London Food And Drink News: 7 May 2015

Ben O' Norum
By Ben O' Norum Last edited 106 months ago
London Food And Drink News: 7 May 2015

New foodie hub: Pop Brixton

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

Inside this week: Pop, Pilau and Permanent sites

Nanban finds a new home

Chef Tim Anderson, who won MasterChef back in 2011, has been looking for a permanent site for his popular pop-up Japanese comfort food concept Nanban for some time, and this week he found it in Brixton. Nanban will launch in mid-July in a former pie and mash shop on Coldharbour Lane, serving food inspired by southern Japan but also incorporating some Caribbean influences in honour of its location. Dishes will include a curried goat ramen and deep-fried eel along with the chef’s signature ‘whippy-san’ ice cream for dessert. There’ll also be a big range of craft beers from London, Japan and beyond – including an yuzu, orange and grapefruit-infused wheat IPA made specially by Hackney’s Pressure Drop Brewery.

Popping into Brixton

Nanban won’t be Brixton’s only foodie arrival. New hub Pop Brixton – which is constructed from shipping containers in a similar way to Boxpark in Shoreditch and The Artworks in Elephant & Castle – will become home to at least three restaurants and a wine shop in the next few weeks. All three of the confirmed restaurants will be run by established street food traders who are bedding down for the first time: Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Miss P’s Barbecue and Donostia Social Club. The New Zealand Cellar will sell exclusively Kiwi wines. Looks like the Village could have some competition on its hands…

Something old, something new

Old Street is another area which is upping its foodie credentials. Hot on the heels of the arrival of Ceviche on City Road, the area will shortly see the arrival of the ninth branch of The Draft House and a third Bone Daddies site. The two newcomers will both be part of The Bower development between Old Street and Baldwin Street.

Tube food

We’ve only just rounded-up London’s plethora of transport-themed eating and drinking spots, but the train keeps rolling. Launching today is Pilau, a pop-up Indian street food restaurant within Leicester Square station itself. The stall will be serving wraps near the station’s Chinatown exit from today until 17 May, and if pedigree is anything to by Pilau could be one to watch – one of the founders is Ollie Norman, son of Russell Norman who brought us Polpo. You won’t be able to pay with your oyster card, though.

New openings

This week has seen the arrival of pricey truffle restaurant Tartufi and Friends in Harrods and Indian restaurant Masala Grill (sister to Chutney Mary) launch in Chelsea. Taberna do Mercado — the new restaurant from Chiltern Firehouse chef Nuno Mendes — is on soft-launch until 10 May. Next week sees José Pizarro open in Broadgate and Middle Eastern restaurant Sesame, brought about by one of the Ottolenghi founders, open in Covent Garden.

We round-up London’s biggest food and drink news stories and the latest new and upcoming restaurant openings in this handy digest every Thursday afternoon. See our previous editions.

Also see:

The Best Food And Drink In London — recommendations of where to enjoy the capital’s top food and drink, categorised by cuisine, food type and more.

New Restaurant Reviews — our views on London’s latest openings.

More food and drink on Londonist.

Last Updated 07 May 2015