Founded in Beirut in 2016 by brothers Samer and Basam Chamoun, this bakery focusing on traditional Lebanese baked goods quickly secured a cult following thanks to its delicious doughy delights. Luckily for Londoners, the opening of a Covent Garden The Lebanese Bakery (the first of its kind outside of Beirut), means they don’t have to fly all the way to Beirut to get a taste of Lebanon. Visitors have a dizzying array of goodies to choose from including Manousheh (a pizza like Lebanese flatbread topped with a variety of Lebanese ingredients), Mouajjanet (bite sized bakes) and Kaak Bread (traditional Lebanese street bread with sesame seeds). At the heart of the bakery is a wood fired oven, which is kept busy all day with an endless cycle of flatbreads. All of the dishes are baked on the premise using the best quality toppings and ingredients, which have been handpicked by selected Lebanese farmers. In addition to the baked goods, there is also a selection of Lebanese food items available for purchase for those who want to enjoy Lebanese flavours at home. During our visit we tucked into the Manousheh with Baked Eggs & Sujuk, a hearty dish featuring a flatbread topped with free range eggs, spicy beef sausage and Middle Eastern herbs. Exceptionally moreish (and bursting with yolk porn Instagram potential), it’s definitely our favourite new brunch option. Embracing our inner carnivore, we also opted for the Ras Asfour Manousheh, a tasty little number covered with diced beef sirloin, pomegranate, wild rocket and toasted pine nuts. This was probably my favourite dish thanks to its lovely balance of flavours.
If you can’t make it to the bakery to get your fix, there’s no need to worry as you can have their goods delivered direct to your door via Deliveroo.
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Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. I love retreating indoors to curl up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate as I gaze out the window watching the leaves turn. So, when I heard one of my favourite restaurants, Sake No Hana, was also embracing the season with an installation and a menu celebrating the Japanese maple leaf season, I had to visit. The last time I popped into Sake No Hana was to try their Sakura menu, which featured a gorgeous installation celebrating the beloved Japanese cherry blossom season, so I was interested to see how they’d transformed the space for autumn. From now until 24 November, the front entrance of Sake no Hana is bedecked with a striking autumn leaves installation, inspired by the ‘momiji-gari’ (the Japanese tradition of viewing the maple leaves). The experience continues indoors with food and cocktails, which also nod to the season with a focus on seasonal ingredients and autumnal flavours. The vibe One could easily forget they’re in the heart of London’s bustling West End once they step inside to this sleek space. The striking interior – designed by esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – is stunning thanks to linear bamboo that covers the main walls and bamboo blinds that help to create a cocooning shelter from the outside world. We reckon this has to be one of the nicest places to escape from the pre-Christmas shopping crowds, giving you a sense of smug satisfaction for discovering such a chic space away from the madness. The limited-edition menu created by Executive Head Chef Hideki Hiwatashi includes a variety of mouth-watering dishes such as: kinoko misojitate; shitake tofu (shiitake mushrooms filled with homemade tofu and wasabi sauce); salmon kurumi miso yaki and tori sumiyaki. The starters were fab. I particularly enjoyed the crispy truffle rice balls with seasonal mushrooms, which were a bit similar to Italian arancini, and the comforting wild mushroom and chilli yuzu miso soup was the perfect cure for warming the cockles on a chilly autumn day. Surprisingly, the tofu, which despite its reputation for being bland and joyless, was also delicious thanks to seasonal mushrooms. For mains, we had the pan-fried Loch Duart salmon with walnuts and Kyoto miso, which was really scrummy thanks to its melt-in-the-mouth texture and sweet caramel-like sauce and the chargrilled miso chicken with sesame chilli, was tender and juicy, while the charred peppers gave a bit of oomph to the dish. Greedily, we accompanied the meat dishes with a large bowl of sticky rice, which given how much we’d already consumed, wasn’t necessary, but we couldn’t help ourselves! After the mains we devoured a selection of sushi. A real box of delights, the sushi arrives in a beautiful plexiglass