London’s Hottest Restaurant Developments Covet Instagram Real Estate

Welcome back to Insta Stories, a column examining the London restaurant scene through the often-problematic medium of Instagram. This week’s filter is divine Instavention.

News of the week

After the unveiling of the charisma graveyard that is the St James’ development — and the subsequent closure of at least one of its restaurants — things looked bleak for big zone one hospitality projects. But then came Coal Drops Yard, with its striking architecture and cluster of well-received, people-pleasing new openings. And now there’s Market Halls Victoria, which seems to be following a similar formula, albeit at a lower price point. Does Coal Drops Yard have genuine competition?

Social media campaign of the week

A host of chefs took to Instagram this week in solidarity with the Chefs Hands Project, a collaboration with the Pilot Light campaign that aims to shine a light on mental health issues in the industry. Perhaps the most notable post came from Neil Rankin — striking for its honesty and openness on a platform not always known for its faithful representation of reality. In a fast-changing world, where even Instagram captions are now being professionalised and monetised, it’s heartening to see that there’s still a place on the platform for these vital discussions.

Ho ho oh hell no of the week

The warning signs were all there: previews in July, mince pies in October. It still seems quietly appalling that feeds only so recently jam-packed with images of pumpkins and Halloween costumes should suddenly give themselves over to full-blown Christmas mania with more than a month to go. At least the Americans have Thanksgiving to break up the festive-season creep. Still, no point in fighting it [begins half-heartedly carolling]

Enduring influence of the week
Years on from its first raid on the public consciousness, Noma remains the pre-eminent source of inspiration for a whole brigade of cooks around the world. For proof, look no further than the Goth AF game season currently underway at the Copenhagen institution, which presents diners with stuff that, like, technically speaking might be food but which bears a closer resemblance to the trophies found in a budding serial killer’s basement. Could a similar aesthetic be making its way over here? It certainly could.

Breakfast of the week

Perhaps not one to rustle up from the average domestic fridge

Menu of the week
Bao. Moppers.

Dish of the week
If it looks like a duck palmier, swims like a duck palmier, and quacks like a duck palmier…

Gorgeous still life that would be quite a dissonant meal of the week
Rarebit and back fat, good. Smoked mackerel and back fat, also good. Rarebit AND back fat AND smoked mackerel? Perhaps not.

Shot of the week
OK, going off the caption it doesn’t sound that great. But: so pretty!