Food News - Restaurant News | Zagat Buzz
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Watch Johnny Iuzzini, Live from GoogaMooga, This Sunday at 2 PM
This weekend, Brooklyn's Prospect Park will be full of food industry celebrities for the first annual Great GoogaMooga festival. Like we said, if you aren't able to make it, we're giving you the chance to follow along at home. On Sunday at 2PM, we've got Top Chef Just Desserts judge Johnny Iuzzini on board for a chat that will stream live on our Google Plus page. During this hangout, we'll take some of your questions and get the skinny on the festival from Johnny - if you want to participate and ask a question, you can get info about signing up here.
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First Look: Corner Social Adds to Harlem's Hotness
The Harlem blocks around 125th Street and Lenox Avenue are hot. Sylvia’s has been anchoring this lively neighborhood for years, dishing out fantastic soul food to faithful locals and tourists. Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster and speakeasy Ginny's Supper Club are both in full swing with people lining up at all hours of the day. Throw in French bistro Chez Lucienne’s bustling patio on the same block, and New Yorkers can’t get enough of this 'hood. Now just in time for summer another newcomer has been added to the mix with Corner Social, the vision of Harlem residents Anahi Angelone and executive chef Jonathan Romans.
The eatery started off with a little hiccup over its name. Originally called Lenox Social, they rebranded the establishment after the manager of the famous Lenox Lounge just down the street complained about possible trademark infringement. We had a chance to take a first look at Corner Social last night at their grand opening party, and despite the minor controversy over the moniker, the place was swinging with packed crowds spilling onto the sidewalk patio and a live jazz band setting the mood. We tried several tasty bites including the panko fried lobster mac and cheese as well as a couple of cocktails (surprise, surprise) like the gin based Social Fix and the bourbon and mint winner Renaissance Honey.
The menu is small, but prices are reasonable with entrées capping off at the $20 mark, and they'll be open for brunch offering soul food riffs like fried chicken and pancakes. The bread is sourced from the non-profit bakery Hot Bread Kitchen just a few blocks away at La Marqueta, and they'll be working with other local Harlem businesses to create a friendly community vibe. With the red hot Rooster right across the street, Corner Social will certainly grab some of the overflow crowd, but if the solid dishes continue to come out of the kitchen and the tasty cocktails keep flowing, then expect Corner Social to gain a dedicated Uptown following of their own. -
GoogaMooga Has Arrived: The Proposed Hashtags
GoogaMooga is here! This weekend, Brooklyn's Prospect Park will be taken over by hungry, music loving hordes who are keen to check out the first-ever fest, which promises to be epic (especially because the forecast for the weekend is pretty gorgeous). There will be two festivals happening simultaneously - GoogaMooga proper, which is a ticketed shindig that was free to the public, and ExtraMooga, a VIP area where folks had to pay around $200 for a ticket (there's also a third fest, if you count the folks that don't have tickets to either but plan to show up anyway).
If you're going to hit it up, you can plan your Saturday and Sunday using the schedule here. If you can't attend, expect to see social media lighting up with updates from the front (the irony-loving hipsters have long dreamed of the day that they can send an Instagram of a Hall & Oates concert). To that effect, here are some proposed hashtags for those attending the fest:
#toofar - For Manhattanites, when they inevitably complain about having to take the subway out to Brooklyn.
#fencefail - When you try to climb over the fence to get into ExtraMooga, but are shooed away by burly security guards.
#nothappening - For the VIPs, who are asked to sneak their ExtraMooga wristband to a friend on the other side.
#daydrunk - For the picnic goers who decided to fill their bottles of Snapple with an eighth of Absolute Citron before heading over.
#enchantedforest - For those who decide to go the other route and smoke a little sumtin-sumtin' while crouched like a squirrel behind a bush.
#bringbackthepool - For the hipster who is not impressed by the music, since the shows at McCarren Pool were, like, so much better. Let it go, bud.
#wherestom - For attendees who thought they were actually going to get to see Tom Colicchio.