box, with the waiter lifting the lid to unveil the treats within. Beautiful little morsels of joy, each lovingly prepared piece of sushi was seriously moreish. A special shout out goes to the Waygu beef with asparagus and caramelized onion and kizami wasabi, which was rich and flavourful (I could easily live off these). The star of the show, however, was the hazelnut and chocolate parfait with a mascarpone mousse, which is quite possibly my new favourite dessert. In fact, I think I might weep if it disappears from the menu! Delectable and delicious, it had a lovely balance of textures thanks to the liquid chocolate centre, which is set off nicely by the delicate crunch from the base. The limited-edition drinks For those who like their cocktails toasty, there’s a limited-edition maple toddy (a warming cocktail comprised of Hennessy Fine de Cognac, Akashi-Tai Umeshu sake, ginger, maple, chocolate and topped with edible rice paper art) and for those who like their cocktails sweet, there’s the Shisho 54, made with Belvedere vodka, Midori, lime, shisho, Fever-Tree slimline tonic and Prosecco. Our favourite cocktail (and the most beautiful), however, was made with Belvedere vodka, cardamom, mandarin, yuzu and edible rice paper art fashioned in the shape of a maple leaf. The verdict If you want reasonably priced sushi in swanky surroundings, then look no further. Priced at only £40pp the limited-edition menu (with the option to add a sharing cocktail flight for £23.00), means you really can’t go wrong for such great quality Japanese cuisine smack bang in the middle of London.
Given that Wednesday is the new Friday, Nobu Shoreditch has launched Wagyu Whisky Wednesdays, a menu of original cocktails inspired by Japan, alongside premium Japanese beers, gins and whiskies accompanied by a plethora of nibbles featuring the finest Wagyu beef, all enjoyed in this capacious subterranean restaurant and bar. The Drinks The Lychee & Elderflower Martini is a seriously refreshing dose of delicious; light and fruity, delicately flavoured and dangerously drinkable, it packs a subtle punch. For a seriously boozy hit though, you can’t go wrong with the Chita Whisky Sidecar, a take on the classic favourite featuring delicious Japanese Whisky. Almost too potent for a Wednesday. The Food The food is the star of the show. Cooked fresh to order in front of your eyes on the terrace, with the soundtrack of a live DJ in the background, it's the perfect way to get over the hump of the week. The Wagyu is clearly as pampered in death as it inevitably was in life. The Rock Shrimp in a crisp tempura scattered with shiitake mushrooms, on a bed of yuzu-dressed greens and drizzled in the most sublime creamy, spicy sauce, was fantastic. Sticky Umami chicken wings featured a spicy ‘dragon’ sauce with a decent kick. The Wagyu gyoza were two perfectly crisp parcels, stuffed with sweet melt-in-the- mouth beef, accompanied with yet another sauce that had every last drop mopped up. Wagyu gyoza was an intriguing take on a classic; presented three ways with a trio of different finishes and flavours dabbed on top. The verdict
We can't think of a better way to while away a Wednesday than a delicious spread accompanied with a pair of perfect cocktails. The Details The menu is currently ongoing so get date in your diary. Available at Nobu Shoreditch, 0-50 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH. Tel: 020 7683 1200. www.nobyhotelshoreditch.com/nobu-restaurant-bar Our experience overall Food and drink: ★★★★ Ambience: ★★★★ Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★ Laurel Waldron *During my visit I was hosted by the team at Nobu Shoreditch. All opinions are my own. Le Chinois is an upscale Cantonese restaurant in the prestigious Millennium Hotel Knightsbridge, headed up by Executive Chef Anthony Kong. Located at the heart of the fashion designed Mecca of Sloane Street, the restaurant appeals to both hotel guests and discerning shoppers alike. The vibe The bar and dining room decor walk a fine line between modern and classic. Just up the whitewashed stairs from the lobby, this open and tranquil space feels a bit like being in an atrium, with its spectacular soaring glass ceiling providing the perfect glimpse of the last rays of the summer sun. The food When you peruse the sophisticated new sharing menu, it’s easy to see how Anthony Kong and his team have earned Le Chinois its two AA rosettes. The menu embraces both modern and traditional dishes including delights such as soft shell crab tossed with fluffy egg yolk, Mapo tofu, black cod with a champagne sauce, a deluxe dimsum platter