London Food And Drink News: 9 October 2014

Ben O' Norum
By Ben O' Norum Last edited 113 months ago
London Food And Drink News: 9 October 2014

Marbled: Wagyu beef at M Grill

Welcome to our weekly round-up of all that’s happening in London’s food and drink scene.

Inside this week: steaks, chalets and Sunday roasts

The steaks are high (but foreign)

When steak restaurant M Grill launches in the City next month, it will feature the highest grade of Kobe and Wagyu beef in Europe. Wagyu refers to several breeds of cattle which are predisposed to fat marbling, while Kobe cattle are even more exclusive as they must come from specific areas of Japan. Both meats have a richer flavour and a softer texture than most beef cuts, resulting in something halfway between a pâté and a steak. A 200g Wagyu sirloin will cost £120, and a 180g fillet of Kobe will cost £190. We’ll forgive the absurd cost of these offers given that other steaks start at a much more affordable £16.75, but one thing we can’t overlook is the complete lack of any British beef on the menu. M Grill will serve American, Argentine, Australian, French, Japanese and Zambian beef, but seemingly doesn’t feel our own is good enough. Guess there’s always Hawksmoor around the corner...

Shopping chalet

The roof of Selfridges, which has been a BBQ spot throughout the summer, will be transformed into Le Chalet for the winter months. From 22 October, those choosing to dine above Oxford Street will be able to tuck into spit-roast pig, blue cheese fondue and apple strudel, as well as hot chocolate cocktails from a dedicated bar.

Roast with the most

The sunday roast at Maida Vale gastropub The Truscott Arms has been crowned London’s very best as part of Unilever-run British Roast Dinner Week.  We’re going to try it out ourselves soon to give you the Londonist verdict, but in the meantime see our selection of 20 of London’s best roast dinners to know where to get your Sunday fix.

Food for the friezer

The Frieze Masters art fair returns to Regent’s Park from 15-19 October, and there’ll be a number of food stalls on hand to make sure visitors are well fed. Among them will be a pop-up café from Soho restaurant Bocca Di Lupo, sashimi and cocktails from Mayfair’s Umu, cakes and coffees from Gail’s, and an Italian experience courtesy of Marylebone’s Locanda Locatelli.

W1 goes Deep South

Explore the food and drink of America’s Deep South with an event at Marylebone’s The Lockhart restaurant later this month, presented by Toast. Mississippi-born chef Brad McDonald and food writer Tim Hayward will discuss the area’s cuisine, as well as their memories of living there, while a meal of cornbread, gumbo, shrimp and grits, devilled crab, fried chicken and more will be served. It will all be washed down with bourbon cocktails and American-grown wines, plus there’ll be doughnuts to take home from 1235donuts. The event is on 20 October, tickets cost £65.

Pub hotel

The Tulse Hill Tavern, which closed earlier this year, will re-open next month as the Tulse Hill Hotel. It will feature nine bedrooms alongside a bar and restaurant, with owners the Metropolitan Pub Company saying that it will maintain and restore much of the building’s original architectural details, dating back to 1840. The company also runs The Artisan Of Clerkenwell, the Balham Arms, and The Vine in Kentish Town, among others.

New openings

Salmon-themed restaurant Salmontini has launched in Belgravia this week; Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay has opened in Ealing; the Brewhouse And Kitchen group has opened its first London pub in Islington; and Peruvian-meets-British restaurant Pachamama is on soft-launch in Marylebone, with 50 per cent off food until 14 October. Mayfair classic Quaglino’s has also re-opened after an extensive refurb.

Tomorrow marks the official launches of two ramen joints: Ippudo in Covent Garden and the third branch of Tonkotsu, in Selfridges.

Next will see ex-Petersham Nurseries chef Skye Gyngell launch Spring in Somerset House.

It’s also been announced that less formal The Ivy spin-off The Ivy Market Grill will open in Covent Garden next month.

Talk to us

We still want your help to keep these weekly food & drink news round-ups as relevant, up-to-date, and interesting as possible. Got any top tips, local gems or foodie news? Tried one of the new restaurants we mentioned? Leave a comment below or hit us up at hello@londonist.com. ‘Til next week…

Last Updated 09 October 2014