Category: FOOD & DRINK

3 best waterside eating and drinking spots in London

Waterway London

While London warms up and we wear less-and-less clothing, the time’s come to really make the most of those waterside bars and eating spots we know and love. But, where’s good? We’ve found three joints that’re worth talking about down by the waterside. Complete with cruisey breezes and well as a quality feed, you won’t be disappointed. The Summerhouse Idyllically situated on the beautiful banks of Little Venice, The Summerhouse offers superlative waterside dining. During the summer, the picturesque restaurant rolls back its windows to leave only leafy partitions standing between diners and the bobbing barges beside them. Decked with light oak floors, blue and white striped furnishings and seaside artefacts – expect a chic waterside ambiance, whatever the weather. 60 Blomfield Road, Maida Vale, W9 2PD The Waterway Boasting one of the largest outdoor spaces in the capital, The Waterway’s fully heated terrace on Regent’s Canal provides the perfect spot for al-fresco drinking and dining, come rain or shine. Kick back with a refreshing craft beer and feast on barbecued delights from the outside kitchen or pull up a pew in the Lower Garden, available for exclusive hire, and soak up the sun in the leafy surroundings. 54 Formosa Street, W9 2JU Bateaux London River Room Explore one of the world’s most exciting cities from a new perspective onboard River Room. Book a unique party this summer to enjoy stunning view of London from the largest terrace on the river Thames. Wine and dine on the open-air roof deck as you sail past some… Read More

No more eco guilt: a new swap-n-go coffee cup scheme just started in Sydney

Green Caffeen

There’s already a pretty large reusable coffee cup culture in Sydney’s Inner West, so when cafes like Ona, Cornersmith, Two Chaps and Cherry Moon mention they’re on board, you know it’s going to take off. Green Caffeen has made its debut in Sydney, offering most of us who contribute to the 50,000-odd coffee cups that wind up in landfill every 30 minutes the chance to curb the decline of the world. The new swap-n-go coffee cup scheme has launched in partnership with the Inner West Council and Responsible Cafes to make it easier for locals to enjoy a take-away coffee, without the eco-guilt. Complete with an app compatibility and the promise of free reusable coffee cup, provided you return any you use, Green Caffeen is taking the initiative needed to encourage eco activism without you even needing to try. “The Inner West already has a strong BYO cup culture. But everyone has those days when you forget your cup yet you still need your life-sustaining coffee to get through the day. This partnership is building on the strong foundations in place and making it easy – both for customers and cafes – to reduce the waste of takeaway coffee cups,” said Damien Clarke, Green Caffeen. Green Caffeen will be available across the Inner West from 30 July. How it works: Download the Green Caffeen app and sign up with your details Scan a reusable cup at a participating café Sip your lovely hot cup of coffee and feel the life force flow through you Return to any participating café within 30 days… Read More

Bar M Sydney battles BS laws with brilliant new menu

Cocktails and a shoes

In what appears to be the latest step in wilful law-fuelled lovelessness, new council rules in the area that Sydney’s Bar M operates mean bad news for the local bar. The Italian bar and restaurant, synonymous with refined glamour and rustic home-made Neapolitan style cooking in Sydney, has launched a new bar menu to champion the city’s night life. They’ve called it ‘Power Hours’, and feature in it some classic Italian cocktails with a Mediterranean twist. Plus food. The new rules mean the bar might have to shut shop at 10pm, draining it of its spot in locals’ hearts and also leading to a loss of dollars, jobs and in turn, its place in the long list of Sydney’s go-to Italian joints. The cocktails have been crafted by the bar staff and manager Matteo Belkeziz, inspired by recent events in Sydney that have seen a change in the late-night dining culture. Keep Sydney Open Bourbon whiskey, Porter beer reduction, barrel bitters, fresh lemon juice & a hint of coffee. “When a Whiskey Sour meet an Espresso Martini, the result is a perfect drink from dusk till dawn”, says Belkeziz Silent Disco Ink Gin, violet and lavender shaken hard with a touch of maraschino & citrus. Smooth, flowery and delicate with an amazing and captivating colour. “Like music for the tastebuds”. Footloose Frangelico, lime and Spiced rum, a perfect trio that magically combines together. “That’s what you need to make sure your feet will dance all night with the blend of this rich, nutty & fresh… Read More

