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A new DIY meal kit is on the scene; Shoryu Ramen have launched a themed DIY Ramen Kit as part of their collaboration with the 16-year old holographic pop-star Hatsune Miku (初音ミク). Taking customers on a sweet-sounding turquoise tinted adventure, customers have the choice of a meat or vegetarian option. There is Shoryu’s much-loved signature Ganso Tonkotsu Ramen, a rich 12-hour broth topped with char siu bbq pork belly, kikurage mushrooms, spring onion, red ginger and nori seaweed. The vegetarian option is a white natural ramen with tonyu soy milk, miso, konbu & shiitake broth, atsuage fried tofu, kikurage mushrooms, menma bamboo shoots, spring onion, tender broccoli and nori seaweed. The kits come complete with matcha detox mocktails (serves 2), 2 Hatsune Miku turquoise cookies with Belgian white chocolate and a limited-edition kawaii Hatsune Miku x Shoryu tote bag. Kits priced at £44.00 For more info. and to order your kit visit: www.shoryuramen.com Written by Jordan Crowley #DIYRamenKit #ramen #ShoryuRamen

For many of us the only thing getting us through another trying week of: home schooling / money woes / zoom fatigue (take your pick) has been the promise of someone else making dinner. However, even the best takeaway doesn’t offer you the same standard of food as a high-end restaurant, an experience that many of us have been craving. This is where the ‘DIY delivery kit’ (a term no one was familiar with a year ago) has saved the day. Chef Sameer Taneja of award-winning Benares Mayfair has gotten creative and launched a trio of finish-at-home kits allowing us to recreate our favourite dishes from the comfort of our own homes, and you could certainly do a lot worse than this Michelin-starred offering, in partnership with Restokit. Priced at £68 (serving two), you can choose from three delicious mains: Coastal Chicken Curry, Lamb Rogan Josh or Mixed Vegetable Moilee. Each kit comes with plentiful sides including Poppadums with Mango Berry Chutney and Mix Pickles, Aromatic Basmati Rice, Dal Tadka, Kale Saag Aur Makai, fresh Kachumber Salad, as well as two soft Naan Dough Balls, ready for baking. Sweet tooth? No problem. The kit also includes Sweetened Gram Flour Pearls with Saffron – a traditional Indian treat to round off the meal. Deliveries are made once a week on Fridays. For more information and to order a kit visit: www.restokit.co.uk/collections/benares Until we can all meet around a table again, this is a very favourable compromise! Written by Claire Coveney #Benares #Mayfair #SameerTaneja

