Welcome back to The Slice!
This week it’s Negroni Week, so whether you’re negroni-curious or negroni mad, we’ve got just the treat for you.
If you’re feeling daring, though, you should try a chicken bone negroni. Yes it exists, and we’re telling you all about it below.
We’re also giving a Michelin-starred BBQ a try. Think fall off the bone pulled lamb shoulder and sticky glazed duck leg. Yum!
Plus: a south east London favourite serving up South African-European fusion has packed its bags. But it’s not closing down for good, it’s at a sleek new location in Marylebone.
And if you missed out on getting tickets to immersive theatre show Shop for Mortals and Fools earlier in the year, it’s back. Read on to find out how you can experience it.
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Welcome to the Slice
The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London, so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered.
Click here for this week’s edit of the best things to do in town.
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If you want to do it all on the cheap, you can also find our latest batch of exclusive hand-picked offers in partnership with Time Out here.
Things to do this week in London
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 12 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.
1. Get bougie BBQ at Interstellar Ned Takeover
When I heard the words Michelin-starred BBQ, I thought it might be the most quintessentially American thing to ever exist and quickly became obsessed with the idea of trying it. Luckily, Interstellar, a BBQ joint from Austin, Texas has popped up at The Ned (in collaboration with From the Ashes), giving me the chance to satisfy my curiosity – and I can confirm it’s everything I thought it would be and more.
Expect giant trays of meat, featuring piles of smoked chilli cheese pork sausage, pulled lamb shoulder, glazed duck leg and Jack’s Creek short rib. This all comes with a side of Texas toast, slaw, beef fat potatoes and smoky beans. If you’re feeling ambitious you can also order some Australian wagyu brisket for an additional £40, but I’d recommend skipping this and spending the money on the Jack Daniel’s malt hard shake and banana pudding for dessert instead.
The star of the show wasn’t the wagyu, but the short rib and everyone at the table agreed it was the best thing on the tray – perfectly cooked, rich in flavour, and topped with a vibrant, tangy chimichurri. I’m drooling just thinking about it. This pop-up isn’t on for long, only until 5 October, so you’ll want to snap up a booking while you can. It’s pricey, but if you love really good quality meat and a taste of the States, it’s worth every penny.
£140 for two people, Jack Daniels cocktails from £15. 27 Poultry, City of London, EC2R 8AJ. Book here.
2. Try Kudu at their new sleek home in Marylebone
By Cameron Clark
Like many a Londoner before it, one of the gems in Peckham’s growing gastronomic crown has packed its bags and journeyed north to a new home in Marylebone. While not an obvious location for the south east London establishment focused on South African-European fusion, it nevertheless lands with a splash.
This iteration of Kudu is keen to be taken seriously, with all bold commitment to a much larger square footage, wrapped in African art, auburn marble and the occasional (and unexpected) cave painting. The food is consistent in its surprises too: a pink lamb chop splashed with a bright salsa verde; enormously plump tiger prawns in a silky, spicy peri peri sauce; a decadent marshmallow and chocolate mousse that borders on gut-busting, finished with flare by a charcoal sear at table side.
For big but refined flavours, nothing has been lost on the journey. While Kudu Peckham felt like a 20-something; slight and scrappy, but with bold ideas and big ambition, Kudu Marylebone feels firmly in its 30s: possessing that same spirit, but with more confidence and panache.
Starters from £10, braai from £23. 7 Moxon St, Marylebone, W1U 4EP. Book here.
3. Try The Duck and Rice at their newest home in Battersea
The Duck and Rice has cemented itself into the Soho food scene, serving up Cantonese classics from a gastro pub that feels laidback and unpretentious yet special. And after 10 years, its just got a sister south of the river in Battersea Power Station. Blending a pub feel with refined Cantonese cooking, dishes include sweet Venison puff, char sui bun and salt & pepper squid. But you can’t go to The Duck and Rice without trying… you guessed it: duck and rice. Dig through the crispy duck fried rice, to find endless crispy pieces of subtly sweet duck. Or go for the Duck & Rice, one of the house specials, with tender Cantonese roast duck, jasmine rice and cucumber.
Dim sum from £8, noodles and rice from £4.80, specials from £23.80. Unit L1-003, Level 1, Phase 2, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8DD. Book here.
4. Spots to get a negroni
Union Social at The Gantry
Best for: the ones who like a twist
If you’re not keen on the bitterness of a negroni, we’ve found you the perfect drink. The White Coconut Negroni at The Gantry is a fun take on the Negroni which transforms the bitter cocktail into a sweet drink. It’s made with the juiciness of a strawberry syrup and a dash of lemon juice, and shaken with egg whites for an oh-so-smooth, velvety texture.
£10.00 per cocktail, instead of £13.00 for September. Union Social at The Gantry, Stratford. Book here.
