THE JOURNAL
Half Plates at Talli Joe, London. Photograph courtesy of Talli Joe
The gastronomic highlights at the capital’s biggest celebration of all things food and drink – from restaurant-hopping to exclusive events.
The best way to think of London Restaurant Festival is like a culinary equivalent of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe: taking place in hundreds of restaurants and venues over the whole month of October, it’s the only annual citywide celebration of eating out in what is now arguably the most exciting and diverse restaurant capital in the world.
Among almost 50 events during this year’s festival – including exclusive lunches hosted by Mr Yotam Ottolenghi, Mr Nuno Mendes and Ms Skye Gyngell; Veuve Clicquot champagne Gourmet Odysseys; an Eat Film series and a pop-up dining event at the new Republic at East India Docks – the new Tasting Menu series is a particular highlight, not just because of the diversity of restaurants involved, but because of the range of drinks on offer. As head of content and communications for London Restaurant Festival, I’ve picked out the four things I’m most looking forward to. Here’s to #EatOctober.
A multi-course Japanese menu
Scottish lobster with truffle meringue at Tokimeitē. Photograph courtesy of Tokimeitē
At one end of the spectrum, I’m really looking forward to a one-off eight-course kaiseke menu at Tokimeitē with Suntory Whisky. Each course will be paired with a distinct serve; the event will be hosted by Japanese super-chef Mr Yoshihiro Murata together with Suntory ambassador Mr Mike Miyamoto. It should be unforgettable.
When: 27 October
A beer and pizza night
Photograph courtesy of Santa Maria
For one of the lower-key events, we’re hosting pizza-and-beer nights at one of my favourite restaurants in London. LRF has teamed up Santa Maria Pizzeria in Chelsea with Birra Moretti for two nights of regional Italian beer and food matching. As well as pizza, there’ll be antipasti, including creamy burrata, and each of the four courses will be paired with a different, regional bottle of Birra Moretti.
When: 6 and 13 October
A wine lesson in London’s most exciting restaurants
Lemon sole at Fish Market. Photograph courtesy of Fish Market
In particularly innovative food-oriented areas of the capital, LRF is hosting wine-pairing, restaurant-hopping tours, each with their own distinctive flavour. Tickets for the Soho/Fitzrovia trail sold like hot cakes, but there are plenty more areas of gastronomical interest to explore, including Devonshire Square – Pitt Cue, Cinnamon Kitchen and Fish Market are all on the itinerary. At each stop, guests will get to sample signature dish accompanied by a specially selected wine. All the tipples are supplied by Enotria&Coe. 40 of the world's leading wine producers have flown in to host the events and educate guests on their vintages throughout the festival.
When: the Devonshire Square tour takes place on 11 and 12 October
A three-course dinner at Fera
Aynsome Farm offerings at Fera. Photograph courtesy of Fera
This year, more than 300 restaurants are involved in a month-long programme of special “festival menus”, offering fixed-price, multi-course dining experiences, all bookable on Bookatable. My picks? Trishna, Searcys at the Gherkin, Hawksmoor, and Fera which is serving a three-course supper and glass of champagne for £42 – the menu includes a starter of roasted cauliflower with crispy chicken skin for starter, steamed hake with sweet onions and pickled cucumber for main course and pineapple weed ice cream for dessert.
London Restaurant Festival runs 1-30 October. For more information and to book click here