and barbecued char siu pork. We opened the meal with a delicate steamed scallop displayed proudly on a bed of vermicelli with a Shaoxing broth that was an utter coup. There really is something very special about prising an enormous scallop from its shell. We followed the scallops with intensely savoury squid tossed with peppercorns and adorned with chillies and garlic shards - an ideal starter to whet the appetite. You know you’re dealing with a refined menu when you see wagyu beef rear its head, and when it arrives sizzling in ginger and spring onion, we knew it was going to melt in our mouths. Paired with the ubiquitous Sichuan dry-fried green beans with minced chicken (the only way I ever want to eat beans again) and steamed jasmine rice, we had all we required for the perfect meal. Upon recommendation we also tried the prawns with Singaporean chilli sauce, which were wonderfully fresh and plump but the sauce needed a tad more oomph. For a wonderfully refreshing endnote, we tucked into the sago with fresh diced mango, a delicious silky tapioca pudding of sorts that we adored. We also couldn’t resist a portion of good old-fashioned banana fritters. Drinks The Spanish Pez Rio Macabeo Sauvignon Blanc is very reasonable at £25 a bottle and its fresh acidic apple and pineapple notes complimented the seafood but still cut through the richness of our main course. The range of wines and spirits on offer is vast, ensuring it caters for all moods, tastes and occasions. The verdict Le Chinois is no doubt accustomed to some well-heeled clientele, yet it manages to emanate a casual and welcoming ambience with resident guests popping down for a bowl of noodles alongside guests celebrating with more lavish dishes such as lobster and Peking duck.
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Hot Pot, Soho, London Royal China, Fulham, London Tootoomoo, London Connect with us on social to share your favourite restaurants and to see where our foodie adventures next take us: Twitter: DestDelicious Instagram: destinationdelicious Facebook: destdelicious London afternoon tea review: Frida Kahlo afternoon tea at The Franklin: Knightsbridge, London17/8/2018 With Afternoon Tea Week in full swing, we headed to The Franklin, a stylish 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Knightsbridge, to try their Frida Kahlo themed afternoon tea. As soon as we stepped inside this sexy hotel with its chic monochrome decor, we were in love. As we walked past the gorgeous Art Deco-inspired bar, which is all glass, mirrors and gold loveliness, we made a mental note that this would be the ultimate spot for a post work glass of champagne if we ever found ourselves in the neighborhood. The food Drawing inspiration from the V&A’s hottest exhibition Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up, guests are treated to an array of delightful treats, all with a Mexican twist, including Flan De Cajeta (Milk pudding with ‘dulce de leche’ sauce); churros with a chocolate dipping sauce and an assortment of unique sandwiches such as guacamole and chicken; beans and eggs; chilli pepper and fresh ricotta; and octopus, sweet corn and capers. Of course, no afternoon tea is complete with scones, however instead of the usual plain or fruit scones, they switch things up with lime scones and banana and chocolate scones served with clotted cream, custard cream and strawberry jam. Delicious. Other tasty items included Sweet Frida’s Masterpiece, a chilli praline fashioned like a painting of Frida, propped up on a cute miniature wooden easel and a mini fruit salad with pineapple, mango, kiwi, pomegranate, watermelon and passion fruit. This fresh and colourful afternoon tea experience is the third in a succession of teas that have been inspired by the group’s partnership with the V&A museum. Previous afternoon tea experiences have included the Rock’n Roll Afternoon Tea at The Gore, inspired by Pink Floyd: Their Mortal Remain and the Silly Old Bear Afternoon Tea at The Pelham based on Winnie the Pooh Exploring a Classic exhibition. Glamorous surroundings and fun, brightly coloured placemats and menus brightened our day The exhibition
