Affectionately translated as “Darling” in Hebrew (slang), Kapara is Bala Baya’s Tel-Aviv-inspired incarnation in Soho’s hidden and lovely James Court. Led by ex-Ottolenghian chef Eran Tibi, Kapara is influenced by the hedonistic attitude of modern Tel-Aviv, with elements of LA / Ibiza / Miami added to the mix. With its spacious layout, the restaurant’s “anything … Continue reading Kapara
Following the Camberwell original and its Tooting sibling, wine bar/restaurant Good Neighbour have opened a third site on what has become a foodie hotspot, Peckham Rye. Taking the site of what was formerly the lovely Pedler who are relocating eastwards, it has big boots to fill. But from my visit on its opening evening, Good … Continue reading Good Neighbour
For my first indoor dining treat post-lockdown, back to Mayfair but this time just off Bond Street. Department store Fenwick has launched a new “wellness” concept space in their basement – the buzzword of the day (or the past year or so it seems) – featuring a sustainable food market, beauty and of course activewear … Continue reading 123V
Farzi bills itself as a “modern Indian spice bistro”. These buzzwords certainly conjure up the idea of an eatery which aims to juxtapose innovation and Indian cuisine. Indeed, a wave of recent openings seek to do so: the kitchens at Jamavar, Jikoni, Bombay Bustle, Indian Accent and Kahani, to name just a few, all seem … Continue reading Farzi Cafe
Coal Drops Yard is one of those regenerations people might be initially sceptical of. Gentrification, redevelopment, redesign, King’s Cross, blah blah blah... But a glance at the names behind this initiative should indicate otherwise: Thomas Heatherwick, Tom Dixon and Paul Smith. Rather than constructing glassy, new skyscrapers in an airport terminal-like complex, the team have … Continue reading hicce
Ask most people in London what their favourite ramen haunt is and nine times out of ten their answer will be “Bone Daddies”. The name comes from the rich bone stock that forms the base of this noodle bowl, and the brains behind it is the impressive Ross Shonhan (ex-Zuma and Nobu). The ramen bar … Continue reading Bone Daddies
I’d passed Southwark Street’s brand new Lantana on my way back from a work lunch at Hutong (on which, more another time) and was stunned to see it in this part of town: a new opening from an all-day Antipodean café, how could I have missed it?! By way of follow-up, I browsed their website … Continue reading Lantana
Don’t let the name of this place put you off. Although something of an oxymoron – flavour should never be insulted – the food at Flavour Bastard is by no stretch of the imagination light on taste. Every single dish my companion and I enjoyed here – and there were a lot – was imaginative … Continue reading Flavour Bastard
Copenhagen’s mother of all pizzerias – Mother (pun had to be made) – has landed in London and most excitingly, it’s laid its roots in my soon-to-be neck of the woods, Battersea. Though I won’t quite be a Nine Elms resident, the developing Circus West Village, underneath the trendy old arches, has a lot going … Continue reading Mother
Pasta fresca in the heart of Belgravia: perfect ingredients for an Italianate soft-launch supper. Once Hix Belgravia, the Hari have launched a new Italian restaurant on the ground floor of their Chesham Street hotel. In keeping with their boutique service, Il Pampero is seductively elegant. Decor is by the renowned British designer Tara Bernerd and … Continue reading Il Pampero
Yumtini 