#hallandold - To highlight the inevitable "Hall and Oates are so old" jokes. Yeah, true, but we bet you'll wish you had Hall's sexy, lion-like mane when you are a stone's throw from 70. Just sayin'. -
Mission Chinese Set To Open Next Week
Big news coming out of the LES, where San Francisco's Mission Chinese is opening up an outpost next Tuesday, according to the New York Times. The West Coast original made waves with its take on Sichuan cuisine, which is popular with the hipster set in SF. The "mission" in the eatery's moniker doesn't just refer to the neighborhood in which the eatery is located, it references the spot's charitable nature. Like it's West Coast counterpart, the Big Apple locale will raise money for charities - with $.75 from each entree and cocktail going to organizations like the Food Bank for New York City. Fair warning - the joint won't take reservations, so prepare to wait. And if the recent opening of fellow West Coast transplant Pok Pok is any indication, prepare to wait a while.
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This Week's Top Restaurant and Food News
Rhubarb with chipotle at Empellon Cocina NYC; Image by Noah Fecks By Kelly DobkinThis week our list explaining the origin of 10 crazy food names was our most popular post, followed in close second by our guide to 13 annoying moments in NYC dining. After that, our guide to LA's secret watering holes came in third and our list of Hawaii's 10 best restaurants came in at #4. In case you're in need of some weekend reading, check out the top ten most popular posts of the week below. That's it for us folks, we'll catch you back here on Monday.- 10 Crazy Food Names Explained
- 13 Totally Annoying Moments in NYC Dining
- New York's 12 Best Italian Restaurants
- LA Secret Bar Guide: 8 Hidden Watering Holes
- 10 Best Restaurants in Hawaii
- Chicago's 5 Best Seafood Restaurants
- Must-Try Spring Dishes: 10 Tasty Plates Featuring NYC-Area Produce
- Must-Try Spring Dishes from 10 LA Hot Spots
- 7 New Restaurants on Cape Cod/The Islands
- 10 Must-Try Spring Dishes in the Bay Area
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Outtake of the Week
"The food and service will want you to take a vow of fasting."
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GQ Critic Alan Richman Recounts His Worst Meal Ever
Image via Metromix "The worst meal I ever ate was at the restaurant Dante e Beatrice in Naples. The waiter without comment started bringing plate after plate of horrific food, all of it acidic and mushy and cold and boney, except for the fried spaghetti. We couldn't get him to stop. And we got a huge bill."
-GQ critic Alan Richman on the worst meal he's ever eaten in a recent interview. [WSJ] -
Best Thing We Ate Last Night: Chipotle Brownie Sundae at Coppelia
It may be nearing time to think about tonight's dinner, but we're still not over the chipotle brownie sundae we had at Julian Medina's Coppelia yesterday. Topped with whipped cream, bruléed banana, chocolate sauce and chocolate covered crispies, this indulgent brownie-based dessert hits the spot every time. Despite the ingredients, its richness doesn't overwhelm, while the textures and flavors (including the slight spiciness) keep you coming back for more. We haven't been disappointed by any of Pichet Ong's desserts at this Nuevo Latino diner, but once we tried this one, we now find it hard to order others ($7; 212-858-5001).
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Best Seafood Sandwich We've Eaten This Week: Blackened Scallop Roll Rocks at Casino Wharf FX
Eating lunch at Casino Wharf FX in Falmouth Heights on Cape Cod, not only did we get a view of the ocean, but their blackened sea scallop roll is a killer.
By Naomi Kooker
Spicy-blackened, fresh sea scallops served on a toasted brioche hot dog roll with green leaf lettuce, tomato and chipotle aïoli ($14). Get it while you can. On May 22, the new menu kicks in with a Cajun-dusted sea scallop roll (similar rendition with all the fixings) at lunch, but it’ll cost ya $18. Welcome to summer on the Cape.
Casino Wharf FX, 283 Grand Ave., Falmouth Heights; 508-540-6160; www.casinowharf.weebly.com -
Weekend Food Events in the Bay Area
From Bay to Breakers and Makers Faire to Food Revolution Day and Cochon 555 (which, BTW still has tickets left), there’s no shortage of cool weekend events happening in the Bay.
San Francisco's annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration is the world's largest, photo by Zaide J. Packingan
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: The three-day long Oakland Greek Festival is your big fat chance to feast on moussaka, baklava and flaming saganaki, then dance your best Zorba imitation. In addition to food and drink (mmm, retsina), the makeshift marketplace will feature live music, replica tchotkes and dance performances (Friday and Saturday 10 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-9 PM, at the $6 at the door, free for kids 12 and under, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave, more info).
