From Goila Butter Chicken to Yokotcho Ramen, here are the best things the CODE team ate this week

Andanza

Borough is fast becoming one of the best areas in London to eat, especially with the new Borough Yards development that is due to open soon. However, tucked behind London Bridge is a cute Spanish restaurant that has quietly been serving great tapas to those in the know. Andanza is one of those spots that every Londoner should know about – it ticks lots of boxes especially when it comes to feeling authentic, the vibe and serving ice cold tumblers of Mahon. I’d have happily sat there all afternoon eating the freshly carved jamon, pan con tomate and beef filet with foie.
Adam Hyman, founder
CODE was a guest of Andanza

Guinea Grill

At the Guinea Grill on St Patrick’s Day, shellfish delivery specialists Rocks Oysters set up camp outside to accommodate guests eager to begin the day plumply. Well-timed sunshine made for a warm backdrop. Inside, the bar was topped with waiting pints of Guinness, all of which were quickly dispatched before being replaced. They were preceded by an excellent Irish stew – an old family recipe – which contained “potatoes three ways”: floury ones, broken down, to thicken the sauce; waxy ones for texture and substance; and as bread alongside for scooping up any escaping meat. Highly enjoyable. A note too for the excellent music. All in all, an excellent day. 
Josh Barrie, editor
CODE was a guest of the Guinea Grill

The Dining Room at Whatley Manor

After running The Dining Room since October 2020, Exec Chef Ricki Weston stepped into his new role in January and all the signs are there that this will continue to be an outstanding destination restaurant under his leadership. Every tasting menu begins in the kitchen, with a first amuse bouche served standing up by the pass while he talks you through what’s to come. Everything that followed was outstanding, demonstrating confidence in delivering bold flavours but with a lightness of touch. Excited to see what Ricki has planned for the kitchen garden with the hotel’s ambitious new head gardener.
Sam Selwood, accounts manager

Hawksmoor, Borough

Often, as restaurant groups expand, the quality of their sites decline. It’s a sad but all-too-often played out story that has seen many a cool indy joint suffer due to an overzealous, overfinanced rollout which takes that cool independent spirit and homogenises it. It had been several years since I’d visited a Hawksmoor and since my last dinner they have opened in Canary Wharf, New York and Edinburgh. Any fears of their successful rollout damaging their stellar reputation were put to bed though at a knockout dinner at their Borough branch this week. Aside from the glorious cocktails (Shaky Pete’s for me, Moscato Bellini’s for the gang) the steaks are as well made as ever. Cooked brilliantly but importantly, very well rested – and served with classic sides that simply couldn’t be executed better – Hawksmoor continues to deliver an unerringly high standard of food and buzzy dining rooms to spend a disproportionate amount of time in and enjoy a fabulous night out.
Mike Daw, partnerships manager

Yokocho Ramen

Everybody’s favourite retro ramen join – Yokocho Ramen on Heddon Street has launched a Godzilla collab (not something you hear every day) which is running until the end of March. Not only are there Godzilla themed posters and models, but the team have created an epic set menu, which includes special cocktails (‘wake me up in Tokyo’ paired really nicely with our ramen) and the choice of a Gojira Volcano Ramen (made with Yokocho’s signature pork and chicken broth) and also a vegetarian alternative with a vegetable broth and ganmo tofu. There’s also a matcha cheesecake and mochi ice cream to finish. The set menu is only £22 a head which is well worth it, and the classic menu is available too.
Tom Pilgrim, accounts manager
CODE was a guest of Yokocho Ramen

The White Horse, Richmond

Apparently not all Fullers pubs are created equal: some serve the group menu of modern gastropub fare and they execute everything perfectly well; those boasting an established team and consistently high quality are allowed to go off-piste with their own creations. When my starter of beef tartare with beef fat confit potato, pickled enoki and caviar arrived it was clear that The White Horse in Richmond is one of the latter. Long may that freedom continue because everything we ate was lip-smackingly delicious and fantastic value for money.
Sam Selwood, accounts manager

Goila Butter Chicken at Carousel

There are some big claims surrounding Goila Butter Chicken – a few say it the best in the world. While I haven’t tried every butter chicken out there, I’ve had a fair few and can confirm it’s the best I personally have ever had. Don’t just take my word for it though, you’ve 9 months go try it for yourself whilst Goila Butter Chicken occupy No.23 at Carousel. Made with relatively little dairy compared to the more usual recipes (as explained by chef Saransh Goila himself while over from India last week visiting the site) and is therefore a touch lighter in body but heavy with tomato flavour. We were generously offered seconds and then thirds – the latter of which we were too well satiated to accept. Something in hindsight I’m now regretting as it was so damn good.
Molly Wade, memberships manager
CODE was a guest of Carousel

El Metro

A little slice of Spain in the heart of Fulham, dinner at El Metro is perhaps the closest I’ve come to the feeling of being on holiday in a while. Ceiling fans whirl overhead, whilst plates of freshly carved jamon and jugs of sangria wend their way across the restaurant. Somewhat of a Fulham institution, El Metro opened back in 1989, and as far as I can tell, has been busy ever since (especially in the summer where you’ll queue for a table on the terrace out front). Grab some tapas and a glass of house red and all will be well.
Will Lake, COO

Read more reviews from the CODE team here