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Welcome back to Insta Stories, a column examining the London restaurant scene through the often-problematic medium of Instagram. This week’s filter is yes, absolutely.
Feed-clogging event of the week
Like the 2019 Cricket World Cup currently gracing U.K. shores, this year’s Taste of London put some early concerns about the weather to bed to give the people exactly what they wanted over the weekend. Also like the Cricket World Cup, it saw Sri Lanka spring an upset, with Soho favourite Hoppers taking the official best in show gong over last year’s Insta-iconic katsu sando. Unlike the Cricket World Cup, Italians also featured prominently, with Francesco Mazzei’s truffled cacio pepe making a convincing run for ‘most Instagrammed’ honours.
Raised game of the week
The unveiling of Borough Market newcomer Flor — via a superlative-looking pastry selection — would have sent shockwaves through London’s Instagram scene as recently as a couple of years ago. These days, though, the capital is spoilt for choice. Incumbents like Little Duck The Picklery, The Dusty Knuckle, and Jolene — not to mention hype-magnet Pophams — have done more than enough to show that Flor won’t take hearts and minds and waistlines without a fight. And if a new arrival on the scene causes London’s top bakeries to up the ante even further? Well, no right-minded carbophile could possibly have cause for complaint.
Instagram vs reality of the week
The guy she told you not to worry about versus you.
Accessory of the week
From domestic cooks to professionals, from fresh to dried, and everywhere in between, it’s been a big seven days for... Fish eggs.
Pairing of the week
When one of Instagram’s most trend-setting culinary forces — creator of legendary (but also… not good?) dishes like #thestew — comes to town, it’s always interesting to see which hotspots they tick off their #list. On reflection, Stoke Newington darling Jolene is the perfect match for Alison Roman’s homely but elevated style of nothing fancy food – we’ll all be cooking #theeggs (with jamón and potatoes) any day now.
Uncanny resemblance of the week
10/10 commitment to verisimilitude with the poppy seeds.
Memeable fruit of the week
A simple ‘same’ would also suffice.
Lovecraftian suspensions of the week
Loving the look of these stills from the upcoming YouTube series, Cooking With Cthulu.
Dish of the week
Goodness. Gracious.
Shot of the week
Decent dinner for two.