What a fantastic few weeks of eating, drinking and socialising it’s been. We hope you’ve enjoyed getting back to the places you love, and discovering plenty of new ones too.
This month, we’re here to celebrate. We’ve got news of events, pop-ups, collaborations and exciting new openings that should see us into summer in style…
Decimo: Live on Ten
We didn’t think we could love The Standard, London’s sleek tenth-floor restaurant, Decimo, any more than we already do, but it turns out we were wrong. As well as stunning food, sultry surroundings and stellar service, the hotel’s destination restaurant is now offering a series of live music events with up and coming musicians for their weekly Saturday lunch sessions, called ‘Live on Ten’. First up was Cinematic Orchestra’s Dominic J Marshall, whose recent solo release, HowUfeel, received a great reception from the likes of Giles Peterson and Jamie Cullum. Book yours quickly as tickets are limited.
Bone Daddies x Black Bear
When two fabulous restaurants join forces, the results can only be delicious, right? Case in point: Bone Daddies X Black Bear’s Black Bone ramen, a punchy combination of Bone Daddies beef bone broth, Black Bear beer braised brisket, bone marrow, pink pickled onions, bamboo shoots, beansprouts and a soy Clarence Court egg, available at Bone Daddies sites in June for £13.50.
That’s not where this exciting union ends, though - there’s also a pop-up restaurant takeover on Thursday 17 June at Black Bear's Brixton restaurant, where a special menu of dishes combining the best of both kitchens will be available. We’ve got our eyes on the Black Bone burger with dry aged beef, American cheese, garlic miso mayo and lightly pickled onions… Click here to book. Happy feasting!
Drag and Wine at Golden Gai
We can’t get enough of Soho cocktail bar Golden Gai’s 'Drag and Wine Wednesdays', which take place every Wednesday from 6.30-7.30pm. Hosted by drag queen extraordinaire Vanity von Glow and Wicked Winos' very own Beth Brickenden, this fun and fabulous weekly event combines wine tasting and musical entertainment with a raucous Soho twist, and is the perfect welcome back to nights out in central London. Tickets cost £25 each and booking is recommended here.
The Italian Greyhound
There’s already a buzz surrounding this one... Opening in Marylebone on 9 June, The Italian Greyhound is the new bar and dining room from restaurateurs Marcello and Gabriel Bernardi and Barry Hirst. This smart and friendly new spot takes over the site previously occupied by their acclaimed Italian restaurant, Bernardi’s, and will provide all-day dining, warm service and an easy-going atmosphere inspired by chic-but-casual Italian neighbourhood bacaros (bars). Count. Us. In.
Wilding
One of our favourite cities has a beautiful new addition in the form of Wilding, a restaurant, wine bar and wine shop founded by wine expert Kent Barker. This elegant newcomer prides itself on its 400-strong wine list (including 50 by-the-glass options), hand-selected by Head of Wine Sarah Helliwell. The kitchen is headed up by Dominique Goltinger (ex-Bistrot Bruno Loubet) and offers a seasonally changing menu of locally sourced produce, with dishes including hand-dived scallops with seashore vegetables and foraged wild capers, as well as sharing boards and small plates. O, and did we mention there's a gorgeous terrace, too?
TEMAKI
If you appreciate seeing the intricacies of true culinary craftsmanship in action, head down to Temaki when it opens on 18 June. This new addition to Brixton Market Row is London’s first authentic handroll bar, and will feature a central communal counter where you can sit and watch expert chefs wrap fresh cuts of the finest sushi grade fish in rice and seaweed. Temaki’s menu will be overseen by Executive Chef and Japanese rice specialist, Shaulan Steenson, with his meticulously prepared golden Uruchimai rice at the core of each handroll, so you know you’re in excellent hands.
Butchies
FAO: all fried chicken fans - Butchies is opening a new site in Earl’s Court today, and to celebrate there’s 50% off food for the first week. Choose from six signature fried chicken sandwiches - our pick is The Original with house pickles and Butchies’ ‘OG’ sauce - as well as a lip-smacking selection of sides including the newly launched mac n crack - mozzarella-packed creamy mac and cheese topped with crisp and salty fried chicken skin.
Vinegar Yard
Great news for anyone planning a party or a much-anticipated meet-up with more than six other people - Vinegar Yard in London Bridge has opened a huge new sun-trap terrace and is taking bookings for up to 30 guests, with bigger group bookings of up to 300 guests to follow from 21 June. The summer of socialising is officially ON. Find out more and book HERE.
With Father’s day just around the corner - and with us being big fans of gifting for pretty much any occasion - here are a few of the very best food gifts for your dad, or yourself...
Mac & Wild Firepit feast for Restaurant Kits, £120
Nothing says “Love you, dad” like an entire kilo of Tomahawk steak, lamb chops, beef and whisky sausages, beef fat potatoes, charred baby gem lettuce, a mixed heritage tomato salad and flatbreads. To order click HERE.
Provenance Father's Day bbq box, £105
With a 900g ribeye steak on the bone, two Galician beef burgers, two Maverick beef burgers, four glazed brioche burger buns, six sausages, two marinated lamb chops, a rack of Bourbon BBQ marinated pork ribs, two satay chicken skewers and a range of sides, you’re probably going to have to help your dad out with this gift, which shouldn’t be too much of a hardship… Click HERE to order.
The Arabica picnic kit, £50
A beautiful selection of Middle Eastern meze designed for outdoor dining. Also ideal for serving as sides at BBQs (just in case, ya know, dad’s not as great at cooking over fire as he thinks he is…). Find out more HERE.
Kutir Father's Day menu, £65
Chelsea restaurant Kutir combines knockout Indian cuisine with equally impressive interiors. The result? A meal to remember. The Father’s Day menu features ingredients like soft shell crab, tandoor salmon and lamb shank. Book a table HERE.
The Full Proof afternoon tea, £35
Bring the traditional afternoon tea experience direct to your dad with this gorgeous set that includes scones, sandwiches and three of The Proof’s signature choux buns. Order HERE.
Until next month, enjoy!
Frances and the team at Tonic
