#WilkesWeekly – (25-Sep-2013) @Boopshis, @TexasJoes, @CiaoChowBakery

 

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WHAT’S GOING ON?

This is the fifth weekly update of “What’s happening?”, “What’s opening?”, “What’s new?” and “What’s good?”. This lists events, openings, streetfood, bars, plus anything interesting which has sprung up on my radar. It won’t be a comprehensive listing, as there are way too many in our great city and there are others already doing a great job of that right now.

NOTE: To make up for the late update last week, and the fact that most events are Thu/Fri events here’s the update one day early!

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RESTAURANTS:
– Ruski’s Caviar & Vodka Tavern (Caviar Bar – Kensington) NOW OPEN
– Texas Joe’s (US Style BBQ – Shoreditch) OPENS Fri 11th Oct
– Pipsdish Covent Garden (Modern European, Covent Garden) OPENS Tues 08th OCT

POP UPS:
– AD12 at T42 (Modern European Restaurant, City) OPENS 01st Oct for 12 weeks
– Boopshis Viennese Food Pop-up (Camden Town Brewery, Camden) Sat 28th Sep, for one night only
– Ciao Chow (Dog Bakery – Soho) extended until 27th Sep

CRONUT UPDATE: New Flavours
– Duck & Waffle (City) – ‘Coffee’ and ‘Amaretto’ Dosants
– Rinkoff Bakery (Whitechapel) – ‘Chocolate Fudge’ Cro-doughs
– Ayres The Bakers (Nunhead) – ‘Lemon Cream with Lemon Drizzle’ / ‘Toffee Cream with Fudge and Roasted Hazelnuts’ Cronuts

WEEKEND EVENTS
– Andy Bates 6 Course Urban Tasting Menu’ (Supperclub) Fri, Sep 27th
– British Streetfood Awards / #StreetFoodEurope (Street food, Dalston) Sat 28th & Sun 29th Sep

 

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RESTAURANTS

Ruski’s Caviar & Vodka Tavern (Caviar Bar – Kensington)

(Launch party was 21th Sep, open to the public from Thu 26th Sep)

Ruski’s Dance Room

“Ruskis is a Caviar & Vodka Tavern where the interiors showcase the 120 year old history of the bar, with elements hinting at Imperial Russia, Soviet Russia and post-revolutionary Russia.”

Source: www.ruskis.com

This is a Russian Themed Caviar and Vodka bar which aims to recreate russian decadence “where caviar and chips will sit next to plates of the finest smoked salmon and steak tartare with caviar club sandwiches and of course, lashings of vodka.” It is the first solo project from Antoin Commane and Diego Bivero-Volpe of 5 Pollen Street, The Brompton Club and ‘faux apres ski’ venue, Bodo’s Schloss.

As expected, flights of vodka and caviar are available. £50 for five shots of vodka and five spoons of caviar. Good for those who like excess…

Ad: 1 Kensington High St, London, W8 5NP (map)
Ww: www.ruskis.com | Tw: #Ruskis

Texas Joe’s (US Style BBQ – Shoreditch)

(Opens Fri 11th Oct )

Texas Joe’s – Smoked Brisket

Fresh from his stint in Dragons Den, the Texan behind ‘Original Jerky’ actually rejected the terms offered to him by Peter Jones after the show. He is now backed by craft beer favourite BrewDog and will be launching a Barbecue joint at Brewdog’s Pub in Shoreditch.

I was fortunate to try some of the bounty from the newly installed smoker last weekend. I can confirm that are very generous on the wood-smoke, take a look at the picture.

Ad: Brewdog Shoreditch, 51 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch, London, E1 6LA (map)
Ww: www.texas-joes.com | Tw: @TexasJoes

Pipsdish (Modern European, Covent Garden)

(Soft) Opening 08th Oct

Pipsdish started in a disused Citroën Garage in Islington and migrated to Hoxton Square earlier this year. Their ‘no-menu, you-eat-what-you’re-given’ approach, allows them to serve whatever is fresh and available on the day. There will be no reservations. Breakfast will be a help-yourself experience for £7.50, a selection of small dishes and sharing plates for lunch and early theatre suppers (£10), and the usual PipsDish 3-course dinner with canapés for £30, Mon-Sat at 8pm.

For wine lovers, the selection will be a very small, affordable, ever-changing wine selection is available with few special bottles for the discerning wine buff “all chosen by a well-known Master of Wine”.

Although I missed the Islington popup, I did try lunch at Hoxton Square. Recommended for the friendly communal atmosphere and good no-nonsense home cooking.

Ad: 15 Exeter Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7DT (map) ‎ Ww: www.pipsdish.co.uk | Tw: @pipsdish

FULL LISTING: If you like trying new places visit the Hot Dinners Coming soon page for a comprehensive listing.

