“I’m A Food Journalist These Are All The Places I Went In July”

Buvette

We started off July strong with the introduction of NYC’s cult restaurant Buvette into Neal’s Yard. While there were some disappointments in the form of missing cheesy puffs and a lack of bread, ultimately, Buvette wins for real estate and pudding. The chocolate mousse itself was a reason I would go back, perhaps for a martini on the terrace and a cheeky, indulgent scoop for a catch-up with an old friend.

Click here to read the full review of Buvette

Where: 2 Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden
Website: www.buvette-london.com

Oudh 1722

In an effort to be completely transparent, my partner really didn’t like Oudh. Honestly, it made me respect him more for going against the grain — everyone raves about Oudh 1722. I am everyone. To me, Indian food deserves more representation in the finer dining scene outside of the Gymkhana hype bubble. The oxtail biryani was fabulously rich and flavourful, the curry indulgent. But, for some, nothing beats their local takeaway.

Click here to read the full review of Oudh 1722.

Where: 66 Union St, London SE1 1TD
Website: www.oudh1722.com

Fink’s At Clissold House

Fink’s is the perfect start to a perfect day out. Whether it is pastries and a coffee for a stomp around Clissold Park or a sit-down for upscale beans on toast and yoghurt bowls, it is somewhere everyone should go at least once. That being said, air con would go miles.

Where: Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 9HJ
Website: www.finks.co.uk

Brigadiers

Brigadiers sits in Bloomberg Arcade and, given it is practically swimming in Rolexes and chinos, I was expecting to be overcome by the musty smell of testosterone so much so that I wouldn’t enjoy the food. But I judged Brigadiers too soon. Yes, it is in the City, it feels like it’s in the City, but boy is that food phenomenal. It’s the lamb chops I won’t shut up about; some of the best in London. The cocktails are glorious, and each little bite was better than the last. Who knew there was a reason to get so deep into the financial hub of the capital?

Where: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
Website: www.brigadierslondon.com

Fortitude Bakery

I know Fortitude Bakery gets more than enough attention, but I had to try it out for myself! And, you know what, I’m glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I was pleased by the seeming lack of granulated sugar in every pastry. Custards and creams were less sickly, more fluffy. Plus, the chocolate croissant was perhaps one of my favourite pastries of the year.

Where: 35 Colonnade, London WC1N 1JD
Website: www.mi1fej-ez.myshopify.com

Morchella

Finally! I came around to getting to Morchella. Every day I become closer and closer to ticking off every single venue in and around Exmouth Market. Morchella is quirky, not humble, per se, as the staff squat at the end of the table to ask “What are we having tonight?” We’re having some phenomenal white fish with a side of the best roasties you’ve had this month. Where’s the cutlery, you might ask? In the drawer of the table. How fun?!

Where: 86 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4QY
Website: www.morchelladining.co.uk

Go Greek Yogurt

Three words. Froyo is back.

Where: Sponsorship House, 36 S Molton St, London W1K 5RG
Website: www.gogreekyogurt.com

CUT at 45 Park Lane

I went to CUT to cook and chat with Elliot Grover and talk all things steak. I was not aware I would be walking away having tried £600 worth of Japanese A5 and British sirloins. CUT houses some of the most phenomenal cuts of steak in the city. To let you in on a secret only found in this article, the only other steak restaurants in London Elliot himself loves are Hawksmoor and Dorian. A holy trinity, of sorts.

Where: 45 Park Ln, London W1K 1PN
Website: www.dorchestercollection.com

TOAD Deptford

I headed over to TOAD’s new Deptford location for the launch party, where I sampled miniature staples and probably an entire bottle of wine. I left overcome with emotion for the team, perhaps a bit tipsy. Hungry as well…

Where: Restaurant 1, St Paul’s House, 3 Market Yard, London SE8 4BX
Website: www.toadbakery.com

Marcella

…So we stumbled over to Marcella for a double date. I’m not usually one for a bowl of pasta in a restaurant; I’m partial to pasta in the home for a max price of £3 per portion. That being said, we closed Marcella having backed two bottles of wine and all pastas. I fear I am, again, too quick to judge.

