Urban Junkies London
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Tue 11 June, 2013
 
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YOU GOT KALE'D
 
Same menu, different venue
 
 
 
 
 
It all started with lemon sole. It got kale'd. Recently, all the restaurants we've been frequenting are featuring copycat versions of similar dishes. It's the "same menu, different venue" bug – and it's spreading.
 
 
Back to the lemon sole. We understand it's sourced from Cornwall (hence the appearance on so many menus) but it's become the exposed brick of the food world. The most recent offender is The Pearson Room. It came with jersey royals at Beagle, butter sauce at Brasserie Chavot and we've even spied it on the bar menu at The Clove Club. Cuttlefish (with pea, mint, fennel or all of the above) is also a serial offender. The same goes for braised ox cheek. It's been done well by Master & Servant, Tozi, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and at One Leicester Street, but it's spread to the mainstream quicker than you can say gastro pub.

While we're on a roll, even ingredient combinations are being plagiarised. Take the delicious pig's cheek ham, asparagus and egg yolk plate at One Leicester Street. How innovative, you say? Not so. Master & Servant do chicken skins, asparagus with a hen's egg, while Beagle serves an asparagus, chive butter and boiled Bantam egg combination. For your bit on the side, radishes are the new kohlrabi (which is the new kale).

Finally, dessert. The Clove Club and One Leicester Street are scarily symbiotic in their dessert choices. They've brought back the cheese board, they're heavy on malty flavours – the latter's warm chocolate, puffed barley and malt concoction is delicious – and both serve a similar creamy, blood orange dish. The Clove Club wins it with their addition of fennel granita.

Copying is the best form of flattery… but we can't wait for some new things this summer. Bruno Loubet's latest restaurant Grain Store opened yesterday, his electic, veg-heavy menu ignoring geographical boundaries (raw snowball turnips, anyone?), while self-proclaimed punk-chef Carl Clarke is bringing Rock Lobsta to Mahiki. It's not our usual bag, but pirate chests with lobster rolls and a fresh oyster bar sounds fun. And, from tomorrow, Barrafina and Koya will do the first of two chef swapsies. Udon tortilla? Take that lemon sole.
 
 

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LINK TO THIS FEATURE: Eat & Drink by JC
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SPOTLIGHT
 
   
Iconoclasts of Taste
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Sponsored Listing
 
 
It's always great to see the discovery of new talent. This year, Grey Goose is supporting a new movement to seek out and support emerging "iconoclasts" – people who challenge traditional thinking to create something groundbreaking – in food and drink. Iconoclasts are important to Grey Goose – Francois Thibault (Grey Goose's founder) defied convention to create (and redefine) vodka. To identify the new visions Grey Goose has enlisted the help of four already-established iconoclasts, including master mixologist Tony Conigliaro, gastro-whizz Nuno Mendes, playful designer Giles Deacon and SHOWstudio curator Carrie Scott. You can find out more at greygoosetaste.com, where you can pledge your support to help make the emerging iconoclasts' visions a reality.
 
 
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Iconoclasts of Taste | @GreyGooseRSVP | Facebook | YouTube
 
 
 
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SPOTLIGHT
 
   
Circa's Beyond at London Wonderground
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Sponsored Listing
 
 
Australian contemporary circus company Circa are known for their mind-blowing acrobatics and their new show, Beyond, doesn't disappoint, so far earning 4 stars in the Guardian, Time Out and What's on Stage. We won't give it away, but you can expect jaw-dropping circus skills melded with Rubik's cubes, furry bears and the absurd. To get a sneak peek, watch the trailer here.
 
 
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Beyond
Jubilee Gardens, off Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX
Until June 23
 
 
 
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SPOTLIGHT
 
   
Departures at Ushuaïa Ibiza
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Sponsored Listing
 
 
There's just over one week to go until the launch of Departures at Ushuaïa Ibiza, the brand new weekly concept night from superstars Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso. Departures will run for 12 weeks through the season showcasing not only the two former members of Swedish House Mafia, but also a stellar line up of guest DJs kicking off with Alesso and Anthony Attalla for the opening on 19th June. For a chance to win a trip to the opening, simply get creative and upload your Departures-themed pictures using the hashtag #Departures via Twitter or Instagram. You can check out the other entries so far in the Departures gallery.
 
 
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Departures | #Departures | Ushuaïa Ibiza
 
 
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Calendar Picks
 
This Week’s Picks
 
Agenda 1   Agenda 2   Agenda 3   Agenda 4
           
EAT DRINK DINNER DANCE SWAP
       
Take a culinary trip around the world with Bruno Loubet's latest restaurant Grain Store. Now open. Granary Square, 1-3 Stable Street,
N1C 4LB 
Try a cool red wine from Daphne's latest chilled menu. Now available. 112 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE   Carl Clarke's punk-infused Rock Lobsta is setting up shack in Mahiki. Opens July 7.
1 Dover St,
W1S 4LD
Add some Spanish to your Japanese and vice versa as Koya and Barrafina combine chef hats. June 12, 13, 19 & 20. Koya and Barrafina, 49 and 54 Frith Street,
W1D 4SG
 
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