November should be otherwise known as the final stretch of free time before evenings get booked up with office parties and festivities. Make sure you take advantage of it, and this week, there's plenty to do London, whether you want to stay in and re-create a bibimbap at home, or venture out and celebrate the 15th birthday of the tastiest aperitif you will ever try. Failing that, there's always the festival of the pig.
Here's what to eat and drink in London this week.
Ocado Launches Korean Food Aisle
Korean culture is having a well-deserved moment across the UK. First, there was the hype of K-Beauty and the introduction of snail mucin into daily regimes. Then of course, there was the Squid Games phenomenon and the subsequent 'immersive games' that popped up around London. Now, it's Korean food, with health-gurus singing about the gut benefits of kimchi and the likes of bibimbap overtaking typical ham-and-cheese lunch-deals. What's more, last week Ocado launched a new Korean Food Aisle, in partnership with Korea Foods and celebrity chef Judy Joo. This new initiative will bring a wide range of authentic Korean ingredients to UK shoppers, making it easier than ever to cook Korean food at home and showcasing the nationโs growing appetite for Korean cuisine. The dedicated aisle is designed to make Korean cooking accessible and approachable, offering ingredients that can become pantry staples - just like salt or pepper. โKorean food doesnโt have to be complicated,โ says Judy Joo. โWith the right ingredients, anyone can create delicious, authentic Korean dishes at home. We want to show that these flavours can become part of everyday cooking.โ Products featured in the new aisle include Sempio Gochujang Korean Chili Paste, Blue Ville Mat Korean Kimchi, and Ottogi Jin Ramen Mild Instant Noodles, among many others!
The Chalet Restaurant Returns to Somerset House
On Wednesday the 13th November, Somerset House's Seasonal Chalet will open its doors once again. Hosted by the same man behind Southbank's fire and fromage, Jimmy Garcia's festive menu features winter favourites and mulled drinks, perfect for post-ice skating. Itโs the Chaletโs fourth year at the location, and will once again be decked out in retro ski memorabilia, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur and warm wood. This year, each table will have its own raclette machine, so individual groups can indulge in freshly cut raclette, just like in The Alps! Itโs served with charcuterie, baby potatoes, in-house freshly baked bread, cornichons and salad.
It's the Tomatini's 15th Birthday!
On Wednesday 12th November, La Petite Maison (the restaurant that left us speechless), will host its second annual Tomatini Day with a complimentary Tomatini or TomatiNO on arrival.
The cocktail was originally created in 2010 by Jimmy Barrat for La Petite Maison Dubai โ 2011 Diageo WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year UAE Champion and 2012 Global Runner Up โ the Tomatini was inspired by the flavours of his French Riviera home: โWhat excites me most is seeing the Tomatini take on a life of its own. It started as a simple way to bring a taste of home, fresh tomatoes, balsamic, salt and pepper from my garden in the South of France, and went on to inspire a whole wave of savoury cocktails around the world. Itโs incredible to see something so personal resonate so widely.โ
Now marking its 15th anniversary, the Tomatini has become a modern classic, credited with shaping the global savoury cocktail movement. We can vouch for this cocktail, a blissful blend of bruschetta-like flavours that has remained etched in our memories since we visited La Petite Maison in the summer. Made exclusively with Ketel One Vodka, the Tomatini blends freshly muddled Campari tomatoes, 3-year-old white balsamic vinegar, and a touch of simple syrup. It is garnished with a salt-and-pepper dipped cherry tomato and finished with a theatrical crack of fresh black pepper from an oversized pepper mill, and is certainly worth celebrating.
Humble Grape Opens in a Less-Than-Humble Location
The 11th-century crypt of St Mary-le-Bow is now home to the of London's beloved wine bars. The latest Humble Grape is located five minutes from St Pauls and will seat 60 people for food and drink. The extensive wine list has over 500 bottles to choose from, the menu is a selection of European sharing plates, and they'll even be serving breakfast from 7:30 in the morning! In the warmer months, the outdoor terrace will open to welcome post-work drinks and leisurely lunches. For now, however, the inside will do just fine- featuring original Norman arches with over a thousand years of history- what better place to sip on a cozy glass of red?
Khao Bird Goes Permanent
You've probably already heard of Khao Bird. The Northern-Thai restaurant that popped up inside Bridget Jones' flat had a very successful run, however, it's time for them to find a permanent home. Where? In a space that is said to have been Soho's last adult cinema. The new restaurant will be influenced by the travels of restaurateur Mike Palmer and Head Chef Luke Larsson across Thailand, also featuring some favourites that were served at the residency. The restaurant is spread across two floors, decked out in Thai craft and artwork and with an open kitchen downstairs. Downstairs at the bar, there will be some snacks to graze on pre-dinner, such as fried lime leaves and beef jerky. Pair them with a bottle of Chang or for something sweeter, a classic cocktail with fresh Thai herbs.
Too many cooks: a chef collaboration at CUT
For one night only, six talented chefs will come together for an exclusive dining experience at CUT.
The evening will start with a refreshing welcome cocktail, created especially for the occasion by celebrated chef and food writer, Mark Hix. Accompanied by a selection of exquisite canapรฉs, each one has been crafted by one of the guest chefs and offers an exciting taste of whatโs to come. For the main event, enjoy five incredible courses designed by Mark Hix, Tom Parker Bowles, Jack Stein, Sam White, Mitch Tonks and Elliott Grover- the perfect amount of cooks, if you ask us. From rich creamy risotto to fresh grilled seafood, this one-of-a-kind night celebrates the very best of British cuisine from some of the countryโs most talented chefs. Tickets are available from ยฃ280.
Fiesta de la Matanza Comes to London
Fiesta de la Matanza is a rural Spanish tradition that takes place every 11th November, celebrating the cultural significance of the pig in Spanish communities and the importance of pork as a food source. For the first year, Chef Francisco Josรฉ Torrico will lead a feast in Parillan Borough Yards featuring various traditional pork products- think the cornerstones of Spanish cuisine such as chorizo, salchichรณn, a rich, slow-cooked cocido broth and a centrepiece of Iberian pork cuts grilled over fire. The final few tickets are still available for the full ยฃ70 sharing menu.