Where: 165A Deptford High St, London SE8 3NU
Website: www.marcella.london

akub

Another spot I went to for the purpose of interviewing, this time with Fadi Kattan. He himself is an incredible educator on the culture of Palestine beyond war. akub is, further, a window into that history. Food is welcoming and bright, and over an arayes with Fadi, we spoke about the culinary legacy of Palestine and what it means to decode it in the kitchen.

Where: 27 Uxbridge St, London W8 7TQ
Website: www.akub-restaurant.com

Dallas

Dallas is the first post outside of Lisbon for this retro burger joint. With all independent brewers on tap alongside a brilliant list of thick patty burgers (thank goodness), Dallas joins Shoreditch to contribute to a glorious lineup of burger joints.

Where: 138-139 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JE
Website: www.dallasburger.com

Rambutan

I walked into Rambutan with a friend after pregaming at the Cafe Francois Bastille Day extravaganza (so fab). We were hungry, and floated towards its scent like moths to a flame. We unexpectedly made an order that may go down in history as the best order to have ever been made anywhere ever. Mutton rolls and grilled king prawns. Kottu rotti with Devon crab and martinis. Rambutan blew me away with no warning, perhaps a new favourite restaurant altogether.

Where: 10 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
Website: www.rambutanlondon.com

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

This was a highlight of the month, simply because it is an honour to say that I have enjoyed a meal at this institution of a restaurant within an institution of a hotel. The food was masterful, dripping in the feminine energy that Hélène brings to her projects. The privilege was tenfold when I was able to go into the kitchen with Hélène and executive chef Marco to talk about the aforementioned institutions. A true pinch-me career moment, and a bucket-list restaurant.

Click here to read the full review of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.

Where: The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
Website: www.maybourne.com

Osteria Angelina

“Fusion” is not really a word I love to use for reasons we don’t need to get into here, but the reality is, Osteria Angelina fits the bill of “fusion” more than most, as it clearly blends a world of Italian food and Japanese food in a colourful, bizarre way. Pastas are topped with seaweed and crudo is topped with matcha oil. Everything is a brilliant firework of flavour, something you haven’t tried before, something to phone home about.

Where: 1, Nicholls Clarke Yard, London E1 6SH
Website: www.angelina.london

Labombe By Trivet

I didn’t know much about Labombe by Trivet upon my arrival. I only knew that it was a Michelin-star restaurant sandwiched between a generous handful of other Michelin-star restaurants. I left considering it one of my favourite meals and, more specifically, knowing it is home to one of my favourite bites in recent history. I’d like to speak specifically on the veal cutlet. This blew me away. I looked around thinking, “why isn’t every table full?” Please go here.

Where: 19 Old Park Ln, London W1K 1LB
Website: www.labombe.co.uk

Regency Cafe

I should probably join the club of gatekeeping Regency Cafe. They obviously do not need press, and it’s been unfortunately inundated with individuals who are only looking for a picture for their Instagram dump rather than a genuine fry up. But it is the best place in London to get breakfast, and it does happen to be my local. This is for anyone who appreciates a good omelette or battery acid coffee; pay them a visit, and keep the pictures to a minimum.

Where: 17-19 Regency St, London SW1P 4BY
Website: www.regencycafe.co.uk

The Pig and Butcher

The Pig and Butcher is a reliable friend, in my eyes. We went to celebrate my partner’s birthday and, of course, it was the starters that won. Tartar is his favourite, so obviously we got both fish and steak alongside a courgette flower and a scotch egg. Be like us and just order starters, two bottles of wine and finish with a sticky toffee pudding. Mains are great, but not nearly as good as the first half of the menu. Lucky for my dear guest, no song was sung. But I could’ve done with the humiliating candle-lit singalong, bummer.

