London’s restaurant scene doesn’t slow down for summer, and this week brings everything from a new tiramisu café in Soho to a new handroll spot. And while International Beer Day may have had us reaching for a pint, this week calls for something a little more refined. That's right, it's Afternoon Tea Week.
Here's what to eat and drink in London this week: 10th August.
It's Afternoon Tea Week!
To celebrate, Conrad London St. James' have launched a new signature afternoon tea, The Orchard Room in Bloom. The botanical afternoon tea is inspired by British gardens in their full glory, celebrating the flavours, colours and scents of our neverending British summer. Delicate tartlets and coronation chicken sandwiches are served beneath cascading floral installations in the hotel’s Orchard Room, alongside a new wellbeing tea pairing, a range of herbal infusions curated by Nazani Tea selected for their adaptogenic benefits and to bring out the character of each course. The intricate pâtisserie offering includes a sunflower honey cake with honeycomb tuile and bee pollen, and a silky blueberry cornflower cheesecake, offering a fresh take on one of Britain’s most enduring culinary traditions.
Waterhouse returns
After eleven years of The Water House Project, chef Gabriel Waterhouse and his wife Patricia Wakaimba are ready to embark on a new venture. They'll be dropping the “Project” and opening up the new and improved Waterhouse in a Victorian space not far from the original, with just 24 seats and an open kitchen. There’ll also be a wine bar, which opens fully in September, where the dining experience is set to begin with drinks and snacks before moving through to the restaurant. The menu will change regularly, with Northumbrian produce taking centre stage. Expect Lindisfarne oysters and Lake District Herdwick hogget. For something sweet? Perhaps the caramelised cream parfait with pear and pine.
Big Mamma is throwing a Shoreditch street party
London's most aesthetically-pleasing restaurant chain is taking over the gardens of the Museum of the Home for a 250-guest street party celebrating Shoreditch this Saturday. Expect giant communal tables and a four-course feast, with food and wine from Kricket, Blacklock, Passione Vino and Gloria Trattoria. There’ll also be live music, a Tombola with prizes, a sip-and-paint stand from Pinot & Picasso and a book swap courtesy of Photobook Cafe. Even better, 100% of profits go to The Felix Project and Shoreditch Trust. Get your tickets here!
Saltwater brings grab-and-go sushi to Soho
The team behind Milk Beach is getting in on London’s handroll obsession with Saltwater, a new restaurant-quality takeaway sushi spot on Berwick Street opening this Thursday. The freshly-made options will range from salmon with avocado and yuzu mayo to maple aubergine with broccolini and tamari-roasted pumpkin seeds. There’ll also be nigiri and hot donburi bowls. While it's inspired by the grab-and-go culture of LA, there are also 50 spots inside should you want to take a moment to sit down and enjoy your food.
Taste of the Caribbean comes to Hammersmith
This Saturday, Taste of the Caribbean is bringing a day of jerk chicken, curry goat, roti, plantain and live music to Ravenscourt Park. If you’re already counting down to Notting Hill Carnival, consider this your warm-up, with Caribbean street food, live music, rum punch and more than 45 traders. Tickets start at £15 for adults (children go free) and can be secured here.
Doctor Dough is opening in Chiswick
One of London’s latest residency-to-restaurant success stories is heading to Chiswick, as Doctor Dough prepares for its soft launch on Devonshire Road this Wednesday. Sonay Ali, aka Doctor Dough, started out with a stall in Hammersmith before taking his pizzas to a residency in Brentford. Now he’s bringing the New York-inspired pizzas he’s been developing for years to a permanent home. The menu will include a New York margherita, classic pepperoni, white pizzas and tomato pie, alongside specials including a vodka pie and a New Haven-style pizza.
Game season arrives in London
The Glorious Twelfth is nearly upon us, which means grouse season is officially underway and restaurants across London are putting British game back on the menu. At The Jugged Hare in the City, grouse will be joined by some rather less expected options, including squirrel crumpet with West Country Emu egg, rotisserie muntjac and Suffolk muntjac tartare with bone marrow toast. For something more traditional, there’s the restaurant’s signature Jugged Hare, made with Norfolk brown hare braised in its own blood with carrot, celeriac and button onion. The menu changes daily according to what’s available from British suppliers, so expect plenty more game dishes to appear as the season develops. It’s also just a short walk from the Barbican, making it an easy stop if you’re spending the day in the City.
Marrone brings a whole cafe of tiramisu to Soho
To be quite honest, it’s about time someone opened a café dedicated to tiramisu. The man we have to thank is Giancarlo Fanigliulo, an Italian who has taken it upon himself to make our dreams come true, transforming the former Old Spike space on Sherwood Street to open Marrone this Saturday. The opening menu will feature three versions of the Italian classic: the original, the pistachio-stuffed, and the dark chocolate and Maldon sea salt.
