OpenTable, Author at opentable.co.uk blog

6 ways to celebrate National Curry Week in London

OpenTable October 7, 2019

New openings, lunch for a quid, and a curry party in Canada Water – here’s how to celebrate National Curry Week in London.

Try one of London’s hottest new Indian restaurants

If you can resist the allure of your local curry house, National Curry Week is a great time to check out a new opening. You could treat a friend to dinner at Atul Kochhar’s newest venture, Kanishka, or enjoy a modern take on South Indian cuisine at Ooty on Baker Street. For something a little different, book a table at Lucknow 49 – a restaurant specialising in kebabs, curries and biryanis from the city of Lucknow in northern India.

Grab a curry for a quid in Shoreditch

Miguel Barclay, author of One Pound Meals, is hosting a pop-up this Wednesday offering curry, rice and a soft drink for £1 per head. He’s teamed up with Elmlea to show Brits how easy it is to create delicious dishes using leftovers and kitchen cupboard ingredients. You can enjoy a £1 chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, or veggie Thai green curry from noon until 3pm at 46 Great Eastern Street.

Get tickets for Street Feast’s Curry Curry Bang Bang

Street Feast are bringing 12 stars of the London food scene together for a Curry Week party at Hawker House this Thursday. Spice lovers can look forward to Dishoom’s mutton pepper fry, Lahpet’s Burmese pork and mustard green curry, and a classic katsu curry from Yum Bun. There will be games and DJs, a naan and rice station, and six bars keeping the drinks flowing. Tickets cost £10, which includes a Kingfisher beer.

Brush up on your curry cooking skills

Want to impress your friends with a home-cooked curry? You can take an Indian street food class at the Waitrose Cookery School, explore the flavours of South India with Food at 52, or pick up tips from celeb chefs like Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala at Leiths School of Food and Wine.

Combine curry + cocktails with a trip to Brick Lane

The London Cocktail Week hub returns to Brick Lane this year with 40 pop-up bars serving £6 cocktails to LCW pass holders. Highlights include a Finnish gin sauna, a tropical rum bar, and an izakaya alley where you can sample Japanese gin, whisky and vodka. If you fancy a curry afterwards, you’re only a stroll away from restaurants like Gunpowder, Muhib, and Sheba Brick Lane.

Give something back with a donation to Curry for Change

Curry for Change is National Curry Week’s official charity partner. The fundraising campaign by Find Your Feet helps to change the lives of rural families in Asia and Africa who suffer from hunger. You can donate via their website or sign up to host a fundraising curry evening at home.

For more inspiration, visit OpenTable to discover more of London’s best Indian restaurants.

Photo Credit: @tomsbigeats for Street Feast.

The Hot List: New London restaurants to try this autumn

OpenTable October 4, 2019

This autumn, Londoners can look forward to globe-trotting tasting menus, the reimagining of a restaurant under the name of a culinary legend, smoked eel pithivier, and London’s most anticipated opening of 2019.

The Betterment

The Biltmore Mayfair is as plush as you like. Now, it’s getting an experienced restaurateur to make sure the food’s up to scratch. Jason Atherton is overseeing the hotel’s restaurant, an elegant space serving wood-fired grill fish, meat and veg. Go… for your own betterment.

Vardo

Caravan, the reliable coffee and brunch chain, has come up with something slightly different for their new project in Chelsea. While some recognisable elements are there – like the wood-fired pizzas – it feels, and is designed to be, a bit more restaurant-y. The food takes its influences from all over the world, from Russia to Northern India.

Allegra

Stratford has a hot new dining destination – a restaurant and bar at The Stratford, a 42-storey skyscraper overlooking the Olympic Park. The kitchen is headed up by ex-Chiltern Firehouse chef Patrick Powell. Highlights include a large outdoor terrace viewpoint, charcuterie cured in-house, and dishes like smoked eel pithivier and sake steamed turbot.

