We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, London’s dining scene has gone the way of festivals – tickets, cook offs and big bill chef line-ups – which, although hosted by the hospitality industry for the hospitality industry, all are welcome – if you’re in the know. So, forget your traditional restaurant: these are the top tables in town, from midnight feasts to rowdy Sunday night dinners and collaborative one-off menus – with the best chefs, bartenders and sommeliers in town.
We start with The Bloodshot Supper Club, the after-hours feast helmed by Robin Gill of The Dairy. Held on the last Saturday of every month, the feast kicks off from 1am, as shifts end, and goes until the early hours. The concept: a place for hospitality folk to go after work for great food, wine and conversation led by The Dairy kitchen team and one guest chef. This month, it’ll be Brad McDonald (The Lockhart, Shotgun). Want in? There are 45 spots but only 8 seats for the non-hospitality public, on sale from the 1st of each month.
Next, The 86 List, a series of monthly mash-ups by people in hospitality to work, talk and play together – from chef swaps (such as Tomos Parry of Kitty Fisher’s in the kitchen of Tonkotsu), day parties (last year’s Bistrotheque/discotheque) and social gatherings (like the monthly Ladies of Restaurants meet ups) to their now monthly Sunday Sessions at Brunswick House aimed at showcasing and supporting new talent. Like The Bloodshot Supper Club, it’s open to the public and the night has all the right ingredients – good food, flowing drinks and tunes.
Then, away from supper clubs, there are the line-ups. Chefs from different restaurants teaming up for one night only collaborative menus. Lyle’s has been doing monthly Guest Series for a while now. Last week Bertrand Grébaut from Septime Paris was in their kitchen and next month it’ll be Pam Yung & José Ramírez-Ruiz from Semilla Brooklyn. But, if there’s one ticket to get a hold of this month, it’s Gelinaz! — Walk with us London. For those not up to speed: Gelinaz! is a collective of worldwide chefs, that come February 28, will be in the capital for a collaborative 16-course menu that will play out simultaneously at Lyle’s and The Clove Club – with surprises in between. Tickets have sold out, but we say: beg, borrow or steal.
