Where the CODE team ate on the first week back in restaurants

On the first week back in restaurants, here is where the CODE team ate out(side).

The Garden at the Corinthia

Of course it snowed the day outdoor hospitality reopened in England, but luckily they had heaters and cashmere covered hot water bottles at the Garden at the Corinthia. The beautiful courtyard of the 5-star hotel down by the river certainly sets the bar high for other restaurant terraces across London and André Garrett’s menu is the one that gets you wanting to order one of everything, especially after 4-months of not being in a restaurant. Think truffle pizzas, red prawn crudo and lobster linguine.
Adam Hyman, founder

Black Axe Mangal

Well this certainly lived up to, indeed exceeded, expectations. Having pined for BAM many times over the last year, I was extremely excited to hear that chef Lee Tiernan had partnered with Big Night to bring the restaurant’s classic dishes via delivery. Since Jameson whiskey is also a BAM fan, the kit includes cocktails – whoo hoo – and the dishes couldn’t be easier to assemble, mostly just pop in the oven, then garnish. The potent lamb offal flatbread and funky hispi cabbage with fermented shrimp butter are sensational, but special mentions for the cheeky cookie containing a whole crème egg. Best of all – and what makes this my top box of lockdown – is a bonus Rueben flatbread, crisps and fizzy sweets to aid recovery as a hangover brunch the next day. 
Lisa Markwell, editor

Sussex

Sussex was the first place I had booked for restaurants reopening and it’s safe to say it did not disappoint. Sitting cosily under heaters and sheepskin rugs, we enjoyed dishes of confit lamb and spring leeks whilst sipping cocktails, wine and then more cocktails. It felt very European and more like a holiday than a mid-week dinner and it was good, oh so very good to be back. 
Molly Wade, memberships manager

The Wigmore Summer Terrace & Garden

Every now and then you find a little gem of a spot in central London and for me it was discovering this courtyard that I never knew existed behind the Langham hotel. Their pub that opened a while back under Michel Roux Jr’s watchful eye has taken over this space to offer local office workers and shoppers a space to enjoy a pint of something cold and some proper pub grub. The XXL stovetop three cheese and mustard toastie is a must, as was the cheeseburger with grilled ox tongue and the beef rib eye with macaroni sticks and peppercorn sauce. It was nice to see Michel himself test driving his menu.
Adam Hyman, founder

The Flying Frenchman

It’s great to have hospitality back in some format, even if it means taking a while to defrost after your dinner. On Monday I was at The Flying Frenchman on Newington Green who made up for the chilly temperatures with a very warm welcome. On their little terrace we had a pints of beer and Toulouse sausage hot dogs and chips, which felt a little Alpine (in a good way). I’m looking forward to going back for the full indoor menu next month.
Chloë Hamilton, head of partners & memberships

The Berkeley Beach Huts

Last summer the Berkeley transformed a little bit of space around the side of the hotel’s main entrance to run an outdoor restaurant. And it’s been such a success that it’s remained throughout the seasons. Transformed in ski huts in the winter, they’ve now brought a bit of seaside glamour to Belgravia with their beach huts. Wrap up for a martini first at the outdoor Blue Bar before enjoying fresh platters of fruits de mer and an ice cream sandwich or two in a hut named after Whitstable or Margate. We even heard some seagulls in the distance. 
Adam Hyman, founder

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