We went places! We ate things!
Here’s what we liked. Maybe you’ll like them too…
1. Bottomless rosé crayfish brunch at Aster, Victoria
Scoffed by Lily Frohlich
It’s crayfish season, and Aster is honouring these lovely little lobsters with a new brunch menu that I know you’re going to love. The menu even features three different takes on the classic Eggs Benedict. That’s right, three. As a self-professed brunch connoisseur, I would particularly recommend the Eggs Victoria – lobster on seeded sourdough with a truffle hollandaise. I mean, how often do you get to eat lobster for breakfast? (Find more bottomless brunches in London.)
150 Victoria St, Near Victoria station, SW1E 5LB
2. Whatever the sommelier says, at 2850 Wine Workshop
Scoffed by Guy Parsons
The clue’s in the name, but this small restaurant group (with outposts in the City, Marylebone and the branch I tried, in Mayfair) prides itself on their wine. They could well pride themselves on their food too, which was generally excellent, with perf scallops and yellowfin tuna. But for drinks, you can leave your wine-choosin’ to the sommelier who brought us some yummy and interesting wines – not the ‘oh that’s an… interesting haircut’ kind of interesting, but more the ‘oooh I didn’t know you could get wines quite like this and I must take a photo of the label so I can drink it all the time’ kind of interesting. Anyway, the chap was very enthusiastic about explaining all his choices, and although it was a little hard to pick up all the finer points over the hubbub, the proof was in the sipping. you can also get smallish 70ml glasses of everything, so you can sample more wines without getting stupid-smashed. This would be a great place for a fancy date, or perhaps somewhere to take yer parents in an effort to prove you’ve got your shit together (while still hoping that at the end they reach for their wallets and go ‘no no we insist’).
Maddox Street, near Oxford Circus, W1S 2QH
3. Greek tapas at Suvlaki, Brick Lane
Scoffed by Georgie Hoole
We’ve scoffed on souvlaki at their Soho haunt, but now they’ve brought their sweet, sweet small plates to Shoreditch. With a menu packed full of tasty seafood, meats and veggie dishes, Suvlaki are the undeniable Gods of Greek tapas. If you could only eat 2 things from their menu, I’d say the Prawn Saganaki and the Spicy Lamb Chops should be top of your list. But, since they recommend at least a few dishes each, I’ll extend my recommendations a little further. The octopus is banging, the baked feta is out of this world and the courgette fritters are a must. As for the wine, the Kokotos Three Hills is great and dangerously easy to drink (and bonus, it’s the cheapest).
161 Brick Lane, E1 6SB
4. Seafood at The Clifton, St. John’s Wood
Scoffed by Morgan Cormack
After closing in 2013, this newly re-opened pub has been given a new lease of life by brothers Ben and Ed Robson, and I definitely approve. I recommend the deep fried squid with ink mayo and the delicious mix of sea bream fillet, clams, baby octopus and white beans that’ll surely transport you to a sunlit riviera when eating. This place mixes together rustic interiors, a laid back atmosphere and a very warm welcome for a pub dining experience like no other. Oh and be sure to get one of their chocolate brownies, because anything laced with salted caramel and served with homemade vanilla ice-cream gets a sure thumbs up from me.
96 Clifton Hill, near St. John’s Wood station, NW8 0JT
5. A Jamaican feast at Rudie’s, Dalston
Scoffed by Lily Frohlich
I was blown away by the quality of the food at this charming little Jamaican place in Dalston. And when I say charming, I mean it – head chef Vernon Samuels was particularly charming! We visited for Jamaican Independence Day and scoffed down jerked stuffed chicken wings, crab, mango and lobster salad, goat cheese wontons with pineapple, curry goat cigar with jerked goat cutlet… And that’s not to mention the rum-filled dessert selection. I don’t think it’s possible to read that list and not start salivating. Highly recommend.
50 Stoke Newington Road, near Dalston Kingsland station, N16 7XB
6. Lunch and cocktails at OSLO, Hackney
Scoffed by Morgan Cormack
We went, we saw, we ate, and it was pretty damn amazing. Stuff your face with one of their juicy OSLO burgers filled with bacon, cheese and onion and some gloriously spicy fries. Their new summer cocktail menu is also damn impressive and I couldn’t get enough of their Mai Tai’s but their Salted Caramel Martini is the perfect end to a meal. In time for White Wine Day on August 3rd (didn’t know it was a thing either but any excuse for a celebration), OSLO are giving out free white wine samples and offering 20% on any white wine purchases, including bottles. Hooray for White Wine Day ?
1A Amhurst Road, Hackney, right next to (or technically underneath) Hackney Central station, E8 1LL
7. Cheap-ass pizza at Pizza Union
Scoffed by Georgie Hoole
Pizza Union is ideal for when you fancy a carbalicious treat, especially when you’re nursing a hangover, but you don’t fancy splashing the cash. A proper, human-sized margarita costs just £3.95. But, if I were you, I’d opt for the Romana for a modest £6.50, topped with goat’s cheese, pancetta and wild broccoli. Or, if you like it spicy, go for the Calabria with mascarpone, n’duja sausage and rocket. It’s proper Italian pizza for proper cheap prices. And, for the ultimate carb overload, finish your meal with a warm dough ring with Nutella and mascarpone. BOOM.
FYI, the bottom pizza is gluten free. It’s a pound extra (obviously), but well worth it if you’re avoiding the nasty G-word.
Find your nearest Pizza Union here.
8. Cheese toasties at Fiz, Soho
Scoffed by Georgie Hoole
Who’da thought cheese toasties would go so brilliantly with sparkling wine? I stumbled upon this epic combo after a recent trip to Fiz, the aptly named pop-up specialising in sparkling wines (including a sparkling red, but that’s a different story). Scoff on cheese and charcuterie as you make your way through the wine list, or indulge in a posh cheese toastie with Comte, Emmental, Ogleshield and covered in deliciously sweet sauce. Naughty but oh-so nice.
Lights of Soho, 35 Brewer St, Soho, W1F 0RX
9. Krug Festival, Hampshire
Scoffed by Abby Hodder
My culinary (and beverage-ary?) highlight of the month has to be Krug Festival – Into the Wild. Set in the stunningly moody surrounds of the Grange in Hampshire, Francis Mallmann conjured up the meal of a lifetime using an intricate series of pits, campfires, and metal cages to roast top-quality meats and veggies. Even caught him for a selfie! Krug ensured the champagne was flowing throughout, and brought in some stellar musical acts that got everyone boogieing. 100% would recommend, good times were had by all. Alas, this event has been and gone, but visit the site and sign up for updates on future feasts.