 

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POP-UPS:

AD12 at T42 (Contemporary 12 week popup restaurant, City)

(Opening 01st Oct for 12 weeks)

AD12 AT T42 (Photo courtesy of AD12 AT T42)

This unusually named popup is in fact an abbreviation of “Anthony Demetre for 12 weeks at Tower 42”. Anthony is best known for the Arbitus and Wild Honey Group and takes over the former Gary Rhodes at 24 on weekdays for Lunch and Dinner. After their 12 week tenancy a new Jason Atherton will open in the space, Q1 2014. The project is run with Restaurant Associates

“We are delighted to announce the opening of AD12 atT42 with Anthony Demetre and incredibly excited about this new phase for Restaurant Associates at Tower 42. Our relationships with renowned chefs like Anthony are based on a shared philosophy of bringing the world’s best to every one of our customers. A combination of a fantastic culinary experience and spectacular views of the iconic London skyline at AD12 atT42 are set to delight diners this autumn, marking an exciting time not just for us, but for London’s thriving culinary scene.”

– Andy Harris, Managing Director of Restaurant Associates

Ad: Tower 42, Level 24, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HQ (map)
Ww: ad12.co.uk Tw: @AD12atT42k

Boopshis Viennese Popup (Camden Town Brewery, Camden)

(Sat 28-Sep, 13h00-23h00)

Boopshis – Schnitzels, Spritz and Traditional Viennese

‘Boopshis’ is a ‘Schnitzels & Spritz’ restaurant due to open in Fitzrovia in November. This popup preview is their first service to the public. Expect to find schnitzels, bratwurst and their own ‘secret recipe’ sauerkraut.

The brothers behind the project are of Viennese descent and claim that the dishes are from their grandfather’s 80 year old recipe books. However, the beers in the restaurant include a including a bespoke made amber beer from Camden Town Brewery.

Venue:
Camden Town Brewery, 55 Wilkin Street Mews, Camden, London NW5 3NN (map)
Ww: boopshis.org | Tw @boopshis

Ciao Chow (Dog Bakery – Soho)

Extended until 27th Sep

“In response to years of Frappacino envy London Dogs have been campaigning for cafe of their own” Mark Watty – Ciao Chow

As a ‘dog bakery’ this must be one of the most unusual pop-ups I’ve seen in London. Actually a promotional exercise to promote their dog accessories range, Piper Skillman and Mark Watty have created an old style patisserie designed with dogs in mind. The patisserie stand has a ‘dog level’ counter for dogs to ‘choose’ their treats.

Customers can sit at the custom designed seating area next to their dogs for coffee and biscuits. Curiously enough all the treats such as ‘Corgi Crunch’ and ‘Peanut Pup’ are vegetarian. They even held a dual ‘owners and dogs’ joint dinner!</p

I don’t have a dog, but several dog owning friends enjoyed this place. It looks like response has very positive as the venue, which was due to close on Fri 20th, has now been extended to Fri 27th Sep.

Ad:
23 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4RT (map)
Ww: www.ciaochowcanine.com | Tw: @CiaoChowBakery

FULL LISTING: For a detailed listing of pop-ups see the excellent weekly newsletter by London Pop-ups

 

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CRONUT UPDATE: New Flavours

Since the publicaton of the London Cronut Guide Aubaine, The Crumbery and even Greggs The Baker have launched their own cronut-varieties. However, three of the original bakeries have launched new flavours.

Duck & Waffle

NEW ‘Coffee’ and ‘Amaretto’ Dosants

The London Cronut Guide – Senior Sous-Chef Tom Cenci with the Duck & Waffle Dosant

City restaurant Duck & Waffle is the home of the ‘only available on Sundays’ cronut-style pastry. Named the ‘dosant’ by head chef Dan Doherty it doesn’t try to replicate the appearance of the original. In fact it looks like a sugared croissant at first glance. The team here has been experimenting with some new flavours which were trialled on Sep 15th. Although the original has constantly evolved, the ‘coffee’ and ‘amaretto’ flavours are the first new flavours to be introduced. No word yet on whether they’ll be permanent fixture.

