From The Zebra Riding Club to Arros QD, here are the best things the CODE team ate this week

Arros QD

Dark, moody the atmosphere in Arros QD is naturally dramatic. Glasses of Spanish wine glint in the low lighting flying from waiters’ hands to tables and paellas bubble away on an open flame. Ordering a rice dish really is essential here as they are far too good to miss. Be sure to get your fork straight into the paella dish to scrap of every last bit of the crisped base.
Molly Wade, memberships manager

The Zebra Riding Club

My first trip to Birch, a retreat just above North London, found me visit The Zebra Riding Club, a “nature-led” restaurant from Robin Gill. Favourites included the pictured grilled Aylesbury duck and the native lobster flatbreads. The food was nicely complemented by some orange wine – a first for me!
Henry Southan, editorial intern 

Bright

A recent birthday meal at Bright was a merry affair. As the warmth of late summer descended into dusk, the glowing lights and steady hum of happy diners beckoned us in. To toast the occasion there were sprightly glasses of Lambrusco and we worked our way through a menu of hits. Favourites included the charred corn in a pool of brown butter honey with a squeeze of fresh lime, and the casarecce with pesto trapanese – a total knockout of a dish.
Chloe Hamilton, content manager

Hawksmoor at Home

At first, it’s the suggestion, then the quiet hum, and before you know it an assured thought forms in your mind one morning, and there is only one thing for it. Hawksmoor’s opening in New York was the final straw – I knew I had to have it. Straight to my home arrived a box much longed for in the form of a three course porterhouse meal. The cooking began in the late afternoon, where the old spot belly infused the kitchen with spices, and was plated by the pickled and bright pink slaw. Then later, after the sour cherry negronis and a little digestion, came the flash and smoke of the porterhouse steak. The pools of creamed spinach and peppercorn sauce covered the plate in beautiful colours, broken up by the oven chips of dreams. We ended with sticky toffee pudding, coated in a melting clotted cream.
Céire Carey, team assistant

28° – 50°, South Kensington

I’m a dog-lover, so when I was welcomed to the latest 28° – 50° by the wonderful Golden Retriever Molly, I just knew I was in for a treat. The new opening sits on Draycott Avenue in a great spot, perfect if you’ve been shopping in the area. Delicious plates such as truffle arancini and salmon ceviche are served and washed down by fabulous wines as recommended by their very knowledgeable sommelier.
Henry Southan, editorial intern

The Garden Room, Dublin

There’s attendance, and then there’s hospitality. What The Garden Room offers is more than just its menu. After a drink at Bar 23, we found ourselves seated in the bright dining room of The Merrion Hotel. A guileless experience from the very start, we realised that this is what we were missing – a simplicity that The Garden Room delivered so well. We ate goats cheese with caulifower and terrine comparatively, before landing to the main courses of puy lentil pasta and Wicklow venison. The desserts were pavlova and fondant and the review is overwhelmingly positive.
Céire Carey, team assistant

To read more reviews from the CODE team click here