Eat with Ellen’s March Food News

Spring’s nearly here folks, I’m sure of it. The lure of lighter evenings, gin and tonics and barbecued food is calling to me and no longer seems quite so distant. March is the time we start to see menus change, different kinds of food on offer, and a renewed excitement that comes from many of us realising that the mercury is rising and we no longer need to hide away from inclement weather and general greyness.

And fear not, there’s plenty on offer in the world of food to tempt you out of hibernation, from new openings to new menus and food-filled adventures. Here’s what I think sounds quite fun food-wise this month:-

Must GO

Jason Atherton’s Temple and Sons launches British Saturday brunch

Grill restaurant Temple and Sons has recently launched its new brunch menu, available every Saturday. The food menu aims to unite British and American classics, with everything from a classic full english to buttermilk pancakes. You’ll be able to try dishes like wood fired Lake District onglet steak with potatoes, black pudding, Lyonnaise onions and a fried egg or sweet treats like brioche French toast served with maple cured streaky bacon and maple syrup.

And if you overdid it on Friday night, you can try some ‘hair of the dog’ remedies from the bar, like the Temple and Sons Bloody Mary and bellinis with a twist. To book call 0207 8777710 or emailing reservations@templeandsons.co.uk

Temple and Sons, 22 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HQ. Nearest stations – Liverpool Street, Bank

Mere, Fitzrovia

MasterChef’s own Monica Galetti is opening her own restaurant with sommelier husband David Galetti.

Mere, from a combination of the French for mother and Samoan word for Galetti’s mother Mary, will offer seasonal food, with six choices per course, as well as a seasonal cocktail list.

Mere opens at 74 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QH on March 6, 2017. Nearest station –

Champagne Dinner at the Clerkenwell Kitchen

How about an evening of sophistication full of champagne and great food? Get yourself down to The Clerkenwell Kitchen on March 11 for a four course menu paired with a hand-selected grower champagnes. The evening starts with a champagne and canapé reception followed by a three courses guided by host, founder and wine-lover Neil Deacon, then a champagne bar will serve more drinks from the region until 11.30pm. Tickets are from £75, bookable here.

The Clerkenwell Kitchen, 27 – 31 Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0AT. Nearest station – Farringdon

Union Street Cafe hosts an olive grove pop-up

Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Cafe in Southwark will be home to a breathtaking underground pop-up from March 16th, in celebration of all things relating to the humble olive. Have your taste buds transported to Italy as part of this unique and immersive bar experience. Drink and dine under a canopy of olive trees and vines, all while experiencing the sights, tastes and smells of an Italian summer’s day. Davide Gagliazzo, Bar Manager at Union Street Café, has joined forces with Martini, to create an experimental bar menu, with each cocktail featuring olive oil. Head Chef Davide Degiovanni has produced a unique bar snack menu celebrating the olive, each dish perfectly paired to a cocktail on the menu. The Olive Grove will be open Monday – Saturday (Mon – Fri from 4pm, Saturday from 12pm), for three months.

Nobu to open in Shoreditch

The first European hotel from internationally-renowned brand Nobu Hotels is coming to Shoreditch – bringing with it a brand new restaurant. Set to open in June, it claims to offer a “series of innovative culinary experiences, specially created for Nobu Shoreditch, available not only in London’s newest Nobu restaurant, but across the lobby bar, extensive meeting spaces and 24 hour in-room dining”.

The menu will feature plenty of Nobu’s classics like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, as well as dishes inspired by the local area.

As well as the restaurant, there’s a huge four-level terrace for open-air dining and a semi-private dining space overlooking the custom-built, open kitchen. The separate Lobby Bar on the ground floor also serves Nobu dishes and award-winning cocktails from Nobu hotels around the world.

Hawaiian Fancy Dress Brunch Party at Mahiki!

To celebrate the Honolulu Festival in Hawaii, Mahiki is putting on a Hawaiian Fancy Dress Brunch Party on March 25. As well as music, performances and complimentary cocktails, you’ll be able to dine on a brunch menu including maple syrup pancakes, Hawaiian smoked sausages, smashed Kahaluu Avocados, pineapple & ham frittata and much more. For tickets, click here.

Mahiki, 1 Dover Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4LD. Nearest station – Green Park

Open Evening at Leiths

If you’ve got aspirations to cook professionally, you’ll probably want to check this out. Leiths’ open evenings are a chance to find out if their nine-month diploma, evening courses and day-a-week courses in professional cooking and nutrition are for you.

On the event on March 9 you’ll be able to try a hands-on cookery taster session, explore the school, and chat to teachers about your career and your ambitions.

Leiths School of Food and Wine, 16-20 Wendell Road, London, W12 9RT. Nearest stations – Stamford Brook, Goldhawk Road,  Shepherds Bush

MUST TRY

Chocolate Teapot from The Fowndry

I couldn’t help but include this – because of course you need a chocolate teapot in your life! This epic treat from The Fowndry is made from 600g of Belgium chocolate and while it might make a great Mother’s Day gift, you could just keep it for yourself. Add hot water to make a rich hot chocolate or your own fondue, or just munch on it instead. Apparently it’s gluten-free and lasts 18 months, but I can’t see that being an issue, can you?

The Chocolate Teapot is £24.99 and is available online from The Fowndry.

Aldi Exquisite Collection Muscadet Sevre et Maine

Gone are the days when supermarket wine meant a bottle of cheap plonk, they now supply quality tipples for every occasion, and usually at very reasonable prices. Step forward the latest offering from Aldi, a crisp Muscadet with  leafy mint flavours and mouth-watering lemon freshness. At just £4.99 you’d be hard pushed to find such a pleasing white at such a reasonable price if you got on a boat and sailed to Calais for the day.