From Baccalà to Le Petit Beefbar, here are the best things the CODE team ate this week

Longueville Manor, Jersey

One of the reasons we chose to stay here was executive chef Andrew Baird. His dedication and knowledge of Jersey produce is second to none and with over thirty years at Longueville Manor he has created something unique. There are some surprising flavours but all handled with a reassuring lightness of touch: sweet pepper compote, fennel salad and aioli brought a hint of Spain to Jersey scallops. Lemongrass butter with the wild halibut was beautifully balanced with pickled Jersey shiitake and miso. Longueville garden plum soufflé with saké sauce was a fitting final dish for a wonderful stay.
Sam Selwood, accounts manager

Manteca

Dave Carter and Chris Leach have relocated their restaurant Manteca across town from Soho to Shoreditch and not only is the space nicer, I think the food may have even got better. The duo have taken over the former Pizza Express site on Curtain Road and have one of those menus where you could happily order one of everything. Start with a plate of their own salumi and some Wildfarmed focaccia with a negroni before ordering a selection of their pastas – the brown crab cacio e pepe tonnarelli has migrated over from Soho, thankfully, as has the kale salad and puntarelle alla romana.
Adam Hyman, founder

Baccalà

I must admit, having only lived in London for just over a year, I hadn’t yet ventured to Bermondsey. When arriving for dinner at Baccalà, I discovered the wealth of buzzy neighbourhood restaurants in the area. Baccalà is one of those places you walk past and get FOMO from not being inside. Seafood is their thing, and they do it well. The roasted octopus was a perfect welcoming course, setting us off on a Mediterranean journey in the metropolis. You have to order the maccheroncini with prawns to share – a hearty bowl full of pasta, peppers, lemon and bottarga. Ask the olive oil sommelier for advice on the best oils to try with your bread!
Henry Southan, editorial intern

Two Boys Brew, Dublin

The great tradition of the all-day neighbourhood cafe: where breakfast is served at lunch, and lunch starts at 11am. You know every man and dog and the manager knows your name. Two Boys Brew has been the life of young Phibsborough since 2017, and no number of lockdowns will make it any less. At countertops, legs still dangle, where books and laptops break up colourful coffee cups and crumbs of pastry. Great lumpen half-eaten almond croissants dust everything with sugar, and conversations only stop for mouthfuls of toast. The homely portions at TBB have always fed armies, but when you try their beans on toast, there is no going back.
Céire Carey, team assistant

Dishoom

Until last week I must have been one of the few people left in London who hadn’t eaten at Dishoom. Of course I had heard endless adulations for the Ruby Murray and black dhal and attempted to go on a number of occasions but was always too hungry to wait in the queue. Well I can confirm my long-awaited visit was well worth it. Going full hog we tried out the Christmas Feasting menu and boy is feast an understatement. Dish after dish after dish arrived at our table – everything from the much-loved classics to the Christmas special turkey raan with all the trimmings. If I was you I’d start booking my Christmas party in now as this is sure to be a popular one.
Molly Wade, memberships manager

Carmine

Following a chilly morning cycle into the Surrey Hills, we headed to Streatham high street to try the newest offering from the team behind the relaunch of Elm Park Tavern. Carmine takes inspiration from all day brunch spots in New York and offers a delicious Sunday feast menu. We opted for the rump of beef, and also had the roasted squash with spiced barley and garlic yogurt dressing and all the trimmings you’d expect. There are some classic sides (the cauliflower cheese was epic) and a solid wine list. Carmine is also open for brunch on a Saturday and dinner every day.
Tom Pilgrim, accounts manager

Le Petit Beefbar

I’d heard so much about Beefbar but never actually been to one of the meat-centric restaurants with outposts in Monaco, Mykonos and Milan. Despite the locations perhaps suggesting a certain clientele, their new venue in Chelsea in the former Tom’s Kitchen site feels chic yet maintains a neighbourhood vibe. The cosy site is a temple to beef – it does what it says on the tin. Starters of wagyu jamon, beef kebabs and a croque sando were followed by steak frites and their beef version of black miso cod and mash almost creamier than Joel Robuchon’s. Prices are very reasonable too – a welcome addition to an area where it can be hard to find a nice spot for a casual dinner.
Adam Hyman, founder

Samphire, Jersey

A beautifully decorated dining room in the heart of St Helier, Samphire was a highlight from my short break in Jersey. As one would expect, the menu is dominated by local produce with seafood well represented. I started with oysters before moving onto Jersey crab with Bloody Mary jelly, smoked eel and Granny Smith. Although the market fish options sounded great, I can’t resist white, meaty fish served with any form of chicken fat so opted for the halibut, roasted girolles and chicken butter sauce; it was everything I wanted it to be.
Sam Selwood, accounts manager

Rasa Sayang

After leaving Soho in September, Rasa Sayang is settling nicely into its new home on Macclesfield Street in Chinatown. It’s an excellent spot for an impromptu weeknight dinner and suitably easy on the wallet. We ate soft, flaky roti with curry sauce and a rich, peanut-y gado-gado hailing from Indonesia. The menu ranges across Southeast Asia but it’s the rendang – deeply fragrant and flecked with coconut – that keeps people coming back for more.
Chloe Hamilton, content manager

Read more reviews from the CODE team here