Al fresco menus, exciting happenings and swoon-worthy sustenance – here’s where to make the most of spring in London right now
1 Celebrate Six by Nico’s 6th Anniversary with a Marrakech or Lisbon-themed menu
Six by Nico are kicking off their sixth anniversary celebrations this month by revealing two destination tasting menus for the very first time ‘Marrakech & Lisbon‘, fully chosen by over 25,000 customers and inspired by Nico’s recent surprise trip to the colourful cities.
With the votes being so close, for the first time ever, Nico has created two new menu concepts to launch and celebrate the start of its 6th Anniversary year. Nico was challenged to explore both the city’s culture and cuisine & create a two unique six course tasting menus in 60 hours.
Through immersing himself in the never-ending souks of Marrakech and taking inspiration from local restaurants and chefs in Lisbon, both menus are our tribute to these amazing cities, cuisines and people.
Join them for a unique and memorable dining experience, as they continue their culinary journey and share their love of food with the London community and beyond.
Starting the journey by sampling the flavours and spices in Morrocco before moving onto the bold and hearty flavours of Lisbon, each menu blends tradition and innovation whilst being presented with love.
How: Bookings can be made online here: www.sixbynico.co.uk
2 Find your balance at Balance Festival
Experience world-class fitness trainers, yoga icons, wellness experts, inspiring chefs and next-generation food and lifestyle brands – all under one roof at this upcoming Shoreditch-based festival. Taking place once more from 19-21 May 2023, this year’s Balance Festival is set to be more exciting than ever with the world’s most exciting brands, businesses and brilliant attendees.
Standard tickets include classes and workshops at the Main Stage, Just Breathe Sanctuary, triyoga Stage and The LAB. No need to book – just grab your spot on a first come first serve basis.
How: Find out more and make a booking via balance-festival.com
Where: 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QR
3 Try a Himalayan Salt Dining Pod at M Canary Wharf
Pioneering unique and immersive dining experiences in the capital, M Restaurants brings a new first to London with the launch of two unique Himalayan Salt Dining Pods. Guests can choose from the Regeneration & Relaxation Pod or Wagyu Salt Chamber, both located on M Canary Wharf’s expansive terrace as the mineral has its moment in the spotlight.
With views overlooking the banks of the River Thames and waterways of Canary Wharf, the duo of glass dining pods take inspiration from both the popularholistic properties of Himalayan salt and its culinary influence, offering an elevated dining experience for up to six people – complete with a private waiter and state of the art speakers.
Adorned with handpicked Himalayan salt bricks, beautiful plants and cosy soft furnishings, in the Regeneration & Relaxation Salt Pod, sit back and relax in the rosy glow of the salt bricks to experience the health benefits first hand. Dine from the innovative sustainable set menu (£25pp for two courses/£30pp for three), championing regeneratively farmed 100% carbon neutral British beef and other ethically sourced ingredients, alongside à la carte choices. Sip on cocktails featuring sustainable spirits whilst making full use of the complimentary gender-neutral beauty products from luxury brand, MALIN+GOETZ.
Surrounded by lush greenery, in the Wagyu Salt Chamber, the six course Wagyu Experience Menu (£250pp) showcases some of the highest-grade Kobe and Wagyu in the world. Exclusive to M Restaurants, indulge in Blackmore Wagyu Grade 9++, dry-aged in Himalayan Salt Chambers for up to 35 days, for a fully immersive experience.
Where: M Canary Wharf, 10 Newfoundland Place, London E14 4BH
When: The dining pods are available to book for lunch or dinner, Monday to Sunday from 12pm – 9.30pm.
How: To book a spot on the terrace or in one of the Himalayan Salt Dining Pods, visit mrestaurants.co.uk
4 Enjoy 50% off dining at The Apollo Arms in Clapham
The Apollo Arms, the latest venture from the team behind South London favourite’s The Hunter’s Moon and Ganymede, will officially open its doors on 21st May in Clapham’s vibrant Old Town. Set to be one of the capital’s hottest new openings this spring, The Apollo Arms will showcase the very best of British pub culture alongside the highest quality food, and warm and inviting hospitality.
To celebrate the opening, The Apollo Arms will be treating guests to an exclusive soft offer. Be one of the first to visit this brand-new pub and dining room and enjoy 50% of all food from 21st – 27th May to celebrate the new launch.
