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Blokes in the Big Smoke: London’s best restaurants for a boys’ night out

OpenTable October 25, 2019

With its smart sports bars, old pubs reimagined for modern tastes, and enough whisky to float HMS Belfast, lads bound for London have a healthy choice of places to gather. None of which are gender-exclusive, do note – wives, girlfriends, mothers, and daughters are more than welcome too.

Mac & Wild
If ‘modern Scottish’ was an official cuisine, Mac & Wild would be its London poster boy. Especially with a menu that reads like a catalogue of Scotland’s greatest hits: venison, haggis, Loch Duart salmon, whisky cocktails, et al.

The Cinnamon Club
Neighbouring Parliament, this ‘fancy Indian’, as some call it, is also known to have vibes not dissimilar to a traditional gentleman’s club. Upholding a culinary ethos reminiscent of the ‘90s, but still considered innovative, The Cinnamon Club is all about Indian cooking given the white tablecloth treatment.

Brigadiers
Most sports bars aren’t known for their chili pork scratchings, goat tikka bun kebabs, or co-brewing their own lager. But – and you saw this one coming – Brigadiers is not most sports bars. Its impressive Indian barbecue menu is supported by live Champions League and Premier League football, and international cricket and rugby.

Boisdale of Canary Wharf
Unless Prince Charles has an underground collection we don’t know about, Boisdale’s whisky reserves is London’s most extensive, at 1,000 bottles or more. The smart bar and restaurant is a good space to sample it, with live jazz providing the ideal backing track.

The Wigmore
The Wigmore is what happens when Michel Roux Jr gets his hands on a Regent Street pub. Other reputable chefs have tried and failed at such a task, but dedication to high quality pub grub and well-kept beer is what sets this place apart. Oh, and an unwillingness to compromise on showing live sport.

Tayyabs
Tayyabs remains one of London’s foremost venues for large parties (especially those on a budget) with its communal tables and share-worthy Punjabi food. Order in tarka dhal, karahi chicken and some naan – just don’t forget those flame-grilled lamb chops.

Tandoor Chop House
Chop houses, once men-only establishments of 18th century London, have all but disappeared. Tandoor Chop House is a nod to those times, brought up to speed with a north Indian influence and an openness to female guests. If you’re in a group, go for the Big Feast menu and try a bit of everything for £28 per head.

The Marksman
The Marksman’s an old school Hackney boozer given the 21st century treatment. Food is British-inspired and reassuringly rough round the edges (a bit like the furniture) – think rabbit pie, curried lamb buns, and chocolate stout ice-cream.

Greenwood
Showing as many as 12 sporting events in a day, including anything from F1 and European football through to Rugby League and boxing, sports fans have little reason to leave Greenwood save for sleep. Expect crowd-pleasing fan fuel – pizzas, cheeseburgers, wings, and fish and chips.

CRATE
Crate is evidence that yes, when taken in moderation, pizza, beer, and canals do work well together. The indie brewery in Hackney is among London’s must-visits. Just so happens they know how to make a darn good pizza as well.

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.

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London’s best restaurants for first dates

OpenTable October 23, 2019

First dates can be nerve-wracking enough, without the added pressure of finding the perfect restaurant. If you’re looking for somewhere to wine and dine someone special, here are some of London’s best restaurant for first dates.

Clarette – This Marylebone wine bar has a quirky Art Deco style, a superb wine list, and a menu of French dishes designed for grazing and sharing. Forget your local pub – this is the ideal spot for getting-to-know-you drinks.

Paternoster Chop House – Better known as the First Dates restaurant from Channel 4’s hit series, this buzzy chop house serves rare breed beef cooked over charcoal, alongside fresh fish, plant-based dishes, and proper British puds.

J Sheekey Atlantic Bar – Tucked away from the bustle of Leicester Square, this elegant seafood bar is perfect for date night. Splash out on Champagne and oysters, share a shellfish platter, or cosy up with their famous fish pie.

Oldroyd – Restaurants come and go on busy Upper Street but this bijou spot has remained a local favourite since it opened in 2015. The European menu changes with the seasons but you should always order the croquettes.

Hutong – Explore the flavours of Northern China and enjoy panoramic views of the London skyline from level 33 of The Shard. Order some dim sum and their signature Peking duck and that second date is in the bag.

Margot – Taking inspiration from Italy’s diverse regions, Margot serves dishes like lobster taglioni and veal ossobuco with risotto Milanese. With over 350 wines to choose from and a refined but unpretentious atmosphere, you’ll never want to leave.

The Game Bird – Promising modern British cooking and a ‘seductive ambience’, The Game Bird is the perfect place to wine and dine your date in Mayfair. We recommend the venison Wellington for two, served with truffle mash.

Sette – Whisk your date to Knightsbridge for dinner at Sette, an upscale Italian from the team behind NYC’s Scarpetta. Their signature spaghetti with tomato and basil is all over Instagram, but don’t overlook the short rib agnolotti.

La Bodega Negra – Hidden behind a faux sex shop frontage, La Bodega Negra is a must-visit for tacos and tequila in Soho. The restaurant has live DJs and a party vibe at the weekends, while the café-bar is more relaxed – ideal for lunch.

