Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Thai food’ has gone upmarket and tastes delicious at this gorgeous new restaurant - in the shape of this swanky Kennington newcomer. One side is a stylish bar; the other an elegant, low-lit restaurant, tricked out in the Royal Thai way with dark, high-gloss woods.
The menu also has high intentions, with luxurious offerings from across the Orient (yellowtail sashimi, miso black cod) in among the mostly Thai dishes. But the basics are decent – our tom yam soup, laced with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and red chilli, cleared out the cobwebs ahead of a refreshing som tam (a salad of shredded under-ripe papaya that balances sweet, salt, sour and spice).
47 Einheimische empfehlen
Oaka at the Mansion House
48 Kennington Park RdThai food’ has gone upmarket and tastes delicious at this gorgeous new restaurant - in the shape of this swanky Kennington newcomer. One side is a stylish bar; the other an elegant, low-lit restaurant, tricked out in the Royal Thai way with dark, high-gloss woods.
The menu also has high intentions, with luxurious offerings from across the Orient (yellowtail sashimi, miso black cod) in among the mostly Thai dishes. But the basics are decent – our tom yam soup, laced with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and red chilli, cleared out the cobwebs ahead of a refreshing som tam (a salad of shredded under-ripe papaya that balances sweet, salt, sour and spice).
As part of a major redevelopment of the Imperial War Museum, Oliver Peyton – the man behind the transformation of the edible offerings at a handful of public institutions, including the National Gallery – has opened two cafés: a spacious one on the ground floor of the museum with an outdoor terrace, and a tea room on the first floor. Expect a seasonal, British menu, including sourdough pizzas, sandwiches and a selection of cakes.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Friend at Hand
2-4 Herbrand StreetAs part of a major redevelopment of the Imperial War Museum, Oliver Peyton – the man behind the transformation of the edible offerings at a handful of public institutions, including the National Gallery – has opened two cafés: a spacious one on the ground floor of the museum with an outdoor terrace, and a tea room on the first floor. Expect a seasonal, British menu, including sourdough pizzas, sandwiches and a selection of cakes.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located in a former bus depot, Ministry of Sound was once the epitome of warehouse cool and is still perhaps the UK’s best-known clubbing venues: thus, any self-respecting fan of dance music in any form should visit Ministry at least once. To be honest, though, once won't be enough when you've seen the fun you can have in this gargantuan beat playground.
Laid out across four dancefloors and various bars, there’s lots to explore, but even if you've seen it all before, a trip to MoS in 2015 will reveal lots of new additions thanks to the club's extensive refurb at the end of 2013, as well as a shift towards more underground pastures in the music programming, too.
197 Einheimische empfehlen
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt StLocated in a former bus depot, Ministry of Sound was once the epitome of warehouse cool and is still perhaps the UK’s best-known clubbing venues: thus, any self-respecting fan of dance music in any form should visit Ministry at least once. To be honest, though, once won't be enough when you've seen the fun you can have in this gargantuan beat playground.
Laid out across four dancefloors and various bars, there’s lots to explore, but even if you've seen it all before, a trip to MoS in 2015 will reveal lots of new additions thanks to the club's extensive refurb at the end of 2013, as well as a shift towards more underground pastures in the music programming, too.
This German craft brewery located inside the food hall at Mercato Metropolitana apparently prides itself on using water distillation and mineralization technology to produce its brews. The hops, malts and recipes are sourced from Steinbach Bräu, a 500-year-old Bavaria based brewery, which produces all its own ale by hand.
German Kraft’s drinks menu includes the Heidi Blonde lager, Hopfen Kiss pale ale, Edel Weis wheat beer and the Kraft Rocket – a smoked lager. Most are served fresh out of the tank or from reusable containers to keep things sustainable. As well as seeing the brewing process in action, punters can order German-style nosh if they’re feeling peckish.
German Kraft Brewery
42 Newington CausewayThis German craft brewery located inside the food hall at Mercato Metropolitana apparently prides itself on using water distillation and mineralization technology to produce its brews. The hops, malts and recipes are sourced from Steinbach Bräu, a 500-year-old Bavaria based brewery, which produces all its own ale by hand.
German Kraft’s drinks menu includes the Heidi Blonde lager, Hopfen Kiss pale ale, Edel Weis wheat beer and the Kraft Rocket – a smoked lager. Most are served fresh out of the tank or from reusable containers to keep things sustainable. As well as seeing the brewing process in action, punters can order German-style nosh if they’re feeling peckish.
Pub histories don’t come much better than The Elephant and Castle’s. Back in the 18th century, the entire area was named after it. In 1991, DJ Matt Jam Lamont’s Sunday morning raves made it the birthplace of UK Garage. Then, last year, it lost its licence after a customer was stabbed in the eye with a pen. Subsequently Foxton’s tried to turn it into an estate agents and protesting squatters moved in and erected a sign that demanded, ‘Ridiculous moustaches and shit fashion sense out of working class areas’.
But after the council gave the pub protected status as an asset of community value it’s been reopened as a trendy joint with craft beer on tap.
The Elephant & Castle
Pub histories don’t come much better than The Elephant and Castle’s. Back in the 18th century, the entire area was named after it. In 1991, DJ Matt Jam Lamont’s Sunday morning raves made it the birthplace of UK Garage. Then, last year, it lost its licence after a customer was stabbed in the eye with a pen. Subsequently Foxton’s tried to turn it into an estate agents and protesting squatters moved in and erected a sign that demanded, ‘Ridiculous moustaches and shit fashion sense out of working class areas’.
But after the council gave the pub protected status as an asset of community value it’s been reopened as a trendy joint with craft beer on tap.