Various, Kolamba
Various, Flora
Pan con tomate, padron and iberica ham, El Pirata
Steak tartare, Stanley's
From Portobello to Passo to go. Here are the best things the CODE team ate this week.
Passo to go
It has soon become clear that delivery kits are here for life, not just for lockdown. I was right to expect big things of Shoreditch Italian inspired restaurant Passo, as it quickly became my favourite at-home experience yet. The two different cooking methods – frying pan and oven – created equally crispy bases and both leave you with a sense of achievement as if you’d made the pizza from scratch. Restaurant standard pizza enjoyed on your sofa in pyjamas? I’ll be ordering again (and again). With delivery nationwide and a choice of toppings, you should, too.
Harriet Prior, editorial assistant
Various, Kolamba
Kolamba
Amongst London’s ever-growing list of (hugely popular) Sri Lankan restaurants is Kolamba, an independent, family-run restaurant just off Regent Street. On one of the UK’s hottest days so far, I welcomed the restaurant’s list of original cocktails; the James Taylor with gin and ceylon tea was a particular favourite around the table. The banana blossom pattis were sweet and spicy, and the yellow monkfish curry is a must-order, and don’t forget to order a few of the garlicky, buttery rotis to soak everything up.
Minna Gabertas, partners & memberships
Various, Flora
Flora
Flora is part of Joy at Portobello, a clever and cheering initiative by restaurateur Stevie Parle. It’s on the site of his first restaurant, Dock Kitchen, but all the action happens out on a terrace cleverly utilising flowers to create “dahlia distancing” between diners. After walking past glorious produce from Kent’s Goods Shed, the appealing menu uses the same ingredients for a luscious clam dish, tender steak (from the whole animals they receive), rich chicken livers and much more. Ordering envy means a half lobster and chips next time… Flora’s open till the end of September luckily.
Lisa Markwell, Editor
Pan con tomate, padron and iberica ham, El Pirata
El Pirata
Tucked away off the leafy streets of Green Park, El Pirata lays claim to one of the quieter spots in Mayfair. Arriving as the sweltering summer-in-London heat was beginning to mellow for the evening, we gratefully accepted one of the little tables outside. Having shamefully not had tapas since my last trip to Spain a couple of years ago I wanted to start with some old school classics – croquetas de jamón Ibérico, padrons, patatas bravas and pan con tomate. After these, we ventured on in somewhat of an ordering frenzy resulting in an endless supply of small plates surfacing at our table. The ludicrously tender fillet steak with rocket and manchego was definitely a standout. Finishing up, we drained the last of our bottle of rioja feeling certain we were on the streets of Madrid rather than Mayfair. True escapism!
Molly Wade, partners & memberships
Steak tartare, Stanley's
Stanley’s Chelsea
Outdoor space has been much sought after by diners in this current world we’re living in and along with the balmy weather in London this week, it’s been hard to find a free table for an al fresco bite to eat and a glass or two of rosé. Stanley’s on Sydney Street in Chelsea has recently opened and has a large outdoor terrace perfect for warm summer’s evening. And it’s not just a nice spot to enjoy some Whispering Angel as Liv Burt, previously of Claridge’s and also from Masterchef: The Professionals, is heading up the kitchen. A small but concise menu consists of three starters, three mains and three desserts.
Adam Hyman, founder
The Quality Chop House
It’s getting hard to score a table Monday – Wednesday what with Eat Out to Help Out proving so popular. Thankfully a late seating at Quality Chop house provided a suitable way to celebrate returning to London after more than four months. Ordering the Mangalitza black pudding with peach ketchup was a given and is one of the best starters I’ve had in a long time. For mains it was a beautiful cut of Swaledale lamb with confit potatoes (of course) and green beans. Service was perfect, particularly when my dining companion was busy knocking over water glasses and red wine in my direction.
Chloe Hamilton, head of partners & memberships
Swaledale lamb leg, The Quality Chop House
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