Banish any thoughts you may have (foolishly) had about a quiet November in the build-up to Christmas, as we have a *lot* of news this month, and we must warn you - you’re going to be busy. Ready? Let’s go..
Yatay
New to Chinatown this month is Yatay, a Japanese robatayaki restaurant and bar that opens its doors on 16 November.
Serving robatayaki skewers alongside raw dishes, salads, and small and large sharing plates, Yatay’s menu will have a firm focus on pickling and fermenting, with traditional Japanese techniques used to create modern, fusion food.
We’re getting our orders in early for the likes of stuffed shiso leaves with spiced organic chicken, garlic and lime tensoyu; monkfish karaage with gochujang mayo, and fried milk bread doughnut with matcha and sesame custard, all washed down with a strong selection of sakes, and cocktails inspired by Japanese subcultures.
Dai Chi
Next up, we’re launching Dai Chi on 17 November. This is the latest spot from the founders of cult Italo-Japanese restaurant Angelina in Dalston and will bring Osaka’s famous kushikatsu dining culture (kushi = skewer, katsu = deep-fried) to London for the first time.
Offering an elevated interpretation of the traditional Japanese deep-fried skewers - which are also known as kushiage - Dai Chi will serve its kushiage omakase-style as a nod to sister restaurant Angelina, with the option of a simple or more complex tasting menu centred around skewers of delicious morsels such as carabineiro red prawns, A5 wagyu tenderloin with white truffle, and lots, lots more.
Unsurprisingly, we’re unbelievably excited about this - the Angelina team always delivers...
Sarap Filipino Bistro
On 23 November, Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya will take over 10 Heddon Street - the residency space that previously hosted the likes of Manteca and Fallow - to launch his new restaurant, Sarap Filipino Bistro.
Sarap means delicious in Tagalog, and Montoya’s latest spot will do exactly what it says on the tin, serving modern interpretations of Filipino cuisine with plenty of authentic flavours presented inauthentically and creatively.
Look out for Budgie’s Lechon Special - a tender, slow-roasted whole suckling pig stuffed with aromatics and truffled adobo pork rice, as well as a selection of flavour-packed small and large plates including Kinilaw - coconut vinegar cured market fish, calamansi gel, cucumber, and Bistek - aged sirloin, calamansi and soy jus, grilled leek, pickled shallots, and yeasted onion.
Yep, it’s going to be pretty special… Book your table here.
News
THREE by Selin Kiazim
Chef Selin Kiazim of Oklava is launching her second cookbook, THREE: Using Acid, Texture and Contrast to Redefine Your Cooking on 11 November. THREE explores the elements that make a plate of food truly come into its own: acid, texture and contrast, and we can’t wait to launch it at a private dinner at Oklava, and a blow-out celebration party at The Standard London. Cheers to you, Selin!
Kutir's new GAME menu
A quick tip for all you game birds - Kutir has just launched its seasonal game tasting menu. An annual highlight, this year’s menu features partridge, pheasant, quail and venison, all given Chef Ghai’s delicate spicing, marinating and tandoor treatment. Priced at £60pp for five courses, it’s a real treat. Available until the end of January (some dishes may change if supply/seasons dictate).
Luca
Since we last wrote, we have proudly started working with one of the UK’s top 100 restaurants, Luca. This Clerkenwell favourite serves high-quality ingredients from around the British Isles and Italy - seasonal produce like shrimps from Morecambe Bay, grouse from Yorkshire, langoustines from Scotland and cheeses from across the country. It’s food that observes the established traditions of Italian cooking, but breaks the rules a little, and it also happens to be one of the most beautiful restaurants in town. Check out their Instagram for inspiration. You’ll find us at the bar, enjoying Luca Martinis and endless plates of parmesan fries.
Trivet
Another new addition to the Tonic family is Trivet. This Bermondsey restaurant from Fat Duck alumni Jonny Lake and Isa Bal serves some of the most inventive dishes in London, alongside an extensive selection of fantastic wines. It’s a stylish, friendly spot and a very welcome addition to the capital, not to mention our network. We can’t wait to tell you more…
We're hiring!
If you’ve read the above news, you’ll understand why we are looking for a brilliant new addition to the team here. There’s a space available for a junior who’s passionate about hospitality and fastidious about writing and comms.
For someone looking to start their career in PR we think we provide a pretty good training ground - lots of support, a nurturing environment, good holiday, and some serious perks (eating out regularly at all the above), and we’re a London Living Wage Employer. If you know someone who might be keen, ask them to drop Frances a line here. You can see the full job spec on our website too.
Pay It Forward raises over £10k in 1st year!
Last October we launched Pay It Forward, our campaign to tackle food insecurity. We pledged that for every meal we were given, or that we gave away on behalf of a client, we would donate a meal to someone hungry. One year on we are so proud to have donated £10,093 to charities including The Trussell Trust, Magic Breakfast, Hackney Food Bank, Carib Eats and The Soup Kitchen. We’re returning to one of our favourite, invaluable charities this month - The Trussell Trust and we’ll be raising as much as we can until the end of the year to help their food bank work. Please consider making a donation here.
Thank you so much to those who donated - let’s keep pushing on, the work’s not done yet...
