5 Things You Need to Eat in London This WeekBy Alicia Grimshaw
We’re all broke. Perfume gift sets and the latest mod-cons have taken a toll on our purses. It can be hard choosing where to eat this January, so we’ve found some of the best money saving foodie deals that you should be trying this week. Knives and forks at the ready:
What: OPSO, famed for their wine lists and incredible Greek dishes, have boarded the lunch train, offering an exciting new lunchtime menu. Launched this month, the new lunch boxes uses the finest, quality ingredients around, all for £7. Bargain.
Why: The new lunch boxes include a selection of sandwiches accompanied by hand cut chips and tartar aioli sauce made with slow baked garlic. Featuring ‘Koulouri’ sesame covered milk bread, freshly baked on site each day, choices include grilled vegetables (zucchini, aubergine, red onion, red pepper and tomato jam), smoked salmon with fresh goat’s curd, cucumber and dill, and slow cooked pulled pork with tzatziki, tomatoes and red onion.
Where: 10 Paddington St, W1U 5QL
What: We’re going to come out and say it: we like chain restaurants. Not all of them, mind, not the ones where your food comes microwave-fresh, but there’s nothing wrong with a good chain from time to time. Pho happens to be ones of those; just the ticket for a quick bite before a night out or an easy after-work dinner. They’ve just created two new amazing pho soups for the New Year and they’re both absolute belters.
Why: The Super Green Pho is a heavenly combination of green beans, morning glory, pak choi, fresh lime and Thai basil in veggie broth with extra garlic, and it’s both vegan and vegetarian. The Spicy Green Pho contains tender chicken breast, morning glory, green beans, pak choi, lime and Thai basil in hot and spicy veggie broth. Each has at least three servings of greens, is served with a side plate of fresh herbs and chillies, and is made with their 12-hour veggie broth. And, they’re both gluten and dairy-free, don’t you know.
Where: Locations here
3. For a Food Deal: Maple & Fitz
What: Healthy hangout Maple & Fitz, has become the new favourite in London for their great healthy lunches, amazing juices and beautiful breakfast bowls. The team has created a new January resetting package to blow away the mince pies and mulled wines. And, let me tell you – they haven’t compromised on taste.
Why: The package includes a salad, soup and cold-pressed juice of your choice – order the the vitamin-packed Julius Caesar or immune system-boosting Sweet Caroline which are both gluten and dairy-free salads, before selecting a warming soup – either the toxin-fighting The Barley Stew, restorative Take My Broth Away or the skin-replenishing Love Root. Grab one of their juices, too. The Green Queen is the one.
Where: 36A Berners Street, Entrance on Mortimer St, W1T 3LY
What: The kitchen beavers at Pret have been at it again. They’ve been beavering away over the winter period and have created a new soup-er range of healthy bites for January. There are now 12 soups in the collection – 9 of which are brand new.
Why: All soups in the range are dairy-free, made without any gluten ingredients, with all the vegetarian soups also vegan-friendly. Alongside Pret favourites (Chicken, Broccoli and Brown Rice, Chicken, Edamame & Ginger and South Indian Tomato), the range also features: Coconut Chicken Curry Soup, Vegetable Tagine and Tuscan Bean along with loads of others. And, for anyone taking part in Veganuary this month, there will be at least one vegan option available everyday on the new rota – no more lentils and fake cheese at lunchtime.
Where: Locations here
5. For a New Opening: Spring Workshop
What: Spring Workshop, a new all-day café and evening bar has just opened in Mayfair and we know all about it. More than just your average cafe dishing up lattes and toasted sandwiches, Spring Workshop is focused on engaging the local community and encouraging social mobility. The cafe is offering talented individuals employment, apprenticeships, and work experience irrespective of their background. Profits and tips will be donated to charities supporting social mobility.
Why: Drop in for breakfast and feast on French toast; egg dishes and organic porridge, alongside freshly brewed Hej Coffee from Bermondsey. Lunch options include a selection of deli sandwiches, freshly made seasonal salads, daily changing soups, and a selection of tasty toppings on toast. The evening fare includes sharing platters of charcuterie and cheeses from Neal’s Yard, paired with a small selection of carefully chosen wines and London craft beers.
Where: 9 Brooks Mews, London, W1 4DX
One For Luck…
What: Just in time for the ‘new year, new you’ season (we’ve failed already), Le Pain Quotidien has created a special Fresh Pressed Cleansing Detox Juice which is pressed daily in the restaurant’s kitchen with market fresh celery, apple, kale and parsley.
Why: Le Pain Quotidien’s menu includes 1-a-day Green Guice’ made from apple, swiss chard, celery, orange and ginger; the ‘Immune boost’ juice with orange and ginger; and the Pineapple, melon and apple juice. Along with the range of freshly pressed juices, Le Pain Quotidien also serves healthy breakfast dishes, seasonal soups and detox salads, plus signature tartines including the Avocado Omega Boost.
Where: Locations here