General Chao attacks Sydney: New restaurant opens in

General Chao Chinese food 1

Nihao, General Chao. He’s invaded Sydney and lovers of Asian-Australian cuisine are excited. Think a relaxed up-beat atmosphere provides a versatile setting for a range of engagements, whatever the occasion from a quick mid-week lunch to a corporate event, after-work drink to a cosy table for two. Plus with a menu which stars deliciousness like coconut and beef rendang arancini with sriracha mayo, crispy popcorn eggplant bites tossed in the General’s special seasoning and the caramelised pork belly bao served with coriander, pickled radish salad and in-house plum saucePlus with a menu which stars deliciousness like as well as a drinks menu to boot, it doesn’t leave you wanting for much more. Check out the menu for yourself and make a booking at the General Chao website.

Coya Angel Court has a new Pisco and Taco Hour on the terrace

Coya front

Mexican food is magic. And no one in London knows this quite as well as Coya Angel Court, who’re this month celebrating them along with pisco sours galore. From 15 July, they’re putting on a pisco and taco hour on their terrace every Monday to Friday from 4-6pm until August. Coya’s got a colourful pisco bar and lounge they open for guests to unwind from the city and catch the evenings rays with a choice of either Coya’s signature pisco sour that they’ve decided to infuse with a range of flavours like peach, rosemary and chilli or orange and cinnamon. Of course, they’ve got the rest of their menu on offer, too. Think Peruvian flavours and with Spanish, Japanese and Chinese influences for unique flavours that excite even the most seasoned foodie. Get it all for £15 – including Pisco Sour or Chilcano with two tacos of the day at Coya Angel Court. Find them at COYA Angel Court, 31-33 Throgmorton Street, London, EC2N 2AT.

Nobu London is doing something different for art

Nobu London 1

Nobu London does two works of art: one’s the menu, the other is the new exhibition they’re putting on, giving artists the chance to have their works presented at the Old Park Lane restaurant. London-based artist Milly Peck has kicked it all off with her work in the restaurant until mid-September. She’s created a number of pieces exclusively for Nobu London that use routing as a means of drawing. Her work explores the area between a flat image and a three-dimensional object, working with graphically rendered scenes to reimagine the everyday into prop-like cut-outs. It’s pretty great stuff and has been exhibited across the UK. There’ll be more in store, too, so check in with Nobu London.

Cheap oysters in August at The Morrison Sydney

Oysters

The Morrison in Sydney loves a themed food fest, and August is no different = they’re back at it with their oyster-tastic celebration that you need to get around. Think a bit of bubbles, a few freshly shucked gems of the ocean and a tonne of fun from 7 August. It’s a month-long celebration that promises a shucking good time with fresh oysters and bottomless bubbles on tap every weekend day and night. Chef Sean Connolly is at the helm of this whale of a good time, having put on an array of bespoke oyster dishes dreamed up by Sean throughout the month. Think chicken fried oyster sliders, grilled Pacifics ‘in shell’ with soy broth, and mains such as southern fried oysters with slow cooked pork belly (pearls and pig for short!) and oyster and leek chowder served over duck fat fries. Or if you’re feeling purely shellfish, opt for freshly shucked oysters ‘dressed to impress’ with a choice of dressings including kimchi vinaigrette and bloody mary-style horseradish ketchup. Oh, and they’ll be doing a stunning $1.50 Oyster Hour available from 6-7pm every evening throughout the festival. The time to get your booking in now. Head to the Morrison’s website.

