In a world where we’ve gone from plugging ethernet cables into modems to fire up computers the size of rooms, to the news that the iPhone XR is now ready to pre-order, it’s often difficult to remain on top of this ever-spinning world. What’s more, we love to offload all of the foodie news we can find onto you, our fond following of Handbookers, so we’re not surprised if the news we share ends up at the bottom of a very large restaurant-related pile. So here are some of the things you might’ve missed along the way, from halloumi brunching to 1,000 free meatballs!
New York Bakery Co
Attention all you pizza and bagel lovers – how do you fancy trying this humungous, bulging treat that’ll have you rubbing your tummies in delight for days to come. New York Bakery Co unveiled the #foodporn treat which showcases 12-inches of boiled and baked goodness. 16 times heaver than your average bagel it looks bursting with flavour and absolutely dough-licious! So, if you’re cooing after one like we are then go this Saturday as they give away hundreds on a first come, first serve basis in celebration of National Pizza Day. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is a fan and so should you be!
Website: www.newyorkbakeryco.com
The Camden Grocer
Posh Shopping
Camden is fast becoming a foodie hub, exciting new restaurants and food stalls are popping up faster than you can shake a gourmet stick at. The latest offering is a grocer selling award-winning products – think fancy oils, artisan biscuits and delicious honey, all of which can be bought individually or put together in a hamper as gift. The Camden Grocer also serves a specially created brunch menu (available all day) with classics like avocado on toast plus the most amazing croissant, french toast with elderflower coulis and Chantilly cream.
Where: North Yard, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH
Website: www.camdenmarket.com
The Perception at W London
Flashback Feast
W London has launched dining series Flashback Feast, and if that doesn’t already get the tastebuds tingling then I guess you’re just going to have to read on! Young chef Ben Murphy, quite the breakthrough act, will be collaborating with The Perception to allows guests the opportunity to feast on a seven-course menu inspired by his childhood – nostalgic or what?! Inducing memories of recognisable flavours (no we’re not talking about smiley potato faces and beans), the menu will be packed with explosive flavours, unconventional textures and Instagram-worthy plating.
The menu for consumers launched on 5th November and will be available until February.
Where: 10 Wardour Street, Leicester Square, London, W1D 6QF, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (0.2 miles)
Website: www.theperceptionbar.com
Gymkhana
Trunks Of Fun
Now here’s something to brighten your day! To mark the 10-year milestone of JKS Restaurants, the co-founders have decided to support Elephant Family, a charity whose mission is to protect Asian elephants. We think it’s just ele-phantastic! Guests to Gymkhana Restaurant will be able to snap a picture with the elephants (not real we’re afraid), but multi-coloured counterparts with faces filled with expression.
Where: 42 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4JH
Website: www.gymkhanalondon.com
The West End Welcomes Nine Night
Oh, What A Night
While the death and subsequent mourning of a loved family member might not scream ‘fun night out at the theatre’, the debut play from Natasha Gordon isn’t as gloomy as you’d think. Nine Night, which is based on the African tradition of an extended wake (Nine-Nights), is actually a comedy-slash-drama with most of the belly laughs coming from Aunt Maggie. Running in the centre of London at Trafalgar Studios, you can turn your night out into a night in with Super Break who offer theatre packages, combining entrance tickets to musicals like Nine Night with a great choice of hotel accommodation
Website: www.superbreak.com
Barbecoa St Paul's
Chick-chick-chick-chick-chicken
Just because it isn’t Summer, doesn’t mean we can indulge in a chicken wing or two. Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa resto triumph the little nibbles, and plan to up the ante by giving you bottomless wings for a tenner! So whether a Korean barbecue or a hot sauce with peanuts combo is taking your fancy, you can feast on bottomless wings until your heart’s content.
Every Monday to Thursday from 4–7pm in the bar.
Where: 20 New Change Passage EC4M 9AG
Nearest station: Bank (0.2 miles)
Website: www.barbecoa.com
Skylon
Skylon Gets A New Chef
Skylon on the Southbank is being taken over by Helena Puolakka as her new position as Executive Chef will see her injecting fresh and seasonal dishes into the European restaurant. Previous endeavours of the successful chef have included work with Pierre Koffmann, Pierre Gagnaire and Gordon Ramsay, and her return will show that lightning does strike twice as her position follows a return to the restaurant after six years previously spent at the restaurant.
Where: Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Waterloo (0.2 miles)
Website: www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk
Yum, Yum, Jamaican Rum
Rum Workshops
Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum is launching its Crafted with Joy workshops where there will be rum in abundance. So for those who love a Mule, an El Floridita or a classic Daiquiri, it’s a workshop for you! The workshops are led by a talented artisan and three events include Blenheim Forge where you’ll personalise steel cocktail mixing spoons, Earl of East London where you’ll make a hand-poured, scented candle, and Grain & Knot where you’ll carve your own chopping board.
From the 24th of October
Website: www.appleton.com
Ocean's Ate
Food and Film
We love the Daisy Green collection, but our hearts are bursting even more as they have introduced their one-off Ocean’s 8 inspired brunch. Home Entertainment has joined forces with the collection to bring you food in favour of film, with guests hunting down hidden gems in exchange for a free gift. So whether Champagne tickles your fancy, or if you’ve been dying for a lazy Sunday indulge in a bit of Ocean’s 8 with a Blu-ray™ or DVD, this event is a real treasure.
Where: Timmy Green, Victoria and Scarlett Green, Soho
Website: www.daisygreenfood.com
The Palm Court
19: 20 at The Palm Court
Now this sounds pretty chic; Sheraton Grand London Park Lane are getting their 1920s on, with their 19:20 at The Palm Court. The weekly event, which sounds very Midnight in Paris-esque, will transport guests to the roaring 20s for one hour only. At exactly 19:20pm the mood of the hotel will swirl into the roaring 20s, with vintage songs, mesmerising dancers performing and era inspired cocktails. So, if you’re hoping for a bit of Gatsby glam this season, The Palm Court is the place-to-be.
Starting on Wednesday 7th November, weekly.
Where: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, The Palm Court Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
Nearest station: Green Park (0.4 miles)
Website: www.palmcourtlondon.co.uk
The Savoy
Some Sweet News
Daniel Pearse will be The Savoy’s Executive Pastry Chef. The chef, who clearly likes the sweeter side of life, previously held the role of Executive Pastry Chef at Hakkasan Group UK, and worked prior to that at The Mandarin Oriental and The Langham.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, London, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Holborn (0.3 miles)
Website: www.fairmont.com
Pretty Cheesy
This is a bold statement, but I think halloumi is one of, if not the, nation’s favourite cheese. There I said it! We love it in our fries, slapped on top of burgers and to grab hold of for a dunk in sweet chilli. Suffice to say, a month-long halloumi pop-up is far from cheesy for us aficionados. The pop-up will feature a bottomless halloumi brunch courtesy of Cyprus Tourism Organisation in order to entice you to the island – we’ll go! The event will be at Las Banderas in Soho and what with the time limit, we suggest you go, go, go!
From Saturday 20th October.
Where: 68-70 Wardour Street, Soho, W1F 0TB
Website: www.lasbanderas.co.uk