Bébé Bob
Best for: the one with the secret ingredient
Bébé Bob launched a Chicken Bone Negroni, containing No.3 Gin, Campari and roasted chicken bone. Created by one of the world’s most awarded barmen, Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan), it pairs perfectly with Bébé Bob’s incredible chicken nuggets. Flavour-wise, there’s a subtle savoury element to the drink, even a fatty sweetness, but you have to search for it. It’s almost as though you’re sipping a Negroni through a straw made of roast chicken skin. Texture-wise, it has a lightly oiliness that pleasantly coats your tongue. Would we order a Chicken Bone Negroni again? No, but we’re glad we tried it.
Chicken Bone Negroni, £16. Bébé Bob, Soho. Book here.
Tozi
Best for: the foodies
There’s something for everyone at Venetian-Italian restaurant Tozi, whether you have a sweet tooth or you want something that will remind you of spring. Try the Kiss in Portofino with sweet Beesou Honey Aperitif, or the floral VII Negroni. Sip one alongside cicchetti dishes and seasonal pizzas.
£15 per negroni. Tozi, Victoria. Find out more here.
5. Try Angela Hartnett’s new restaurant Cicoria
Angela Hartnett will be bringing her renowned ingredient-led Italian cooking to The Royal Opera House, with Cicoria. Opening on 26 September, expect flavour-packed Vitello tonnato and plenty more. Look out for The Slice’s review!
6. Get a free hot chai from Farzi to ease the transition into Autumn
If you like chai, it’s your lucky day! Farzi is giving away 100 free cups of chai at BOXHALL City this week. Their chai layers a mix of spices to create an aromatic, comforting drink.
Each cup will be served with some Parle-G biscuits. Get yours from midday on Sunday 21 September.
7. Indulge in a fish bap as Trendy Shoreditch seafood bistro Noisy Oyster introduces brunch
The Slice loved trying Noisy Oyster, the Shoreditch bistro serving up tasty seafood. So we’re excited to share the news they are launching a weekend brunch menu this September.
It kicks off with a one-weekend collab with Norman’s, serving up Fish Baps and more, only for 27-28 September.
8. More brunch news! Try Corrochio’s brand new Mexican brunch
Corrochio’s is launching a brand new weekend Mexican brunch menu on 27 September. That means every Saturday you can try out traditional Mexican brunch items like Torta Ahogada and Chilaquiles.
Oh, and you can get margaritas for just £8. We tried out their basement bar, Cinco, earlier in the year, read our full review here.
9. Fancy learning more about mezcal? Book onto Little Fires’ tasting masterclass
There’s a masterclass coming up we know you won’t want to miss on. Book here for one-off mezcal tasting masterclass by new mezcal and hi-fi bar, Little Fires, and Los Siete Misterio.
It’s the perfect chance to learn more about mezcal and its traditions!
10. Get tickets to the previously sold out Shop for Mortals and Fools
The previously sold out Shop for Mortals and Fools is back, and at the time of writing, tickets are still very much available.
Running from now until 3 October, it’s an immersive physical theatre experience with a twist. Get your tickets here.
11. See some free artwork
Absolut Vodka is taking over Charing Cross Tube with a tribute to Keith Haring’s artwork. Available to visit on 17-18 September only, they’re aiming to brighten up your daily commute!
The Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle will also be available to buy here.
12. Experience music, dance and culture at Urban Elephant Festival
Urban Elephant Festival returns to Elephant & Castle on 20 September. With music, dance and culture, it’s truly a festival with a bit of everything. Look forward to Congolese sounds, Cuban rhythms and more.
12-9pm at Castle Square, Walworth Square and Sayer Street.
13. Ncuti gets Teeth into role but play is Bard to love
Ncuti Gatwa’s departure from Doctor Who in May may have felt premature for fans but, from a career perspective, it was a good moment for this charismatic actor to spread his wings, such is his serious star potential. It certainly begins with a lot of sound and fury: a big screen featuring black-and-white images of the actors roaring, complete with loud rock music, gives way to the sight of Ncuti and his co-star Edward Bluemel imprisoned and hanging upside down, stripped to the waist.
Beyond the amusing personality clash, the play also explores their different conception of themselves as writers: while Marlowe works as a government spy on the side, for money and self-preservation, Shakespeare thinks he can absent himself from politics.
Somehow, despite being the only people on stage for 90 minutes, Shakespeare and Marlowe’s relationship still feels underwritten, and their characters inconsistent. Fans of Ncuti won’t be disappointed – he plays up Marlowe’s posturing entertainingly while still being very charming. But hopefully he’ll have a lot better work, which allows him to go much deeper, to come.
Tickets from £25. Wyndham’s Theatre. Until 1 November. Book here.
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