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The Penny University

Not content with roasting for the majority of London’s finest baristas and coffee shops, and with dispatching their exquisite blends across the globe, Square Mile have just opened The Penny University, which pretty much amounts to coffee connoisseur central. The experience engages all the senses: from the stylish aesthetics of the minimalist decor, to the pungent aroma as the fresh ground is held below your schnoz; from the gurgling and bubbling as your selection is carefully brewed at the bar with all the care and expertise of a junkie biologist, to the final sensational swish around the gob. I plumped for the fruity flavours of the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, and as all brews are served without tea or sugar or anything else you usually whack in there, one really does get to indulge in and experience the complete essence of the coffee. / Eamon Downes

food

Fish Central

After a year of living pretty much on Old Street roundabout, I've temporarily moved back up to the (not so) wilds of north London to sort out my finances. There’s plenty I’m going to miss about living in EC1, like proximity to the best Vietnamese in London and a never-ending supply of douches with stoopid haircuts to laugh at, but the thing I’ve found hardest to leave is definitely Fish Central. Everyone has their favourite fish & chip shop, but unless they agree that FC is No. 1, it’s not their opinion, they are just wrong. Go try it. If you disagree, you’re still just wrong. Fish Central Rules. As proof, I offer the fact that I expect to be murdered in my sleep for giving up one of the great food secrets of our great city. It’s been nice knowing you. / Foo-D

le other

Jumbo Eats

Sometimes you just want food. Know what I mean? Sometimes you don't want to seek out some hidden treasure, or wait for a table, or call your mate who knows every restaurant in the Northern hemisphere. Sometimes you just want to walk into a place and say "FOOD" and they hook you up. Don't get it twisted, there's a time and place for all the above, but if you just want to be fed (well and quick) and you're in SOHO, then hit up Jumbo Eats. Normally it goes like this: I walk in and say "I'm hungry" and he guy says "OK, do you like...?" and I say, "Yes. All of it.". Then he makes a HUMONgous wrap with 2 chicken fillets, peppers, tomatoes, luxury humus etc. Then I hand over about £5-£6 and sit down to stuff my greedy, greedy face. You could eat and walk, but it's not really a good idea, unless you want to wear most of it. There is NO neat way to eat a Jumbo Wrap. / Foo-D

le other

Secondo

Here in Clapham, the bars are generic and the people fall into three camps: Yummy Mummies, posh grads who can’t (yet) afford to live in Chelsea and the Local Crazies. My working life in Clapham revolves around the Greek man who runs a junk shop and his party of alcoholics who are full of pleasantries “Alright darling?”, chatting to my favourite Sainsbury’s check-out ladies and the occasional ice-cream from the French patisserie. I was therefore quite surprised when Dalston Jazz Bar owner, Robert Bleck opened up here. Secondo sits under the Clapham High Street railway bridge and is part café, part vintage clothes haven. The food is freshly made on site and since obtaining their alcohol license, mojitos go for a fiver. It's a quirkly little place, providing something that’s missing in the area, a good helping of soul. / Audrey Khew

le other

Afternoon Tea at The Modern Pantry

The team down at Tunnocks can't quite believe their luck. Never before has afternoon tea been so damn popular. These days, it seems, we all want to make like Queen Liz and nibble on cucumber sandwiches to the chinking of fine china. It was all starting to look a bit tiresome until some of the more forward-facing chefs got on board to liven things up. Top of the crop is The Modern Pantry's Anna Hansen. Her afternoon teas see her Antipodean leanings bring green tea smoked salmon, yuzu mayonnaise and sour cherry brownies to the table. Never mind Waity Katie's gum-chewing mum, Anna's teas will have the Queen quaking in her Hunters. / Clare Considine

