This month, we're pleased to share news of two exciting autumnal openings. JOIA will have arguably the best view south of the river, thanks to its location within touching distance from Battersea Power Station, while Nessa will offer unbeatable people-watching opportunities in the heart of old Soho. Just wait until we can tell you about the menus too...

If you're anything like us, you'll be in search of a summer of fun that doesn't cost a fortune. We're lucky enough to work with some of the best value hospitality businesses in the city: read on to hear what you can enjoy for under £10, including such treats as truffle, caviar and Stevie Parle's handmade pasta.

We're also pleased to have donated over £15,000 (to date) for our Pay It Forward campaign to feed London and Edinburgh's most vulnerable – a drop in the ocean of what's needed to tackle food insecurity, but one we're proud of nonetheless.

Until next time, we're wishing you all a tasty summer of love.

LATEST NEWS

JOIA to open in Battersea from acclaimed Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa

Acclaimed Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa will launch JOIA, his first London restaurant, at the new art'otel Battersea Power Station later this year. The chef behind Lisbon's two Michelin-starred Alma will explore the cuisines of the Iberian Peninsula at the 15th floor restaurant, which boasts spectacular views overlooking the London landmark. Focusing largely on Portugal and Catalonia, dishes will include grilled carabineiro with creamy orzo bisque, tomato and coriander, as well as salted cod crudo with pickled onions, tomato and olive oil caviar. Read more here.

Tom Cenci to launch bistro Nessa at Soho's 1 Warwick

Nessa, a new modern British bistro in the heart of Soho, will launch this autumn with food from Executive Chef Tom Cenci (Loyal Tavern, Duck and Waffle). A collaboration between Tom and Guy Ivesha, founder of Maslow’s (Mortimer House, Mortimer House Kitchen, Fitzrovia), Nessa will be a vibrant and informal bistro, open to the public at new members' house 1 Warwick. With interiors inspired by Soho's Bohemian creatives like artist Vanessa Bell, the restaurant will serve a menu of classic British dishes which champion seasonality with a contemporary twist. Read more here.

Michelin-starred Paco Tapas to double its covers with new extension

Paco Tapas – Bristol's Michelin-starred tapas bar from chef-owner Peter Sanchez-Inglesias – is expanding with an extension into the restaurant's neighbouring site, doubling the covers of the restaurant. Paco Tapas will take over the space temporarily known as Pi Shop during the pandemic, welcoming an additional 20 covers to the 40-cover restaurant. Alongside the extension, Paco Tapas will also launch a new 55-cover waterside dining terrace. Book your table here.

HOW TO DINE OUT ON A BUDGET IN LONDON THIS SUMMER

Times are a little tighter than we'd all like right now, but that hasn't dampened our pursuit of summer fun. With a bit of know-how (or know-where), it's possible to pick up some of the city's best food and drink while still being mindful of your bank balance. From pocket-friendly dishes for a tenner, to bring-your-own-wine and bar bites, take a look at our pick of the best spots to bag a foodie bargain.

MAIN DISHES FOR UNDER £10

Dinner for a tenner? In London? Absolutely, and a top quality one at that. Legendary udon connoisseur Koya offers its classic kake, a soul-warming dish of hot noodles and dashi broth, for £8.40 at all its sites. To keep it cool, order one of the zaru gomadare, a dish of cold noodles and sesame dipping sauce, for just £9.40. Spice fiends can get their fix at Rosa's Thai, where the likes of tom yum soup with prawns, chicken larb salad and its signature papaya salad all come in under £10 (book here).

At Pastaio, pasta addicts can get their fill with a rotating selection of pasta dishes priced under £10. Choose from the likes of radiatore with slow-cooked tomato sauce and basil, or spaghetti with Amalfi lemon, basil and parmesan (book here). Summer hotspot Vinegar Yard has affordable bites aplenty, with Bad Boys Pizza Society offering margherita and pepperoni pizzas for £10 and under, and Nanny Bill's The Little One burger serving its smashed patty and American cheese for £8 (book here).

DEALS ON DRINKS

'Bring Your Own' deals mean you can enjoy your favourite wines for less alongside food from top restaurants. The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont has launched No Corkage Mondays to be enjoyed in its glamorous dining room (book here). At Brixton's The Laundry, No Corkage Tuesdays mean you can bring a bottle from home, or head round the corner to owner Melanie Brown's Specialist Cellars bottle shop in Pop Brixton, and pick up a New World wonder at retail price (book here).

Bottomless brunch is a great way to budget your boozing, especially at Rosa's Thai Chelsea. For just £30pp on weekend afternoons, enjoy a selection of starters and a main dish with bottomless beer, wine or cocktails included (book here). For early evening tipples, the Levantine Aperitivo deal at Pascor – the new Kensington restaurant from ex-Palomar chef Tomer Amedi – is offering 2-4-1 on drinks between 5pm and 6pm, to be enjoyed alongside Pascor's small plates (book here).

BEST BAR BITES

Fancy a little treat without the price tag that comes with a full dinner? Bar snacks and cocktails are the way to go. At Fitzrovia Italian Cin Cin, the al fresco menu at its new summer terrace features small plates like these courgette flowers and truffle ricotta fritti (£7.50) – perfect for snacking on with a house Negroni (book here). More Italian treats are on the menu at Luca's bar, including its legendary parmesan fries (£4.50), an excellent accompaniment to its aperitivo-style cocktails (book here).

For great bar snacks, hotel bars are some of the city's best bets. At Le Magritte, The Beaumont's Executive Chef Ben Boeynaems's works his magic over the masterful bar bites, including a corn dog with stout mustard (£9), devilled eggs with caviar (£7) and truffled French toast (£10). It's impossible to resist a snack at Double Standard, where the menu includes fried chicken with truffle aioli (£8), hot dogs with pickle sauce and onion crumble (£10) and moules frites (£12) (book here).

THE AULD REEKIE REPORT

Where to eat in Edinburgh for under £10

In our new column, we'll bring you the latest news and local foodie tips from our Edinburgh office, exploring the culinary scene of the Scottish capital and beyond.

2022's Fringe is just around the corner, and we're very much looking forward to our first festival season in Scotland's capital – particularly our Edinburgh-based Account Manager G, who we'll struggle to tear away from the impressive line-up of drag shows throughout August. If you're set to join the crowds of keen festival-goers descending upon the city this month, take a look at our guide to Edinburgh's best bites under £10 – we've done the leg work, so you don't have to. 

DISH SPOTLIGHT: COCKTAIL SLUSHIES

Three Sheets' Palo Santo Margarita Slushy at Pastaio

Pastaio's Slushy Series continues this month, collaborating throughout August with award-winning Dalston bar Three Sheets. Diners at the pasta hotspot can try the cocktail maestros' slushy take on a margarita, made with Palo Santo Tequila, Merlet Trois Citrus and Arabica Orange Flower Water.

Aperol Spritz Slushy at Double Standard

Try not one, but three slushed-up classics at The Standard hotel's upmarket dive bar this summer. Alongside its signature Aperol Spritz slushy, Double Standard serves iced twists such as the Sparking Colada with rum, pineapple, coconut and sparkling wine, and the Porn Star, a mix of vodka, passionfruit and vanilla.

Psst... next month's Tonic Grapevine will include news from one of London's most exciting young chefs, and more.