The best things the CODE team ate this week: 11 December 2020

From Portman Square to Portobello Road. here are the best things the CODE team ate this week.

Nobu Portman Square

Despite the constant hurdles of 2020, Nobu opened their second hotel in London last week. The Portman Square property in Marylebone is a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. The 200-cover first floor restaurant is already drawing in the crowds thanks to its location and replacing the Berkeley Street restaurant in Mayfair. The evening consisted of all the Nobu classics including lychee martinis, rock shrimp tempura and black miso cod.
Adam Hyman, founder

Big Smoke Beer Collective

Big Smoke is a brewery and pub company based in Esher which brew pale ales, stouts and everything in between. This week I was lucky enough to sample their new home delivery subscription service – the big smoke beer collective. Each month, you get opt for 12 beers (including their brand-new brews) and also get a snack (we got some roasted peanuts) as well as a gift (we got a Big Smoke beer glass). The beers were fantastic (particularly the Electric Eye & Moon Drop (a fruity mango and passion fruit pale ale) and with the option for monthly/annual subscription what’s not to love. You can pause your subscription any time, or make a mate’s Christmas and divert your box to them.
Tom Pilgrim, partners & memberships

Crudo

On an unsuspecting corner of Brick Lane we headed to Crudo for a Friday evening of fish and cocktails. Spanking new, the idea behind the little restaurant is fishmongers meets cocktail bar (the brainchild of Ivan Simeoli who brought us Laboratorio Pizza) and a visit leaves you wondering why the two aren’t wedded more often. Starting with the hibiscus cocktail shaken up at the narrow bar tucked in the corner, I then decided to go for the cured salmon bun with garlic oil, fior di latte and fried courgette. Again, a surprising sounding combination but one that worked exceptionally well. If ever you find yourself in the East End – definitely go.
Molly Wade, memberships manager

Pizza East

It’s always been a popular spot at the far end of Portobello Road and now Pizza East is back open. New managing partners Kady Yon, Ollie Jones and Gus Haughton have tweaked the interiors of the restaurant and are also working with new supplier such as HG Walter. There are some lighter dishes such as crab on Flor sourdough but the pizzas remain the main draw.
Adam Hyman, founder

Nutshell at Home

One positive in the last year is that you’re now able to get food from your favourite London restaurants delivered straight to your door, anywhere in the UK. This week I tried the latest invention Nutshell, a restaurant lifting the lid on the ancient cuisine of Iran. The portion sizes were not for the faint hearted, but when the food is that good you’re happy to power through. My personal favourite was the mezze course, with olive tapenade served on fluffy bazaar bread, a betroot and feta salads and mushroom croquettes. For the full restaurant experience, the food was perfectly accompanied by my choice of drink: The Bittersweet raspberry and rhubarb gin cocktail from new canned cocktail company Isles. A winning combination.
Harriet Prior, editorial assistant

Winter Garden At The Berkeley

Their summer terrace was an instant hit and now The Berkeley have their Winter Garden with cosy cabins for outside dining. Reminiscent of the menus from the slopes of Europe, guests can enjoy fondue, raclette and rosti as well as mugs of boozy hot chocolate.
Adam Hyman, founder

To read more of the best things the CODE team ate this week, click here