The countdown has begun, less than two weeks until restaurants with terraces can open on 12th April. You can dine alfresco in the sunshine with a loved one or up to six people from two households. We have rounded up our favourite ten restaurants that will be delighted to welcome you from 12th April onwards. Devonshire Terrace – Liverpool Street Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and head to the tranquil Devonshire Terrace to dine alfresco. While you’re there, why not kick back and unwind with a glass of vino or a cocktail. You will find an elegant assortment of cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic options to choose from. Website: www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk/devonshire-terrace Gaucho’s Tower Bridge restaurant Looking for that perfect London view? Head on over to Gaucho’s Tower Bridge restaurant. The restaurant’s terrace offers a tranquil yet sophisticated experience with beautiful views across the River Thames. You will find two brand-new weatherproof dining pods, sponsored by Domaine Chandon Argentine Sparkling Wine. The pods come with their own sound system for guests to select their own music and they have their own private server. You’ll also receive a bottle of Chandon on arrival. Now that’s what we call luxury alfresco dinning! Website: https://gauchorestaurants.com/restaurants/tower-bridge The Sipping Room – West India Quay Relax and unwind on the expansive Thames-side terrace, grab yourself a cocktail or two from the outdoor bar and enjoy dinning in the sunshine, over looking the docks. Blankets will be provided on those chilly nights and hot warming beverages are optional. Website: www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk/the-sipping-room Orrery – Marylebone Village Orrery’s rooftop terrace is one of London’s best kept secrets, a place of tranquility, where you can tuck yourself away from the hustle of City life. Elegantly lined with delicate lavender and olive trees reminiscent of the South of France, the rooftop terrace is a real delight. You will be treated to classic French dishes and an impressive Champagne and wine menu. Website: https://www.orrery-restaurant.co.uk/ Granger & Co’s Granger & Co’s Chelsea, located on Pavilion Road, has a beautiful terrace, perfect for an afternoon of cocktails or dinner with loved ones. You will find fresh and healthy salads on the menu, along with hearty warming dishes. Website: https://grangerandco.com/chelsea Broadgate Baraka Baraka is an Anatolian restaurant and bar with open flame Mangal cooking and recipes from across the Ottoman Empire. You will find aesthetically pleasing and equally tasty dishes on the menu to choose from. Outdoors you will be sat olive trees, and foliage from Turkey giving you an authentic experience. Website: www.barakarestaurant.co.uk Natak Natak specialises in both reinvented dishes and family recipes to transport your taste buds to the markets of Mumbai and the streets of Delhi. You will be treated to authentic Indian food, with dishes busting with a mix of spices and flavours. Meat lovers we highly recommend ordering the The Murg Makhanwala, a buttery, soft and tender chicken curry. Website: http://nataklondon.com Caldesi – Marylebone Village Italian restaurant Caldesi is known for their fresh authentic Italian cuisine, their outdoor dining area, is the perfect place for unwinding with friends or family. Enjoy an alfresco lunch or dinner and treat yourself to a glass of wine from their extensive selection of Italian wines. Website: https://www.caldesi.com/caldesi-in-marylebone Trinity Michelin-starred Trinity is bringing alfresco European dining to Clapham with their new large outdoor space, in partnership with Ruinart Champagne. On the new season lunch menu, you will find: Norfolk Asparagus, Tarte Fine of Melted Onions, Sauce Divine, Minestrone of Blue Lobster and English Peas and Rack of Rose Veal ‘Grenobloise’. Website: https://trinityrestaurant.co.uk The Grand Duchess – Paddington Central Seafood lovers head on down to The Grand Duchess, where you can enjoy fresh fish besides the Grand Union Canal. We hear the fish platter is a must-have! The Grand Duchess is an unbeatable spot for both lunch and dinner, over looking the canal. It’s permanently docked on the Grand Union Canal and boasts a large outdoor seating area. Website: https://londonshellco.com/the-grand-duchess #GauchosTowerBridgerestaurant #alfresco #TheSippingRoom #trinity #terraces #TheGrandDuchess #BroadgateBaraka #GrangerampCos #Natak #WestIndiaQuay #tehsippingroom #devonshireterrace

Fried chicken lovers we have some exciting news! Thunderbird Fried Chicken, known for their award-winning wings, will be opening their doors to their new Earls Court branch on 7th April. What’s even more exciting is the first 50 customers to order, will receive a free tray of six signature wings! Thunderbird are known for their delicious golden fried chicken, juicy burgers and their fiery, messy and delicious wings in innovative sauces. The Chipuffalo Wings won WingFest, voted as the best Buffalo Wings in London! With chipotle-buffalo sauce, a sprinkle of coriander, pickled celery and a blue cheese dip). We certainly know what will be at the top of our list when we go to Thunderbird Fried Chicken Wings. Open for takeaway and delivery on 7th April and later followed with dine-in observing the government’s guidelines. Pergola Paddington opens on April 12th, and all other branches (apart The O2) are open now. Visit https://thunderbirdckn.co.uk to see the full menu. #chickenwings #earlscourt #ThunderbirdFriedChickenwings #wings

Many food establishments claim to serve up “re-invented” or “contemporary” versions of their respective country’s traditional cuisines. London’s Limehouse restaurant Natak, claims re-inventions of India’s most loved dishes. Not yet able to experience the restaurant’s ambience, which pays homage to India’s colourful culture and people, we dived straight into the food via the restaurant’s takeaway service and our anticipation was high. The menu has familiar characters in it’s menu cast, and when the food arrives, the quality is instantly apparent from the recyclable and seemingly earthy packing (no cheap plastic containers here) to the presentation of the food. Even in takeaway format, there was a sense of drama with our Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani fully encased in the dough which keeps the chicken deliciously moist. The Murg Makhanwala provides a deep orange, velvety accent to our plates, its buttery chicken was as delightful on the taste buds as it was on the eyes. Other dishes which sit on the more autumnal side of the colour wheel include the Natak Paneer, a seemingly out of place Szechuan sauce popping with smoky and tender cubes of cheese. The signature Khasta kachoori chat comprises of flaky parcels filled with lentils and topped with chickpeas, yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutneys which is interrupted by little sweet explosions of pomegranate seeds. Our green star of the show is the Gosht Saagwala, a flavour packed concerto of lamb, spinach, ginger, garlic and other spices. The best supporting actor prize is given to the silky, deep and creamy Dal bhukara. Mopping our banquet up with naan and feeling sheepishly over indulged, we happily packed away half of the feast for a leftovers lunch. Indulgent feels like the right word for Natak’s refreshingly different and flavour packed dishes. Watch this space for a full review of the restaurant, we can’t wait to see if the colourful food and flavours are matched in the ambience. Natak is currently open for deliveries in an 8 mile radius around the restaurant. https://nataklondon.slerp.com/order. As of 12th April you will be able to book a table in their outdoor terrace for lunch or dinner. Written by Rick Hartley #indian #Natak

