THE JOURNAL
Hummus, hummus amba, baba ghanoush, ikra, chicken liver pate and breads at Bavel, Los Angeles. Photograph by Mr Jakob Layman, courtesy of Bavel.
The world’s on pause, the future’s uncertain and our store cupboards are – frankly – far from inspiring. While isolation may be turning some of us into culinary have-a-go heroes, for others, no amount of sourdough baking and cookbook emulation is a match for the very distant prospect of going out for dinner.
Fortunately, some restaurants are weathering the storm engulfing the hospitality industry by pivoting to takeaway or home delivery, allowing us the chance to embrace fine dining in the now all-too-familiar comfort of our own abode. As lockdown continues to shape our everyday routine, consider putting down the pinto beans and elevating your evenings with these seven at-home dining options.
01. Carbone, New York
Whole Branzino at Carbone, New York. Photograph by Mr Noah Fecks, courtesy of Carbone.
Among Manhattan’s top special-occasion restaurants, Greenwich Village’s big-hitting Italian-American diner has turned its hand to statement dining at home. Expect to find its red-sauce signatures (marinara meatballs and spicy vodka rigatoni) alongside charcoal-grilled meats and a veal parmesan of vast proportions on a refined menu of Italian comfort food – something we all deserve right now.
Delivering to various locations via Caviar and DoorDash
181 Thompson Street, New York NY 10012 carbonenewyork.com
02. Hakkasan and Yauatcha, London
Tofu, aubergine and Japanese mushroom claypot at Hakkasan, London. Photograph courtesy of Hakkasan.
With dumpling-making being a step beyond most of our domestic skillsets, we salute the opportunity to dial in a dim sum delivery from Yauatcha, whose delicate char siu buns and scallop shui mai are a perfect remedy for testing times. You’ll also find online orders possible at its Michelin-starred sister restaurant, Hakkasan, with star dishes including black truffle-roasted duck and satay chicken and expansive set menus just a few clicks away.
Delivering anywhere within a 2.5-mile radius via Supper
Various locations in London hakkasan.com
03. Uncle Boons, New York
Som tum at Uncle Boons, New York. Photograph by Mr Evan Sung, courtesy of Uncle Boons.
This much-loved Michelin-starred Thai rotisserie and grill is part of a three-strong coterie of high-end diners launched by Ms Ann Redding and Mr Matt Danzer. While lockdown has seen the pair scale things back, they’re keeping their sublime suppers coming with a delivery menu that spans hearty curries, fragrant salads and all the chilli-spiked sundries needed to imagine yourself away to warmer climes.
Delivering to various locations via Caviar and Seamless
7 Spring Street, New York NY 10012 uncleboons.com
04. Bavel, Los Angeles
Endive and date salad at Bavel, Los Angeles. Photograph by Mr Jakob Layman, courtesy of Bavel.
After initially shutting down at the start of the crisis, the duo behind LA Arts District hotspot Bavel have bounced back by offering family-style dining menus for collection. Founders Mr Ori Menashe and Ms Genevieve Gergis channel their Middle Eastern roots through weekly changing menus that bring together mezze, salads and meaty showstoppers, including stuffed grilled quail. Expect a similar format at their impressive, Italian-inspired sister restaurant, Bestia, too.
Collection only
500 Mateo Street, Los Angeles CA 90013-2222 baveldtla.com; bestiala.com
05. Hide, London
Roast Huntsham farm suckling pig at Hide, London. Photograph courtesy of Hide.
Sate your hunger for suckling pig with Mr Ollie Dabbous’s Hide At Home delivery service, which is offering an extravagant all-day menu during lockdown. From brunch staples such as French toast and croque monsieur to home-cured charcuterie, caviar and a lengthy list of luxe main courses, Hide has you covered if you want to splash out. There’s also a 9,000-strong wine and spirits list to choose from, which – even with all this extra time on our hands – might require guidance from Hide’s email-accessible sommelier team.
Delivering anywhere within a 2.5-mile radius
85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB hide.co.uk
06. Pidgin, London
Heritage tomato salad at Pidgin, London. Photograph courtesy of Pidgin.
Lucky east Londoners can benefit from this Hackney hotspot’s deftly titled Homing Pidgin service, which sees founders Mr James Ramsden and Mr Sam Herlihy share their innovative cooking via weekly changing three-course menu options. With early instalments selling out quickly, it’s worth acting fast to secure these collection-only culinary care packages, which come complete with optional paired wines and double servings of barrel-aged negroni, perfectly pitched to numb any isolation blues.
Collection only
52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG pidginlondon.com
07. Dialogue, Los Angeles
Myrna potato, apple and golden osetra caviar at Dialogue, Los Angeles. Photograph by Mr Christian Seel, courtesy of Dialogue.
The ambitious seasonal tasting menus at Mr Dave Beran’s Dialogue have wowed Santa Monica crowds since opening in 2017 and, fortunately for its diehard patrons, lockdown hasn’t meant the end of service. Current three-course meal options to takeaway include a beef short-rib Wellington or spaghetti squash bolognese, both of which come with roasted vegetables and market greens, as well as Mr Beran’s baked Basque-inspired cheesecake, which has remained a firm favourite since launch.
Collection only
1315 3rd Street Promenade, Suite K, Santa Monica CA 90401 dialoguerestaurant.com