WHAT’S GOING ON?
This is the 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 IS NOT 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: Since most events listed are on Wednesdays to Saturdays I have permanently moved this updates to Wednesdays
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RESTAURANTS:
– Honest Burgers Portobello (Burgers, Notting Hill) OPENS Sat 06th Oct
– Merchant’s Tavern (Modern European, Shoreditch) OPENS Mon 08th Oct
– Pipsdish Covent Garden (Modern European, Covent Garden) OPENS Tues 08th OCT
– Falafeleicious (Falafal, Shoreditch Boxpark) TBC
FOOD POP UPS:
– AD12 at T42 (Modern European Restaurant, City) OPENED 01st Oct for 12 weeks
– Po Po’s House by Mei Mei’s Street Cart (Beijing Street Food, Hoxton) 08th Oct
WEEKEND EVENTS
– Malaysia Night (Street Food produce and entertainment, Trafalgar Square) Fri 04th Oct 12h00-22h00 (Entertainment from 17h00)
– Shacktoberfest by ShakeShack (Burger & Beer Festival, Covent Garden) Starts Fri, 04th Oct until Sun, 13th Oct
– Elefest (Street Festival, Elephant & Castle) Sat 05th Oct
SPECIAL MENTIONS
– London Cocktail Week, Mon 07th Oct – Sun 13th Oct
– London Restaurant Festival, Thu 03rd Oct – Sun 21st Oct
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RESTAURANTS
Honest Burgers Portobello (Burgers, Notting Hill)
OPENS Sat 06th Oct
Honest Burgers with rosemary fries
One of the most popular burger joints in London started in Brixton, expanded into Soho and Camden. Now they bring their ‘Honest’ style burgers to Portobello, West London. Expect to see all the favourites on the menu plus the addition of ‘scratchings’ according to Tom Barton, co-founder of Honest Burgers. Given the pattern of openings as Brixton (South), Soho (Central), Camden (North) and now Portobello (West) will there be an ‘Honest-East’ opening in Hoxton?
To celebrate the opening, the first 400 burgers at Portobello Road from 12h00 on Sat 06th Oct will be free!
Ad: 159 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2DY (map)
Ww: www.honestburgers.co.uk Fb: honestburgers Tw: @HonestBurgers
Merchant’s Tavern (Modern European, Shoreditch)
OPENS Mon 08th Oct
Merchants Tavern – Bitter Chocolate Pot
This is a collaboration between Angela Hartnett (The Connaught, Murano, York & Albany) and Neil Borthwick (The Square, The Connaught) with the owners of Canteen (Dominic Lake and Patrick Clayton Malone). As expected the menu will be modern European.
This venue is already in ‘soft launch’ mode with 50% off food until the opening date on Mon 08th Oct. However all the dining spaces are already fully booked. However, there is a limited food menu available at the bar which will be walk-ins only.
Ad: 35-42 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3PG (map)
Ww: www.merchantstavern.co.uk | Fb: None | Tw: @merchantstavern
Pipsdish Covent Garden (Modern European, Covent Garden)
OPENS Tues 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
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
Falafelicious (Falafal, Shoreditch Boxpark)
OPENING DATE TBC
As the name suggests, Falafelicious will serve falafel and falafel-centric dishes. However I don’t have a launch date as yet. For more details see the posting by the Boxpark which will be their new home. They appear to be taking over a unit formally occupied by juice specialists, Crussh.
Ad: Unit 59, 2-4 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch, London, E1 6GY (map)
Ww: www.falafelicious.me | Fb: None found | Tw: None found
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FOOD POP-UPS:
AD12 at T42 (Contemporary 12 week popup restaurant, City)
OPENED 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
Po Po’s House by Mei Mei’s Street Cart
TUE 8th Oct
Mei Mei’s StreetCart – Jiang Bing
Mei Mei’s Streetcart pops up with a supperclub at the Dead Dolls Club. Known for their Jiang Bing, the Chinese version of a French Crêpe, Mei Mei’s Streetcart normally serves this popular Beijing streetfood at street markets like KERB_, Street Feast and Urban Food Fest. However, the menu reveals a much wider menu.
Note, their website claims that they will be at Elefest in Elephant & Castle this Saturday.
Po Po’s House – MENU
Mooli Cake
Steamed and then pan-fried until crispy, with Cured Chinese Bacon and Shrimps, crispy onions, and homemade mayo.
(V) With Spring OnionsBig Pig Ribs
Slow cooked and smothered in Black bean & ginger Chilli sauce.
(V) Crispy Fried Tofu with CashewsBraised Beef
10hr braised Brisket and Flank in an aromatic Szechuan spice sauce. Served with Chinese vegetables and Shanghai noodles.
(V) Braised Aubergine – With a crispy fried Duck egg and black Sesame steamed ricePandan Cake
with Raspberries and fresh cream
TICKETS: Edible Experiences – or – Eat My World
VENDOR: Mei Mei’s Street Cart
Ww: www.meimeistreetcart.co.uk | Fb: MeiMeisStreetCart | Tw: @mmStreetCart
VENUE: Dead Dolls Club
Ww: www.thedeaddollsclub.com | Fb: The-Dead-Dolls-Club/178089995583533 | Tw: @DeadDollsClub
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WEEKEND EVENTS
Malaysia Night (Street Food produce and entertainment, Trafalgar Square)
FRI 04th Oct 12h00-22h00 (Entertainment from 17h00)
For the fourth time. Trafalgar Square will be turned into an annual Malaysian food market on Friday. Stalls will be selling arts, crafts, produce and serving food from 12h00. In the evening a main stage will show the obligatory ethnic dancing and stage shows to add to the Malaysian ambiance.
