As we bid farewell to the heatwave, we say hello to an exciting week for London’s food scene. What’s more, we might finally have the energy to venture out from our shady spots and explore it! Three notable openings, a brand-new chicken festival from Instagram’s favourite foodie, and a fiery celebration from Smoking Goat. Plus, scroll to the bottom to reveal our recommendation for this week...
NYC Comes to Notting Hill
Jackie's Counter, a brand new New York-esque diner has opened its doors in Notting Hill. In a brave move, the couple behind it, Andy and Nati Perritt, are attempting to bring a piece of The Big Apple to London. Think breakfast bagels, £1 drip coffee, reubens, and pie slices. Soon enough it will become a late-night martini and dessert bar to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw, but for now, we look forward to starting our day like as the New Yorkers do.
National Sake Week
There's always some sort of beverage to celebrate, and this week the spotlight is on sake. It's National Sake Week, and 8 at The Londoner is celebrating with its sommelier-selected sake list, poured against the sweeping city skyline. Sip on a floral daiginjo or a fuller-bodied junmai, and add Japanese izakaya dishes from the menu, including crispy tiger prawn maki rolls and smoky robata skewers straight from the grill.
CZER Expands to Soho
Sometimes, a craze comes along that rustles up a storm not even The Simpsons could predict. This year, that craze was (and still is) chicken caesar wraps, specifically from CZER. Less than four months post-opening, the now-viral counter at the back of that Mayfair corner shop has announced it is set to open another branch in Soho. On the 22nd of August, welcome CZER Soho- we have no doubt it'll be a hit.
Yo-Chi Comes to London
The Aussies in London have more of a pep in their step than usual as they embark on their sunrise strolls around the parks of North London and Clapham. Why, you might ask? Fro-yo. However, it's not just any fro-yo, as they will sharply set you straight. It's Yo-Chi's fro-yo, and it's coming to London this Thursday, opening at Notting Hill Gate. Celebrated for its DJ booths, disco balls, and DIY offerings, it will be interesting to see Yo-Chi is as much of a hit over here. Judging by the warm brownie toppings and pistachio sauce, we think it will do just fine.
Roost Festival
A new international chicken festival is coming to London! Roost, founded by the Internet's favourite @eatingwithTodd and WingJam founder Alex Davies, is set to bring together the best chicken traders from all across the globe for a family-friendly weekend at Allianz Stadium Twickenham. Three days of chicken, entertainment as well as a huge kids area filled with inflatables and attractions. Saturday and Sunday are all booked up, but Friday is still available, with tickets starting at £29 for adults, £5 for kids!
Smoking Goat x Flourish Produce Khanom Jeen Festival
Smoking Goat is teaming up with Flourish Produce for an all-day celebration of the end of summer, serving up a Thai feast centred around fermented rice noodles inspired by the dishes the team ate while travelling through southern Thailand. Expect lots of khanom jeen alongside fiery gaeng tai pla, Devon brown crab nam ya and northern-style nam ngiao, plus plenty of freshly picked vegetables and herbs from Flourish Produce. A full day of fragrant curries, fresh produce and plenty of Thai heat.
The One to Add to Your List: Kismet
Finally, our recommendation for this week is the latest restaurant to grace the upstairs of the Globe Tavern. Kismet is an old-school Turkish-Cypriot restaurant, and we went to try it out on Friday. At the doorway is a retro TV showing a fuzzy black and white recording of the restaurant's name. Inside, the restaurant has nostalgic details of lace curtains, chrome napkin dispensers, and framed newspaper clippings and photos from back in the day. The food is Turkish-Cypriot, the level of style is effortless. It has a neighbourhood feel that calls for an over-extended lunch with flowing wine and dishes you regret getting to share (which include, but are not limited to, the köfte and the humble vegetables cooked in olive oil). Needless to say, we loved every second.
