TASTE June 2019

Monday 10 June 2019

Mirroring the summer weather, Britain’s food scene is hotting up as June brings exciting relaunches and new restaurant openings, ready to welcome this season’s holidaymakers.

 

New to the north of England

Fresh from appearing on the hit BBC show Million Pound Menu, Wholesome Junkies have brought their vegan comfort food to Manchester’s buzzing Arndale food market. Along with the new location, they’ve added hearty Buddha bowls to their much-loved menu of hearty vegan dishes, which includes curries, burgers and kebabs.

The award-winning Hull Street Food Nights, a set of free evening events showcasing Hull’s vibrant local food scene, will return for three nights on 4 July, 8 August and 5 September. Thirty street food vendors, serving international dishes from Singapore to Sicily, as well as a selection of Yorkshire favourites, will be accompanied by a range of pop-up bars, DJs and street artists.

Combining views over Lake Windermere and brand new vegan afternoon tea options, Lakeside Hotel & Spa has elevated its alternative diet offering for the summer. Guests can tuck into two new variations, a sweet afternoon tea, which includes coconut and chocolate mousse, and a savoury option, offering delicious bites such as parsnip croquettes and mini-onion bean burger. Vegetarian, gluten-free and classic afternoon tea options are also available.

 

London and the south

Relaunched after a complete refurbishment, The Swan at Ascott-under-Wychwood offers a rustic and luxurious place to dine and stay in the Cotswolds. The timbered 16th century inn, boasts a newly designed bar, restaurant, stylish rooms and family cottage. Brand new dining spaces include a redesigned garden, complete with fire pits, and an 18-seat beamed ‘feasting room’ where guests can enjoy a seasonal menu, stacked with British produce and numerous English sparkling wines.

Brixton has welcomed a second wine bar and bottle shop from The Wine Parlour, having just opened a sister shop in Brixton Village. With a focus on sustainable, lesser-known wines from small vineyards, each can be tried by the glass or bought by the bottle. The intimate venue features a weekly wine list and has simple menu of beers and spirits.

Boutique hotel W London is now offering a new bottomless brunch in their Perception bar. Aiming to make brunch even more fun, vibrant and colourful, guests can indulge in homemade frozen rosé and prosecco, before hitting the unlimited pancakes and waffle stations. Available every Saturday from 1-4pm, priced at £39 per person.

Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross has welcomed a new tapas and DIY grill restaurant, created by the team behind Barrafina. Parrillan gives guests their own mini-charcoal grill, allowing them to cook prepared steaks, scallops or vegetables to their liking. This partially covered terrace also serves a range of competitively priced tapas dishes.

Newly opened in Waterloo, Hello Darling offers seasonal sharing plates and fresh, botanical cocktails, conveniently located near The Old Vic theatre. The menu, designed by Masterchef winner Natalie Coleman, also features a three-course pre-theatre option for £22.

Chelsea’s King’s Road has welcomed vegan and vegetarian pizzeria, Humble Pizza. With an entirely pink decor, both inside and out, the minimalist, aesthetically pleasing design will speak to fashion-lovers and Instagrammers alike. Discover plant-based alternatives to many elements of the Italian classic, such as cauliflower bases, spicy tofu chorizo and cashew nut crème fraiche.

Graduating from serving street food to a loving audience of Londoners for almost a decade, May saw the opening of Baba G’s Indian inspired restaurant in Camden. Next to the statue of former resident Amy Winehouse, guests can sample signature dishes, including ‘pachos’ – poppadum nachos – or chicken tikka nuggets.

Having originally opened in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush in 2008, Comptoir Libanais’s flagship restaurant relaunched this May on Westfield’s new Balcony Court. Featuring a new design and open plan counter, the restaurant gives diners a delicious taste of the souks of Beirut, Marrakesh and Istanbul and is ideal for shoppers looking for great tasting and innovative Lebanese food – from warm wraps and Lebanese fries to dark chocolate orange and cardamom cake.

Fresh on the scene from Michelin-trained chef Tom Bickers’ comes a brand new Truffle pop-up. Named in the Top 50 Street Food Traders by Time Out and with an established cult following, Bickers’ new Southbank addition is located in a vintage shipping container and runs from May to September (daily from 7am to 7pm). Continuing Truffle’s mission to bring luxury street-food and top class burgers to London, the pop-up offers a foodie experience to remember, with diners getting stuck into the signature beef and smoked bacon burger, the brand new aged beef burger and satisfying veggie cravings with the beyond meat burger – the perfect riverside pick-me-up for veggies in the capital.

For more information contact:

Patrycja Woda

patrycja.woda@visitbritain.org

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