It's great to be able to share our news each month, and this May's mailer is particularly bountiful. We're looking forward to sundowners on the roof at JOIA, which has got to be the rooftop with the best views (and pan con tomate) in town. We're also excited to welcome Budgie Montoya back into the Tonic fold as we announce his new street food venture, Apoy. And if that's not enough, our friend from South Africa, tashas, has chosen Tonic to launch its first UK restaurant, coming to Battersea this summer.
Latest news
JOIA Rooftop now open with panoramic views and food from Henrique Sá Pessoa
JOIA Rooftop, the open-air bar and terrace from Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, is now open. Sitting above Henrique's Iberian restaurant JOIA, the 16th floor bar channels Lisbon's vibrant rooftop culture, with stunning views of the Battersea Power Station (if you're staying at art'otel, you can even take a dip in the rooftop infinity pool). Expect playful cocktails, petiscos and tapas, such as tuna tartare with avocado and sea lettuce. Read more here.
tashas to open its first UK restaurant at Battersea Power Station
tashas, the much-loved cafe concept from South Africa, is set to open its first UK restaurant at Battersea Power Station later this year. Founded in Johannesburg by Natasha Sideris, tashas has been serving elegant comfort food for almost 20 years, and will be bringing popular all-day dishes such as Butternut Zucchini Rosti and Lemon Chicken to the Battersea site, along with a sweeping, sun-soaked outdoor terrace. Read more here.
Budgie Montoya to open Apoy, a new Filipino street food menu at Market Halls Oxford Circus
On 15th May, Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya will open Apoy at Market Halls Oxford Circus, celebrating Filipino street food with a succinct menu of barbecued skewers. The menu will showcase the Sarap and Great British Menu chef's fun and innovative take on this street food staple, with meat, seafood and vegetable skewers marinated in the likes of 7UP, banana ketchup, calamansi juice and coconut vinegar. Read more here.
The Counter launches The GOAT, London's first nose-to-tail goat tasting menu
Acclaimed chef Kemal Demirasal is celebrating kid goat season with The GOAT, London’s first nose-to-tail goat tasting menu, now available at The Counter. The Notting Hill ocakbasi restaurant is serving a seven-course menu, featuring dishes such as kid saddle tartare, kid fillet skewer, slow roast rib and shoulder, neck stew with fava beans and an offal trio (heart, kidney and liver). It's available until 29th May, so book your tickets here.
Pastaio and Big Has launch limited edition Turkish-Cypriot pasta dish
Pastaio, the Soho pasta joint from Stevie Parle, has teamed up with no-nonsense chef Big Has to create a collaboration pasta inspired by Has’s Turkish-Cypriot roots. Available throughout May, the limited-edition dish will see Pastaio’s much-loved fresh mafaldine pasta paired with a fragrant ragu of spiced Sucuk sausage – a Turkish staple – and fennel, all topped with pecorino Romano. £1 from each plate sold will be donated to Save The Children.
The Auld Reekie Report
Edinburgh restaurant The Palmerston has announced this year’s guest chef series, with Rosie Healey (Gloriosa), Skye Gyngell (Spring), Chris Leach (Manteca) and Alex Jackson (Noble Rot Soho) joining chef Lloyd Morse for special one-off meals. The series kicks off with Rosie’s lunch on 21st May, with a menu inspired by Patience Gray’s classic cookbook, Honey from a Weed. Secure your table by emailing here.
Dish spotlight: Coronation treats
Coronation roast chicken at Nessa
Tom Cenci is giving the regal classic a contemporary glow-up at Nessa, where a half roast chicken arrives in sauce spiced with vadouvan and curry scraps, bejewelled with apricots, raisins and toasted almonds.
The Sceptre at Le Magritte at The Beaumont
A glistening homage to the Crown Jewels, Le Magritte's botanically infused gin cocktail is made with St-Germain, Italicus and Cocchi Americano, and topped with Pommery Champagne and served with a diamond ice cube.
