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Discover the flavours of West Africa this autumn at Papa L’s Kitchen

October 22, 2020 by OpenTable

This autumn, Gambian-born chef Lawrence Gomez is bringing the flavours of West Africa to south-west London for a six-week pop-up, Papa L’s Kitchen. We caught up with him to find out more about his career as a chef and what diners can expect from his unique African fusion menu.

How did your journey into food begin? Did you always want to become a chef?

My food journey began when I was a child watching my Mum cook. We used to have lots of dinner parties and I was fascinated by the way food brings people together and how food plays a big part in how Gambians socialise. My Mum did a lot of the cooking and she would always make us watch and learn before we actually did something. I decided I wanted to become a chef when I was in secondary school and I was the only boy in my class in my food tech class.

How would you describe your cooking style?

My style is a mix of home cooking and the style and techniques I learned at some of the top restaurants in London. When I was young, all the children used to just eat from the same big bowl and I remember how happy that made me, everyone sharing and having fun. That’s what I’m trying to do with my food – not eating from the same bowl but everyone sharing home-cooked dishes and having a really good time.Continue Reading

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Spice Odyssey: 5 of the best Indian tasting menus in London

October 20, 2020 by OpenTable

Explore your love of spice with a tasting menu experience at one of London’s top Indian restaurants. Each course is an adventure – a chance to break out of your culinary comfort zone and try new flavours, textures and ingredients. If you’re ready to take the plunge, these award-winning restaurants offer tasting menus that will surprise, delight and linger in your memory for years to come.

Kanishka
Specialising in dishes from north-east India’s Sister States, Kanishka is the latest addition to Atul Kochhar’s restaurant empire. The menu promises ‘elevated simplicity’, relying less on oil and spice and more on the combination of top quality ingredients. The 7-course tasting menu features seared scallops with peas and caviar, a cumin and black pepper-spiced goat curry, and Atul’s signature chicken tikka pie. If five courses feels more manageable, diners can opt for King Kanishka’s tasting menu, priced at £55pp.

Atul Kochhar’s tasting menu: £110pp. Wine pairing £60pp. King Kanishka’s tasting menu: £55pp.

Quilon
A star of the London food scene since 1999, Quilon continues to impress diners with its modern take on south-west Indian coastal cuisine. As you might expect, fish and seafood takes centre stage, alongside meat and vegetable dishes fragrant with coconut, curry leaves and Tellicherry pepper.Continue Reading

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London Cocktail Week: 7 cocktails you need to try

October 6, 2020 by OpenTable

London Cocktail Week is back with a bang for 2020! This year, it’s running all month long so you’ve got more time to enjoy socially distanced tastings, masterclasses, and bar takeovers. Once you’ve got your festival wristband (£15), you can enjoy £6 signature serves at hundreds of participating bars, plus £4 non-alcoholic options for those going sober for October. Here are some of our top picks.

White Queen

What: Tanqueray gin, pear liqueur, bitters, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
Where: 108 Brasserie, a stylish but unpretentious spot for dinner and drinks in Marylebone.
Eat: Keep things light with miso cod or a Caesar salad, or treat yourself to a ribeye steak with Béarnaise sauce.

Dorcha Agus Searbh (Dark & Bitter)

What: An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin, Kinsale Wild Red Mead, grapefruit bitters and Aperol.
Where: Try this Irish twist on a Negroni at Richard Corrigan’s City Road hot spot, Daffodil Mulligan.
Eat: Don’t miss their famous salt chilli chicken or the wood oven roasted lobster with homemade kimchi.Continue Reading

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Covent Garden’s best restaurants for al fresco dining

September 26, 2020 by OpenTable

With its iconic piazza, market halls, and street entertainers, Covent Garden is one of London’s top spots for outdoor dining. Whether you fancy rooftop cocktails or a long lunch on a sun-soaked terrace, here are the area’s best restaurants for al fresco eating and drinking.

Sushisamba
If you can tear yourself away from its beautiful bar (complete with leafy ‘living ceiling’), you can dine al fresco on Sushisamba’s balcony terrace and tables out on the piazza. The menu takes its inspiration from Japan, Brazil and Peru, so you’ll find sushi and tempura alongside churrasco and ceviche. Whether it’s date night, girls’ night, or just Friday night, this West End stunner is guaranteed to impress.

Temper
At this West End smokehouse, meat is carefully sourced, butchered in-house and cooked over fire for maximum flavour. Whether you fancy a steak or some of their famous cheeseburger tacos, good times (and meat sweats) are guaranteed. Grab a seat at the counter to watch the chefs at work or soak up the sun on their spacious terrace.Continue Reading

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