The accessible yet exciting menus will put the spotlight on modern British food using the highest quality ingredients, sourced locally where possible. Owner Chef Director Oliver Marlowe and Head Chef David Halewood (formerly The Coach, Clerkenwell) will work closely together on the daily-changing lunch and dinner menus, as well as an extensive bar snack selection, plus brunch and an epic Sunday lunch come the weekend. Typical dishes might include tuna sashimi with whipped avocado; Fowley mussels with ‘nduja and cider sauce, leeks, fennel and Morteau sausage; braised featherblade with truffle mayo and triple cooked truffle and parmesan chips; and a classic baked Alaska.
How: Valid on reservations only, email info@apolloarms.co.uk to book and quote SOFT LAUNCH
Where: The Apollo Arms, 13-19 Old Town, Clapham, SW4 0JT
5 Try a more sustainable style of steak at Le Petit Beefbar
With National Steak Day (25th April) just around the corner, many of us are seeking out the perfect steak to sink our teeth into… so why not consider choosing a more planet-friendly option.
Le Petit Beefbar have recently added the Redefine Beef Flank in Steak Frites & Sauce to their menu. The vegan steak is made using plant-based proteins, such as soy and pea perfectly mimics the texture and flavour of a real steak and is topped with Le Petit Beefbar’s signature steak sauce, made with butter, herbs, truffle and extract of the “Sauce Originale Relais de Paris”.
Redefine Meat are New-Meat™ pioneers, creating 3D printed ‘new-meat’ that is being stocked in restaurants across London. Championed by industry leaders and chefs including Marco Pierre White, Redefine Meat not only love meat, but believe the world deserves delicious plant-based meat that is good for the environment and kind to animals.
How: To book visit: beefbar.com
Where: 27 Cale St, London SW3 3QP
Cost: The dish is priced at £39.00
6 Soak up a free-flow dining experience at Shiro
Shiro, the Japanese restaurant and bar located at Liverpool Street’s Broadgate Circle from Aqua Restaurant Group, is launching a free-flow Friday dining experience. Taking place every Friday, diners can enjoy a 3 course meal for just £29, with free-flowing Prosecco, wine or beer for £49, or with Champagne or sake for £79.
Shiro Nights aim to provide guests with a memorable dining experience that combines the restaurant’s flavourful dishes with the option to indulge in unlimited Prosecco, wine and beer or upgrade to the deluxe package which includes free-flowing Champagne and sake.
For just £29 per person, the three-course feast features a delicious selection of starters followed by a choice of main and a delightful mochi dessert for a sweet finish. Highlights from the menu include rock shrimp tempura with spicy chilli and garlic mayonnaise, grilled baby chicken with goma yuzu miso and the Omakase sushi platter.
- £29 per person | Three-course
- £49 per person | Including free-flowing white wine, rosé, red wine, prosecco, beer
- £79 per person | Including free-flowing Champagne, sake
To experience Shiro Nights, guests can make a reservation or walk-in. Available every Friday for bookings between 5pm and 6pm.
Where: Broadgate Circle, 100 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 2QS
How: Find out more and make a booking via shirosushi.co.uk
Wallet: The free-flow experience starts from £49.00pp.
7 Get fired up for the UK’s number-one BBQ festival, Smoke and Fire
Calling all barbecue lovers. The UK’s number-one BBQ festival, Smoke and Fire, hosted in partnership with Big K and Buffalo Trace, will take place at Temper Shoreditch on 26th April from 6-9 pm.
A cocktail reception from Buffalo Trace will open the evening from 6 pm, followed by food from some of the incredible chefs who will be cooking at Smoke and Fire this year and drinks from partners including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Prodolce Sparkling Wine and Sandford Cider.
Showcasing their unique approaches to BBQ cookery are; Mursal Saiq and Josh Moroney of Cue Point with their incredible Afghan-British fusion cooking Budgie Montoya – whose Filipino concept Sarap has gone from strength to strength in recent months and is fresh from an appearance in this year’s Great British Menu and the event’s hosts; Temper whose Shoreditch site offers up the brand’s signature open fire cookery with a South American twist.
Goodie bags from the brand sponsors including BBQ Magazine, Petromax, Bic, and Savernake Knives will be available towards the end of the event and there will be live entertainment and demos on the night.
Where: 78 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3JL
How: Find out more and make a booking via smokeandfirefestival.com
8 Raise a toast with The Landmark London’s High Palms Coronation High Tea
Nothing says royalty quite like the perfect scone. To celebrate the King’s Coronation on 6th May, The Landmark London is set to launch a magnificent High Palms Coronation High Tea, offering guests to the hotel a quintessentially British experience in a truly elegant setting. Nestled among grand palm trees in the hotel’s Winter Garden Restaurant, guests will be entertained by a twinkling piano whilst sat in the striking atrium flooded by natural spring sunlight.
