May food round-up with Eat with Ellen
Greetings Belles and Beaux from a lovely Cornwall where I’m generally eating all the food and drinking all the drink in a little spring break. I haven’t forgotten you, though, and I’ve found a few things that might pique your curiosity.
We’re at that time of year where the temperature’s definitely starting to rise, new places are opening, new menus are being launches, and there’s the promise of summer to come.
With that in mind, don’t delay your plans, get making them right this second. There’s no need to ‘save yourself for summer’ – just start the food fun today.
MUST GO
Roast relaunches
You probably know Roast as a bit of an institution. Classic British dishes, great views over Borough Market, what more could you want?
Well, maybe a bar! Roast has undergone its first major refurbishment since opening in 2005 and now offers Roast Bar, complete with cocktails and bar snacks.
You’ll be able to enjoy pre-dinner cocktails like the Borough Market Sour with AquaRiva tequila blanco, Koko Kanu coconut rum, Kummel liqueur, lemon, egg white, coconut and a dash of Wray & Nephew rum. Other creations include the Beekeeper with butter-washed Appleton 12-year-old rum, lemon, cardamom and honey and there are after-dinner classics like Irish Coffee and Old Fashioned.
To accompany them, you can try bar snacks like Lindisfarne Rock Oysters with Scrubby Oak apple vinegar and shallots, venison chipolatas with honey and mustard and Pork, sage and onion Scotch egg with piccalilli.
Roast, The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, London SE1 1TL. Nearest stations – London Bridge, Borough
Meat vs Fish vs Veg
Fancy a chance to eat dishes from some of London’s best chefs, all for charity? You need to head to Meat vs Fish vs Veg on May 22nd.
The event at Flat Iron Square is apparently London’s only charity fine dining contest that’s open to the public. Basically, 12 chefs will battle for the title of ‘dish of the night’ votes by the public. Sponsored and organised by The Change Group in partnership with Flat Iron Square, all restaurants, chefs, organisers and the venue donate their time and ingredients to raise as much as possible for Hospitality Action.
This year, restaurants include Galvin at Windows, The Frog Hoxton, Hawksmoor, Bluebird, Bistro Union, La Goccia at Petersham Nurseries and more. Tickets are £25 and for that you get a meat, fish and veg dish and a free drink.
Flat Iron Square, 64 Southwark St, London, SE1 1RU. Nearest station: London Bridge
Pasta Brunch at Sartoria
Francesco Mazzei is launching a brand new Pasta Brunch at his Savile Row restaurant Sartoria. Apparently the new menu will offer ‘playful brunch-inspired twists on classic Italian pasta dishes’, from Francesco’s own take on Eggs Royale using a crispy pasta rosti instead of a muffin as well as traditional dishes like Sartoria’s Spaghetti carbonara or the Cresta l’uovo – freshly-made ravioli filled with a runny egg yolk centre.
Launching on May 11th, Pasta Brunch will be available every Saturday at Sartoria from 11am.
Sartoria, 20 Savile Row, Mayfair, London W1S 3PR. Nearest station – Piccadilly Circus
Anniversary dinner at The Harwood
London’s only Michelin-starred pub, The Harwood Arms, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a special dinner on Monday, May 20th, which will see current head chef Sally Abé, team up with three former head chefs to cook up a seven-course tasting menu reflecting the pub’s history.
The anniversary tasting menu will feature dishes that represent The Harwood Arms over the last 10 years, including a ‘Montgomery Cheddar & Onion Tart’, ‘Muntjac Wellington with Wild Garlic and Jersey Royals’, and ‘Elderflower Custard Slice with Strawberries & Buttermilk Sorbet’.
The menu will be launched at a special dinner on May 20th, where Sally and Brett will be joined by all of the former head chefs. Sally will continue to serve the exclusive anniversary menu in the pub for two weeks after the event.
The Harwood Arms, Walham Grove, Fulham, London SW6 1QP. Nearest stations – Fulham Broadway, West Brompton
Foodies Festival
If you haven’t been to a Foodies Festival I can thoroughly recommend it. Demos, bands, tasters, drinks and lots more. Take a trip to Syon Park from May 25th-27th to check out Masterchef winners, Bake Off winners, artisan producers, chilli eating contests, food challenges, street food, wines, champagnes and cocktails.
On top of that, you’ll get live performances from Scouting for Girls and other groups like Queen tribute band Flash and The Specials favourite The Neville Staple Band.There’s also a new extended Kids Zone with Kids Cookery theatre, slime challenge and brand new Dog Arena. Tickets are £29 for the weekend and £19/17 for an adult day pass. Kids are £5.
Foodies Festival, Syon Park, Brentford, TW8 8JF. Nearest station – Syon Lane
