in right now. Soho bar Swift are combating the curfew with drinks for £6 until 7pm daily.
During lockdown, Highbury wine bar Top Cuvée became an online store, Shop Cuvée. Then Top Cuvée reopened, and now they’ve also opened a bricks and mortar Shop Cuvée. Are you keeping up? Good. You can find everything from natural wine to fancy bottled cocktails at 189 Blackstock Road.
Unsure what to do with that gin you brewed during week 856 of lockdown? Take it to 1251. This Islington restaurant is saying a big thank you to those that continue to support them by offering BYOB every Tuesday to Thursday throughout October.
We bring you some sad news this week with the closure of both Chinese spot Kym’s and Rochelle at the ICA - check out this guide for a full running list of London’s restaurant closures.
Sabor, the fun and casual Spanish spot in Mayfair will reopen October 7th. Meanwhile Covent Garden brasserie The Delauney will reopen on October 20th.

Week of September 21

The government has put new restrictions in place which mean that pubs, restaurants, and bars have a 10pm curfew from Thursday 24th September. Read about all the specifics here.
The people behind Circolo Popolare and Gloria have launched a new pizza delivery service. They’ll be delivering their Napoli pizzas from Shoreditch and Kentish Town. Keep an eye on their Instagram for more updates.
To celebrate their one year birthday, Bubala is launching a one-off menu each Sunday throughout October. The line-up includes collaborations with Farokh Talati (head chef at St John Bread and Wine), Gunpowder, and Som Saa. Tickets are £40 per person, and you can get them via their website.

Week of September 7

The UK Government has clarified the rules regarding social gatherings. The new ‘rule of six’ limits all social groups, indoors or outdoors, to a maximum of six people. The updated measures are a simplification of the previous guidelines and as of next Monday, police will gain powers to disperse, fine, and even arrest anyone in contravention of them. In addition, the responsibilities of hospitality venues to collect contact details for test and trace purposes have been extended. They will now be required by law to collect this information.
The Drury Lane outpost of tapas chain Barrafina will be reopening as a seafood specialist on October 8th. Barrafina Mariscos, as it will be known, will serve a daily blackboard menu of seafood from Spanish and British waters. For more, follow them on Instagram.
Pollo Feliz, the London Fields taqueria, will reopen as Sonora on September 25th. There’ll be an extended menu and they’ll also move to a new Netil Market spot.

Week of August 31

After four weeks of Monday to Wednesday discounts, and 100m claims from restaurants, the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme came to end on Monday. However, many restaurants have made the choice to continue offering the discount out of their own pockets throughout September.

Week of August 24

We already knew that Darjeeling Express have announced that would not be reopening their Kingly Court spot, but this just in: they will be relocating to a much larger space in Covent Garden. The new space will include a deli, and restaurant on Garrick Street. For more information, check out their website.
A new Caribbean-influenced pop-up will be taking up residency at the Clapton Country Club for one month. The joint venture by Andi Wadadli and Fred Sirieix will offer a menu of Caribbean dishes with a French twist. There will be a main dining room, a bar area, and a private dining room for groups of 15. Find out more about One Love here.
Brat’s summer residency at Climpson’s Arch has been extended until January 2021. You can book a table here.

Week of August 17

Tiny Clerkenwell spot Sushi Tetsu has launched a takeaway service. To arrange collection of some of the best sushi you can get in London, email info@sushitetsu.co.uk.
Clapham stalwarts The Dairy and Counter Culture will not reopen. Robin and Sarah Gill made the announcement on Instagram explaining that their other London restaurants - including Sorella, Darby’s, and The Yard - as well as the brand new restaurants they’re overseeing at Birch in Hertfordshire would remain unaffected. We’re keeping a running list of restaurant closures here.
Some London restaurants are extending their Eat Out To Help Out deals beyond the original Monday to Wednesday. Farzi Café and Tapas Brindisa have both announced that they’re extending their 50% off up to £10 Eat Out To Help Out deals. Farzi Café will extend the offer from Monday to Wednesday to include dinner on Thursday and Friday, and lunch on Sunday through till September 12th, while Brindisa will continue to offer 50% off from Monday to Thursday throughout September across their entire group. Meanwhile Gymkhana and Brigadiers will both be offering discounts from Thursday to Saturday, and Trishna will be offering it on Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 2.30pm. To claim the discount you need to quote ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ when booking at Gymkhana and Trishna, or ‘Yashpal’ for Brigadiers.

Week of August 10

Mao Chow will be popping up at Mortimer House in Fitzrovia from Thursday 20th to 23rd August. They’ll be serving a special menu of Szechuan-inspired dishes, and you can book here.
Udon specialist Koya Bar have opened a walk-in only roof terrace at its City location.
Chinatown is launching a #LoveChinatown campaign which includes new outdoor seating for Chinatown restaurants, and participating restaurants offering Love Chinatown takeout boxes containing a combination of dishes that best represents their restaurant. Find out more on the Chinatown Instagram page.
The day has finally come… Bubala’s long-awaited delivery service is up and running. You can now get their entire Middle Eastern menu delivered around Spitalfields.
The team behind Tata Eatery have created a DIY kit so you can make their much-loved Iberian katsu sando at home for £10.50. You can order via their DM’s.
As of this week, you can pick up bao, Taiwanese chicken, and rice boxes from Bao Borough’s new collection hatch, which will be open every day of the week.
Neighbourhood Italian restaurant, Ida in Queens Park is raising £6000 so that once they’re back open, they can continue to support QPG Hub, by setting up a regular delivery service to send food to vulnerable and elderly residents of the community, and run cookery classes for local children. You can donate here.
A number of breweries on Bermondsey’s Beer Mile are calling for weekend road closures to pedestrianise the long stretch of artisanal breweries under the railway arches southeast of London Bridge Station to allow for outdoor seating. They have a petition you can sign here.
Normah’s, the Malaysian restaurant in Queensway, has been closed for four months. Now it’s raising money to stay open. Find out more on their Pay It Forward page.

Week of August 3

The government’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme offers diners a discount of up to £10 per person, excluding booze, when they eat out from Monday to Wednesday begins this week and continues throughout August. We’ve got guides for the five best pasta restaurants taking part in the scheme, as well as the best vegetarian and vegan spots, the best places for outdoor dining, and where you can get a full meal for a tenner._
Dishoom has gone one better than the government’s EOTHO and its £10pp discount cap. They’re offering customers who eat in at their restaurants 50% off their entire meal from Monday to Wednesday throughout August.
After their busiest Monday night service ever, Smokestak announced that they’ll be open for lunch Monday to Wednesday throughout August so that more BBQ-hungry punters in Shoreditch can take advantage of their Eat Out To Help Out offer. Even if you can’t get a reservation, remember that their brand new 60-cover outdoor seating area is saved for walk-ins.
From Wednesday, Krapow will be serving their Thai-inspired street food at the Adam and Eve in Homerton.
Just a month after semi-permanently rebranding, 12:51 is returning. The Islington restaurant pivoted to buttermilk Jamaican jerk takeaway and delivery during lockdown and was renamed Around The Cluck back in June. Now, 12:51 and its five-course tasting menu will be making a one-night-a-week reappearance on Upper Street, starting August 25. Book here.

Closures: Oklava Bakery + Wine, Bodega Ritas at Coal Drops Yard, Lucknow 49