Arabica King’s Cross

Five years after their original Levantine restaurant opened, Arabica goes north of the river, bringing what an ‘entirely new’ menu with them. A lunch to dinner affair, take note of the Belted Galloway beef shish, seven-spice wings, and their ‘super-charged hummus’ with sweet peppers, chilli and garlic.

Journey – Opens: 15th October.

Journey is the latest immersive dining experience from the group that brought London the naked restaurant, The Bunyadi. This one will certainly live up to the name, promising a culinary tour of the world in one sitting. Diners can choose from 4 different menus and try dishes like spiced mussels from Pakistan, blowtorched tilapia from Mexico, and pan-fried potato cakes with ham hock and sauerkraut from Poland.

The Yard at Great Scotland Yard – Opens: October, date TBC.

Making a hotel restaurant appealing is a notoriously tricky thing. But, great scot, if anyone’s going to take a fresh approach, it’s The Dairy’s Robin Gill. Food promises to be modern British, with an in-house butchery, bakery, and a parlour serving afternoon tea.

Wilder – Opens: Mid-October

Things look auspicious over at Boundary’s new basement opening. Wilder will champion seasonal and sustainable British ingredients, including trout and crayfish from Terence Conran’s (the hotel’s co-owner) Berkshire estate. There’s a new chef, too – Richard McLellan (ex-Typing Room and Alyn Williams at the Westbury).

Le Comptoir Robuchon – Opens: 1^st November

After ten successful years, the late Joel Robuchon’s London restaurant closed this year. The closure, however, is the beginning of something else – the traditional French/nouvelle cuisine style made famous by the ‘chef of the century’ is set to live on in Mayfair.

Davies and Brook – Opens: November, date TBC.

Is Davies and Brook London’s restaurant opening of the year? Though it may be too early to say, several details point to a resounding ‘yes’. Chiefly, the Eleven Madison Park – still regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world – quality that will descend on Claridge’s, led by EMP’s Daniel Humm and executive chef Dmitri Magi.

Daffodil Mulligan – Opens: November, date TBC.

Though it was pressing all the right buttons, Irish restaurant Nuala closed last year. Another product of Ireland – Richard Corrigan – is here to have another go at the Old Street site. How will Corrigan’s coastal cuisine translate in Shoreditch? Only one way to find out.

This is a guest post from freelance food journalist Hugh Thomas. He’s contributed to Foodism, Time Out, Great British Chefs, and is part of British Street Food’s small team of vigilant writers. Find him on twitter @hughwrites.

En Fuego! 10 hot Chicago restaurants to try now

OpenTable September 23, 2019

If you’re travelling to Chicago, there are smokin’ restaurants aplenty to keep your dining game lit. From modern Korean spots to a unique in-store dining experience, check out these hot Chicago restaurants and book your tables while you can.

Kumiko
From the team that brought you Oriole, meet Kumiko, your new fave for cocktails mixed with carefully selected spirits — and “spiritless” creations, too. Partner and creative director Julia Momose joined forces with Lara and Noah Sandoval, whose aforementioned eatery consistently appears on OpenTable’s annual 100 Best Restaurants in America lists. The a la carte drink menu features both cocktails and spirit-frees, and each drink is served in a specially chosen vessel that enhances the experience, many of which were found during Momose’s recent visits to Japan. We recommend the gin-based Seaflower cocktail and chef Sandoval’s singularly delicious Japanese milk bread.

Rave restaurant review: “Unexpected once-in-a-lifetime experience marrying exotic cocktails and delicious bites.”

PERILLA
This is next-gen Korean-American fine dining with a global influence from chefs Andrew Lim and Thomas Oh. Located in the River West/Fulton Market neighbourhood, there are traditional dishes aplenty, including pancakes and k.f.c. (Korean fried chicken) alongside offerings that have a decidedly international flare, such as Brussels sprouts with brown butter, Parmesan, and walnuts, and cheese corn with chipotle peppers, cotija cheese, and herbs. For meat lovers, there is an array of marinated and non-marinated grilled meats in choice cuts, including a prime short rib and rib eye as well as an American Wagyu New York strip from Lone Mountain Ranch.