Note, see their Facebook and twitter pages for more info. I couldn’t find anything on their main website.
Ww: www.malaysiakitchen.co.uk | Fb: 353…977 | Tw: @MalaysianFoodUK
Shacktoberfest – By ShakeShack (Burger & Beer Festival, Covent Garden)
FRI 04th Oct until SUN 13th Oct
Not to be outdone by the Germans and Octoberfest, the American newcomers to the London burger scene are holding their own Burger & Beer festival at their home in Covent Garden.
A 20 Oz Shakeshack Stein for £10 will be on offer with refills for £4.50. The usual shakeshack menu will be boosted with burgers and ‘wursts’ for the promo.
SHACKTOBERFEST SPECIALS MENU
Shakeshack – Shakestack Burgers
- Cheese Brat Burger: 100% all-natural Angus beef burger topped a flat-top griddled Emmanteler cheese bratwurst, crispy ShackMeister Ale-marinated shallots and ShackSauce (£7.75)
- Spicy Brat: Griddled spicy smoked garlic sausage (£5.00)
- Currywurst: Bavarian Brat topped with crispy ShackMeister Ale-marinated shallots and curry ketchup (£5.00)
- Bavarian Brat: Griddled bratwurst topped with spicy mustard (£5.00)
- Cheese Brat: Griddled Emmanteler cheese-stuffed bratwurst (£5.00)
- German Chocolate Pecan Concrete: Chocolate frozen custard blended with coconut-pecan caramel and St. JOHN Bakery chocolate hazelnut brownie (Single: £4.00 | Double: £6.50)
- Apfelstrudel Shake: Vanilla frozen custard hand-spun with apples, caramel and spices (£4.50)
Full Details: Press Release
Ww: www.shakeshack.co.uk Fb: shakeshack Tw: @shakeshackUK
The StockMKT (part of Elefest) (Street Food Market, Elephant & Castle)
FRI 04th Oct and SAT 04th Oct
Dosa Deli at StockMKT/Elefest 2012
This is the 11th year of “Elefest”, the Elephant & Castle Festival”. This also includes a 2 day appearance by street-food specialists The StockMKT on Fri 04th and Sat 05th Oct. Yes there are ‘community events’ in the evening but I shall be heading here for the food.
STREETFOOD: The StockMKT
Ad: Hotel Elephant, Warehouse A&B, 40-42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR (map)
Ww: www.thestockmkt.com | Fb: TheStockMKT | Tw: @TheStockMKT
FESTIVAL: Elefest (Elephant & Castle Festival)
Useful Links: Full Event Program – and – Downloadable PDF Guide
Ww: www.elefest.org | Fb: Elefest | Tw: @elefestlondon
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SPECIAL MENTIONS
London Cocktail Week
MON 07th – SUN 13th Oct
London Cocktail Week – Vesper Martini from The American Bar
London is one of the centers of the cocktail universe. With so many great bars in the capital it is no surprise that the annual London Cocktail Week continues to thrive. I’ve attended at least the last three of these. There are usually lots of talks and demonstrations, discount price (£4) cocktails, cocktail tours and events throughout the week.
“London Cocktail Week is a unique celebration of our capital’s unrivalled cocktail culture. Through a host of seminars, pop-up bars, tastings, parties and master-classes, aimed at both novices and experienced professionals, London Cocktail Week will inspire, educate and unite cocktail lovers. This year, the festival’s events will again be held in the historic and beautiful Seven Dials in the heart of the West End – so come and explore our wealth of pop-up bars and soak up the street party atmosphere.” – Source: www.londoncocktailweek.co.uk
Ad: (For wristband collection) 7 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LL (map)
Ww: www.londoncocktailweek.co.uk | Fb: LDNCocktailWeek | Tw: @LDNCocktailWeek
London Restaurant Festival
FRI 03rd to SUN 21st Oct
@LRF2012: Keralan Fried Chicken by @TrishnaLondon #FlashHob thanks Karam!
Self described as “a citywide celebration of eating out”, this two week festival is actually a series of events and special “Festival Menus” by 350 participating restaurants. These are designed to give diners a chance to sample a restaurant menu at an accessible price. The events include restaurant hopping tours such as the ‘Tapas Tour’ and ‘Japanese Journeys’.
I’m pleased to hear that this year’s chairwoman is Gizzi Erskine, big supporter of the London street food renaissance and one of the hardest working women I’ve met. Good luck Gizzi!
The London Restaurant Festival always overlaps with London Cocktail Week. So for those of you who like their food and drink, this is going to be a very busy week.
Ad: All over London
Ww: www.londonrestaurantfestival.com | Fb: www.facebook.com/pages…44 | Tw:
@LRF2013
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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
@wilkes888 - London based Food & Drink-o-phile 