Salt Yard – This Goodge Street gem serves top quality charcuterie, cheese boards, and tapas dishes with a Spanish and Italian influence. Perch at the bar for wine and snacks or grab a table and graze your way through the menu.

Scarfes Bar – If you’re looking for a bar where you can actually sit down and hear your date, this luxurious drinking den in Holborn is the place to go. Grab a cocktail, find a cosy corner, and see where the evening takes you.

Coal Office – Tuck into inventive Middle Eastern dishes at chef Assaf Granit’s restaurant overlooking Coal Drops Yard. It’s a great option for brunch and the roof terrace is worth keeping in mind for al fresco dates in the warmer months.

Dalloway Terrace – Snap the ultimate first date selfie under a canopy of flowers and foliage at this heated terrace restaurant in Bloomsbury. Be sure to save room for desserts like apple crumble pie and Black Forest sundae – two spoons, perhaps?

BaoziInn – This Soho spot is famous for its colourful dumplings, spicy dan dan noodles, and skewers of pork belly, prawn, and cumin lamb. Be sure to book ahead – it gets busy!

The 10 Cases – With its laid-back buzz, interesting wine list, and menu that encourages sharing, The 10 Cases Bistrot à Vin ticks all the boxes for a first date. We guarantee you’ll be back more than once.

If you’re still looking for the perfect romantic restaurant, why not check out our new Date Night Matchmaker? Tell us what sort of vibe, price point, and cuisine you’re after and we’ll provide a personalised selection of bookable restaurants.

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London’s best bars and restaurants for gin lovers

OpenTable October 18, 2019

Britain’s best-loved spirit has been around since the 16th century. By 1750, over 11 million gallons were being consumed by Londoners every single year. Luckily, London has remained a mecca for gin lovers. Here’s our list of London’s best bars and restaurants celebrating all things gin.

GinTonica
Situated in the heart of Notting Hill, GinTonica will make you feel like you’ve landed in a bohemian bar in vibrant Barcelona. Tuck into Spanish tapas with a modern British twist and choose from a list of 100 gins from around the world. The building is also home to the Portobello Road gin distillery and if you don’t want your evening to end, you can stay the night in one of their modern guestrooms.

214 Bermondsey
This relaxed underground bar offers more than 100 gins, including local favourites like Little Bird. It’s a friendly, unpretentious spot – ideal for date night or catching up with friends. You can dine upstairs at pasta bar Flour & Grape or nearby at The Garrison or Loyal Tavern.

Holborn Dining Room
Holborn Dining Room is known for its delicious seasonal British cuisine – their pies are an absolute must-try. You’ll feel right at home in this grand brasserie with its red leather banquettes, antique mirrors, and copper-topped Gin Bar. The bar stocks London’s largest gin collection – over 500 in total – so you can try something new every time you visit.

Rivington Grill
They take gin seriously at Rivington Grill in Greenwich – there are more than 250 to choose from! Sit back and enjoy the relaxed yet stylish atmosphere and tuck into classic British dishes like dressed Cornish crab, ribeye steak, or their superb Rivington beef burger. On weekdays, they offer £6 G&Ts made with their gin of the month from 5-7pm – perfect for after-work drinks.

Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour
If you’re up for a little adventure, then look no further than Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour – a quirky West End drinking den with décor that will transport you back to Victorian times. Expand your gin knowledge with their Gin Safari tasting experience or go for G&Tea and enjoy sweet and savoury treats accompanied by gin teapot cocktails.

The City of London Distillery & Bar
Gin fans who are interested in taking their knowledge of their favourite drink to another level should pay the City of London Distillery a visit. The award-winning gin distillery has a speakeasy-style cocktail bar and hosts gin tastings, distillery tours, and Gin Lab experiences where you can distil your own gin. Snack on cheese and charcuterie platters or dine nearby at Madison or Bread Street Kitchen.

108 Brasserie
Fancy a little break from boutique hopping in stylish Marylebone? 108 Brasserie is located just off the busy high street and boasts a collection of over 40 premium gins, including their own 108 Gin which is distilled in-house. We recommend trying their signature 108 Martini before dinner in the elegant brasserie.

Gillray’s Steakhouse
Sometimes a classic steak paired with a good drink is all it takes to turn a restaurant visit into a deliciously memorable experience. That’s exactly what you can expect at Gillray’s, a Southbank steakhouse overlooking the River Thames. An added bonus for gin lovers is the list of over 100 gins and their G&T afternoon tea which includes unlimited gin and tonics!

Chapel Down Gin Works
Location, location, location! Phil and Kirsty would love this gin distillery and bar as it occupies a prime spot in King’s Cross overlooking the Regent’s Canal. Pop in for drinks or round up friends or colleagues for a tutored tasting.

Merchant House
Award-winning Merchant House is an absolute must-visit for gin lovers. This handsome bar in the heart of the City is home to one of the largest spirit collections in the world. They also offer tasting flights and gin and whisky masterclasses for those keen to expand their palates.

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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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.

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