The newbies - Winter 2020

OKN1

A thumbs up from food-critiquing heavyweights such as The Guardian’s Jay Rayner and The Times’ Marina O’Loughlin is always a good sign. Seasoned professionals work alongside some of London’s top trainee chefs at this achingly cool neighbourhood café to ensure every mealis prepared to utter perfection. Try deliciously poached Sunday brunch eggs, or a main course with a delightful Hoxton twist. If you’re in a rush, simply pop in for their popular 2-for-1 cocktail happy hour and have a quick nose. *Plus 20% off if you take a copy of the Cityscene! 

40 Hoxton Street, N1 6LR
okn1.co.uk

Farmer J

Farmer J, known for bringing the taste of the countryside to the city, has opened a new site at Broadgate. Designed by Biasol, an award-winning interior design studio, the spacetakes cues from its King William Street sibling, with an abundance of vine plants and natural materials. A large, heated outdoor terrace means guests can dine al fresco throughout the year, while the menu offers all day grab-and-go options featuring their signature ‘Fieldtrays’.

Broadgate, Finsbury Avenue Square, EC2M 2PF
farmerj.com

Yolk

Back by popular demand following the enormous success of its shipping container pop up last year, Yolk has returned to Finsbury Avenue Square. Fans of this gourmet, stay-in or take-away breakfast specialist will be delighted to see its signature poached egg pots and ultimate sandwiches back on the menu.

Broadgate, Finsbury Avenue Square, EC2M 2PP
yolklondon.com

Bar Douro

A contemporary take on Portuguese cuisine, this follow-up to the London Bridge original hits all the right notes. Small plates, or ‘Pesticos’, include smoked sausage croquettes, delicious salt cod fritters and seared Red Mullet – all perfect for sharing. If there’s room, indulge in a pastel de nata or two to round off what’ll be a proper feast.

Broadgate, Finsbury Avenue Square, EC2M 2PF
bardouro.co.uk

Pasta Nostra

Twenty-something chefs Wilfred Mafham and Luca Cianti cut their teeth on the Ivy League of culinary institutions, with Michelin-starred Trinity, the heralded Bistro Union and the acclaimed Pastaficio headlining their CVs. Joining forces now at Pasta Nostra, their focus turns to small plates and pasta alongside delicious, home-made Italian loaves and an Espresso bar. They also do a £10 takeaway deal comprising a pasta dish, house focaccia and a mixed leaf salad.

122 Old Street, EC1V 9BD
pastanostralondon.com

Three Uncles

This debut restaurant from childhood friends Pui Tsang (Uncle Sidney), Cheong Yew (Uncle Lim) and Mo Kwok (Uncle Mo) is inspired by the Sifu (‘roasting masters’) of Hong Kong’s thronging streets.

The menu’s main attraction is Siu Mei – Cantonese-style roasted pork belly, barbecued pork collar and roast duck with crisp, lacquered skin. Their closely guarded recipe follows a traditional 6-step technique (involving marinating and fan-drying), with the meats themselves undergoing 48 hours of preparation before even coming close to the oven. Siu Mei remains one of the most popular dishes for everyday Hong Kongers, yet rarely seen outside of Chinatown here in London. Until now. With this new opening, the City can fly its own banner for this delicious cuisine.

12 Devonshire Row, EC2M 4RH
threeuncles.co.uk

'The newbies' is feature from the Cityscene magazine. The current issue and previous issues can be viewed here or pick up a hard copy from outside our marketing suite at 54 Wilson St, EC2A 2ER .

Image: OKN1 - Alex Merz.