The City: it’s all suits, overpriced restaurants and Prets, and, until now, nothing much to inspire in a culinary sense. But with the redevelopment of Broadgate Circle, plus a splattering of new restaurants, the City is finally dishing up.
We first noticed a change afoot with the opening of Spanish tapas restaurant Copita Del Mercado, last December. Transferring its Soho success to Spitalfields Market, the city sibling is as expected: bigger, shinier and with heartier dishes. Next came Blixen, the bright and airy European brasserie from Clive Owen (of Riding House Café) – impeccably designed with great food and one of the best garden terraces for a summer spritz.
And it continues. Ottolenghi has recently opened its Spitalfields branch – a combination of its Islington location (hearty salads and a deli counter) and its restaurant NOPI (sleek dinners and signature cocktails). Meanwhile, across the market, Nuno Mendes has just opened his humble Portuguese restaurant Taberna do Mercado. We say, start with some tinned fish and end with a steak sandwich but don’t leave without trying the Abade de Priscos (Portuguese flan) and port caramel dessert.
And now, Broadgate Circle has exploded. From Brixton born pizzeria Franco Manca and Regent Street’s Shoryu to José Pizzaro, the square mile has, overnight, gotten some serious food credentials. This week, Soho’s Michelin-starred Yauatcha is set to join the City set, and we can’t wait for Crab Tavern to open in June: crab doughnuts, cheddar stuffed bacon burgers and Singapore-style crabs.
And breathe.