Saturday:The eighth annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration hosts crafts, family activities and a parade through Little Saigon, but frankly, we can't stop thinking about the food. On deck are cooking demos by celebrity chefs Martin Yan and Charles Phan (Slanted Door), traditional eats by Nombe, Saigon Sandwiches and Irma’s Pampanga, plus a plethora of pan-Asian food trucks including JapaCurry, Seoul on Wheels and The Chairman Truck (11 AM-6 PM, Civic Center area; festival is free, food sold separately, more info).
Saturday: Oenophiles will have a legitimate excuse to join the tourists at Ghirardelli Square this weekend, where the seventh-annual Uncorked wine festival will be held. The event will feature seminars, chef demonstrations and our very own Zagat Lounge (where participants can vote in the Zagat Nightlife Survey for a chance to win a $350 dining experience). And, of course, there's the access to unlimited tastings of more than 50 top-shelf California wines (1-6 PM, event is free but wine tasting is $50 per person; Ghirardelli Square; more info).
Sunday: If you don’t want to cross the bridge to attend Cochon 555 (also taking place on Sunday), East Bayers can get their pig on at Adesso in Oakland, which ushers in its seasonal Sunday Pig Parties. The all-you-can-eat pig out will feature spit-roasted hams, porchetta and sausages, plus a smattering of side salads to help it all go down at little bit more smoothly. (2-6 PM, $30 per person, drinks not included tickets are available at the door or in advance at Adesso or sister spot Dopo, more info). -
Restaurant Debates: Should Bar Stools Be Reserved Seating?
Real estate in restaurants is precious - and this week's debate is about the best way to use the bar in teeny spots. Most places let you grab a stool if you see it open up, creating a first-come, first-serve situation that may create some contention as people try to angle their way in. One editor think that these stools should be treated like any other seat in the restaurant - if they open up, the host should call whoever is next on the list. If you want to park your butt in a bar stool, should you have to sign up first? Check out our debate below.
Kelly: So I was out the other night at this tiny Italian place in Nolita. They told us the wait for a table was 20 minutes. The bar is right next to the hostess stand and the whole space is very narrow, so we said we'd take bar seats too if they opened up. But the hostess was like, oh, we don't keep track of those. I feel like that's annoying in a tiny place.
James: Nah - the bar gives walk ins a shot, plus they probably need it for people to wait for their tables to come up.
Kelly: There's nowhere to wait inside the place either so we would just have to stand there in the way in order to "pounce" on bar seats. If she was going to take my number to call when our table is ready that should include the bar too. Clearly everyone at the bar was there to eat.
James: Survival of the fittest in in NYC dining. I like that the bar is not included because it does give you a chance to eat earlier than the hour that you were probably told you'll have to wait. But, you won't always get to use that chance because it might be full, but at least there's hope.
Kelly: I mean it's so chaotic though. You told me last week you were a fan of reserved bar seating like at The Dutch. Flip flopper!
James: If you happened to have come in when a party of two was getting up from the bar, you wouldn't be complaining. And, I do like reserved bar seating at The Dutch, but it's kept completely seperate from the list of people waiting for tables. It's a different pool - and they do have some bar stools that are reserved for first-come, first serve.
Kelly: Well yeah they could have done that at this joint! I mean if you open a place with 30 seats in a space as wide as a sliver, you should have reserved bar seating! I would have happily been on two lists.
James: Also - keeping the bar open makes the wait go faster for everyone else. As people drop in and have a few, they decide to eat, and their names get crossed off the list for a table.
Kelly: It's the same thing either way. The hostess should be keeping track of bar seating.
James: Nah - the hope that the bar stools may turn over also makes the wait go faster.
Kelly: It's about accommodating people as quickly as possible, that's what the hospitality biz is about. Whether the hostess keeps track of the bar seats or not, they will turn over James. People inevitably leave bar seats at some point!
James: But, if you're standing there when they leave you should be able to take them - not have to stare at the empty seats when the hostess calls someone in to take them, that will be sitting there for another hour. I'm thirsty just thinking about it. -
Five $1 Oyster Deals in Philadelphia
While conventional wisdom may hold that oysters are best eaten during months that have no “R” in the name (i.e. not May-August), the beautifully briny set of bivalves we slurped down this week at Fish say otherwise. And what better way to prepare for the coming season of weekends down the shore than with tasty, oceanic snacks? Here are five spots where you can get your fill of the salty treats during happy hour for just a buck a shuck.
