From Coya to Kahani, here are the best things the CODE team ate this week

Mathura

I had seen renders of Atul Kochhar’s latest opening for what feels like months, so I was excited to finally visit the ambitious new restaurant inside the old Westminster Fire Station. To start, we were served a feast of chicken tikka pie, scallops with sea urchin and caviar, and poppadom’s served with my Indian restaurant favourite, raita. We then moved swifty on to a very opulent main course of wagyu fillet with 24-carat gold, herbs and kufte rice, as well as a beautifully presented butter poached native lobster with lobster claw pakora.
Henry Southan, editorial intern

Fenn

Back in 2017 Nest (now firmly established in Hackney) popped up on Finsbury Square. It was BYO and I think we ended up at Karaoke, but I really couldn’t be sure. Fast forward 4 years to Fenn (from the same team) in Fulham and the only singing was to my 10-week-old as I did laps of the surrounding streets trying to settle him between courses. How times change… Fortunately the quality of the cooking hasn’t changed, and there were even some dishes that I was glad to see still on the menu – notable the Fenn fried chicken (even if the chicken is rather more bite sized than I remember). Say hi to Ryan (front of house) when you go – he’s great.
Will Lake, COO

Bancone

When Bancone opened in Covent Garden in 2018 there was quite some hype about their ‘Silk Handkerchiefs’ – sheets of egg pasta loosely folded over the most unctuous, buttery walnut sauce you’ve ever tasted. Don’t judge me for arriving 3 years late to the party but these, from their Golden Square restaurant, are still very much worthy of your excitement. Splitting it with my friend’s Native Lobster, Tomato and Chilli Bucatini worked perfectly – some welcome tang and sweet acidity against the silk.
Sam Selwood, accounts manager

Peckham Cellars

Peckham Cellars have just launched their Sunday Roast club a slap up set menu served up once a month to really satisfy your cravings. We arrived a little late but the restaurant was already alive, with the kind of buzz that’s been missing from a Sunday evening of late. The chicken liver parfait with red onion jam was banging and can attest to the quality of both the porchetta and an excellent mushroom wellington with all the trimmings. You’re always very well looked after at Peckham Cellars, and with over 150 wines curated by the team, we’ll definitely be back for more.
Tom Pilgrim, accounts manager

Kahani

Tucked away of a quiet street in Chelsea you might miss Kahani if you aren’t in the know. Upon entering you head downstairs into the softly lit, airy restaurant with it’s high ceilings and velvet chairs. We started with the soft-shell crab followed by the tandoori broccoli as recommendation by our waiter was delicious. For mains we went for Kashmiri Nihari – slow cooked lamb shank alongside buttery garlic naans and jeera aloo. My best advice is to keep space for pudding as the sticky date cake is really quite something.
Molly Wade, memberships manager

Coya, Mayfair

I wasn’t sure what to expect when arriving to Coya, joining the queue of excited diners at midday last Saturday for their famous brunch. As soon as you step through the front door you’re transported to a Peruvian oasis in Mayfair. Feather-bearing dancers welcome you to the fiesta, and you are then set on a culinary journey through Peru; from a ceviche platter on ice, to a showstopper dessert.
Henry Southan, editorial intern

Duke on the Green

I love a Sunday roast and find Young’s pubs to generally be a safe bet. We arrived at Duke on the Green (Parsons Green, Fulham) with no booking, two slightly hyper dogs and a pram. A bit of table/booking rearranging later we sat down for a very pleasant Sunday roast (greatly enhanced by a side of pigs in blankets) and a pint. It was all rather lovely.
Will Lake, COO

28°- 50° by night

The newest addition to the 28°- 50° family has just launched in Marylebone. 28°- 50° by night is a smooth operation – an atmospheric jazz and blues venue and late-night restaurant serving food drink until LATE. The opening party was great, with music from Nicola Emmanuelle and her quartet and some quality dishes including truffle arancini and our favourite – pan fried Hake with confit fennel, mussels, clams and tarragon sauce. We felt like we’d been transported back in time. What’s not to love – great food, wine, service and incredible musicians.
Tom Pilgrim, accounts manager

Read more reviews from the CODE team here