This summer, there are so many new foodie deals, cool venues, and restaurant openings it’s going to be impossible to try out all of them.
But that’s no reason to not try.
From three storeys of football-themed fun at TOCA Social to an extra special chef’s menu at Larry’s in Peckham, here’s what’s new in London this August.
The Lowdown on….TOCA Social, Greenwich
Where: It’s located inside the 02, in south London
What: The first of its kind in the UK, TOCA Social is a vast, two-storey venue centred around football. It contains 17 ‘boxes’: sizable booths which can accommodate up to 12 people, and where you can play a series of interactive, football-based games.
First, you select your individual ability (beginner, intermediate, advanced), then the game you want to play.
After that, the countdown is on to kick the balls which are shot out at you by an innovative delivery system, and try and score as many points as possible by aiming them at a series of moving targets on the big screen at the back of the box, arcade-style. The technology has been used to train football teams in America.
Who: it was founded by footballer Eddie Lewis, who’s played for teams including Fulham, Leeds United, and Los Angeles Galaxy.
Tell us more: There are four games available: Striker, Atom Splitter, Eliminator and TOCA Challenge. You can play against your friends, or in teams. It’s quite energetic; you’ll be running around the box trying to score, and it’s aimed at everyone, from kids upwards.
Not a football fan? It doesn’t matter. I can’t stand it, and yet my inner Monica-from-Friends competitive streak came out and I just had to beat my boyfriend – at the end, (yes, I won!), I felt exhilarated and wanted to do it all over again.
Anything else? Aside from the games, there are three bars on-site, serving cocktails, beer and wine, and there’s also a crowd-pleasing food menu.
Order a signature cocktail, such as the Red Card, or one of the specially designed drinks you can only find here, like the Whisky Smash, and keep your strength up with the likes of salmon tostadas, spicy chicken wings, parmesan sweet potato fries and deep-fried pickles. End with a treat from the Willy Wonka-style dessert room, Sweet Finish.
Opens 12 August; you can book at box for either 60 or 90 minutes, from £35 off-peak for up to 12 people.
Head here to find out more
Eggslut
To celebrate the opening of eggslut in Shoreditch this month, they’re relaunching their original LA food truck and will offer 30% off their gourmet egg sandwiches every day.
Until 11 August it will be at Ely’s Yard, 91 Brick Lane, from 8.30am – 3pm daily, then it makes its way to 94 Leonard Street from 12 – 14 August, parking outside the new restaurant.
Don’t miss their new menu item, the Truffle-Portobello sandwich, with free-range soft scramble eggs, Portobello mushroom and black truffle with hollandaise sauce.
Head here to find out more
Bala Baya
Israeli chef Eran Tibi has launched a new summer menu at his Southwark restaurant, Bala Baya.
Inspired by the sights and sounds of Tel Aviv, it’s a tasty collection of small plates and traditional mains.
Try aubergine mess: blackened aubergine with tahini and pomegranate molasses; prawn baklava: king prawns wrapped in kedaif pastry with bitter lime syrup, pistachio and rose; kebab dumplings: stuffed with lamb and served with date jus, shawarma spice and garlic yoghurt; and don’t forget to order fresh-from-the-oven pitta breads to soak up all the flavours.
Head here to find out more
Burger and Lobster
It might be hard to believe, but it’s ten years since Burger and Lobster first opened in Soho.
To celebrate, they’re offering their famous ‘whole lunch’ – a whole Nova Scotia lobster plus fries and a side salad – for just £20, which is what it cost in 2011.
Order it steamed or grilled, with a jug of delicious lemon and garlic butter. Of course, if you prefer their burger instead, the original Nebraskan beef patty is still on the menu, with lettuce, tomato, and their secret recipe sauce.
Head here to find out more
Amazónico
There’s another new menu to be found at glamorous Mayfair eatery, Amazónico. Specialising in Latin American cuisine inspired by the Amazon region, executive chef Vitelio Rayes has created over 14 new dishes.
Indulge in raw and marinated seafood such as salmon tiradito – king salmon with passion fruit, purple potato crisps, and tonka bean – or toro tuna tartare with coconut and Baerii vintage caviar.
Empanadas come with Wagyu beef and a huitlacoche cream known as ‘Mexican truffle’, while presa Iberica is Iberican pork coated in a sticky guava glaze.
For dessert, don’t miss enguayabado, a decadent guava cheesecake with citrus biscuit and hibiscus ginger flower sorbet.
Head here to find out more
Larry’s
A scorching chef collaboration series is taking place this month at Larry’s in Peckham: ‘On Special’ sees the restaurant hosting a stellar line-up of talent including Selin Kiazim (Oklava), Nud Dudhia (Breddos Tacos), Rob Casson (King of Feasts, Edinburgh) and Ixta Belfrage (Ottolenghi).
Each chef’s dish will appear on Larry’s dinner menu for one week only, continuing into September.
Look out for Selin’s crispy pomegranate glazed lamb breast and yoghurt, nodding to her Turkish Cypriot heritage; Rob’s ‘Kings Patty Melt’, with caramelised onions and gouda cheese; and Ixta’s Portuguese-style quail and chips.
Head here to find out more
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