Priced at £88.00 per person, and available to book throughout the Coronation long weekend (6th-8th May), the High Tea includes a regal glass of Champagne Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV to toast His Majesty. The Champagne choice is symbolic, as in 2004, Pol Roger received the Royal Warrant of Appointment and became the official Champagne supplier for the royal family. High Tea guests will also delight in the classic afternoon tea plates, piled with traditional sandwiches, scones and desserts, designed and baked expertly in-house by Head Pastry Chef, Mauro Di Lieto.
To toast to the occasion, guests can purchase additional glasses or bottles of Champagne Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV. The blend is a complex mix of three champenois grape varieties: pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay, and the perfect accompaniment to the high tea.
The Landmark London’s High Palms Coronation High Tea starts with the freshest and most delicious sandwiches, including a special Lapsang souchong smoked Scottish salmon or a much-loved classic, coronation chicken served on walnut bread. Next up are warm freshly baked raisin and apple scones served with Cornish clotted cream and a selection of jams and preserves including Bergeron apricot and London marmalade. No afternoon tea is complete without indulgent treats and traditional desserts. Guests can choose from a range including a Blueberry and lemon meringue tartlet or an extravagant Valrhona dark chocolate crown, topped with salted caramel sauce and cocoa shortbread.
Where: 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ
Cost: Priced at £88.00 per person
How: Find out more and make a booking via landmarklondon.co.uk
9 Indulge in a rare evening with James Knappett of two-Michelin starred Kitchen Table
One for the fine dining crowd. This May sees chef-patron James Knappett of two-Michelin starred Kitchen Table celebrate the extraordinary influence Chef Rick Stein has had on his cooking career, with a spectacular rare tasting menu experience at his acclaimed Fitzrovia restaurant from 10th – 13th May.
James first worked under Rick Stein in 1999 at The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow where he learned the importance of provenance, making the most of seasonality and a pure, simple love for great food cooked well – all cornerstones of Rick’s cooking, evident in his restaurants today. James’ three years there were life- changing and have hugely impacted his cooking ethos ever since.
The tasting menu, priced at £300 per person, will take diners on a gastronomic journey over 16 courses, paying homage to classic recipes from both The Seafood Restaurant and Rick Stein’s most iconic cookbooks. Dishes will highlight the season’s best British fish and shellfish with flavours from across the world, including Oysters Charentais (freshly shucked oysters with hot spicy sausage), a signature dish served at The Seafood Restaurant and Hot & Sour Squid from The Eastern Odyssey book.
Mirroring the same ethos implemented in the kitchen with a focus on seasonal and foraged ingredients, James’ wife, Sandia Chang, has perfectly paired drinks with each course, providing diners with the option to add either matching champagne for £285pp, wine at £190pp or non-alcoholic drinks for an additional £95pp.
Seating just 20 guests around his award-winning theatre-style kitchen, it’s set to be an intimate evening of true indulgence with tickets likely to sell quickly.
How: To book, please visit www.kitchentablelondon.co.uk
Where: 70 Charlotte St., London W1T 4QG
Cost: £300 per person
10 Marvel at the new Glass Installation ‘Verrier’ at Hart Shoreditch
Hart Shoreditch is delighted to have launched its partnership with Industrial Designer, Rezzan Hasoglu, who has created an installation for the hotel’s lobby. The exquisite hand-blown glass spheres infused with sand from around the world.
As the founder of the design consulting company Studio Sahil, Rezzan Hasoglu’s installation ‘Verrier’ opened on 17th April 2023 and will remain a permanent piece at the hotel. The delicate glass spheres are suspended from an iron structure and lit from the base, casting mesmerising ripple shadows that complement the wrought iron spiral staircase and pay homage to the silk weavers and Huguenots that settled in Spitalfields in the 17th Century.
The combination of copper details and natural tones created by the sand-infused glass spheres will provide guests with a moment of mindfulness and playfulness, while also serving as a reminder of the diverse trading history of the local area.
Where: 61 – 67 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HU
Cost: Nightly rates at Hart Shoreditch start from £189 on a room-only basis.
How: For more information or to book please visit hartshoreditch.com or call +44 (0) 20 3995 3655
