London Food & Drink News: 1 December 2011

By tikichris Last edited 147 months ago
London Food & Drink News: 1 December 2011


Last Friday night, Abbot Street in Dalston saw the launch of The Long Table, Nuno Mendes' curated street market (and London's only outdoor night market exclusively serving food). The crowds were tremendous, the queues to get in verged on the ridiculous and the stuff for sale was a smart smattering of some of London's finest street food. Restaurants such as Hawksmoor and Moro rubbed market stall elbows with vendors more seasoned to cooking al fresco such as Lucky Chip and Big Apple Hot Dogs. The Long Table will be set again this and every Friday from 6pm to 1am until Christmas. There's a fully stocked bar and live music too. If you hate queuing, try to arrive before 6.30pm.

Clerkenwell pub, The Well, has transformed its basement into a “Swedish Ski Lodge” where “Swedish winter hostesses” serve the drinks and “snowflakes will be falling as you celebrate the Scandi way” with fake furs, “glittery reindeer” and live Christmas trees.

Speaking of live Christmas trees, if you're heading to the tree lighting ceremony at Trafalgar Square this evening, consider popping round to Boyd's Brasserie located inside the nearby Grand hotel on Northumberland Avenue for a “charitable evening of Christmas carols, mulled wine and mince pies.” Straight after the tree's lights are switched on, mulled wine and mince pies will be served throughout the evening, with all the proceeds being donated to the StreetSmart charity. A live choir will entertain guests with Christmas Carols from 7 to 7.30pm.

Del'Aziz is to bring its Eastern Med deli/gift shop/restaurant/bar to Clapham with the opening of its sixth London site on 5 December at 55-57 Old Town, SW4 0JQ. The new Del'Aziz is to also introduce a “new late night destination” in its lower ground floor. To be called Zahra, and set to officially launch in January 2012 the downstairs will feature “an extensive selection of expertly mixed cocktails, an appetising bar menu of sharing mezzes and entertainment from belly dancers, live jazz musicians and Djs” along with “low level sofas covered with colourful cushions, decorative tables and twinkling lanterns” for an “exotic modern souk” effect.

Photo/Chris Osburn

Last Updated 01 December 2011