From Baker Street to Bath. Here are the Dumbwaiter’s best bites of the week.
Lucky & Joy
Following various pop-ups and residencies across London, Chinese-inspired restaurant Lucky & Joy recently opened its first permanent site in Clapton. Upon entry, the colourful interiors of the restaurant certainly set the tone for things to come. The fiery flavours manage to match the bright decor, most notably the pineapple fried rice served inside a pineapple. Other highlights from the veg-forward menu include grandma’s potatoes, the turnip cake with soy cured egg and dai grilled chicken with sweet herbs.
Sotto Sotto
Lazy Susan enjoyed a weekend away to Bath over the Christmas period, and after hearing nothing but good things, she headed to Italian restaurant Sotto Sotto. Set underground, the restaurant has an intimate and cosy feel. Lazy Susan started with bruschetta ai gamberoni, and is still left wondering how bread can taste so good, followed by homemade fettuccine pasta with sage, chilli and roasted butternut squash. A must-visit when in Bath.
Royal China
Is there a more perfect time for a dim sum lunch than those few days between Christmas and the New Year. The Dumbwaiter headed to one of his favourite spots – Royal China on Baker Street – for a feast of prawn dumplings, roast pork buns and prawn cheung fun. It made a welcome change from the left over turkey curry.
St John
St John never fails to deliver, so a visit for dinner was a sure fire pick me up during the the Chrimbo Limbo. Though the Dumbwaiter is a self confessed sweet tooth and would go for the apple and calvados trifle alone, the roast tamworth with braised red cabbage was excellent, as was the parsnip soup with crispy bacon. The Turbot with capers and crispy bread gave the Dumbwaiter some pretty serious food envy, too.
Manteca
Their residency at 10 Heddon Street was a roaring success over the summer and now Dave Carter and Chris Leach have moved to the other side of Regent Street to open their permanent restaurant Manteca on Great Marlborough Street. The Dumbwaiter was pleased to see that the pasta game at Manteca is just as strong as 10 Heddon Street. And be sure to order a few plates of the mortadella too.
Smoking Goat
Just a five minute walk from CODE HQ, Thai grill Smoking Goat makes for the perfect lunch time pick me up. The Dumbwaiter enjoyed a feast of smoked aubergine salad with chilli and egg, green papaya salad, smoked five spice chicken, a fresh pumpkin and peanut curry and of course a side of sticky rice.
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