From Side Hustle to SOLA, here are the best things the CODE team ate this week

Be it the good or the great, CODE made its customary tour through hospitality, bringing you the best things the CODE team ate this week

Berber & Q

As restaurant kits are here to stay, we decided we’d treat ourselves to one or two each month, not in any way to replace eating out at a restaurant but to have something at home that feels like a real treat. Berber & Q’s Cauliflower Shawarma kit was a treat indeed! Lots of different textures and punchy flavours but all coming together to make a seriously satisfying shawarma at home.
Sam Selwood, account manager

Baileys Fish and Chips

My street has a WhatsApp group where everything from noisy neighbours to serial door mat thieves (no joke…) is up for discussion. There’s also the occasional recommendation too. Top of the street’s list is Baileys fish and chip shop and not only because it’s just round the corner… The fish is freshly fried to perfection – meaty haddock in a light, crisp batter – and the team always have time for a chat while you wait.
Will Lake, COO

Side Hustle at the Nomad

The Nomad in New York has always been an industry favourite, so their arrival in London has been much anticipated. Despite a delay in opening thanks to the past year’s events, the hotel feels like it’s been in Covent Garden for years. Located in the old Bow Street magistrates courts opposite the Royal Opera House, their more casual restaurant Side Hustle is all about tacos, tostadas and margaritas with a big slice of Manhattan vibes. Be sure to save some room for the churros and ice cream sandwich too.
Adam Hyman, founder

Beirut kit Middle Eastern Mezze x Restaurant Kits

‘Restaurant Kits International’ is the latest offering from the meal kit specialists. Inspired by 24 cities around the world, diners can choose from two menus per month. This week I travelled to Lebanon and enjoyed an array of mezze, from Baba Ganoush, falafel, Celeriac Shawarma and some Beiruti pickles. The hummus was excellent, and came with extras including confit garlic, chermoula (a dip made from coriander, parsley and preserved lemons) and crunchy yellow peas. This is a great concept, and I can’t wait for my next trip! CODE members get 10% off Restaurant kits in-app.
Tom Pilgrim, account manager

SOLA

While it may not be the way you’d want to dine out every day, lunch at SOLA last Saturday was a welcome reminder of how enjoyable a long lunch with a tasting menu is. Victor Garvey’s Michelin starred restaurant in Soho not only has a jovial front of house with a certain Joe Warwick welcoming guests but the kitchen clearly know what they’re doing too. From the amuse bouche to the two-part crab dish along with sommelier Harry taking you on a tour of North American wines, SOLA has set out its stall for the Michelin inspectors.
Adam Hyman, founder

Frenchie

Frenchie is a beautiful restaurant. Dim hanging lighting warms chalky grey walls and zinc-topped tables creating a very aesthetic, gentle glow. The food is as stunning as the interiors, and not just in terms of presentation. Heritage tomato panzanella with cherries, pickled shallots and basil was followed by smoked monkfish with crab bisque and braised fennel show-cased fantastic cooking, and all was paired with delicious wines handpicked by head sommelier Xavier.
Molly Wade, memberships manager

Angler

A post-dinner chat with executive chef Gary Foulkes made me realise it has been close to some five or five years since I’d last stepped foot inside this Michelin-starred restaurant at the top of the South Place Hotel in the City. Foulkes’s kitchen focuses on using the best sustainable seafood from British waters with dishes such as seabass tartare, hand-picked Devon crab and roast Newlyn cod. A dish of hand rolled tagliatelle with Australian black truffle and a main of Cumbrian lamb balanced out the fish dishes. I shall not leave it so long next time to return.
Adam Hyman, founder

To read more reviews from the CODE team, click here