Philly Cheesesteak, Liberty Cheesesteak Company
This year, many of my favourite London meals didn’t occur at a traditional restaurant or via a kitchen with a permanent address. Keeping with current dining trends and continuing with my Best of 2016 series, here’s my list of Best London Pop-Ups, Takeovers, Supper Clubs etc of the year.
My 2016 list of ‘everything else’ includes a Scandinavian catering company, a couple of pop-up restaurants, a vendor at Borough Market, a supper club, a (real) Philly cheesesteak food truck, a dynamic duo of seafood chefs, a mobile pizzeria, and one of America’s best BBQ restaurants who’s team just happened to drop by Brixton for a smoke out.
By their very nature these enterprises may be subject changes in location, dates, and services offered. Also, I might be mentioning only one aspect of what they do and where you can find them. Check for yourself with the links provided before venturing out to try any of them.
Please note, this list merely reflects how I chose to spend my time during the year and is comprised of well established and brand new venues as well as businesses that are somehow related to where work and play took me. Listings are shown in alphabetical order.
Best London Pop-Ups, Supper Clubs, Street Food, etc
Established by Lena Björck in partnership with D&D London, Alexander & Björck does high-end catering with menus featuring “international flavours with a Scandinavian twist are paired with expertly-sourced wines.”
Grub Club’s top rated chef, Rosie Llewellyn hosts her pop-up restaurants and supper clubs at venues across London.
Chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One in Knightsbridge shared his kitchen with Chef Mark Jordan of Jersey’s Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey. The duo were giving London foodies and hotel guests the chance to try a collaborative one-off feast of sustainable seafood menus showcasing ingredients from Jersey alongside ingredients and ideas reflective of Proyart’s Bretagne heritage.
Supper club and pop-up serving Japanese comfort food, mostly south of the river. The kitchen takeover at The King & Co pub in Clapham was a moreishly epic opportunity to eat!
Gourmet Goat roasts delicious and ethically sourced meat from a bustling stall at Borough Market.
Massively meaty and super juicy (but diminutive in price), the authentically full flavoured South Philly cheesesteaks from Liberty Cheesesteak Company are the real deal. Look for ‘em around Old Spitalfields Market.
Peppe’s Pizza is a wildly popular mobile pizzeria making the rounds in East London. If you’re in Walthamstow when Peppe’s got his wood-fired oven baking Neapolitan style pies outside Ye Olde Rose & Crown consider yourself lucky. Place your order, head in the pub to enjoy a pint while you wait and then another when your pizza’s ready. Perfection.
Rib Fest Finale with Home Team BBQ at Blues Kitchen Brixton
For one night only – during Blues Kitchen’s Rib Fest – Brixton tasted (and smelled) a lot like South Carolina with the boys from Charleston’s Home Team BBQ smoking up a mess of good food.
More of the Best of 2016 to follow!
