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WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS + MAISIE JANE DANIELS - SPECIAL THANKS 84 AGENCY
Ever get decision paralysis when trying to decide on a restaurant? Us too! Whether you're looking for something fancy or just a casual bite to eat, check out our latest recommendations:
Circolo Popolare
WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS
Big Mamma restaurants have big main character energy and Circolo Popolare is no exception. With decor as good as the food, this is a place to take your fun friend - the one with the loud voice and the even louder laugh (if you don’t know one then you’re probably that friend). The food is fantastic, and we wouldn’t mind starting every meal with the melt-in-the-mouth burrata paired with focaccia. The salad was massive and nothing too notable but ‘mamma’s big cuttle’ was good enough to make up for us having to say the name out loud (eye contact averted).
We're beginning to realise that Big Mamma knows a thing or two about desserts - and if you want something special go for the ‘incomparable lemon pie’. It was what can only be described as a lemon fin the size of a head and could easily have fed four. The tiramisu might not have looked as fancy, but it tasted great. We washed it all down with a glass (or three) of delicious red, and left feeling full and spoiled! Our tip? If it’s warm enough do not skip the chance to eat on the terrace!
Jang
WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS
If you’re looking for a Sainsbury's local or a chain cafe (said no one ever), Bank is the place to be. A harder task is finding a good restaurant, let alone one with a comfortable chair, so the launch of Korean/Japanese restaurant Jang is a welcome addition. With red seating and dim lighting, it offers a slice of opulence amongst the stampede of rush-hour bankers racing to get on the Central line.
Perfect for a date, the staff are welcoming and attentive, and you’d be wise to listen to their recommendations when it comes to cocktails. I’ve never abided by the ‘don’t play with your food’ rule and I certainly am not abiding by it when it comes to drinks. Try the 'Der Prinz von Berlin' cocktail which has you ‘painting’ your drink (I won’t give the trick away completely, that’s for you to discover). The mains were good, but the starters and the sides are what make it extra special. The kimchi presented in oyster shells was a particular highlight, as was the cucumber soup and the salmon tataki. Set in the beautiful Royal Exchage building, Jang is certainly one to watch!
Goodbye Horses
WORDS RACHEL EDWARDS
You know the people who say 'I know a little place...' and then proceed to show you a really cool, tucked away bar/restaurant/thing that makes them seem like they have all the secrets both to restaurants and life? We're here to give you a free pass to being one of these people. Cheat code (and also name of wine bar and restaurant): Goodbye Horses.
Situated on the corner of a residential street in De Beauvoir, if you aren't looking for it, it would be easy to miss. Pass by in the morning and you'll likely see people standing outside in the garden in front of the restaurant's coffee shop 'Day Trip' (with Douglas who is without a doubt the best - and smiliest - barista you'll find in East London). At night, you'll see a warm, inviting glow through the curtains. The curtains, by the way, are just one of the beautiful interior details that make Goodbye Horses stand out. Painted by artist Lucy Stein, they give the restaurant a mythical, romantic ambience.
The menu is small and seasonal, which is always a good sign. Plates are perfect for snacking or sharing, and we particularly enjoyed the sardines on toast and the tomato salad, along with the berry granola dessert (which is one of the best desserts I've had in a long time). Each dish takes simple ingredients and elevates them to make something exceptional - there's no fluff, only very good quality produce (even the bread and butter has something extra special about it). The wine list is amazing, and we particularly enjoyed the orange wine.
With plans to open an ice cream parlour across the road, we're excited to see what the future brings. So next time you want to impress someone, tell them you know of a little place...
Fatt Pundit
WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS
On a rainy Tuesday evening in Soho, London, the streets were empty and glistening with reflected light from the wet pavement. Naturally, I expected a quiet dining experience at the Indo-Chinese fusion restaurant, Fatt Pundit. I was wrong. Inside, the place buzzed with energy. Laughter filled the air, a birthday song echoed through the space as a beautifully presented dessert was carried out, and the rich aromas immediately transported me from London’s West End to Kolkata.
Once seated, our waiter told us the fascinating history of Indo-Chinese cuisine, dating back to the 1700s when Chinese migrants settled in West Bengal and began cooking traditional Chinese recipes with Indian spices. He was not only knowledgeable but charming, even complimenting my smile (flattery will get you everywhere). The staff were so attentive that when I accidentally dropped my knife, a staff member promptly replaced it before I had a chance to recoil with embarrassment.
My guest and I let the manager choose our dishes. He recommended three per person, but despite our best efforts, we couldn’t finish everything. One standout was the “Crackling Spinach”—a dish I had already had my eye on. It arrived looking like a Christmas tree (is it too early to use the "C" word?), adorned with pomegranate "baubles" and drizzled with a sweet yogurt, date, and plum sauce that resembled snow. Or maybe that was just my imagination! The Sticky Sesame Vegetables, with their irresistible ginger glaze, were another favourite.
We started our meal with steamed MoMo dumplings served with a spicy chutney, a nod to influences from Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet. Paired with a perfectly balanced Margarita, the flavours were a delightful mix. To finish, we indulged in a delicious vegan sizzling brownie, which came with its own steamy moment - I’ll let you experience that one for yourself.
A restaurant isn’t just about the food—it’s about the whole experience. And Fatt Pundit serves all your senses. From the sight of beautifully presented dishes to the sound of happy diners, the personal touch of the waiters, the unbelievable aromas, and the polished, distinctive flavours, Fatt Pundit knows exactly what it’s doing.
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