Since opening 20 years ago in the beautiful old Westminster Library near the House of Commons, the Cinnamon Club has become a worthy contender for institutional status. For the past two decades, it has continued to inspire and shape modern Indian cuisine across the UK, so to mark this milestone anniversary, executive chef and CEO Vivek Singh is introducing the indulgent 20th Anniversary At Home menu. The six-course anniversary menu is inspired by some of the Cinnamon Club’s most popular dishes from the past 20 years. The feast begins with a line-up of Vivek’s award-winning canapés including Bengali beetroot cake with Kasundi ketchup, and cured salmon carpaccio jhal muri. Follow with starters of Sandalwood tandoori chicken breast and coriander chutney; and tandoor spiced grilled prawns with curried yoghurt. The main event is a tamarind glazed duck break, Hyderbadi salan with pumpkin chutney and peanut crumble, a gilded whole lamb leg ‘Raan’ with nutmeg & pepper corn sauce; served with unctuous 24-hour cooked black lentils, bejewelled biryani rice, and aromatic saffron sheermal bread. For dessert you will find the mouth-watering Cinnamon Club’s signature mango shrikhand – a silky smooth yoghurt topped with Rasmalai sauce, gulab jamun and pistachio. The meal kit is priced at £160 and serves two generously. All meal kits come chilled in temperature-controlled boxes and are available for nationwide delivery. The menus come complete with instructions to heat, plate and present. It is not often you get the opportunity to prepare food of this standard from a London landmark in your own home. I suggest you get ordering: www.thecinnamoncollection.com/shop Written by Claire Coveney #CinnamonClub #indian #indianfood

Inspire and encourage children to get involved in the kitchen with these incredible recipe boxes from Cook School. Cook School is a not-for-profit organisation helping educate children on healthy eating while inspiring them to cook creative and healthy dishes. We were delighted to test out our culinary skills with the new veggie lasagne recipe box. The box contains a recipe card and all the ingredients you need to rustle up the perfect lasagne along with some fun engaging leaflets for children. For those that find it easier to follow a recipe by watching rather than reading, the talented Maddie is on hand to guide you through making the lasagne via an online video. The recipe was super easy to follow and having the ingredients measured out perfectly helps with the no-stress cooking in the kitchen, my type of cooking. Pasta sheet, tomato then cheese follows, pasta sheet, tomato then, cheese (and so on), then it’s into the oven. Thirty five minutes later the veggie lasagne has a beautifully browned cheese crust, it’s tomato lava bubbling through and it’s ready to be plated up. This was a cheesy melt in your mouth dish and we absolutely loved it!  It was easy to cook, enjoyable to make and tasted delicious! Much to our joy there was enough for left overs for the following evening. The recipe box is priced at an affordable £22.00. Both Co-Founders Kristian Dean and leading food educator and award-winning children’s cookbook author Amanda Grant are incredibly passionate about offering easy and affordable recipe boxes to help children and young adults learn how to cook and lead a healthier lifestyle. We can’t recommend them enough! Treat a child you know to one of these recipe boxes and watch them flourish in the kitchen. To view the full range of recipe boxes and to order a box visit: https://cookschool.club Written by Nyla S. #children #cookschool

