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Scottish chef adored by critics arrives in London for two weeks
The chef from an Edinburgh restaurant, which caused critic Marina O’Loughlin to say in a Guardian review from 2016, “I want to say a new Scottish star is born, but that would be to do Smith a disservice. He’d be a star wherever he landed,” has just landed in London for a temporary — two-week — residency at Carousel in Marylebone. Chef Scott Smith, from Norn, is the latest of the rotating guest chefs at the increasingly ambitious venue.
It is food that the late AA Gill called “divine” and that food writer Joanna Blythman said she’d “remember for a lifetime.” In Scotland, Smith is a keen forager and a regular visitor to the Cyrenians community farm each morning pre-prep. His focus is on local, seasonal and wild food.
The menu in London might include haddock, beef, kale, wild garlic, crab, hogget, roe, walnut, artichoke, rhubarb and crab apple alongside more unusual ingredients such as wild leek, and peasemeal (flour produced from roasted yellow field peas.)
Smith will be there from now until 24 March. Bookings can be made here.
Legend Pierre Koffmann to do one-night only at Tate Britain
French chef and legend of the industry Pierre Koffmann will celebrate the closing weekend of The EY Exhibition: Impressionists in London; French Artists in Exile at Tate Britain, with one-off dinner at the Rex Whistler restaurant on Friday 27 April. An ‘Evening with Pierre Koffmann’ will involve a private view of the exhibition, drinks and canapés followed by a four-course dinner include some of the chef’s most famous creations. The menu will include the famous stuffed pig’s trotter, plus his iconic pistachio soufflé (both of which remained on the menu from when Koffmann opened Le Tante Claire in 1977 to when his restaurant at The Berkley closed its doors in 2016.)
Koffmann said: “As a Frenchman who has practiced his art in London for most of my career, I am delighted to participate in the closing weekend of this important exhibition looking at the connection between British and French art.”
Price: £106 (which also includes a wine flight and a signed cookbook.) Bookings can be made here.
Mee Market x Gelupo Collaboration
Mee Market, the Korean rice bowl deli in Soho, is collaborating with Archer Street neighbour, Jacob Kenedy’s artesian gelateria, Gelupo, to bring guests a new limited-edition ice cream flavour this week and running until 13 April, as part of the Gelupo campaign “Tour Of Asia Festival.”
The Mee Market flavour, Scorched Rice, is inspired from Korea’s authentic treat, nurungji (the crispy, nutty toasted rice served by frugal Korean home cooks), whilst also synonymous with the unique focus on rice at Mee Market; ‘Mee’ means rice in Korean.
Mee Market Soho, which launched in November 2017, by founder Linda Lee — the mind behind On the Bab, On the Dak, and Koba — is split across two levels, offering Korean and Asian-inspired hot and cold foods for casual dining and grab-and-go takeaway, as well as hosting a retail space.
Gelupo, which is located just across the road from Mee Market opposite the famous Archer Street studios, brings the taste and feel of an Italian gelatiere to the streets of Soho.
The Prince returns to West Brompton Crossing for Summer
The Prince — the West Brompton Crossing behemoth that combines four restaurants, a Victorian pub, and London’s biggest pub garden — will reopen on 12 April following a comprehensive overhaul in preparation for the fairer seasons.
Created by the team behind White City’s Pergola on the Roof and Pergola Paddington Central, The Prince is a formidable undertaking. A corner-frontage pub and four neighbouring shopfronts have been renovated and reformed, linked by an enormous common garden, featuring a retractable roof for promised all-weather enjoyment, and brimming with wisteria and hydrangeas. The four shopfronts now house four restaurant popups; this season’s food offerings include Prince veterans Patty & Bun and Begging Bowl, who will be joined by Coqfighter and Foley’s Bar and Yakitori Grill.
Caravan Exmouth Market introduces a new aperitivo menu
Perhaps London’s most recognisable Antipodean brunch spot, Caravan is gearing up for the long afternoons of British Summer Time with a new aperitivo menu at the Exmouth Market restaurant (the group’s original site.) In what is fast becoming one of the best trends of new London openings, the aperitivo menu will include a range of £5 cocktails including the requisite espresso martini and Aperol spritz, as well as an alcohol free raspberry and balsamic shrub, among others.
The cocktail list will be accompanied by a short selection of bar snacks like jalapeño corn bread, and sweet potato and chorizo croquettes with saffron mayonnaise. Caravan say the new menu is “perfect for a quick pre-theatre nibble”, but to be honest, it sounds more suited to a slow spring time afternoon watching the comings and goings on the market.