Where: 80 Liverpool Rd, London N1 0QD
Website: www.thepigandbutcher.co.uk

The Shaston Arms

My first visit to The Shaston Arms has left me with a new favourite gastro (for the moment). I didn’t ask too many questions about that feigned sandwich that landed in front of me that day. I really wish I had; I think about it to fall asleep.

Where: 4-6 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 7QN
Website: www.theshastonarms.co.uk

Café Clement

As we all know by now, Café Clement is a London institution in the making. The young restaurant from Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, has already seen celebrities, oligarchs, and the like walk through its doors to be cooked for by a team led by River Cafe alum Danny Bohan. It is more than chic in a very simple way — bean salads, casseroles, omelettes. How charming.

Click here to read the full Café Clement review.

Where: 180, The Thames, Ground Floor, St. Clement, 12 Temple Pl, London WC2R 2NF
Website: www.stclement.co.uk

Café François

I fear I timed Café François wrong, because trying a rotisserie chicken after sampling the above chicken casserole was thoughtless. Nobody was going to be able to compete. That being said, Café François has a brilliant terrace. One made for many, many drinks with one steak tartare and a bread basket. Everything has a purpose.

Where: 14-16 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD
Website: www.cafefrancois.london

Hon’s BBQ

A contender for favourite new opening of the month, nae, year. Hon’s BBQ sits proudly atop Crate Brewery, shining light onto its section of the canal, spreading joy and happiness to all of Hackney. Its whimsical take on Chinese BBQ is simply show-stopping. The short rib with Sichuan sauce has altered my perspective on the non-existent boundaries of barbecue. The mac and cheese, a class act show off of how to make nostalgia new.

Click here to read the full Hons BBQ review.

Where: First floor, Unit 7, The white building, Queen’s Yard, London E9 5EN
Website: www.honsbbq.com

Toklas Bakery

Toklas pastries are fabulous in their own right, specifically a new one in the case that was available when I visited — a tomato tart with a pie-like, buttery pastry and a gorgeous yellow tomato floating like a halo above the cheese. My mouth is watering. But the reason I visited was for something entirely different: Roman sandwiches with bread made from pizza dough. Yes, this results in a pizza sandwich, a sandwich made of crust, stuffed with toppings. It’s crispy and crunchy and perfect for a ham and cheese.

Where: 9 Surrey St, Temple, London WC2R 2ND
Website: www.toklaslondon.com

Crunch x Wahaca

Crunch is currently doing a limited-time collaboration with Wahaca. Two BNOCs that I do I do I do stand behind. Something about Wahaca’s patatas bravas just makes me want to go back for more. Combined with Crunch’s drop-dead gorgeous bread? A Mexican Caesar salad on Texas toast? I had to go. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was a pretty good sandwich.

Where: www.sandwichuprising.com
Website: 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW

Epicerie

I will never not be a sucker for a bougie grocery store. As much as we complain about the rising cost of carrots, there is just something so pleasant about walking around a curated selection of the UK’s finest olives. Moreover, Epicerie, the latest of the bunch, will only be sourcing in season and from independent farmers. The price is worth it from this spot brought to you by a very in-love couple. I’ll be returning monthly on pay-day, like clockwork.

Where: 65-69 Ebury St, London SW1W 0LU
Website: www.londonepicerie.co.uk

Brasserie Olivia

The first spot outside of France for legendary group La Nouvelle Garde lands right here in Sloane Square! Having only opened a couple of weeks ago, it’s glorious to see this behemoth of a dining room full every time I pass it. The double-lined tables and silver candlesticks, the embroidered napkins and thick glass carafes – it was just a trap to stay for hours. And that we did, with the comfort of French onion soup, half a dozen oysters, tartare, and (the favourite) chocolate ganache. Just gorgeous.

Where: 1 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8EE
Website: www.lanouvellegarde.com