Our pick of the best places to eat in London this May
DUCK AND RICE, SOHO W1
Duck & Rice is one of the most eagerly anticipated openings of 2015. It’s aiming to bring together Asian and British traditions, specifically the look of a Victorian pub with Asian influences.
BLIXEN, SPITALFIELDS E1
Blixen’s owners are Clive Watson, who’s spent a decade doing up London pubs (notably The Garrison and The Riding House Café) and Justin Gilbert, a designer of immense style. This handsome new restaurant is part of old Spitalfields Market and has received rave reviews since its recent opening.
DRAM AND SMOKE, HACKNEY
This five-course supper club will have you donning tartan and borrowing bagpipes. Many of the ingredients on the menu have been smoked in a whisky barrel, and traditional Scottish flavours will include cullen skink (smoked haddock), tattie scones and hot toddies.
MODEL MARKET, LEWISHAM SE13
Last summer Street Feast transformed a disused 1950s market in Lewisham into a street-eating destination, breathing new life into a great local community. And now Model Market is back for another summer of street food, drinking, dancing and vibes.
RITA’S BAR AND DINING, HACKNEY E8
Rita’s Bar and Dining, temporarily of Dalston Junction, has re-opened on Hackney’s Mare Street. Best of the lot, served in a brown paper bag, is a Southern-fried chicken roll, the fillet stuffed in a sweet glazed bun.
FLAT THREE, HOLLAND PARK W11
Flat Three is inspired by the aesthetics and flavours of Japanese, Korean and Scandinavian cultures, contributing to the common ground of our food identity.
CEVICHE, SOHO W1
Combining Peru’s exciting cuisine with Soho’s spark, Ceviche Soho kick-started London’s Peruvian restaurant revolution. The team takes excellence in Peruvian food and drink very seriously. Ceviche made in front of guests at the Ceviche Bar, fresh as you can get.
FOXLOW, STOKE NEWINGTON N16
Time Out said Foxlow serves “food that will comfort and soothe: the sort that you want to eat after a break-up, or after watching too many episodes of ‘Homeland'”. The message is simple: it’s a nice restaurant with great food and drink where you can get looked after by people who love what they do.
OTTOLENGHI, SPITALFIELDS E1
The latest Ottolenghi opened on 8th April. It’s a similar set up to the Ottolenghi Upper Street deli and restaurant, being able to sit 70 people, as well as having a bar which customers can dine at. For those not able to sit down, there is the usual bespoke pack-to-order counter service as well as a grab-and-go fridge full of ready-made salads and sandwiches.