As with previous immersive dining experiences, The Frida Kahlo Afternoon Tea provides guests complimentary access to the exhibition at the V&A - the first one outside of Mexico to display her clothes and intimate possessions, reuniting them with key self-portraits and photographs to offer a fresh perspective on her compelling life story. The exhibition provided a glimpse into Frida’s life and the many struggles she overcame, including polio and a horrific tram accident, which left her needing to wear a supportive back brace. Despite her physical ailments, she loved bright and colourful Mexican clothing, which she used to great effect to cleverly hide her injuries, while also allowing her to create her unique style, which is now renowned around the world. The details The Frida Kahlo experience is sold at £50 per person including a ticket to “Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up” exhibition at the V&A. Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up runs from now until 4 November 2018. To book, visit www.starhotelscollezione.com. The Franklin 24 Egerton Gardens Knightsbridge London SW3 2DB The verdict This is a nice departure from bog standard afternoon tea – cake and culture, what’s not to love?! Our experience overall Food and drink: ★★★★ Ambience: ★★★★ Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★ Ashley Miln From the street, you’d never guess that the interior is as huge as it is - and, unless you’re of a certain age, you may not even be aware that it was once the site of one of London’s most legendary nightspots: The Marquee Club, where icons like Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and David Bowie performed. The decor has me hooked immediately - make your way past the Tanqueray Blossom City garden, which is in place until the end of August, and the cascades of flowers give way to dark sophistication - a luscious combination of old-school gentleman’s club and Moroccan souk. It’s all buttery leather chairs, dark wood against cool polished concrete and marble effect, bold print wallpaper and tribal patterns while, at the back of the room, the Playroom features industrial lighting over a pool table with armchairs and carefully curated displays of books and curios giving the space the air of a room in a stately home. Taking centre stage, the 360-degree bar is topped by an incredible glass installation, which lends more than a bit of ‘beam me up’ to the proceedings. The restaurant, downstairs, is one of the few Soho institutions to serve food until the wee hours; it’s presided over by chef Jonas Karlsson and plays host to DJs and live music five nights a week. The Vibe By day, this is just as much a working space - bear witness to the cables suspended from the ceiling above some of the tables to ensure you never run out of juice - as it is a spot to escape from the relentless pace of Soho with a couple of frames of pool or a relaxed bite. It’s cool yet not pretentious; the staff are warm, the service, attentive and the music is set at a volume that enhances rather than overpowers the atmosphere. Return by night, and you’ll see slickly suited power-mongers accompanied by designer label clad women, as well as attractively styled groups and couples getting warmed up for a night out. The Cocktails Recalling a glorious past that predates The Marquee Club, the new cocktail menu at 100 Wardour St has been designed by Bar Manager Massimo Bosio and his team with the excitement and elegance of bygone eras in mind. ‘The Golden Era’ takes us back to pre-Prohibition America, right back to the publication of Dr. Jerry Thomas’ cocktail book in 1862, with tipples like 'Brown Derby' - a concoction of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, grapefruit and honey - and 'Milk Punch', which combines Ysabela Regina Brandy, Gosling Dark Rum, Vanilla and Milk. Or get your beach party vibe on with selections from 'It’s Tiki Time' - think rums and fruity flavours. Cocktail experts tend to say that the 80s and 90s were the worst era for cocktails, but that’s probably because they never felt incredible in a pair of gold shiny hot pants - and if that’s your thing, then boogie on down for a 'Baby Steps,' a deliciously frivolous combo of gin, elderflower, mixed green puree and bubbles. And for almost-purists? The 'Back to the Future' selection takes on some of the most classic cocktails, like the Negroni and Cloud No.9, and gives them a modern twist. Fear of commitment? A set of three sharing cocktails is available for those for whom decision making proves tricky. The Verdict Considering its central location and heady beginnings, 100 Wardour St prices its cocktails in the very reasonable £12-£16 range - and the bar snacks menu, for those who don’t want to head downstairs to the restaurant, will keep you pleasantly sated. With slick service and plenty of decorative eye candy to get your style inspo fix, this venue hits the sweet spot not often achieved by London venues: stylish bolthole by day, and a place where you could very happily both start and end your night.