Rave restaurant review: “First time having Korean food, great experience! Friendly staff and the food was amazing! There was so much food with the Feast package, and it was a great value! I will definitely return and highly recommend Perilla.”

Elske
Did you ever wish you had a Scandinavian friend with a super-stylish home and award-winning cooking chops and you could just invite yourself over for dinner whenever you wished? Consider your wish granted, courtesy of chefs David and Anna Posey and their passion project, Elske. The restaurant, whose name means love in Danish, is inspired by their travels through and shared love of Denmark (he oversees the savoury and she handles sweets). There is an a la carte menu and a very reasonable $95 tasting experience (currently clocking in at nine courses, including their signature duck liver tart with salted ramp and buckwheat). Don’t miss the inviting patio and fireplace, perfect for getting hygge with it with a digestif, alcoholic or spirit-free, after a deeply satisfying Danish-American meal.

Rave restaurant review: “Everything was perfect! Service was impeccable. Extremely well-chosen wine list matched the menu. We did the tasting menu. Top to bottom, every course was spot on and a well-planned progression. A classic.”

Brass Heart
Chef-partner Matt Kerney invites vegans and omnivores alike on a seasonal tasting experience that is progressive yet approachable and highlights the finest local and global ingredients. Reserve a table at this 22-seater jewel for an intimate journey of six, nine, or 12 courses in Chicago’s historic Uptown neighbourhood where the food redefines fine, but the vibe is relaxed with a side of swank. Kick things off with a selection from the tableside cocktail cart and then put yourself in Kerney’s capable hands for a date night to remember that includes a Bloody Mary sorbet and a take on rice and beans that is a game-changer.

Rave restaurant review: “Great dining experience. Warm and professional service. Elegant and comfortable space. Each course was beautifully presented. Delicious flavors. Talented chefs. They deserve Michelin stars. Chicago should be proud for having this calibre of restaurant. Highly recommended.”

Jeong
Believe the hype. From the team behind Hanbun, the beloved suburban food stall specialising in casual Korean cuisine by day and fine-dining supper club by night, comes Jeong, arguably one of Chicago’s hottest newcomers. Chef Dave Park and general manager Jennifer Tran paired up romantically in culinary school and professionally at Hanbun, and now are taking their vision to the next level with this sophisticated spot serving traditional Korean ingredients married with modern techniques. Ingredients are sourced from local purveyors and Korean producers, and many of the base ingredients are prepared in-house, such as the silken tofu and kimchi. Expect the unexpected when it comes to textures and flavors, all of which are combined and executed with unerring precision. There are a la carte options, but the seven-course tasting menu, which includes salmon tartare with dwenjang yuza gastrique, bubu arare, and crème fraîche, is the way to go; tack on the wine pairings to experience the full expression of Park’s unique vision.

Rave restaurant review: “My second time there, got the tasting menu, and every dish was on point. My date also got the tasting menu, and on the fly requested dairy-free, which they accommodated without hesitation. Still salivating over the salmon, the really freaking big (and delicious) scallop, and that steak. Cannot wait to return.”

DMK Burger Bar
Call it a quest. David Morton and Michael Kornick spent a year travelling across America in search of the best burgers. Their expedition yielded DMK Burger Bar and its well-respected 100% grass-fed patties, bison, and natural turkey burgers (there’s a terrific veggie burger, too) served on artisan buns. Their creations have earned them numerous accolades from local and national media, including The Food Network, Chicago Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and Fox News, which selected their burgers as one of the 10 best in America. They’ve got salads galore, including a very Elaine-like “Big Salad,” satisfying sides like mac n’ cheese, and, of course, 15 bespoke burgers from which to choose, but our go-to is the roasted hatch green chile with a fried farm egg, Sonoma jack, and smoked bacon. Quench your thirst with an impressive selection of craft beer and cocktails and raise a glass to DMK’s charitable side, which includes monthly support of local charities benefiting hunger, wellness, children, and the environment through donations.

