April’s Food News with Eat With Ellen
You often hear spring described as a bit of a time of awakening – birds seem to start singing again, plants start growing, some of us come out of hibernation after a winter hiding under a blanket with a bottle of wine etc etc. It’s also the time of year that seems to signal new beginnings and the a bit of an awakening in the world of food.
Slightly warmer weather (thought not quite as warm as I’d like as I write this!) heralds the promise of outdoor time, food festivals and holiday food, while spring also seems to signal the start of a flurry of new openings. My inbox has been inundated with news of new places, new menus, and even more places to add to ‘the list’.
I’ve picked out a few that I thought sounded fun though there are plenty more. And obviously it’s Easter this month too, so if none of this takes your fancy, you could just hole up with a lorry load of Easter eggs and eat your bodyweight in chocolate. Everyone’s a winner, hey!
MUST GO
Dinner Time Story presents Banquet of Hoshena
Eating these days is all about experience, and Banquet of Hoshena by Dinner Time Story certainly sounds like it’s going to be one of those. Starting this month in a pop-up venue in Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush, the “immersive dining concept” promises to “transport guests to an imaginary land where flavours and emotions are intrinsically linked and Kings, Queens, fairies and volcanoes come alive on the table”. Sounds cool, right!
Basically, it involves 36 visual technology, various props and storytelling through the food itself, to tell you the story of the Kingdom of Hoshena. During the two-hour show, you’ll dine on five courses accompanied by wine and cocktail pairings, with the food corresponding to the storyline and each dish representing an emotion.
It runs from April 12 until August 7 at Westfield, then at TT Liquor from August 8 until the end of 2020. Tickets are priced between £85 and £110. The website was still coming soon as I wrote this but you can get in touch with them via info@dinnertimestory.com or 07510 204003
Dinner Time Story – Banquet of Hoshena, Westfield, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF. Nearest stations – Shepherd’s Bush, White City
Saint & Sinner Afternoon Tea at Cafe L’oscar
This month, Cafe L’oscar at boutique hotel L’oscar is launching its first Afternoon Tea – the Saint & Sinner Afternoon Tea. It follows the theme of the cocktail menu upstairs at The Baptist Bar and features treats like Religieuse buns followed by sandwiches filled with the likes of devilled chicken and Poached salmon, virgin olive oil and beetroot bread. Sweets include Adam and Eve’s pudding, Devil’s food cake and Saint Nectaire and blood orange cheesecake, followed by traditional scones with cream and jam.
Whether you’re a saint or sinner also comes into play when you choose your drink, with a extensive tea selective for Saints and tea-based cocktails for the sinners among us. The tea also supports local charity Rhythms of Life, donating £2 from each tea sold.
L’oscar, 2-6 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AA. Nearest station – Holborn
Tibits launches new spring menu
I may not be vegetarian or vegan, but I get that lots of people are and every time I hear about tibits (www.tibits.co.uk) I think it sounds rather lovely. As spring arrives, they’ve launched a new menu full of natural proteins and fresh produce.
Spring dishes include Fillet-O-Aubergine – slices of breaded aubergine marinated in kelp, black salt and capers – as well as Pea & Nettle Barley Risotto with a creamy nettle pesto. New salads include Muddai Piratthal, a Sri Lankan influenced pasta salad with tofu and chickpeas as well as Green Beans, Radicchio & Spelt and Asparagus, Radish & Quinoa.
New desserts include a fresh Pear Tarte Tatin glazed with cinnamon, star anise and cardamom, as well as gluten-free and low sugar Polenta & Almond Basbousa.
There are new drinks too, including Super Vitamin C juice packed with spinach, cucumber, broccoli, ginger, lime and lemon juice, apple and dates and two new homemade lemonades including Mint-kiwi and Lemon-basil Lemonade. Sound good? I think so.
tibits Heddon Street, 12-14 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4DA. Nearest stations – Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus
tibits Bankside, 124 -128 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SW. Nearest stations – Southwark, Waterloo, Blackfriars
OUT OF TOWN
Chef Takeover at Rathfinny’s Tasting Room
If you’re looking for a foodie escape from the city, how about a little chef takeover at the Rathfinny Estate in Sussex. This month they’re welcoming Martin Carabott, Roux Scholar and Senior Sous Chef at Michelin-starred Hide restaurant to the Tasting Room for a takeover weekend.
Martin will be cooking his contemporary European food on Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunch as well as Friday and Saturday evening dinners on the weekend of April 12-14. Lunch overlooking the vineyard is priced at £45 and dinner is £65, showcasing the best of British produce. (Booking link – HERE)
Rathfinny’s Tasting Room, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5TU. Nearest stations – Polegate, Lewes, Seaford.