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Glazed and Infused Opens Monday to Sweeten Chicagoans’ Commutes
Red velvet donut image courtesy of Glazed and Infused Get ready to love commuting. Not only did the Morgan Station open today (Green and Pink lines delivering passengers to restaurant-centric West Town), Glazed and Infused - the latest player in the donut trend - will open locations below El stations around Chicago. The first two, off the Damen blue line and in Fulton Market, open Monday.
This edible empire is created by restaurateur Scott Harris (Francesca’s), who prides himself on the neighborhood feel at each of his restaurants. The decor of Glazed and Infused will be retro-Americana with concrete floors and marble accents, reclaimed wood and posters from the 1940s to evoke the post-WWII era.
Two types of donuts are available - yeast and cake. Within those two categories are endless flavor possibilities. On the yeast side of the menu find crème brûlée bismarck topped with caramelized sugar, a maple bacon long john donning an entire strip of bacon and more traditional glazed options. The cake side includes red velvet, old fashioned and banana salted caramel.
The next location near the Armitage brown line is scheduled top open later this summer. In the meantime, have a donut and drink some coffee too at the first locations. All of them will brew Intelligentsia to fuel a better commute, plus, the Wicker Park location is open late on weekends for midnight munchies.
813 W. Fulton St. and 1553 N. Damen Ave. -
The Best Things We Ate Last Night: L2O’s Rhône Valley Wine Dinner
Once a month, the private back dining room of L2O hosts a wine dinner highlighting the varietals of a specific region, pairing them with dishes from chef Matthew Kirkley. The occasion is limited to a single table holding eight people - think Grub With Us for the upwardly mobile.
We had the honor taking a seat at this elite table last night for the Rhône Valley wine dinner, and needless to say, we learned a lot.
The evening started with whites, which makes sense at a seafood restaurant. As we took a sip to pair with the fruits de mar canapé (literally hollowed-out balls of cucumber, cantaloupe and honeydew filled with seafood), we noticed the wine was not chilled. Our host for the evening, wine director Richard Hanauer, explained that fine white's crisp flavor is so refreshing that it does not need to be chilled.
Next we moved onto rosé and a mussel tart, followed by tuna tartare with avocado that resembled a freshly cut watermelon, but tasted like the tender fish. Two different rosés were poured. While rosé pairs well with most dishes, the lighter/younger ones are more food-friendly.
The meal progressed into another white with a bouillabaisse and then reds paired with pigeon and foie gras. As the complexity and depth of flavors in the dishes increased, the less expensive wines became better pairs.
The meal ended, as it should, with chocolate and a dessert wine. Staring at 12 empty glasses, we could not pick one wine or dish that stood above the rest. Each one was innovative, beautifully plated but elegantly simple. Without further adieu, here's a slideshow of everything we ate last night at L2O. -
Michael Solomonov Loves Buying Frogs at Wing Phat Plaza
Michael Solomonov is one of the brightest stars in the Philadelphia culinary world, but also one of the most down-to-earth. When he’s not hand-rolling laffa bread at modern Israeli Zahav, tweaking the batter recipe for Federal Donuts or helping Erin O’Shea come up with new sandwich ideas for Texas-style Percy Street Barbecue, where does he like to shop? Turns out he gets his kicks at the Wing Phat Plaza, home to a Vietnamese grocery that offers non-standard items like live frogs and candy that tastes like shrimp. Check out the short video above to hear Solo talk restaurants, bells, fresh-butchered eels and more.
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LA's 5 Best Burgers
Apple Pan burger, Image via Flickr/Daremoshiranai By Kelly DobkinWith Memorial Day only one weekend away, we can't help but start daydreaming about the backyard BBQs and poolside cookouts in our very near future. What will be chowing at these summer shindigs? Burgers, natch. But LA is a town that offers no shortage of outstanding burger options at its restaurants as well as its pool parties. Check out our list of the top 5 best burgers in LA in the slideshow below. Did we miss your favorite? Shout 'em out in the comments. -
Sip Wine Bar to Replace Bina Osteria
Bina Osteria has closed and will reopen next month as Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen. Bina Osteria, a fine dining Italian in Downtown Crossing, shuttered last Saturday, making way for a new concept in its place. Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen, owned and operated by Legendary Restaurant Group, is slated to open in the same location at the end of June according to co-owner Brad Dalbeck.
