Sunday Sushi @ Kaia
If you’re sick of the mention of Easter and chocolate and all such things, then treat yourself to a Sunday spread with a difference, at Kaia. Set within The Ned, that princely members’ club and restaurant hub located in a former bank in the City, this Asian-Pacific counter-style eatery excels in fresh and healthy food that is fiendishly moreish. So it’s just as well that they’ve started an all-you-can-eat Sunday lunch: for £45 per person (including a welcome drink), you can circulate the manned buffet as many times as you like, taking your pick from an array of sushi, poke bowls, robata grilled meats, bao buns with DIY fillings, noodles, fried rice, you name it. Chefs are standing behind the counters to explain what there is and the hot tip is to try the pork belly in the buns. You also won't know where to stop with the lamb skewers. And then comes dessert... start with refreshing pineapple carpaccio and accelerate from there.
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ; thened.com
Easter Lunch @ Ikoyi Restaurant St James's
For an alternative Easter feast, head to Piccadilly’s Michelin-starred Ikoyi, a tiny but mighty restaurant broadly inspired by West African cuisine but, basically, boasting a style all its own. Usually closed on Sundays, for Easter Day, they’re doing a special six-course slap-up lunch that would make a blimmin’ tasty change from the usual roast lamb. It includes their signature plantain covered in raspberry powder with fiery smoked scotch bonnet mayo on the side (pictured), aged beef rib with the house rice, which emits the smokiest aroma you’ll have ingested in an age, mushroom suya, confit turbot with white asparagus, and a plantain and mango pudding. This food is so Instagram-friendly, you may initially view it askance, but don’t be put off by the flawless aesthetics – there is a wallop of wonderful flavour in every plateful.
Sunday 21 April; six courses for £95 per person including a glass of Champagne on arrival, with wine pairings available for £40.
1 St James’s Market, London, SW1Y 4AH; ikoyilondon.com
Maple Bacon Hot Cross Buns @ Gail’s
Hot cross buns are traditionally meant to be eaten on Good Friday, and we’ve been getting well into practice thanks to Gail’s bakeries, who are serving a toasted version stuffed with maple-cured bacon and drizzled in maple syrup. It’s the perfect iteration of salty and sweet – a bacon sarnie done Easter style. Gail's add dried cranberries and citrus peel to their bread (in addition to the usual sultanas) for an extra fruity hit and, since we're practically on Friday already: fill your boots.
Various locations; gailsbread.co.uk
Easter Hunt @ London Shell Co
For more interactive Easter shenanigans, floating seafood specialists the London Shell Co (located on a barge based at Paddington Basin) are hosting an Easter hunt all weekend long: they will hide three clear bottles around the Paddington Central and Maida Vale areas, with rolled up scrolls inside, and finding one will win you a complimentary meal for two complete with wine pairings. This is one culinary sojourn very much worth competing for, so check their Instagram page for clues from Friday-Sunday. But while you're at it, you can still book onto the boat for a static lunch or cruising dinner over the weekend, where you'll start off with fresh oysters and 'angel hair' fries before moving onto a range of delicate, delicious dishes enjoyed with a moving – and dreamy – backdrop.
19 – 21 April
The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, London, W2 6PY; londonshellco.com
Creme Egg Brownies @ Blondies Kitchen
If you’re only interested in chocolate this Easter – and we can’t blame you – then find your way to Blondies Kitchen right this second, as they have teamed up with Cadbury’s Creme Eggs to create the ultimate chocolate brownies. And we don’t say that lightly. Trust us. These super squidgy squares will blow your mind (and fill you up for at least half a day) so make the most of the chocolate free-for-all that this weekend unofficially warrants. And if that's piqued your interest, you might like to know that Creme Eggs have also found their way into doughnuts at Doughnut Time, the cheesecake at Burger & Lobster, and the buttermilk pancakes at The Breakfast Club...
Selfridges Food Hall, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB; blondieskitchen.co.uk
Rooftop Ice Creams @ Market Hall Victoria
And if you just want some sun but are stuck in Central or, indeed, travelling in or out of Victoria station, then give yourself a dose of vitamin C from the new rooftop that has just opened on top of Market Hall. Like the one in Fulham, this place offers a handful of restaurants in one, including the invincible Monty's Deli, fish and chip connoisseurs Kerbisher & Malt and, for summer only, Soft Serve Society – that means every colour and flavour of ice cream you've never imagined (matcha and charcoal are particular favourites), plus toppings like popcorn, crushed gingerbread biscuits and Oreos; you can get cones, pots, full-on sundaes or even one of the famous 'freakshakes.' Either way, there are 150 seats on the roof so if you've got half an hour before a train, then grab whatever food you fancy and head upstairs for a beer to enjoy this weekend's promised rays.
191 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5E; markethalls.co.uk