food

Kosher Roast

Kensal Rise locals have been waiting for a bar like The Shop for ages. Sure for those of you in Hackney or Shoreditch the idea of a cocktail bar that sells neat cocktails in milk bottles and serves marmite pork pies might be met with a yawn and a "what, another one?", but here in the dead centre of yummy mummydom it's a blessed relief. And they keep coming up with interesting ideas too. This week's is the launch of what claims to London's only kosher Sunday lunch. The kitchen will be koshered, the meat is from a kosher butcher and all the ingredients come from kosher shops, and the final menu looks pretty sweet: rib roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, goose fat roast potatoes, Amy's famous gravy, and there's even a veggie option on offer too. / Rob Valid
 

food

Hawksmoor Guildhall

It is perhaps with too much excitement that meatheads (in a more appropriate use of the word) prepare to launch themselves at the latest Hawksmoor restaurant opening. Some might argue one can never be too excited my steak (and some would be right). Following up from the first two restaurants, Guildhall steps out of its soft launch and prepares for The Public! Expect variation from the original Spitalfields, but prepare yourself for staring at the chalkboard easily thinking that a Rib Eye the size of half a cow is easily appropriate for a light dinner, as usual. Dangerously, they also promise breakfast. Prepare yourself for rounds of steak and eggs, sausage and 'HkMuffin', and plum doughtnuts. And then prepare yourself for not waddling very far for the rest of the day. /Claire Tayler

 

food

Meza

I came home tonight and told my boyfriend that I was going to write this review. “What are you doing?” he replied. “You’ll make it EVEN busier!” He does have a point. As I type this, I’m furtively looking around, worried the Tooting massive will hunt me down for disclosing a local secret. The food, service and value at Meza are so good that I can’t keep it to myself. BUT there’s only room for 17 people to eat at one time. And, once you’ve eaten here, you’ll do anything to be one of those 17. Dish after dish of mellow, spiced and smoky dishes flow to your table. My favourites? Coriander potatoes and tahini, halloumi flatbread (the halloumi is IN the flatbread!) and char-grilled lamb. The only thing that might save me from local ostracism is that Meza also does take-away. There, I’ve done it. Sorry, Tooting. / Sara Lou

le other

Afternoon Tea at The Blind Tiger

If the thought of 'afternoon tea' never really took your fancy, snuck down a side-alley amidst an array of bunting and one of the jolliest jazz bands, The Blind Tiger might be a place to change your mind. A spot for afternoon tea (and more raucous, upbeat evenings), expect an array of tea to tempt even the non-tea drinker and a choice of bellinis or champagne. These are the only choices, and the rest is very much pick and choose. With stacks of carefully cut steak foie gras, and equally amazing veggie sandwiches, there's a follow-up of mixed deserts (sticky toffee pudding much recommended). Think small amounts of everything, lots of nibbling, and lots of pleased grinning. An onslaught of cupcake and tea recommendations may have overtaken London this last year, but take this one with a pinch of sugar rather than a pinch of salt. / Claire Tayler

le other

Afternoon Tea at The Blind Tiger

If the thought of 'afternoon tea' never really took your fancy, snuck down a side-alley amidst an array of bunting and one of the jolliest jazz bands, The Blind Tiger might be a place to change your mind. A spot for afternoon tea (and more raucous, upbeat evenings), expect an array of tea to tempt even the non-tea drinker and a choice of bellinis or champagne. These are the only choices, and the rest is very much pick and choose. With stacks of carefully cut steak foie gras, and equally amazing veggie sandwiches, there's a follow-up of mixed deserts (sticky toffee pudding much recommended). Think small amounts of everything, lots of nibbling, and lots of pleased grinning. An onslaught of cupcake and tea recommendations may have overtaken London this last year, but take this one with a pinch of sugar rather than a pinch of salt. / Claire Tayler

le other

Gelatorino

Once I'd managed to calm my (Roman) wife down and reassure her that I didn't think they were actually claiming gelato originated in Turin, we had a splendid time and we only stumbled upon this place as we were a tad previous in seeking out another local establishment that's yet to open to Giuseppe Publico. Granted not that seasonal, until you clock the sumptuous, winter-warming and Wonka-esque fountains of hot chocolate. That said, I still scoffed an ice cream full of natural ingredients, creamier than Eric Clapton c.1966 and bursting with exquisite flavours. The smart setting has all manner of traditional gelato-making machinery on display; they also serve Italian breakfasts, impressive cremone and deli goods too. / Eamon Downes