Enjoy civilised afternoon tea in an exquisite central London locationLondon doesn’t lack for afternoon tea options, so providers of this civilised institution are immediately put in the rather less civilised position of having to be (whisper it) competitive. Some efforts to stand out are quirky enough to be successful, others, like tea that’s been steeped too long, leave something of an unpleasant taste in the mouth. The Landmark London doesn’t appear to be trying to differentiate its offering from what you might find on a conventional tea menu - but it doesn’t need to, because its setting is exquisite. Located close to Marylebone station and opened in 1899 as a Victorian railway hotel, it was originally named the Grand Central Hotel and is now a Grade II listed building. The vibe The foyer is deceptively dim, the low light punctuated by a huge floral display. It makes entering the Winter Garden, large and light-flooded, all the more dramatic; your daylight-accustomed pupils dilate and then contract while your eyes widen with glee at the sight of the central table, heaving with delicious looking treats. Soaring above, the central atrium’s 8-storey high glass ceiling not only fills the area with light, but also absorbs much of the sound, so conversations at the surrounding tables are seen rather than heard. In fact, being seen is a large part of the afternoon tea experience at The Landmark London, at least if the clientele on the day of our visit is anything to go by: the young ladies at the tables nearby are engaging in an orgy of selfie taking with an enthusiasm that I usually reserve for cake - of which, fortunately, there is plenty. There are no end of beautiful backdrops for photos in this stunning setting, however - from grand, curving staircases and spikily proud palms, to the graceful harp, from which the resident harpist teases a waterfall of enchanting melodies. There’s the table itself, which is elegantly set with gold-patterned china. In any case, even though the tradition of afternoon tea began life as a way for a cake-craving Duchess to push through the post-lunch slump on the long road to dinner, it soon became an occasion for which invitations were jealously sought, hair was curled and frocks were chosen, and over which gossip and confidences were exchanged. It became, in short, an opportunity to show off a bit. If yesteryear’s inner circle had been gifted with social media, they unquestionably would have posed, pouted and posted as voraciously as their modern day counterparts. The food As noted above, The Landmark London isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel - nor indeed, the roulade - with their afternoon tea: the flavours are reassuringly familiar, but beautifully executed, with sandwiches of cucumber, Coronation chicken, smoked salmon and egg and cress served on wonderfully toothsome bread. If you so desire, waiters will deftly tong additional morsels on to your plate: beware not to overdo it, because the scones and cakes are worth leaving room for. A glass of pink champagne is the perfect accompaniment before moving onto tea: I chose the Landmark Blend, which melds Assam and Ceylon with a hint of vanilla, while my friend opted for a pot of Lapsang Souchong. The menu offers a choice between a classic and a chocolate afternoon tea: for the scones, this means either raisin and apple or chocolate chip and fruit peel - both delicious. The jam menu is a quaint touch, with each table allowed a selection of two from Bergeron Apricot, Blackcurrant, Cherry, Strawberry and Gooseberry and Elderflower; the last of these had us in raptures. The cakes are gloriously pretty; on the chocolate menu, there’s a coconut and chocolate macaroon and a blood orange and white chocolate mousse, as well as a milk chocolate dacquoise sponge and banana, pecan and chocolate cake. Traditional tea takers needn’t fear missing out on the chocolatey treats - they get a dark chocolate and caramel dome, as well as classic fruit cake, a pistachio and cherry macaroon and lemon, elderflower and gooseberry meringue tart. Once again, that combination of elderflower and gooseberry is to die for; as delightful as everything else it, I would happily have had just that one. Well, four of that one. The verdict It’s not just the palm trees that put one in the mind of an oasis - The Landmark London is so beautifully calm and elegant that it seems to whisk you away from the fast-paced London that lies, unbelievably, just beyond its doors, and swaddle you in an air of indulgence. The service, while possibly a little too attentive in so far as the waiters seem constantly to be apologising for interrupting us, makes up for our disjointed gossip by responding to our every whim and request smoothly and smilingly. As a special treat, an occasion, or just as an excuse to wear that new dress, The Landmark London definitely offers one of the loveliest ways to take afternoon tea in the city.
