1 | Truffle Pizzetta @ The Ned’s Library Bar
As if The Ned didn’t have enough eateries, the City’s luxurious hangout/hotel/private members’ club has just sneakily opened a new drinking den, which is hidden around the back of the reception area. Named The Library Bar (for obvious reasons, once you get there), this is The Ned’s 17th bar so it’s not as if you’ll be going thirsty, but watch out for this one because downing their special house martinis in a fit of heat-induced keenness could be perilous: they are bigger, and stronger, here than elsewhere in the property. But then they do get made next to your seat from the vintage drinks trolley.
The succinct menu also includes a marmalade-toast infused Breakfast at Emily’s and a Champagne Martini made with home-brewed Perrier Jouët cordial. Or just stick to pure fizz, served in old-fashioned coupe glasses as well as flutes. As you can imagine, you will need to line your stomach against all of this, so you could stick with the chichi theme and go for oysters, but it’s the black truffle pizzetta with melting fontina cheese and leeks that will really do the trick. Can be shared. Wouldn’t advise it though. Order in the Wagyu beef tartare, too, as its smack of paprika will spice things up a treat.
27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ; thened.com
2 | Currywurst & Beer @ City Beerfest
And just round the corner on Guildhall Yard will see the annual City Beerfest take place on Thursday. That means beers galore plus food and live music, from lunchtime through to the evening. Thursday is the new Friday, right? So we’re not encouraging slacking off but… We’ll just leave you with the facts:
Fifteen breweries will be in attendance, including Meantime, Theakston, Belhaven, the Canadian Sleeman, Sussex-based Harvey’s, and Yorkshire’s Daleside, who will be serving their gin-infused pale ale, G&P. There will be Bavarian sausages from Get Wurst and Indian snacks from Bombay Street Food, plus a whole range of music and, we’re calling it, pretty much endless sunshine to boot. How else to kick off the weekend?
12.30 – 9pm, 5 July
Guildhall Yard, Gresham Street, London, EC2V 5AE; citybeerfest.org
3 | Prosciutto ‘Grissini’ @ Roux at The Landau
Albert and Michel Roux Jr.’s restaurant at The Langham hotel is a byword for fine dining. But its recent refurbishment has banished the white tablecloths and hushed tones in favour of colour and friendliness in the form of a great big oval bar plonked in the middle. It creates a buzzy little hum in the room so that you can still enjoy your 5-star food (and service) but without that nervously-induced hush.
So up you pop onto the purple high chairs to watch the chefs at work with a glass of wine in hand and a plate of the smartest bar snacks you can imagine. The stars of the show are the ‘grissini’, which won’t look like any breadsticks you’ve tried before, as they come as delicate parcels – sort of thin and crispy ravioli – filled with ricotta and topped with San Daniele prosciutto and Kalamata olives. Light bites of genuine gravitas.
1c Portland Place, London, W1B 1JA; rouxatthelandau.com
4 | Smoked Chicken Ravioli @ Stem
More boutiquey but absolutely made for summer is Stem, just off Regent Street. Only a couple of months old, it should be your new go-to for smart-casual midweek dining, with its light-filled panelled drawing room and delicate-as-can-be food. Chef Mark Jarvis has wowed with Anglo in Farringdon, and then Neo near Bond Street Station, and this one follows suit. Ingredients are astoundingly fresh with loads of flavour but minimal faff.
Start with the smoked chicken tortellini, which come in a sheer broth with leek and lovage: warming, salty, elegant, and gone in 60 seconds. Or thereabouts. Move onto neat planks of aged sirloin steak, which are succulent and rich, served with bone marrow, pickled cucumber and shiso. A great shout if you need to impress someone without too much flash.
5 Princes Street, London, W1B 2LF; stem-byneo.co.uk
5 | Fritto Misto Brioche Rolls @ The Blue Posts
Saturday’s plans have all just been thrown right up in the air, right? Suddenly, you need to find somewhere you can watch the England game, alongside those friends you’d already promised to see. If you want a properly nice pub, you won’t beat Soho’s Blue Posts, which has gone from strength to strength since being taken over by the masterminds behind The Palomar. Retaining a hint of the old boozer it once was, it is quite simply a handsome place, with wooden panelling, copper finishes and a homely vibe. And a big screen.
As of today, they also serve lunch from 12 – 2.30pm. So get there early for pre-game seafood brioche rolls, cheeseburgers, steak tartare and more. There is even a vegan ‘Royale’ burger. Start with Bloody Marys (made with celeriac and horseradish-infused vodka, and Palo Cortado sherry) before exploring the ample beer selection once your concentration is required for other, more pressing, matters from 3pm onwards.
28 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DJ; theblueposts.co.uk