Chateau de Pommard in France’s Burgundy region does fine wine

Chateau Pommard

When you walk into a room, a converted cellar; there’s French language and accents hanging in the air; wine from Burgundy flowing generously and a tasting menu before you like you’ve never seen, you know Chateau de Pommard’s in town. Château de Pommard Wine Advisors Olivier Bouchard and Amicie de Saint Léger travel France and the UK, hosting tasting events and under-the-skin journeys of the Pommard label to educate and bring to life the beauty behind every bottle of wine from the mid-France region. An acclaimed UNESCO-protected World Heritage Climats of Burgundy – regions with very defined parameters that benefit from particular climactic conditions, the experience that’s formulated in France is one-of-a-kind. It’s been built to allow customers and wine drinkers the chance to compare the multiple expressions of wines from the Chateau, learn about their production and why it’s so. In the tastings, Olivier walks wine lovers, writers, students and aficionados through the world of Pommard. From an introduction to the Chateau, how it operates and the story behind the rich American who bought it a few years ago, it’s steeped in history, all of which comes through in each bottle. Working from light to dark, such Pommard wines like the Famille Carabello-Baum Meursault 2017 a light, aromatic, and stars super notes of fresh yellow flowers, chamomile, lemon, and pear, along with hints of wet stones. Olivier goes to describe the overall body of the wine in such detailed notes with flavours of butter, cream, vanilla and lemon zest. The body is full, with… Read More

Cherry Gin: Larrikin does it again with its Aussie inspired tipples

Cherry Lush Larrikin gin 1

Dark cherries and gin – not the most conventional of combos, but damn, does it work or what? Larrikin Gin – the Australian-inspired gin with the nametag to prove it – have just gone out to the world with a gin, jammed with morello cherries and a whole unique take on drinking. The ruby red gin – called Cherry Lush – has been bottled at 28%, delivering a smooth finish that is set to infuse all your senses with initial cherry sweetness followed by hints of tartness from the morellos. Whilst bold in flavour, ‘Cherry Lush’ can be enjoyed either straight or mixed, serving as the perfect addition to your favourite fruit cocktails. Right in the middle of an Australian winter, this cherry-packed, wintry-inspired alcohol is perfect for while you’re perched fireside, or on top of a heating duct, warming you from the inside-out with the touch of gin and the warmth of dry tartness. Score a bottle from Larrikin Gin or at selected on premise outlets for $85.

Plateau London launches their St Tropez Terrace for the summer with a French Riviera brunch and picnic

Plateau St Tropez London cushion

Canary Wharf’s about to get a little more lively thanks to Wimbledon and Plateau, which is putting on a spread with Limited Edition M de Minuty Rosé to create a St Tropez garden terrace for the summer. A little bit of France in the financial district, it’s all about Plateau’s summertime rose brunch, a pink picnic package – pinknic, they’re calling it – and a delicious tennis-y rose dessert. Think of a Mediterranean floral-filled slice’a bliss, decorated in lights, and festooned with plants. It’s a plant filled Instagram-poppin’ feast for the eyes that you won’t want to leave. Oh, and you know that picnic package they’re doing? Well, it’s new for 2019, and in addition to summery tidbits, stars a bottle of limited edition Minuty Rosé to share. The Pink-nic, served all-day, features a mix of savoury and sweet quintessential British bites; Braised beef cheek slider in a brioche bun with horseradish cream; Lobster roll with fine herb mayonnaise and fennel pollen; Yellow fin tuna tartare with lime and sesame and quick snacks such as Padron peppers; Sourdough bruschetta with minted ricotta, peas with broad beans and cocktail sausages with honey & mustard. But if sitting a bit more rustic isn’t your jam, then Plateau is still going the classic option, offering either two (£20) or three (£25) courses, with the menu featuring brunch classics such as: Avocado on multi seed toast, with fried or poached egg; Eggs Benedict; and fried egg with chorizo, sweetcorn, spring onions, mushrooms and chilli. Larger plates from the Josper grill come in… Read More