From Frith Street to Fitzrovia. Here are the Dumbwaiter’s best bites of the week.
Oklava Bakery + Wine
The news that Selin Kiazim and Laura Christie were closing the doors of Kyseri was met with sadness last November, however this week the duo launched their new venture Oklava Bakery + Wine. With a diverse selection of pastries and coffee on offer, The Dumbwaiter couldn’t resist sampling a selection of Turkish delicacies. If sweet treats are your thing, pop down and try the pistachio cake, as well as the rhubarb and cardamom pogaca, a light savoury pastry perfectly complimented by the sweetness of the filling.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has built up quite a name for itself in the few months since opening its doors; not through any big PR splash but a few evangelical words here and there from those in the know. Having stopped in for dinner this week, Lazy Susan can corroborate. The revival of the Ancoats pub welcomes locals, casual drinkers and hungry out of towners with equal warmth. A seriously good bubble and squeak won Lazy Susan’s heart and next time a dinner in the dining room upstairs will be on the cards.
Fatt Pundit
If you haven’t tried Indo-Chinese food before, Fatt Pundit in Soho is a pretty good place to test drive it. Indo-Chinese is the style of food invented by Hakka immigrants to Kolkata, and it’s been slowly making its way into Central London. Fatt Pundit’s Momos (steamed dumplings filled with meat or veg) are fab – especially the kid goat version – and for those with a (very) sweet tooth, the tangra special made with almond and pistachio is not to be missed, either.
Lino
Going out for dinner nowadays invariably involves catering for a range of dietary requirements. Most recently more and more friends have chosen to cut down on their meat consumption (or remove meat from their diets altogether). LINO, named after the former lino warehouse which previously inhabited this spot just off Smithfield Market, has a largely plant based menu for January (albeit with a few meat options still on the menu for those who can’t do without). Highlights included spiced aubergine and a cauliflower steak with broccoli and cauliflower risotto.
Rudy’s
Quality Neapolitan pizza isn’t so hard to come by these days, but The Dumbwaiter can’t remember the last time he had pizza as good as Rudy’s. Balancing affordability, top ingredients and the signature slick operation from Mission Mars means they’re always packed to the rafters, even on a Tuesday lunchtime in January. Leeds will be lucky to get their slice of the action with the launch of a new site on New Station Street at the beginning of March.
Cultureplex
Native, BLOK and Cultureplex is a new collaboration of cool on Manchester’s Ducie street. The imposing Victorian cotton warehouse now houses industrial-chic rooms and apartments, a ground floor co-working space and a stellar F&B operation from Bistrotheque’s Pablo Flack and David Waddington. Whilst staying upstairs at Native, the Dumbwaiter found himself back downstairs much of the time, tucking into everything from tea and biscuits to a burger and chips so good you’ll shut your laptop and give it your full attention.
Singapulah
New dining destinations have been popping up all over Soho recently, but Singapulah certainly offers something a bit different. Claiming to be the first dedicated Singaporean restaurant in the UK, the Dumbwaiter headed to Singapulah & Arôme on Frith Street to see what it’s all about. Be sure to order the deep fried potato patties to start, as well as the chargrilled pork satay skewers, and if you can hack spice, opt for the nasi lemak, complete with sambal, coconut rice and curry.
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