le other

The Crooked Well

My perfect local would have the following (terribly middle-class) things: Excellent food, sourced in the UK, of course. Mean bloody marys, say with cucumber vodka (just an idea). Jazz nights. Cocktail nights. A let’s all join hands and hug the recession BYO Monday night. Oh, and free fudge, if that’s not pushing my luck. You may have guessed of course, this being a review of The Crooked Well, that Camberwell’s local offers all of that. I had lunch there today and shared a whole chicken that came with a mouth-watering Madeira and veal jus. They encouraged us to have the leftovers boxed, carcass and all, so we could bring them home to make soup. The Crooked Well is starting to tick boxes I didn’t even know I had. Now I just wish I lived in Camberwell. / Sara Lou

le other

Long White Cloud

Once upon a time, a café was simply a café. But, in these days of super-compartmentalisation, of phones that order dinner and help you get dressed, that sort of one-dimensional approach just won't cut the proverbial mustard. So step forward new Hoxton brekkie-and-brunch eaterie Long White Cloud. On the one hand, yes, it's simply a caff - albeit a New Zealand-themed caff that serves mightily delicious nosh, including homemade Kiwi classics like bacon and egg pie and Monmouth coffees, and London’s best banana bread. But it's also a gallery, with purchasable art lining its walls, and private views. And it’s been a mini sculpture park. And there’s live music, with a late bar. And cabaret. There's even talk of a vegetarian pop-up evening. / Richard Mellor

le other

Abu Zaad

You may have guessed by my name that I’m not 100% English. Born and bred here with an English mother and Syrian father; I was raised on a diet that included some of the delightful culinary offerings the Middle East has brought into this fine world. And every so often my taste buds alert my brain that I require a good fill of said home comforts and I’m drawn to Little Beirut. Situated up on Edgware Road it’s filled with shisha shops, Arab eateries and halal fast-food joints. One of particular note is Abu Zaad. Syrian in origin, it’s tasty and cheap and perfect if you’re wanting to avoid the booze. You may only know a few of the dishes but the foul mukalla, fattoush or the regular hummus are exceptional; give the cheese sambousek a whirl, taste the intriguing kibbeh mezze dish and then finish on their delightfully tasty, not to mention thrifty, range of shawarmas. Cheap, tasty and a sure-fire winner. / Firas Waez

le other

Boi Gordo Butchers

Bit of a funny one this but it might delight those who have had the pleasure of tasting South American steaks. Circa 2005 I was lucky to spend two months over on their fine continent, fuelled by a diet of red wine, caipirinhas and red meat. Yes, the rumours are true, they do it bloody well over there. This little Brasilian butchers (yes I’ve spelt it with a S rather than the American Z but I think they know how to spell the name of their own country right?) offers everything you may need for a fully fledged churrasco of your own in the confines of your very own casa. Expect the finest cuts of meat, tasty sausages and imported Portuguese/Brasilian goodies. Also expect some intense meat sweats but I tell you what, my friends, it’ll be worth it. / Firas Waez

le other

Borough Wines

I stumbled across this place after a few cheeky pints of amber nectar at the nearby Spurstowe Arms one evening. This outlet, open since the summer of 2011, is the second shop to open from the people behind Borough Wines of Borough Market (name gives it away right?) They’ve taken the bold move of branching out to the hallowed pavements of Hackney, and we couldn’t be more grateful. As well as selling a range of wines to take away or even enjoy in/outside the shop, they also offer an impressive wine re-fill service. Buy a bottle for two quid, fill it up for a fiver, then when you run dry you can head back and re-fill it direct from the cask. You can choose from red, white or rose. The owners are French, and while the French offerings dominate the booze bins in there, you’ll also be able to find some excellent new world wines amongst the old favourites. Mine’s a glass of red. / Firas Waez