November food news with Eat with Ellen
Okay, it’s here. Warm jumpers, cold weather, big bowls of hearty food, bigger glasses of drinks to see off the cold and yes, we can all start saying the ‘C’ word now as we make plans for the build up to the festive season.
I don’t know about you but I struggle when the seasons change. It feels dark, cold and all a bit miserable. I tend to combat it by A) planning lots of food and drink-related fun, B) filling my face like I’m a dormouse about to hibernate and C) having a little escape to the sun.
I understand that not everyone can do C and I’m very lucky to be able to so I’ve done as much as I can to help you with A and B by putting together a list of things you can do to brighten up these tough months that also allow you to stuff your face with filling food and drink.
From new openings to festivals and tastings, there’s plenty here to put a smile on your face.
Taste of London
The winter edition of Taste of London might be just what you need to put a smile on that foodie face of yours. Across four days from November 21 to 24 you’ll get to try signature dishes from more than 20 of London’s top restaurants, including ones created exclusively for Taste.
On top of that, there will be artisan Christmas markets, immersive food experiences, demonstrations and way more. Just the right thing to brighten up these wintry weeks. Get tickets here.
Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, London E1W 2SF. Nearest stations – Wapping, Shadwell
Ugly Butterfly, Chelsea
A new opening for you. Chef Adam Handling is opening his new restaurant, Ugly Butterfly, which has been described by some as an upmarket take on zero-waste dining. The restaurant, set to open on November 13 in Chelsea, will use food that would otherwise be thrown away from Adam Handling Chelsea just down the road.
Handling told the Standard that the two venues are “two sides to the same food story”. Dishes will include cheese doughnuts made with cheese board leftovers as well as deboned crispy fried chicken feet.
Ugly Butterfly will also have a champagne bar, as well as a hub that focuses on sustainability and allows like-minded people to come together.
Ugly Butterfly, 55 King’s Road, London, SW3 4ND. Nearest station – Sloane Square
Salvage Weekend Brunch at LINO
If you’re looking for a new weekend brunch, you might want to try LINO in the city. From last month, they’re offering the Salvage Weekend Brunch every Saturday, complete with free-flowing drinks, music and great brunch dishes.
Another one to tick the box on the sustainability agenda, LINO focuses on reducing wastage and re-using where possible.
Dishes include LINO smoked salmon, soft boiled egg, radishes and toasted house baked sourdough or buttermilk waffles with candied peanuts, maple syrup and fried chicken. Drinks include LINO’s brunch cocktails like a punch made from bin end wines, homemade vermouth and cordials from spent ingredients. Find more information here.
LINO, 90 Bartholomew Cl, London EC1A 7EB. Nearest stations – Barbican, St Paul’s
Sabroso!, Westfield White City
Another addition to the casual dining scene at Westfield White City, Sabroso! opened last month and provides high-quality, affordable ‘Latin Soul Food’. It’s the brainchild of restaurateurs Gabriel and Jose-Luis Gonzalez, who are behind Peruvian restaurant LIMA London in Fitzrovia and Floral by LIMA and will do the same thing for Venezualan cuisine.
The signature dish at Sabroso!, which is Spanish for ‘tasty’, will be the arepa – a round cornbread griddled until crispy and stuffed with various fillings from shredded chicken to tofu. You can also try build-your-own ceviche bowls as well as side dishes like Tequenos – crispy cheese pastries – and beef empanadas.
Sabroso!, Balcony Court Café, Westfield London. Nearest station – Wood Lane, Shepherd’s Bush
The Wine Gang London Winter Festival
HAC Armoury House, City Road, London, EC1Y 2BQ. Nearest station – Old Street
Johnnie Walker and Timorous Beasties at Selfridges, London
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit different for a winter tipple, Johnnie Walker has partnered up with design studio Timorous Beasties to create a limited edition bottle of premium Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Inside every bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label are rare, handpicked whiskies from the four corners of Scotland. The design of the bottle showcases the beauty of the flora and fauna of Scotland and can be purchased in Selfridges for the perfect gift this Christmas.
To mark the launch, you can experience it for yourself on Selfridges rooftop in a luxurious ‘bothy’ overlooking the London skyline. The rooftop will be open from Thursday, November 7 throughout the winter and the bottle itself will be on sale in Selfridges.
Selfridges Rooftop, 400 Oxford Street, London. Nearest stations – Bond Street, Marble Arch
