#34 Hyde Park, Maida Vale, Soho.
Where’s for dinner, London special.
Crashing back to land in the UK to grey, more grey and black - Black Friday that is - it’s been a tad of an overwhelming week.
But within days I bagged myself a pretty excellent food bargain…
I joined Disloyalty.
After months of umming and arring, doing the math, and trying to work out whether it was worth it, along came Black Friday.
For those of you who don’t know Disloyalty is a loyalty programme by the Ennismore group (aka the people behind the likes of the Hoxton and the Mondrian). For a one off yearly cost you can get 50% off new hotels, and 20% hotels you’ve yet to stay.
But what clinched the deal was a FREE barista made coffee every day, and 10% off all their restaurants. Hello.
I’m spending much more time near the Hoxton Southwark for work, so this became a bit of a no brainer. Plus they’re offering 35% off memberships for Black Friday.
I’ve already dined at Seabird (Hoxton Southwark) and loved it, have Chet’s (Hoxton Shepherd’s Bush) on the list, and after a beaut stay at The Mondrian Hong Kong, I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be browsing restaurants and stays a lot…
I highly recommend checking out the offer if you love these hotels, or just so happen to work near a Hoxton to bag all those daily free coffees…
Onto this week’s list, and after travelling both metaphorically on here, and physically lot in recent weeks, we’re keeping this a London special.
1. Friends of Ours, Hyde Park
New opening alert! The much loved brunchy lunch spot ‘Friends of Ours’ have a pop up for six months at the Serpentine, and the food looks pretty damn good.
The highly artistic space, designed by Zaha Hadid is pooch friendly, so it makes a great spot for brunch before a walk through Hyde Park.
I’m enjoying eating earlier so I can actually see (and photograph) my food, so it’s a great excuse for a late lunch (and cake).
Having just come back from the home of epic brunch, I will be continuing to pretend it’s not the dead of winter through my food choices. Not that brunch should or does have any seasonality.
Choose from the likes of Smoked Mackerel with Celeriac Remoulade, Poached Eggs & Borage on Sourdough Toast, or Baked Brioche with Sour Blackberry, Quince Compote, Pistachio Custard, Toasted Pepitas & Lemon Sorrel (both below).
And should you fancy an after hours dinner, they’re even offering private personalised supper clubs at their Hoxton branch, perfect for celebrations, Xmas parties, or hosting your own thing.
Friends of Ours Hyde Park is open 8:30am-4:30pm daily, and you can book a table here.
2. The Hero, Maida Vale
We’ve gone from fighting winter in our last spot, to embracing it in this one. And nothing says cosying up with hearty food like The Hero.
I’m yet to watch a Christmas film this year - let’s face it, it’ll probably be The Holiday - but there’s something quite festive about the bones of this place.
Found in Maida Vale, by the people behind The Pelican, this pub turned dining room and cocktail bar screams the best of British.
Bringing together dusty wood, soft leather, bright linen and roaring fires, as tables are lit by long candle sticks and everyone sips red wine, it’s cosy to say the least.
Enjoy pub classics like Ham and Chips and Chicken Pie, as well as warming Soups after you’ve picked at the essential Cocktail Sausages and Scotch Eggs.
It’s a pretty dreamy menu for anyone who loves comforting British dining.
Perhaps sitting in a corner booth with all of the above, will have me feeling a little more festive.
Book a table here
3. Berenjak, Soho
Soho’s Berenjak is another London spot high on the list. I say Soho, but they also have a spot in Borough too.
Here you’ll find a celebration of Persian cuisine, focused on bringing together family and friends for celebration over food. It’s even landed itself a Bib Gourmand for its excellent value.
Based on a “hole in the wall” style kebab house, sit at the open kitchen counter opposite the tandoor and breathe in all the delights of the Mangal barbecue.
What will I be ordering? Well the Lunch Set Menu looks great to start, and for just £34 per person, you can choose a ‘Mazeh’, ‘Kabeb’ and ‘Sofresh’ - essentially a starter, main and side, which means getting to try more, especially if you share as a table.
If you enjoy stories behind the food you’re eating, I highly recommend checking out their Instagram. Here the team share the background behind the dishes, their experiences growing up and why certain ingredients and flavours are used. It’s highly educational.
Book a table here.
What’s “Where’s For Dinner?”
Every week I’ll be tempting you with where your next meal out could be - one in London, one in the UK, and one beyond. All places I want to try, but haven’t yet.I would love for you to subscribe (button below), so we can enjoy these places together. And if you have got any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them.