By Naomi Kooker
“We want to make it more approachable,” says Dalbeck, talking about the interior that is mostly marble and features sleek lines. The plan is to soften the space with new persimmon-color bar stools, Mediterranean blue paint, wood accents and natural tiles. An outdoor patio will seat 75.
The menu, created by co-owner Chris Damian, will also be on the casual side - think American fare (pan-seared scallops, grass-fed burger) with a focus on small plates to go with the wine-bar concept. Menu items will span from $8-$12 for apps and small plates, and $12-$22 for entrees. Sushi may enter the mix.
Wine will be poured four different ways: a “sip” (two ounces); half glass (five-six ounces); full glass (10 ounces); and by the bottle. “It really covers all the bases,” says Dalbeck. A selection of nine wines under $9 will be offered daily. Cocktails, such as multi-flavored bellinis, will also be featured.
Avery Provision Co. will take the place of Bina Alimentari in the adjacent space. Avery will provide staple groceries like milk, OJ and eggs for the growing residential population in the area, as well as take out meals like chicken parm, and fresh salads, soups and sandwiches for grab-and-go meals. A communal table will be a place to hang out, eat lunch on the go or gather for wine and cheese tastings.
Legendary Restaurant Group own and operate Max & Dylans Kitchen and Bar, Scollay Square, Andiamo, Papagayo, and Tavern on the Water. This is their seventh store. The group is slated to open another Max and Dylans in the Bedford area soon, and is working on another concept Dalbeck was not ready to disclose.
581 Washington St. -
Bourdain Disses Deen Again; The Art of Writing a Bad Restaurant Review
Image via Flickr/time_anchor By Kelly DobkinSubway is planning to open 1200 new locations in North America in 2012. [PR Newswire]In a piece on the art of writing a bad review, critics like Jay Rayner swear that even in their worst restaurant reviews, they're still not being that mean. [Eatocracy]And Bourdain is at it at again, telling a reporter at the recent Alan Richman roast that most of Paula Deen's fans "couldn't spell her last name." [Page Six] -
Inside New York's Japanese Restaurant Boom
Tuna sashimi from Neta By Beth LandmanJapanese chefs in New York used to be prized more for their precision than creativity, but this year, it's clearer than ever that the cuisine has reached another level. “We have access to a greater range of ingredients like new fresh mushrooms or fruit like durian,’’ says “Gari’’, who is opening two additional restaurants this spring – one in the Plaza Food Court and one in Tribeca.
Unlike traditional Japanese places in the city, which mostly offered sushi along with standard cooked dishes liked yakitori, yosenabe, teryaki and tempura, the latest crop of restaurants are unique and distinct from one another.
The wave started several months back with Kibo, a grand space which has a menu designed by famed chef Joel Robuchon. It features such original items as Japanese Caesar salad, maki rolls with balsamic vinegar, and curried cauliflower with edamame.
On March 9th, two disparate spots premiered simultaneously. At Neta, an unassuming eatery on 8th Street, alumni of Masa are artfully tossing crab meat with wild parsley, lacing rice with icefish, mizuna and truffles, and mixing king mushrooms with spicy fries and Serrano peppers. The melt-in-your-mouth sushi is often brushed with a subtle sauce, and omakase’s go for $95 and $135.
Down on Rivington Street, Gaku and Christy Shabata opened a cozy spot called Yopparai, where they are presenting soul-warming pub food like Oden in a deep rich dashi studded with daikon and home-made fish cake. “Diners are tired of the same old rolls, and Japanese people in New York are looking for the food they grew up eating,’’ explains Christy Shibata.
A long line of mostly Asian diners is constantly forming outside Ootoya, an outpost of the Japanese chain, which opened in April and serves up full basic meals at impossibly reasonable prices. A tray with grilled fish or fried chicken, vegetables, rice, soup and chawanmushi can be had for under $20.
Just three blocks away, at the other end of the spectrum, is the decidedly posh Franco-Japanese Mihoko's 21 Grams, which recently opened to the public. Uni will go for $70 per ounce, omakase will cost $150, and among the a la carte menu selections are line-caught tuna “en croute” with hibiscus, daikon and smoked chantilly; Kushi oysters with cucumber, sake, aloe vera and seaweed toast; marinated cuttlefish noodles with yuzu-koshu, basil uni dressing and crispy rice; and foie gras torchon with rhubarb, sesame nut sable and mizuna.
