Deutsch delis and Finnish pop-ups whet our appetite

Back in the 80s, London’s culinary scene was renowned for being dull, unadventurous. But my how things have changed. From India to Italy, Spain to South America it feels like we have the entire world at our fork-tips.

If the idea of yet another burrito, pad thai or plate of tapas bores you, perhaps its time to be a little more adventurous with some of the world’s lesser-known treats…

Take Puddingplunder – a uniquely German, icing-drizzled, croissant-like beast. It’s the kind of curious yet delicious offering that our in-house Deutsch contingent pines for inconsolably. And now Herman Ze German, a specialist deli set on Villiers Street, is on hand to offer a permanent salve for such Germanic cravings complete with the likes of Amerikaner, Fritz-Kola and, yes, even Fleischwurst.

Up in Islington, meanwhile, 120-cover pop-up restaurant/exhibition space Hel Yes! is out to scratch the Nordic itch with its wealth of national treasures, foraged and curated by some of Finland’s leading chefs and designers. Consider your self an adventurous diner? Honey, till you’ve tried Reindeer Jerky, you don’t know the meaning of the word…

INFO
Herman Ze German is set to launch this month, Villiers Street, WC2.

Hel Yes! runs Sept 15 – Oct 3. Bookings are being taken now. 1-3 Wenlock Road, N1.

Top London restaurants expand their portfolios

UJ followers will remember the feature we wrote on our favourite restaurants expanding into nigh-on chain-size territory; but how many outlets does a corporate sell-out make? Whatever the answer, we can’t hate on the latest crop of expansions, as some of our favourite eateries make themselves even more available to us with their new sites. See who’s marking the map and moving their menus in the latest instalment of Chain Gang.

Read the full feature…

CLAIM– a free Bang t-shirt and get a personalised photograph at Marc by Marc Jacobs. 7pm, Marc by Marc Jacobs, 56 South Audley Street, W1K 2QJ. Free.

GAMBLE – Stake a tenner for some potential designer goods at The Convenience Store's 'Royal Flush.'. 8pm-11pm, Jalouse, 17 Hanover Square, W1S 1HU. Free.

ACQUIRE – A limited edition designer piece at the launch of Browns' Concept store, SHOP24. Browns. From 2pm, Browns, 23-27 South Molton Street, W1K 5RD. Free.

INTERNATIONAL – New York sees a whole lot of interactive digital fashion at Diane von Furstenberg. 4pm, 10th September, Diane von Furstenberg, 685 fifth Avenue, 10022. Free.