Rave restaurant review: “Terrific burgers in a relaxed atmosphere. Lots of great variety and good options for our vegetarians and gluten-free friends. Definitely return here.”

Blue Door Farm Stand
The team at Blue Door Farm Stand will make you a believer — in their philosophy around food, community, and hospitality. That may sound lofty, but they deliver, giving diners the chance to eat the best of the Midwest’s homegrown ingredients in a welcoming space among friendly faces. Their emphasis on hyper-seasonality means that whatever you’re eating is harvested at its peak and delivers the best flavors in every bite. With a menu from chef Fernando Osorio that gently emphasises vegetables (think carrot hummus and sumptuous salads), you can still satisfy carnivores with the Amish chicken, a New York strip, or the farmstand burger, which gets gussied up with cheddar and caramelised onions and the optional egg and bacon. The brunch here is a hit with Lincoln Parkers with classics served alongside nifty upgrades, like the City Ham Benedict, which arrives on a black pepper and honey biscuit with arugula and herbed hollandaise.

Rave restaurant review: “LOVE The Blue Door! It’s a favorite of my weekly dining group of women!! We all look forward to going!!”

The Table at Crate
Do you believe in form and function when it comes to dining? Check out this elegant collab (pictured at top) between Crate and Barrel and Cornerstone Restaurant Group and James Beard-nominated chef Bill Kim (of Urban Belly and Belly Q fame). Switching things up cuisine-wise, Kim will serve a plant-centric menu that celebrates Midwestern seasonality and lighter, brighter fare that is layered in herbaceous flavor. The menu is divided into shareable Bites, Garden, Greens, Tartines, Bowls, and Mains, with many ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. Like the food, the cocktails will take cues from the seasons, with a dedication to housemade syrups and juices. The space will delight design aficionados and foodies alike. Bonus: You can shop while you eat; the stoneware, glassware, and flatware on which you’re served are available for purchase. Bigger bonus: You can have a cocktail while you shop, which is something we’ve only done while online at home from our sofas.

Rave restaurant review: “Great menu, service, and exceptionally good food. Pick your favourite or share with friends. Light meals with a great variety. You can shop before, during, or after. Eat at the restaurant inside or out, stop at the cafe in the lounge upstairs. If you’re a Crate fan or not, you will enjoy the experience. Don’t miss the dessert either!”

Piccolo Sogno
Sometimes a dream is a wish your appetite makes. Making it come true is easy at Piccolo Sogno, whose name means little dream. Specialising in rustic Italian fare that pairs perfectly with one of their 400+ Italian wine selections, Piccolo Sogno is chef Tony Priolo and wine expert Ciro Longobardo’s vision of bringing the spirit of eating and drinking in Italy to life in Chicago realised. This is a menu that inspires leisurely dining — eat your way through all the courses, from the insalate and pastas to the pizzas and the secondi. The wines are astoundingly affordable, so this River West spot is the place to engage staff to help you find a bottle or two to complement your meal.

Rave restaurant review: “Have loved Piccolo Sogno for years — dine there as often as I can obtain a reservation!!”

Cabra
Top Chef’s Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat fame has yet another hit on her hands with Cabra (which means, naturally, goat in Spanish). A Peruvian-inspired cevicheria atop the Hoxton Hotel, Cabra is a feast for the eyes and the stomach, with sweeping city views and a menu that delivers flavour-bomb food. Start with one of the clever ceviches or tiraditos (duck ceviche, ftw!), and then dive into some cold and hot shared plates with your dining companions, such as the yuca fries and goat (of course!) empanadas, and round things out with an order of skirt steak. With a lively vibe, Cabra is the place to go when you’re hungry for fun.

Rave restaurant review: “The food, service, and atmosphere were phenomenal! The waiter was very helpful when making the food selections. The food was very flavorful and presented well. The city view was great. It was a very pleasant dining experience.”

Visit OpenTable to discover more great restaurants in Chicago.