On the same block, longtime Hamptons favorite Sen will open a sister restaurant this September. They have a distinct advantage of long term relationships with Montauk fish purveyors and Hamptons farmers.
According to food consultant Shoji Iso, the farm-to-table craze is partly responsible for the current success of Japanese restaurants. “People are very into the farm to table concept now, but even many restaurants that claim to function this way will refrigerate vegetables and serve them a day or two later,’’ he reveals. “Japanese chefs must serve things the same say they arrive.’’
And, Gari says, chefs are aware that the ante has been upped. “We have become more competitive,’’ he declares. And that competition will be tested. When he opens his Tribeca branch in June, serving dressed sushi like luscious tuna topped with tofu, salmon graced with a slice of sautéed tomato, and red snapper texturized with the baby greens, fried lotus root and pine nuts, it will share a neighborhood with the sushi bar David Bouley has just added to Brushstroke and soon, Testsu, the new spot being planned by Masa, king of the $450 per person omakase. -
8 Places to Celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show
Nibbling nasturtiums might not be your thing, but in honour of the Chelsea Flower Show, which kicks off on May 22 and runs until May 26, London’s restaurants are getting all green-fingered with a number of special menus, dishes and promotions on offer to celebrate all things floral and herbaceous.
Annie’s
The whimsical West London’s favourite has launched a dedicated floral menu for the season with decadent desserts such as lavender and honey panna cotta and strawberry pavlova with edible flowers (£5.95); and a signature Blush Royale cocktail (£7.50), made from champagne, a dash of rose syrup and a sprinkling of crystallised rose petals.
Barts
Favourite of the Chelsea set, Barts bar has created ‘The Chelsea Flower’ cocktail in honour of the show that’s virtually on their doorstep. It’s a blend of Grey Goose Vodka, Creme de Peche de vigne, and Mette spiritueux de Lavande and comes served in a martini glass and garnished with an edible pansy.
Daphne's
The Chelsea Italian has only gone and built an indoor garden slap bang in the middle of the restaurant. The garden, designed by the winners of a competition that was held in association with the English Gardening School, will be on show from May 22 until June 3 and a special menu will also be on offer during this period. Priced at £19.50 for two courses and £22.50 for three, it’s available all day Sunday and until 7pm Monday to Saturday. Sample the likes of warm mozzarella with fried courgette flower; and elderflower & prosecco jelly with raspberries.
Drake & Morgan
If you’d rather drink your greens than eat them, bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan is celebrating the beautiful blooms with a fragrant floral flight. A miniature Marigold Martini, English Rose and Mandarin & Rhubarb G&T (£9.95), all come adorned with edible flowers and are available from 22-26 May.
Feng Sushi
The ethical sushi chain will be adding a very special Green foliage maki (£5.50 to take away, £6.75 to eat in) to the menu to celebrate this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The maki will be packed with microherbs, avocado, coriander pesto, chives and will be on sale in all seven London restaurants.
Il Convivio
Belgravia Italian, Il Convivio, has a special set menu on offer for the week of the show. Inspired by herbs and flowers, it will be available Monday to Saturday, with lunch priced at £17.50 for two course, £23.50 for three and dinner at £23.50 for two courses and £29.50 for three. Dishes are set to include Chilled courgette and borage soup with crème fraîche; Pappardelle with a rabbit, black olive and pea shoot ragu; Roasted Halibut fillet with a watercress and nasturtium sauce; and Elderflower crème brûlée.
Le Cercle
Available from May 15 until June 2, French restaurant, Le Cercle’s five course flower menu (£35 or £60 with wine pairings) features a bunch of floral fancies including rosemary flower, borage, daisies and more. Look out for Pan fried Sea Bass, green almond coulis, black aubergine and daisies; Roasted lamb chump, polenta fries, confit tomatoes and Rosemary flower; and Dark chocolate tart & Violet ice cream.
The Botanist
Sloane Square gourmet gastropub, The Botanist, has their own dedicated menu drawn up in homage to the English country garden. Priced at £36 for three courses it comprises a nettle rolled goats cheese served on a salad that features nasturtiums and dandelions; this is followed by lamb with crushed Jersey Royals and nettles and, for dessert, what else but English strawberries, garnished with rose petal and elderflower Champagne jelly and a ginger beer granite.
