Ikoyi Celebrates 2017 With Two End of Year West African Feasts

Ikoyi Announces Sunday Feast Menus to Celebrate the Year End

Ikoyi, the St James’s Market home of fine Jollof cuisine, is hosting set menu Sunday feasts for the next two weeks to celebrate “the end of what has been a fantastic year.” With the glowing reviews still flowing, the Ikoyi team have a lot to celebrate, and will be offering three menus — ranging from £50-80 per head dependent on group size — on the 10th and 17th of December.

Each menu features a glass of sparkling on arrival and their famed buttermilk plantain and smoked scotch bonnet, with main options of Iberico pork asun and slow roasted onion, Turbot roasted on the bone with fermented plantain butter, bitter greens and okra or wagyu tomahawk beef suya and condiments all on offer dependent on the menu chosen.

Two sittings are available each day; reservations are essential and can be made through their website.

Blanchette Joins the Royal Academy for a Surrealist Supper

The latest of the Royal Academy’s #RALates series is promising to be an unforgettable night of “all things surrealist and Dada”, and Soho bistro Blanchette is joining the fray. Guests are invited to enter the worlds of Salvador Dalí and Marchel Duchamp, where they will be hosted by Rrose Sélavy — Duchamp’s female alter-ego.

The dress code is “1930s surrealist spectacular” — guests are prompted to take inspiration from “fantastical lobsters, optical illusions, or … [their] own alter-ego” — and the evening promises “a decadent surrealist ball” among other activities, alongside a “surrealist supper”. Blanchette’s Chef Director Tam Storrar has created a menu of Dalí-inspired dishes, including Dalí’s eye breads with truffle honey and goat’s cheese, and Sausage boat with chou croute, to be topped off with Dessert burgers with chocolate and Chantilly, though there’s no indication as to whether the fantastical lobsters will feature on the menu as well as the mood board.

Shuang Shuang Founder Launches Mookrata Pop-up

Fah Sundravorakul, founder of make-your-own hot pot restaurant Shuang Shuang, is launching a new pop-up, Mookrata, on Shaftesbury Avenue. A favourite in his native Thailand, Mookrata combines Chinese hot pot with Korean barbecue — shared between friends seated around a central pot of broth with a domed barbecue centre, diners can choose from a range of proteins, vegetables and dipping sauces to combine with their chosen broth. Says Fah: “I vividly remember eating this with my family as a child, waiting impatiently while the meat sizzles on the grill... I’m excited to bring a taste of home to London, and watch Londoners put their spin on it.”

Mookrata is at 64 Shaftesbury Avenue

Villa Mama’s Bring Bahraini Breakfast to Chelsea

Villa Mama’s are launching a weekend brunch menu this December, inspired by the relaxed breakfasts on the Middle East and informed by founder Roaya Saleh’s Bahraini heritage and her travels. Menu highlights will include Khubus (a Tandoor-cooked flatbread), served with meyhawa — a Bahraini speciality of fermented sardine sauce, and Balaleet, a sweet saffron and rose water vermicelli topped with scrambled eggs.

“Breakfast is such treasured meal of the day in Bahrain,” says Roaya, “as the weather is usually cooler and more relaxed... I used to love loading my khubus with all the toppings, and dunking it straight in the honey when my mum wasn’t looking.” Traditional Bahraini masala tea will also be on offer alongside Turkish coffee and fresh juices.