1 | Madame D
The husband and wife team behind acclaimed Indian restaurant Gunpowder has just opened a new one. Existing reputation means it's already worth a visit, but the fact that Madame D serves Himalayan cuisine adds fully warranted extra intrigue. The food is an eclectic intermingling of Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Nepalese influences and more. One thing all dishes have in common? That warm tingle they leave on your tongue. Whilst nothing knocks your head off, this place likes its heat. A lot. So bare that in mind. Start off with the little chilly beef puffs and move onto the moreish duck dumplings (or 'momos'). The absolute winner is the Nepali pork peeking out of a fresh red onion and tomato salad: fresh, zingy and, you guessed it, powerfully spicy. Tables are few since the venue (the upstairs of a Commercial Street bar) is so petite. But it means that this feels like a sneaky dining club instead.
76 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LY; madame-d.com
2 | Nyetimber Covent Garden
Over the next month, Covent Garden is hosting a delightful pop-up by the leading English sparkling wine Nyetimber. Bedecked in summery flowers fresh from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the corner of the piazza nearest the Royal Opera House is now an inviting terrace bar serving fizz and food. There are collaborations with surrounding restaurants, such as American-style bistro Balthazar, and dinners with leading chefs in the pipeline. But it's of most use if you just need a sit down and a smart glass of something.
Until 28 June; Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 8RF; coventgarden.london
3 | Election All-Nighter at Cinnamon Club
This election seems to have come around so quickly that disappointingly few restaurants and bars are hosting events to keep you awake, hydrated, nourished and generally sane throughout the night itself. Thank goodness for The Cinnamon Club, in that case: located right near to the action, Vivek Singh's beautiful restaurant is housed in the former Westminster Library. He serves modern Indian food (like the rather brilliant Tandoori octopus), which will be served à la carte from 6-10.45pm in the main dining room. After that, retire to the Library Bar, where you can enjoy the special 'Cabinet Cocktails' and bar snacks until morning time. Breakfast is from 5am for the hard core among you.
8 June 2017; Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BU; cinnamonclub.com
4 | R Chocolate's Caviar Pairing Night
The upmarket chocolatier owned by the Rothschild family is an excellent place to drop into, if passing through Belgravia. As well as mounds of chocolate, it serves tea, coffee, champagne, and a whole host of finely done pastries. But it is also hosting a curious event on Wednesday evening, teaching guests how to pair chocolate with… caviar. Obviously. It may sound beyond whacky but these guys are to be trusted, so that's what we're doing. In association with King's Fine Foods, the menu will include sweet and savoury concoctions such as yuzu shortbread with crème fraice and caviar, and Champagne jelly with white chocolate and, again, caviar. If you want a quirky date idea where quality is guaranteed, you won't do better than this.
7 June 2017, 7-9pm; tickets cost £25 per person
198 Ebury Street, London, SW1W 8UN; rchocolatelondon.co.uk
5 | London Food Month
The Evening Standard's food fest has officially kicked off, which means that there are deals aplenty on restaurants all over town and special events to tempt even the most abstemious amongst you. Our picks for the weekend are the Negroni masterclass at Café Murano or the boozy brunch at Michel Roux Jr's Roux at The Landau, which promises free flowing champagne and Bloody Marys alongside buffet style food. Both are on Sunday. Or else pick and choose between the offerings at the Food Truck Festival (does what it says on the tin) at Westfield London shopping centre, which lasts the whole weekend long.
