London’s Foremost Grocer Dubbed ‘the Aesop of Vegetables’

Natoora’s new store turns heads

Natoora, the U.K.’s foremost fruit and vegetable specialist, has opened a new store on Fulham Palace Road, and Wallpaper* has dubbed it — and by extension, the brand — “the Aesop of vegetables.” Both brands have won ubiquity in the city’s best restaurants for their quality-first approach to ethical business, with Natoora’s fruit and vegetables found in kitchens all over London; Aesop soap — or sometimes, just the bottles — in bathrooms alike. Only one question: is the fruit more Le Labo? [Wallpaper*]

Deliveroo corners high street pizza chain’s delivery market

Pizza Express is now exclusive to Deliveroo, having signed an initial agreement with the fast-growing restaurant delivery company in 2016. The high street pizza stalwart, with 83 restaurants in London, is a significant restaurant chain coup. “Customers are increasingly opting to enjoy their favourite Pizza Express pizza at home, and by exclusively partnering with Deliveroo it means that we can serve more customers, more often. We will continue to work closely with Deliveroo in order to give our customers a great delivery experience.” The company has also signed recent Restaurant Group moneyspinner Wagamama to an exclusive deal. [MCA Insight]

New Japanese pop-up rides the King’s Cross restaurant wave

Tamashii will open on Caledonia Road, under head chef Wei, who has 35 years’ experience, including a prominently highlighted 18 months at Hakkasan. Ramen — described as “hot broth in a bowl filled with fresh ramen noodles” — will join teppanyaki, roasted duck, and some princely lobster noodles on the menu. How the restaurant is a pop-up, exactly, remains to be seen; it opens in the wake of the Coal Drops Yard fanfare just a few hundred metres away. [Hot Dinners]

U.S. chain that suggests slapping your own face lands in London

Slap Fish (SlapFish,) slogan, ‘SLAP SOME Fresh IN YOUR FACE,’ will open a first U.K. restaurant in Camden Town, specialising in fish put between or wrapped up in carbs. With 11 U.S. restaurants — and 13 “coming soon” — the franchisers are on the march. Menu items include fish and chips, fish tacos, a fish burrito, and, most interestingly, both a poke bowl and a ‘Hawaiian’ bowl. Poke is Hawaiian. [MCA Insight]