London - Namaste

Caravan

dhiraj — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:00:02 +0000

Caravan is spread over two levels with plenty of open and secluded seating options, and is all about the Bombay cafe-style atmosphere. Come for an atmospheric cocktail, a selection of arty small plates, and a good catch-up with your mates. Caravan is spread over two levels with plenty of open and secluded seating options, and is all about the Bombay cafe-style atmosphere. Come for an atmospheric cocktail, a selection of arty small plates, and a good catch-up with your mates.

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St. JOHN

dhiraj — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:56:42 +0000

Everything’s simple and stripped back at St. JOHN’s iconic flagship, set in an old smokehouse just north of Smithfield meat market. There are whitewashed walls, industrial-style lights, and bare floorboards, which is how things have been since it opened back in 1994. Even so, it’s one of London’s most hospitable addresses, with its own reassuring routines; visit mid-morning and you’ll likely find chef Fergus Henderson sitting at the bar, enjoying a Madeira and slice of seed-cake (both fixtures on the menu here).

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Ikoyi

dhiraj — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:52:27 +0000

Set in a glass-fronted space in a sleek, somewhat corporate development, Ikoyi, a Michelin-starred newcomer, feels surprisingly homey. The interiors are by Sophie Ashby, a rising design-scene star who’s softened the dining room with earthenware lights and richly grained elm tables. Lush foliage and slouchy, mustard-yellow banquettes add to the effect. The playlist is controlled by the chefs; on a recent visit, it ranged from GZA to Led Zeppelin. In short, the restaurant is elegantly unpredictable—which all makes sense when you see the menu.

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Flor

dhiraj — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:49:16 +0000

Flor, in Borough Market, comes with serious credentials; after all, it’s the long-awaited little sister to the Michelin-starred Lyle’s. Its ground-floor wine bar doubles as a bakery, already known for its sourdough; supplies are limited, so invest in a loaf on arrival. Stools—reserved for walk-ins—line the window and marble counter, which overlooks the kitchen (tiny is an understatement; even four chefs seems a squeeze). Up a spiral staircase, the dining room is surprisingly calm, with a double-height ceiling, bare brick walls, and petrol-blue banquettes.

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Bao Fitzrovia

dhiraj — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:45:46 +0000

Bao started out as a street-food stall, famed for its gua bao (tiny, Taiwanese-style steamed milk buns that were gone in a couple of bites). That was followed by a dinky Soho restaurant that got even the critics waiting in line. While it’s still a cult address, our go-to is Fitzrovia, takes reservations and has the best signature dish (the inky-black cod bao). You’ll walk into an airy, stripped-back space, with stools around a U-shaped bar, where waiters dressed in crisp, lab-style white coats will hand you a tick-box menu and a pencil. Our advice? Don’t panic-order all at once: you can—and should—add more dishes later.

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