London is undoubtedly awash with some serious heavy hitters in the dining world, but sometimes you just need some comfort food. I love a fancy-pants restaurants as much as the next girl, but you can’t beat a night out with friends enjoying pub grub, non-wallet-busting beverages and a buzzing vibe. You can generally rely on a Drake & Morgan pub for all the above and with several dotted around town, they aren’t difficult to find. The vibe Located smack bang in the middle of Monument, The Folly ticks all those boxes. This popular bar/ restaurant has an upstairs dining room and a downstairs lounge bar with a dance floor. I’ve been a few times on various weekday evenings and it’s always packed. Its current wintry guise is home to fairy lights, blankets and reindeer hides strewn across the back of chairs, giving it a surprisingly cosy alpine vibe. The food The menu is what you’d expect - British pub-grub classics done well with a few different hits. The extensive menu has more than 50 items, from bangers and mash to burgers to a butternut squash risotto and cauliflower and pesto fettuccine, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Be warned though - the portions are generous, so be careful if your eyes are bigger than your stomach! If you’re an olive fan, the olives are great; get a dish alongside your starters. For our starters we had the hot and crispy Szechuan pepper squid with lemon mayo and a rather delicious dish of heritage beetroot with whipped goat’s cheese and walnuts - always a winning combination and perfectly light, which was ideal given we opted for an indulgent main. Their steak is decent value and arrived perfectly cooked, a simple yet juicy rib eye packed with flavor and accompanied by exceptionally tasty Parmesan, truffle and rosemary Roman fries; the holy trinity of seasoning, in my opinion. Burger lovers will be in their element as there are a plethora of burger options on the menu and while we did get a spot of food envy from seeing the Wagyu burger with blue cheese and tomato chutney arrive at the table next to us, I can confirm that the buttermilk chicken was the bomb. Seriously crispy and with a decent kick from the chipotle mayonnaise, it went down a treat. Given the hefty portions, we didn’t really have space for dessert, but we ordered one anyway. The mixed berry crumble was big enough to share and it had a gorgeously crunchy topping. The verdict With all day breakfasts and Sunday roasts also available, The Folly isn’t short of dining options. If you favour a quiet evening out it’s probably not the place for you, but if you’re looking the perfect post work pit stop in The City with no-fuss food and drinks, then you’ll love it here.
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Fentiman Arms The Prince Albert, Battersea The Prince Alfred, Maida Vale Any restaurants you'd like to recommend? Connect with us on social to share your favourites, or to simply see where are travels take us next: Twitter: DestDelicious Instagram: destinationdelicious Facebook: destdelicious Introducing a new pop-up cocktail bar in Peckham RyeIf you’re out and about in Peckham, ensure you head to BATCH Bar, a new pop-up bar by Twist London located in the heart of Peckham. The low-key frontage (akin to a take-away restaurant) makes it easy to miss, but once inside, visitors will be impressed by the unique and reasonably priced cocktails on offer. Tim Robinson from Twist London, the brains behind the concept, wants punters to experience high quality cocktails in a friendly and non-pretentious environment. The TWISTED CHRISTMAS theme has been inspired by Nordic monsters, providing an interesting alternative for those who are looking for somewhere a bit quirky to imbibe during the festive season. We recommend you slake your thirst with our favourite cocktail from the monster menu - a Straggles Sour – featuring FEW Bourbon from Maverick Drinks - a craft spirits specialist and drinks partner – and homemade blueberry, ginger and lime cordial, lemon juice and egg whites.
