Eat & Drink
Originally published on Wednesday, 30th November 2011
UJ Restaurant Supplement
We've been seriously inundated with launches lately... so we decided to put together a list of some of the recent West End launches, all in one place (yes, we are missing Mishkin's, but be patient, we'll have something out on it soon!). Happy Dining.
xx, Team UJ
Suka
In a sentence:
New contemporary Malaysian menu at the Sanderson - for a limited time only.
Highlights:
Sotong Goreng (crispy squid with coriander, ginger and green peppercorn), chargrilled tiger prawn skewers and Sarawak Black Pepper Chicken.
Insider tip:
This is the perfect spot for a business lunch. The décor is dark and cosy, tables are spread out and service isn’t rushed.
Suka, 50 Berners Street, W1, 020 7300 1400
Copita
In a sentence:
Experimental Basque tapas in the heart of Soho.
Highlights:
We loved the anchovy fillet with broad bean ice cream, and duck egg yolk with piquillo and hazelnut. At the more traditional end of the menu, you can’t go wrong with the jamon de bellota and ajo blanco, the Andalucian white soup made with almonds and a touch of garlic and beetroot.
Insider tip:
There’s a good selection of sherries – a ‘copita’ is a type of sherry glass – but also try their gin selection, great to share with your date. It’s no reservations, so arrive early at weekends or go for lunch on a weekday.
Copita, 26-27 D’Arblay Street, W1, 020 7287 7797
Roti Chai
In a sentence:
Indian street kitchen tucked away behind Selfridges: imagine a Wahaca-style space with contemporary Indian cuisine.
Highlights:
Our hakka chilli paneer was fresh, delicious and perfectly spicy. We also loved the mini burgers and fish curry.
Insider tip:
Make sure you try the downstairs restaurant, too: a more formal affair with its own menu.
Roti Chai, 3-4 Portman Mews South, W1, 020 7408 0101
The Balcon
In a sentence:
Plush, Wolseley-esque brasserie on Pall Mall.
Highlights:
The menu offers an imaginative blend of classic French and British cooking - pike custard with King’s Lynn brown shrimps, crustacean velouté & sourdough toast, for example – but we were equally taken with the simple French and Welsh charcuterie. Service is extremely good, with staff leading you to good choices without being pushy or upselling.
Insider tip:
Ask for the round table for two in the back, perfect for people watching. And make sure you come thirsty - the Champagnes here demand to be sampled.
The Balcon Sofitel, St.James, 8 Pall Mall, London, SW1, 020 7968 2900
Fornata
In a sentence:
Casual Italian dining in Kingley Court.
Highlights:
The stuzzicare (literally ‘teasers’, or starters to you and me). Courgette with mozzarella and basil, the crostinis and polenta chips with parmesan – all delicious. The pollo all diavola for a main hit the spot, and we will definitely be back to try the tiramisu cheesecake.
Insider tip:
Sit at the bar: it’s a sort of make-shift chef’s table as you can watch dishes being prepared and flying out of the oven.
Fornata, 15 Kingley Street, W1, 020 8181 8887
Duck Soup
In a sentence:
Cosy, lively bistro on Dean Street that’s perfect for a catch-up with a friend.
Highlights:
The roasted quail and lamb chops, and fantastic olives. The Bloody Marys are amazingly potent, and we also love that the entire wine list is available by the glass.
Insider tip:
There’s an ace vinyl collection, including most of The Cure’s early releases: just help yourself and put a record on. It’s open for lunch on a Sunday, too.
Duck Soup, 41 Dean Street, W1, 020 7287 4599
Senkai
In a sentence:
Luxe Asian on Regent Street, serving robata and raw dishes from sustainable sources.
Highlights:
The meltingly soft veal chop, marinated for 36 hours in yoghurt and spices. On a more humble note, the home-made pickles were lovely – crisp and not mouth-puckeringly sharp, as they can often be.
Insider tip:
You don’t have to eat here: the lounge is a nice place to drink. Cocktails are imaginative and well-made: the Parsnip Cup is far more delicious than it sounds, and pretty much a meal in itself.
Senkai, 65 Regent Street, W1, 020 7494 7600
Aurelia
In a sentence:
Opulent but approachable Mediterranean in Mayfair, from the team behind Roka.
Highlights:
Ingredients used here are high-quality, and we liked the less adulterated dishes best: a platter of baby scallops in their shells, and a plate of sweet prosciutto. The wine list is excellent.
Insider tip:
If you’ve never breakfasted in Mayfair before, here’s where to start: theirs are extremely good. Try the ‘full Spanish’, with chorizo, fried egg and patatas bravas.
Aurelia, 13-14 Cork Street, W1, 020 7409 1370