If you're away from your family for the holidays or a less religiously inclined local, there’s a wealth of Rosh Hashanah treats available across London’s restaurants and food stores.
There are two fabulous (non kosher) restaurants holding celebrations on the first night of the festival:
Invite Rosh Hashanah invite wide
Kapara:
Eran Tibi and his team will be hosting a Rosh Hashanah bash like no other at this slick and shiny Soho restaurant.
Sit down to a set menu with Israeli wine before resident DJ Yazmin has you partying like it’s 5784. They've even got a drag artist performing Barbara Streisand covers — could it get any better?! Not included in the set deal but worth trying are their cool cocktails — look out for the alcohol-infused gazoz.
Kapara Bonfire sweet potato Large
Keeping things sweet with Kapara's bonfire sweet potatoes
The menu runs with a traditional theme — think apple, honey, za’atar galettes to start; pomegranate tabouleh and a whole red snapper, cooked over coal and smothered in sage and arak butter.
No Ashkenazi honey cake here, dessert options are a deliciously boozy babka or so-called 'Sticky Treat', which features Medjool dates; black treacle; poppyseed ice cream and Baharat crumble. Definitely the route to a sweet new year.
RoshSmall 740x.jpg
Honey's hamper
Honey & Co:
A second central London venue offering Rosh Hashanah themed fun is the soon-to-open Honey & Co Daily which will be hosting its inaugural Supper Club on September 15. I’ve had a sneaky peak and the menu looks delicious. You’ll need to sign up to their mailing list for more info or to book from the evening of September 6.
If you’ll be otherwise engaged on first night Rosh Hashanah but fancy letting someone else do the work, the Honeys are offering a Rosh Hashanah menu for delivery or takeaway from September 14 to 16. The catering menu (£55 per head) includes starters of baba ganoush; crisp seeded lavoush crackers and a fig, gem lettuce and herb salad. Main course choices are either chicken thighs (not kosher) with pomegranate molasses or roasted aubergine with pomegranates plus an apple and honey-packed baklava for dessert.
IMG 4116 740x.jpg
Sesame sweet
If you just want to add a few finishing touches to your own menu, they've a list of goodies and hampers, including this circular challah (above) complete with central honey pot. Pick from sesame or apricot and cardamom versions. It would make a wonderful centrepiece for your festive table — click here for our top styling tips from the super talented Dani Tucker of The Social Kitchen.
They also do their honey cake in its own cute tin or you can buy just that apple/honey baklava dessert to have at home. Full hamper details here.
Tami challah Social Kitchen
Keep Karm(a) it's only Rosh Hashanah Photo: Ella Miller for The Social Kitchen
Karma bread:
Hampstead baker, Tami Isaacs, has themed up her showstopper challah and babka range for the new year. Choose from a range of challahs, including apple pecan honey; cinnamon raisin and round seeded or unseeded loaves. Some are already sold out for September 15 so you’ll need to order fast.
This super talented baker also does a mean babka (chocolate or cinnamon) and offers vegan challah and babka options.
For a real carb fest, order a gift box from a selection that includes a several products like the Rosh Hashanah deluxe gift box which is stuffed with their apple pecan honey crowned challah; cinnamon and raisin challah; round challah; special feast babka and a honey and ginger cake — Yom Tov in a box for £70.
A more budget (and waistline-friendly) option is the Dip the Apple box, which includes an apple pecan honey crowned challah; honey and ginger cake and cinnamon babka.
More info and order form here.
WhatsApp Image 2023-09-06 at 14.43.33
Festival of flowers
Bagel & Schmear
Hertfordshire’s own New York bagel baker, Francesca Goldhill, is offering her own honey cake for a second year. If it's as good as her bagels you won't want to miss out. She’s also doing an exciting collab with Battler’s Farm florist, Lilac and Willow, to offer a honey cake and bouquet package for £75. Order yours here. Flowers AND cake — what more could you ask for?