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1519392503248{padding-top: 18px !important;}”][vc_column] [vc_column_text] W ith the mad dash of people booking restaurants in advance (thanks lockdown), it’s pretty damn difficult to get a restaurant booking in Central London, so you could imagine our surprise and excitement when we turned up to a very busy UGLY Dumpling at lunch time in Carnaby, to be told yep we can accommodate you. There’s a real buzz in Carnaby right now and it’s great to see people enjoying themselves alfresco and clinking their wine glasses. The lunchtime offer at UGLY Dumpling of noodles and dumplings for only £10 (yes you heard right) caught our attention immediately and we quickly scanned the menu to choose our selection of dumplings. I went for a mix, I ordered the satay chicken and prawn and chive dumplings. You get to choose your five dumplings from a generous selection of meat and vegetarian dumplings, which include: pork belly, aromatic duck, prawn and chive, satay chicken and spinach & tofu. Now as a dumpling lover, I was eager to find out if my taste-buds would go wild, and I’m glad to the dumplings didn’t disappoint! The satay chicken dumpling was my favourite of the two flavours, it was fresh, meaty and juicy. They didn’t last very long on my plate and I vowed to myself, the next time I visit UGLY Dumpling I would skip the noodles and order a massive platter containing every dumpling on offer. Yes it was that good. The noodles was nice, but it was the dumplings that stole the show. UGLY Dumpling has heaters above some of the seating outdoors, so if you’re dining in the evening, make sure you nab one of those tables. The service was swift and the staff were friendly. There is a vegan and gluten free menu, which delighted my dining partner, so bonus points for UGLY Dumpling. If you’re like myself and you go to UGLY Dumpling and before you finish your meal, you have the urge to comeback immediately, look out for their frozen dumpling offer – where you can get 15 dumplings for only £12.50 to cook up a storm in the kitchen at home. Address: UGLY Dumpling 1 Newburgh street Carnaby London, W1F 7RB Website: https://uglydumpling.co.uk Carnaby London: https://www.carnaby.co.uk Written by Nyla S. #carnaby #chinesefood #soho #uglydumpling

Walking along Forest Hill’s London Road, the well trodden pathway leading to the Horniman Museum you will stumble upon The Teapot. The cosy cafe is much loved by locals and a gem in the crown of Forest Hill’s ever expanding food establishments. As you enter the comforting warmth of The Teapot with its natural tones and bricked walls, you are greeted by buttery and flakey croissants, pastries, delicious cakes, and savoury treats, which includes a good selection of vegan and gluten free options. Chalked upon the large blackboards in front of you appears an extensive selection of toasted sandwiches, baked potatoes, brunch specials like eggs benedict and a good selection of tea, coffee, shakes and fruit smoothies. New to The Teapot’s line up of familiar menu items are three new colourful lattes: turmeric, pink and matcha. For something a little sweeter, ask for the Oreo milkshake, oh and the pistachio cannoli, now that’s a real treat! Co-owner Anton is behind the counter, he’s chatty, friendly and always remembers and builds up a rapport with his regulars. The teapot is more than just the sum of its delicious food offerings and premium Italian coffee, the founders have managed to create a friendly, welcoming vibe to the place. Having The Teapot open during lockdown was a safe haven for many locals, they were able to get their flat whites and toasted sandwiches to takeaway, but I imagine it was also the familiar conversations that took place at The Teapot, that was a respite to the humdrum of lockdown life. There is a real community feel here, last year, The Teapot offered free coffee for NHS staff, it’ may seem small, but it speaks volumes to the love and respect they have for the NHS. There are two tables outside for customers to enjoy dinning alfresco in the sunshine, and as of the 17th May, in line with government guidelines, customers will be allowed to dine indoors, and we will be for sure. Word on the grapevine is that their Eggs Benedict is a real winner. The Teapot is only a five minute walk away from the Horniman Museum and Gardens, one of our favourite South East London spots, (and what we like to think of as a hidden gem) if you decide to grab a takeaway, we would highly recommend you enjoy your lunch or coffee there. Address: 56 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3HF Written by Rick Hartley Photography by Nyla Sammons #coffeeshop #foresthill #southlondon #theteapot #southeastlondon

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1519392503248{padding-top: 18px !important;}”][vc_column] [vc_column_text] I f, like many of us, you are eagerly planning the first of your ‘post-lockdown’ restaurant outings, you could do a lot worse than the exquisite Galvin at Windows. Celebrating their 15th birthday in style, Chef Patron Jeff Galvin has decided to launch an exclusive five-course birthday menu curated by the five Head Chefs that have helped shape the kitchens at Galvin at Windows. What a superb idea for all us foodies who have been starved of culinary choice in recent months; why limit yourself to one talented chef’s vision, when you can experience five in one meal! The objective is to transport diners back in time, fusing old and new. Each of the five chefs will cook a mouth-watering course that encapsulated their time at the Mayfair restaurant, known for serving creative French cuisine based around seasonal ingredients: Starter: Crab lasagne with beurre nantaise by Chef Patron Jeff Galvin First course: Kimchi risotto – by Chef Joo Won (2013-2020) Second course: Confit Loch Duart salmon with broccoli, crème fraîche & caviar by Chef André Garrett (2006 – 2013) Main course: Dry-aged grass-fed beef fillet, short rib tartlet, yeast carrot & lovage by current head – by Chef Marc Hardiman Dessert: Apple tarte Tartin by Chef patron – by Chef Chris Galvin To kickstart the celebrations, all five Head Chefs will cook together for one night only for lucky diners on 10th June. Following this the fantastic menu will be available to guests between the 11th – 26th June. This is a one-off opportunity that you do not want to miss. To book visit: https://www.galvinatwindows.com Written by Claire Coveny #frenchfood #galvinatwindows

