The rain has stopped and while the sun beats down, I can’t be the only one dreaming of Tel Aviv beach. I won’t be in Israel anytime soon, so the closest I’m going to get is an al fresco meal filled with the punchy flavours and fresh seasonal ingredients.
Here are some brilliant spots to cool down and refuel – whether you’re entertaining children on school holidays or looking for a more grown up venue:
1. Kapara / Bala Baya:
At Soho’s Kapara there’s a fantastic outside area - a little oasis in James’ Court is just a couple of minutes from bustling Oxford Street but without the crowds. Eran Tibi’s fantastic flavours are perfect for summer lunches and dinners with a summer menu including Summer Tomatoes - heritage tomatoes with mustard dressing, ricotta, crispy pita and a dusting of sumac – and cocktails including the Watermelon Spritz which is based on M de Minuty Rosé mixed with soda, muddled watermelon, pomegranate liqueur, lime juice and passionfruit syrup.
And there’s the brilliantly refreshing Israeli invention, gazoz, either regular or ‘naughty’ which is alcohol-based. My favourite is orange based with vodka, coriander and mouth tingling chilli.
If the river is more your thing head for Southwark and Tibi’s original restaurant, Bala Baya. This also has an outdoor courtyard area and vibrant summery dishes including the Green Salad (green chillis, apple gazpacho, tenderstem broccoli, bok choy and grapes with sesame and pumpkin dukkha); Season’s Flowers - a deliciously fried tempura courgette flower stuffed with three cheese polenta and topped with harissa honey and herbs and the Club Tropicana — yellowfin tuna tartare topped with avocado and fresh pineapple on a base of crispy kataifi pastry.
2. Lilienblum:
If you want to party like you’re in Tel Aviv, head for Eyal Shani’s Lilienblum on Old Street, which has a sunny terrace behind the restaurant that’s perfect for dinner or drinks on balmy London nights. And if you like to drink pink when temperatures are high, they’re currently showcasing Bolney English Vines rosé – either the sparkling Classic Cuvée and Pinot Noir. For non-drinkers there’s also a range of gazoz.
3. JW3 Beach:
If you’re in school holiday mode and want to make like you’re on Gordon Beach head to JW3 where they’ve opened their summer beach. Without permanent catering, they’ve brought in some brilliant operators to feed the sun worshippers. This week and next, the team from Hampstead Garden Suburb’s Kasa Bar and Grill will be serving up a range of street foods including hummus and pita; arayes; falafel, schnitzel or kofte on pita or laffa and a range of burgers.
From August 11, James Zimmer will be providing a milky menu that includes ice creams; fish and chips and cocktails.
And from August 19, James Zimmer’s meaty menu includes pulled beef, panko chicken or grilled mushroom bao buns; burgers, hot dogs and Mexican tacos as well as Israeli style falafel or lamb shawarma in pita.
Photo: Zodee Media
4. Coal Terrace:
Another fun outing for kids are the fountains at Granary Square a short stroll from Kings Cross and St Pancras. A brilliant way to cool down, and for any sports fans you can catch up on any Olympics action on a huge screen at Lewis Cubitt Square, which is an official Olympic Fanzone. For grown up, the Middle Eastern munchies to head for in that area are at the Coal Office’s Coal Terrace. There’s a tasty menu by chef Dan Pelles including a refreshing tuna sashimi with Morris vinaigrette (based on a salad recipe from one of the chef's grandfathers, Morris) and fried Greek cheese with tomato jam and chilli served on a seeded cracker. There’s also freshly baked pretzel bread inspired by Dan’s childhood in the Old City of Jerusalem and his memories of visiting stalls outside the Lions' Gate — which many will also have done on visits to the Old City. Dip in with labneh with tomato, tahini with spicy schug and silan with za’atar.
5. Honey & Smoke:
If air conditioning is more your thing, you can still eat Israeli. The deliciously summery menu at Honey & Co’s Honey and Smoke includes a cute mini menu, aimed at little people. Even fussy eaters will find something to fress on, including half a pita with falafel, cucumber and tomato; corn on the cob with butter; small crispy potatoes and a slice of refreshing watermelon. No dish on the child’s menu is more than £8.50. And there’s the usual fantastic Middle Eastern menu for grown ups too.
6. Mazal Camden:
Pick up a kosher shawarma or falafel to go from this Camden-based restaurant and perch by the canal at Hawley Wharf. Teens and tweens will love a bit of post-prandial retail therapy in the north London suburb that’s been a perennial tourist magnet forever.
7. Epicurus Camden:
This Israeli/US menu mash up has tables outside to enjoy a cold beer, cider or Kaitz (watermelon spritz) soaked up by a bowl of Baygelah (honey mustard flavoured pretzel chips); Batzal (onion rings spiced with hot spice mix, tatbileh and served with aioli) or Bim Bam Bam (corn ribs slathered in Raclette cheese and crunchy dukkah). Their icy cold milkshakes with or without alcohol are next level — baklava and whisky-flavoured shake anyone?
8. Shuk:
South of the river at Borough Market, you can enjoy Israeli street food including sabich; spiced plantbased meatless balls with tahini, harissa and crunchy salads in pita and chicken shawarma in pita. Order at the counter then take it to one of their tables and then spend the afternoon browsing the iconic food market.