Photo credits: Sammy Faze (Kumiko); Anthony Tahlier (Cabra); Galdones Photography (Piccolo Sogno); all photos courtesy of the featured restaurants.

9 London restaurants where kids can eat for free

OpenTable September 23, 2019

Life in London is fun, but also very expensive – especially when it comes to treating the family. But don’t cross family dinners off your activity list just yet – we’ve rounded up nine London restaurants where children can eat for free and you can enjoy sensational dishes, too. Win-win for everyone!

York & Albany
Nestled between Regent’s Park and Camden Town, Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany restaurant is a must-visit for any foodie. The former 1820s coaching inn makes for the perfect cosy restaurant setting for the whole family. Kids under 12 can eat free from Tilly’s Treats menu, which includes pasta and meatballs, fish and chips, and chocolate brownies for pud.

Dining elsewhere? Kids eat free at other Gordon Ramsay restaurants like Bread Street Kitchen and London House.

HIX Soho
Fancy some delicious British comfort food after a day of exploring the city? Then visit HIX in Soho with the entire family. Children under 10 can choose a complimentary main course between 4-6pm Monday to Friday and 12-6pm on weekends. There are familiar favourites like fish and chips and breaded chicken, plus prawn cocktail and smoked salmon for young seafood fans.

Camino Bankside
Just a short walk from Southbank and the Tate Modern, a visit to Camino Bankside feels like a short trip to Spain itself. Grown-ups can check out the impressive jamón counter where top quality Ibérico ham is carved to order. Little ones can eat for free from Camino’s classic or vegetarian children’s menus. They’ll love the Ibérico meatballs and traditional Spanish tortilla.

Sea Containers
Up for a weekend treat? Whether your kids are fussy eaters or food connoisseurs, at Sea Containers they are bound to find a dish that’ll tickle their fancy. Choose from hummus and crushed avocado with flatbread, mac & cheese, or a mini cheeseburger. Best of all, your little ones can fill their bellies for free from 12pm to 4pm every weekend.

The Real Greek
We’ve always known that our European neighbours were great at treating kids the right way and with free kids’ meals on Sundays, The Real Greek is no exception. Round up the family, share some delicious meze dishes, and feel like you’re in sunny Greece for a little while.

Barbican Kitchen
Barbican Kitchen is a family-friendly restaurant situated on the ground floor of the Barbican Centre and a family trip combining the arts and yummy food are a win-win combination in our eyes. Kids under 12 eat free with an adult ordering a main meal and can choose from mini steak burgers and fish bites with smashed peas. Why not let your little ones check out how real pizza dough is made in the kitchen? The chefs here are super friendly!

Bodean’s BBQ
Love a good barbecue? Then head to Bodean’s, which brings the taste, style and soul of Kansas City barbecue to the British capital. At their Soho restaurant, one child eats free with each adult ordering a main from 12-3pm Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday. Just watch out for sticky fingers after they’ve got stuck into the ribs and chicken wings! If your kids get bored in a restaurant setting, fear not – there’s plenty of colouring supplies to keep them entertained.

Tom’s Kitchen
Do you love a leisurely weekend breakfast? Leave the cooking to the experts and head to Tom’s Kitchen to try his famous eggs Benedict. From 9.30-11.00am, children up to the age of 10 eat free from the children’s menu and grown-ups can enjoy unlimited tea or coffee. There’s no better way to celebrate the weekend.

Rivington Greenwich
Greenwich is the ideal location for a family day out. After taking the children to see Cutty Sark or the Maritime Museum, stroll over to Rivington Greenwich for comforting dishes like sausage and mash or mini schnitzels with garlic mayo. Kids under 12 eat for free from Monday to Friday and everyone will feel welcome at this stylish yet cosy restaurant offering modern British cuisine.

This is a guest post from freelance journalist Beatrice Clark. She has written for Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair, among others, and has spent the past 15 years living in France, England and Scotland. She is currently based in Berlin and is always on the hunt for the perfect Eggs Benedict.

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