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1519392503248{padding-top: 18px !important;}”][vc_column] [vc_column_text] I t’s a strange feeling to be sat outside a restaurant, gazing in through it’s wide open doors to reveal an interior that feels unusually more al fresco than its exterior. The foliage that seems to creep up and engulf the ceiling, the occasional olive tree, the renaissance-esque statues all contribute to the feel of a Lombardy region botanical garden, and we wish we were inside. Como Garden is the brainchild of Spanish duo Alberto and Arian Zandi. Inspired by the stunning scenery of Lake Como and the food of all of Italy’s regions, what you end up with is a quite wonderful fusion of great quality Italian flavours but designed to share, Tapas style. As you’d expect from a good Italian establishment, the menu isn’t fussy but each dish is founded on the finest quality ingredients. There is a recommendation of 2-3 dishes per person that can be chosen from across their Antipasti, meat and fish tapas, and of course their highly regarded fresh pasta dishes. Eyes bulging and mouths watering we pushed the limits of this recommendation. From the Antipasti menu, the lightest Confit Artichokes had a subtle crunch but were so soft and not oily in the slightest. The Caponata had a real depth of flavour with a richness of low Fried Aubergines, sweet tomatoes, punctuated by capers & roasted pine nuts. A perfectly light Beef Carpaccio worked gloriously with pesto & parmesan drizzled over the top. From the meats and seafood section we went for a firm favourite of grilled octopus, again perfectly light yet still meaty. Boasting their love for freshly cooked pasta, we had to select at least one dish from this menu. Opting for the beef ragu. On some menus it is the tomato that is the leading component of a ragu but Como Garden has gotten this just right with the flavour of the slow cooked beef shining through. All dressed lovingly over the finest al-dente tagliatelle. One surprise of the lunch was the quality of the dessert. Sometimes an afterthought at Italian eateries, Como Garden makes them an equal on the menu. We went for The Como Ferrero Roché, highly recommended by our waiter. It comprises of 2 indulgently giant chocolate and hazelnut balls, coated with a sprinkling of crushed hazelnut. We also choose the Torta Di Mandorle is a heavenly moist slice of almond cake accompanied by a gelato then hasn’t just been introduced to pistachio, it is crunchy and rich with flavour. Sitting back and savouring a glass of one of their range of italian reds, squinting, you can almost see the line of Vespa’s to complete this almost perfect Italian experience with a Spanish tapas twist. Whether a Romantic dinner, al fresco dining with friends, Como Gardens is the perfect place to share incredible food in the heart of Kensington. Address: Como Gardens, 37 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5ED Website: https://comogarden.co.uk Written by Rick Hartley #Italian #comogarden #kensington #Italianrestaurant #kensingtonhighstreet

This week Sycamore Vino Cucina swung open their doors, Covent Garden’s hottest new Italian restaurant, situated in the beautiful luxury hotel Middle Eight. The floor to ceiling windows encourages you to unwind, relax and watch the world go by whilst sipping on a cocktail or two. Head chef Paul Robinson (former Head Chef of Temper and The Coal Shed) has created a mouth-watering menu with authentic, flavoursome Italian dishes. Inspiration is drawn from Paul’s love of Italy and his family heritage. The menu is designed for sharing, expect to find pit-grilled meats, pizzas, small dishes, hand-rolled pasta and delicate cuts of meat. The drinks menu will delight you with a generous selection of spirits, signature cocktails and an incredible wine list that champions the regions of Piedmont, Lombardia and Tuscany. What more can you want! Website: https://www.middleeight.com/food-drink/sycamore-restaurant-bar Address: 66 Great Queen street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5BX #Italian #coventgarden #italianfood #SycamoreVinoCucina #italianresturant