Ww: duckandwaffle.com | Fb: duckandwaffle Tw: @duckandwaffle

Rinkoff’s

*NEW* ‘Chocolate Fudge’

Rinkoff’s Bakery – Chocolate Fudge Cronut

The popular cro-dough maker who claims to be the first to introduce a ‘cronut-style-pastry’ to Londoners. The new ‘Chocolate Fudge’ flavour launched on on Sun 16th Sep joining the current line up of making 4 cronuts in total alongside the “Custard Cream”, “Toffee-apple-crumble” and “Raspberry Coolie”. This bakery is very good with their social media and communication. If you’re a cronut fan, sign up to their newsletter on their website for the latest updates

Ww: www.crodoughlondon.com | Fb: Rinkoffs.Bakery | Tw: @rinkoffbakery

Ayres The Baker

*NEW* ‘Lemon Cream with Lemon Drizzle’ and ‘Toffee Cream with Fudge and Roasted Hazelnuts’

Ayres the Baker – Now with 3 cronut flavours

I finally visited Vincent Ayres in his Nunhead Bakery on the day they launched two new flavours ‘Lemon Cream with Lemon Drizzle’ and ‘Toffee Cream with Fudge and Roasted Hazelnuts’ which joins the regular sugar coated cronut. At £2 each they are more expensive than the £1.30 they currently charge for their basic sugar coated cronut. However they are sizable and on par with Rinkoff’s in generous size.

Ww: None found | Fb: None Found | Tw: @ayres_the_baker

 

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WEEKEND EVENTS

There are two events on my radar this weekend, both for fans of Street Food. For those who are fans of Andy Bates, the owner of ‘Eat My Pies’ street food stall and presenter of Food Network’s “Street Feasts”, he is holding a pop-up dinner in Shepherds Bush.

Also, the British Street Food Awards 2013 will be hosted at Dalston Yard this weekend. In an event held in conjunction with Tweat Up (the team who brought you Taco Wars and Rib Stock), the British Street Food Award finalists plus some European streetfood guests from France, Germany, Italy and Sweden will be at Dalston Yard.

Andy Bates ‘6 Course Urban Tasting Menu’ – Fri, Sep 27th

Andy Bates’ Supperclub

Andy Bates, presenter of “Street Eats” on The Food Network and nice guy behind the “Eat My Pies” street food stall is holding a tasting menu which includes the ‘pie-burger’, an entire burger baked into a pie proudly shown at National Burger Day. Teaming up with Princess Victoria’s Matt Reuther you can expect a meal to include quail, scotch eggs, salmon, swordfish, doughnuts and tarts

Tickets £40 seating at approx. ~ 19h30

Full Details: https://twitter.com/eatmypies/…large

Location:
Princess Victoria, 217 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London, W12 9DH (map)

Ww: princessvictoria.co.uk | Tw: @PVWestLondon

British Street Food Awards (Street food, Dalston)

(Sat 28th & Sun 29th Sep)

Street Food at Dalston Yard

The Tweat Up crew team up with the British Street Food Awards to bring the best of the British and European Street vendors to Dalston Yard, the same summer venue of the immensely popular Street Feast events. Londoners will be pleased to see favourites Bao, Tongue ‘N Cheeks, and Street Kitchen. Making a rarer London appearance is Gingers Comfort Emporium (Manchester). They won the award from Earl Grey Sorbet in the awards in 2012.

For a full list of the food on offer (including the European vendors see the full list). For more details about the day see Tweat Up’s event page.

EVENT DETAILS: TWEAT UP
Ww: www.tweatup.co.uk/street…dalston | Fb: TweatUp | Tw: @Tweat_Up #StreetFoodEurope

LIST OF VENDORS: BRITISH STREET-FOOD AWARDS
Ww: britishstreetfood.co.uk/…/finalists | Fb: Britishstreetfood | Tw: @BritStreetFood

 

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SPECIAL MENTIONS

The Pig

(British Restaurant, New Forest)

The Pig – Extraordinary Bath Chap

Last week I was invited to lunch in a restaurant called ‘The Pig’ in The New Forest. Impressively, this venue farms much of their own vegetables and livestock and is probably best described as a restaurant with a hotel attached. Unsurprisingly their ’25 Mile Menu’ only contains ingredients which are sourced within a 25 mile radius of the venue! Ingredients which are not sourced on site are obtained from the local area or from their forager.

For the lovers of the countryside and good food take note. I’ve done a little research and heard some good feedback from those who have visited this retreat in Hampshire. If you’re looking to get away from a few days but still want to eat well, this is worth a look. (Full Report to follow).

Ad: Beaulieu Road, Brokenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QL (map)
Ww: http://www.thepighotel.com Fb: ThePigRooms Tw: @The_Pig_Hotel

 

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HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING:

London is an awesome city for events. I am asked what is happening a lot. There is no way I can cover everything happening, however there are several good sites to use, depending on what you’re seeking.

Best for… Restaurant Openings: “Coming soon” by Hot-Dinners
Best for… Pop-Up Events: “Weekly Newsletter” by London Pop-ups

All Images & Content ©2013 Wilkes McDermid. May not be copied, printed or otherwise disseminated without express written permission