In all honesty, even with a three-hour round trip by train, I can’t wait for my son’s birthday getaway after school before bed on Tuesday evening, which I booked in London’s authentic franglais Brasserie Zédel. With the combination of this glamorous interior and the theatrics that Corbin & King always bring to their venues, Zédel’s famous accessible fixed price menu will literally be the icing on the cake on this occasion.
20 Sherwood Street, London, W1F 7ED; Brasseriezedel.com
Tas Firin, London E2
Recommended by Debora Robertson, Telegraph lifestyle columnist
This kebab house in East London is the place of many happy, noisy evenings with my friends Lucy, Lucy and Fi. We overorder wildly. More lamb chops! More grilled quail! Maybe some eggplants for health? Not only was it the delicious food I missed, but the laugh to the point and talking all night so it feels like you’ve barely grazed the meze platter like you’re home on the night bus . That is what I missed the most in this quiet, submissive, well-behaved year in the past.
160 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6DG; tas-firin.de
Brawn, London E2
Recommended by Diana Henry, Telegraph food columnist
My beloved Brawn kept me quite busy during the pandemic. It turned into an excellent grocery / grocery store, but it’s not the same as eating there. I look forward to brawn’s evening light – it’s in an urban setting, but when the sun goes down and the candles are lit the place is beautiful, the best “little place in a big city” restaurant – the no frills (smoked cod roe and Radishes, stuffed pasta, a scoop of their chocolate ganache with olive oil and sea salt) and their wine list (never boring).
49 Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG; brawn.co
Time, London W1
Recommended by Nky Iweka, Chef-Owner, Pitanga, London
I went to Akoko for the first time last December with my 17 year old daughter and we were both absolutely delighted, especially because we were sitting in front of the open kitchen where we could watch all the action.
We opted for the tasting menu with its innovative take on Nigerian favorites like Egusi soup and Beef Suya. Everything is beautifully presented; the dishes are tailor-made for each dish. Their smoked jollof rice was probably the best I’ve ever eaten: it was brought to the table with a great roar in a clay bowl that the waiter opened to release a cloud of smoke.
Our plans to return there were dashed by the second lockdown – now I can’t wait to return.
21 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3LP; akoko.de
Kern by Clare Smyth, London W11
Recommended by Aktar Islam, Chef Owner, Opheem, Birmingham
I was fortunate enough to eat at the Core in early 2020 before the first lockdown and was intrigued by the experience – so much so that I promised to take my team to enjoy the experience. I’ve been waiting for well over a year now and can hardly wait – especially since Core received its third Michelin star this year. The malted sourdough was amazing, so much so that I ate it throughout dinner (I was even tempted to skip the dessert to get more bread but glad I didn’t: the desserts were amazing) .
92 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2PN; corebyclaresmyth.com
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, London W1
Recommended by Melissa Hemsley, Telegraph Food columnist
Cant wait to visit Imad’s Syrian Kitchen. I know we are all given such a warm welcome by Imad and his family who have cooked for the community and volunteered throughout the lockdown. We met during the Cook For Syria fundraiser (Imad was a successful restaurateur in Damascus before the war), and I fell totally in love with his food and even learned to cook some of his lively vegetable dishes, comforting family stews, and slow cooks – and of course his famous falafel. And if the food wasn’t tempting enough, Imad donates £ 1 for every bill to the Choose Love refugee agency.
Kingly Court, Carnaby St, London, W1B 5PW; imadssyriankitchen.co.uk
Norma, London W1
Recommended by John Gregory-Smith, Telegraph food columnist
