Tuck into the latest foodie news from across the Capital
BOOK THIS
Ready, Steady, Bake…
Budding bakers would do well to get themselves down to Bermondsey, where artisan French bakery Comptoir Bakery hosts a series of immersive workshops focusing on the art of traditional patisserie.
The sessions are led by Comptoir’s charismatic pâtissier Sebastien Wind, who has previously worked in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. Telling us about the masterclasses, he explains: “We share deep-rooted traditional baking techniques through our bespoke bakery classes and workshops, each designed to teach and encourage would-be pastry chefs to experience tradition and embrace what is new to create their own version of some Comptoir Bakery favourites.”
Whichever treat tickles their fancy, attendees are fully involved at every step of its creation, from mixing and kneading dough to shaping and baking. In the brionut workshop, you’ll master the art of crafting a soft, golden brioche, as well as make a variety of fi llings for them – from pistachio cream to banana jam. Or perhaps you’d prefer to get stuck into the croissant, pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins workshop, where you’ll get your hands floury and dive into the heart of French baking, learning to create these buttery classics from scratch, leaving with the skills to fi ll your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked viennoiserie. Naughty, but oh-so nice.
Three-hour workshops are priced at £99 per person and include tasty treats to take away at the end, as well as a Comptoir branded apron. 96 Druid Street, SE1 (comptoirbakery.co.uk)
NEW CONCEPT
A bold new chapter for Marylebone dining
Making an exciting debut this summer is Fire & Wine, a new identity for Boxcar Bar & Grill. The reimagined dining destination, which opened in mid-June, sees high quality produce-led plates, cooked over fire, and low intervention wines come together in a space that blends neighbourhood warmth with culinary ambition. With this new identity comes a new head chef, Zisis Gkalmpenis; originally from Greece and trained in some of the Capital’s top kitchens, including Michelin-starred Pied à Terre and Cord by Le Cordon Bleu, he brings an international approach to fire-led cooking, crafting simple, produce-first dishes that celebrate seasonality.
Wine is central to the concept: the new wine list has been built around small-scale, sustainable producers, and offers a mix of natural and old-world bottles selected to complement the bold, fire-cooked fare. An exciting addition for summer sipping is Fire & Wine’s own-label rosé, Tinted Glasses, created in collaboration with Château Saint-Maur in Provence. Ankur Wishart, cofounder of the Boxcar group, explains: “We’re pouring wines with real personality, from skin-contact wines to organic favourites and cooking food that lets the fi re speak for itself.” Count us in.
23 New Quebec Street, W1H (020 3006 7000; boxcar.co.uk/fire-wine)
NOW OPEN
A new neighbourhood classic
Celebrating the beauty and simplicity of traditional Roman osterias with a distinct London flare, Lupa has just opened in Highbury. The new neighbourhood restaurant has been launched by locals Ed Templeton (co-founder of Carousel) and actor Theo James, and the kitchen is led by head chef Naz Hassan.
Naz’s Italian upbringing, combined with Ed’s time spent living in Rome have informed the delicious menu here, while Ed and Theo’s deeply rooted connection to the area has been instrumental in guiding its welcoming and laidback approach. Think low lighting, comfortable seating and unhurried service.
The food echoes this stripped back approach: crowd-pleasing favourites and big Italian flavours, with an emphasis on regional specialities from Rome and the surrounding Lazio region, feature on a succinct menu that is seasonally changing. And the drinks list focuses on well-made, aperitivo-style cocktails and spritzes, and Italian wines from independent winemakers.
Ed tells us: “Theo and I are both locals and share an ambition to open an enduring neighbourhood classic… Working together with Naz, we’ve conceived a menu that’s casual, fun and delicious.”
73 Highbury Park, N5 (lupa.restaurant)