Spice lovers will adore the Krampus Gimlet – a fiery number made with Bitter Bastards Naga Chilli Bitters. Just ensure you can take the heat! If cocktails aren't your bag, not to worry as BATCH Bar also offers an extensive wine list and beer from local brewery Peckham’s Brick Brewery. BATCH Bar 56 Peckham Rye London SE15 4JR https://www.batch.bar/ Elinor Seath Wulf & Lamb may not seem like the most obvious name for Chelsea’s newest vegan bolthole, but its motto - “Run with the wolves; eat with the lambs” - certainly taps into all of our current enthusiasm for living with strong bodies and gentle souls en route to total wellness. I’m not surprised to see a number of post-yoga class women arrive for lunch, but it would be doing Wulf & Lamb a great disservice to suppose that this is just another passenger on the ‘Clean Living’ bandwagon: it’s a genuinely fantastic eatery with a vegan offering that manages to feel far more indulgent than virtuous. It’s a bright but chilly November day when we arrive for lunch in the recently redeveloped Pavilion Road, just off Sloane Square. Already home to a handful of independent retailers, artisan food shops were added to the mix late last year, with Pavilion Wine, Bread Ahead and London Cheesemongers sitting alongside Natoora,The Roasting Party coffee and Provenance, a traditional family butchers. Wulf & Lamb is the most recent addition, opening in October - and, judging from the restoration work taking place on the properties opposite, more are eventually to join its ranks. Inside, the decor is cool and industrial, with polished concrete floors, brushed metal, marble accents and a striking, textural, 3D wall along the staircase to the upper floor, where there’s a tiny terrace overlooking a courtyard and a slightly more intimate feel. Taking advantage of the clear skies, however, we opt to sit outside, with cosy throws already in place over the backs of our chairs, ready to be draped around us if the chill gets too much. Orders are made at the counter, where a number of cakes and salad bowls are on display for the takeaway crowd. I’ve already got my eye on the über-pretty, petal-scattered, mini Bundt cake for later, noting approvingly (and a tad greedily) that this, and a number of other cakes on display, are gluten free. Which reminds me - I‘m gluten-intolerant. On mentioning this, I’m immediately given a specially marked menu and my friend and I go outside to compare notes on what I’ll be eyeing enviously from my side of the table. Happily, and surprisingly, there’s not much. Being accustomed to places where “gluten free” radically limits my ordering options, I’m delighted to find that the breakfast granola is already nut and seed based, and that GF buns are available for burgers. The Wulf Burger, which uses meat alternative seitan, a product derived from wheat gluten, obviously isn’t an option but with a Spicy Veg Burger, Chilli “non” Carne and Green Coconut Curry, plus various salads and sides, to choose from, I’m really not bemoaning its off-limits status. Delight levels are doubled when we examine the list of vegan-friendly wines and ales and decide that, since the last vegan place we visited had NO gluten free options and only served mocktails, it would be silly - and in fact, probably rude - to not order a bottle of wine with our lunch. The differences from this most recently visited restaurant don’t stop there. While that one lacked any atmosphere, this one - with its constant flow of puppy-carrying locals, multi-generational lunchers, suit wearers and buggy pushers - both to the restaurant and the surrounding businesses - makes for a pleasantly upbeat ambience. And the food, which at the last place was pared-down, a bit bland and somehow limp in terms of its presentation, is here fairly bursting with exuberance: my veggie burger (complete with plant-based cheese and sauerkraut) is a proper, hard-to-wrap-your-mouth-around size, the bun holds its shape, the flavours are kicky and vibrant, and the curved, grainy wooden platter on which it is served is reassuringly chunky. Whatever it is that some people tend to associate veganism with - asceticism? joylessness? constant hunger?!! - this is most definitely not it.
Across the table, Lisa is in similar raptures over her bowl of Chill ‘Non’ Carne - a substantial portion of spicy, smoky mushrooms, lentils and kidney beans on rice with cashew sour cream, lime and coriander cress. I offer to trade a few of my sweet potato wedges and some house slaw for a mouthful and it’s sensational. “Unbelievable. Delicious!” we say, when a staff member comes to clear and ask how everything was. “I can tell,” she smiles with obvious pleasure, gesturing towards our completely empty plates. “Now, how about some dessert?” WULF & LAMB 243 Pavilion Road London SW1X 0BP Sarah Rodrigues |
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Bon Appetit!There's nothing more delicious in life than indulging in a sensational meal. |