There’s so much going on in the food world it felt time for a round up.
First up — big news from Delamina.
I’m super excited that one of my favourite foodie couples — Limor and Amir Chen have announced a new addition to their family.
Not a baby but another Delamina, which is due to open in late October. The third restaurant, Delamina Townhouse, will join Shoreditch and Marylebone, is in a townhouse-style building in Covent Garden’s Tavistock Street.
Expect a menu full of Delamina classics including charred cauliflower with lemon-infused crème fraiche, pomegranate molasses and seeds; beef shawarma with dates and pine kernels, salad of house pickles, vegetables, herbs and tahini; and kadayif nest of vanilla cheesecake cream, caramelised pecans and orange peel reduction. New dishes promised include Arak-cured sea trout, mixed herbs and foamed labneh; za’atar-marinated seafood on the plancha with golden beetroot aioli; Herby venison koftas on skewers, pistachio cream and barberries; and a parfait of candied macadamia nuts and Irish cream.
Chef-patron Limor — who’s also an artist with an eye for interiors is already busy designing the décor — so expect another stunning dining room.
And trotting distance from Covent Garden, closer to Piccadilly, there’s another exciting opening this autumn. Chef Ran Shmoeli of Tel Aviv’s Claro will be opening a London restaurant that already looks extremely glam. Watch this space for a full review next month.
Heading north west — another interesting development is the successor to Harry Morgan’s. Well, the new incumbent in the iconic Jewish deli’s old site.
It’s been announced that Babbo is due to open on St John’s Wood High Street in December. The Italian restaurant will include a large main dining area plus smaller lounge bar for cosy cocktails. On the menu are a range of dishes, from pastas to grills and from breakfast through until dinner.
Bagel fans will want to head to Brent Cross or Highgate, where two branches of Roni’s have been or are in the process of being transformed into B Bagel.
I visited the first – in Brent Cross shopping centre and was impressed. A shakshuka in the obligatory frying pan was generous, tasty and just the right level of spiced. It came with a bagel on the side. The vegan ‘aubergine heaven’ was generously filled and served with a bowl of (nicely dressed) mixed salad. A matcha drink was a hit with my daughter and my husband swooned (literally — well as good as) over the tuna melt. Worth a pit stop on your next shopping trip. The second branch about to become a B Bagel is on the corner of Swain’s Lane. The site was badly in need of a refresh and should be popular with Heath walkers.
Further north, in Borehamwood, a tiny, but perfectly formed coffee truck has popped up on the corner of the High Street and Furzehill Road. The Roaming Roast is the baby of Charlie Rozentals a local coffee afficionado, who starts each day ensuring his machine is producing exactly the right amount of espresso for the perfect cup — 36g in 25 seconds, since you ask.
Wife, Abbie cooks up homemade bakes that include an indulgent white chocolate and Lotus biscuit tiffin; Daim bar cookie and healthier hazelnut and chocolate protein balls. Takeaway only and well worth a visit for the best coffee in Borehamwood.
All change at two longstanding restaurants — Borehamwood’s most gourmet offer, Cacao Tree is under new ownership. Genius chef, Kushan Marthelis has decided to step back to "shift my focus to growing my main catering business, Cacao Catering & Events.” He has said he’ll “be supporting them every step of the way to ensure Cacao Tree continues to thrive.” Looking forward to checking out the restaurant under the new team.
Meanwhile in Bushey, St James, a long-established local favourite of over 27 years is being taken over by the owners of another long-standing northwest London icon — Hampstead’s Villa Bianca. Chances are you’ve been to one or other over the years. My feeling is that the Hertfordshire eatery is in good hands. Look out for the new opening in early November.
