December 28th 2023.
Welcome back to the Slice, your weekly guide to what's on in London! As the year draws to close, we thought it only right to round up the best food and experiences we've had in London this year. From underground bars to fine dining, there's something for everyone in our countdown.
Food & Drink
#10 Stanley's Chelsea
The Slice says: Stanley's Chelsea is an oasis in West London, perfect for those looking for a more elegant pub atmosphere. This spot has spectacular dishes, like the crab crumpet and the ham croquettes, which are cooked, seasoned and presented to perfection at an affordable price. The courtyard's decor is charming and adapts to the changing seasons.
Small plates from £4, mains from £19. 151 Sydney Street, Chelsea.
#9 Cafe KOKO
The Slice says: KOKO's infamous dancefloor is now taking a backseat to Saturday afternoons. At the back of the iconic Camden venue, you'll find a delicious slice of 1990s Brooklyn - all whitewashed brick walls, tile floors and seriously cool artwork. From 11.30am to 4pm, enjoy RnB classics and dishes like NYC-style pizzas and gooey Sicilian Baked Eggs, all for just £35! This could just be London's ultimate hangover cure.
£35pp. Saturdays, 74 Crowndale Road, Camden.
Editor's Pick: The spicy, silky eggs saved my life ahead of a schlep around Regent's Park, and the bottomless mimosas didn't hurt either! Sophie, Newsletter Editor.
#8 WC
The Slice says: Our resident dating veteran shared his favourite spot - WC, two bars that have set up shop in London's abandoned water closets. The original Victorian tiling and charcuterie boards stacked with tasty sharers make for a very romantic loo. The drinks list is also very reasonable.
Cocktails from £8.50. Locations in Clapham and Bloomsbury.
Editor's Pick: The atmosphere inside is calm and intimate, dimly lit and quiet enough for conversation - a rarity in a lot of London's bars. Jeremy, The Slice writer.
#7 Cord by Le Cordon Bleu
The Slice says: Cord is Le Cordon Bleu's restaurant, where they show off their expertise. Tables are set up in front of a large window into the kitchen, allowing you to watch the chefs as they slice, dice and flambé. The Highland Venison is served fresh from the forest, sizzling on hot coals with a huge plume of foliage. Let the sommelier pair your meal with something excellent from the curated wine list.
Mains from £28. 85 Fleet Street, The City.
#6 Freak Scene
The Slice says: Scott Hallsworth is one of the best and nicest chefs in London. After training in Michelin-starred restaurants as a teenager, he combines Japanese cuisine with an Australian approach for Freak Scene. The new branch at Parsons Green has gleefully succulent pork belly and rare wasabi tobiko.
Mains from £10. 28 Parsons Green Lane, Fulham.
#5 Bandra Bhai
The Slice says: Head to the back of the striking Pahli Hill on Mortimer Street, and creep down a velvet lined staircase. You'll find yourself in a centuries old smuggling den, with sultry live music and showy-offy peacocks. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for creamy rich mango cocktails, plus date and whiskey mixtures, vented in smoke and served delectably foggy.
79-81 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia.
#4 Dans Le Noir
The Slice says: Dining in the dark at Dans Le Noir is an experience like no other. When they say 'dark', they mean pitch black. Upon entering, you're guided into the Farringdon dining room by a staff member who is themselves blind or partially sighted. Your senses shift, noise becomes louder, smells stronger, and taste less clear. This restaurant is a unique, theatrical and memorable meal out, and gives a new appreciation for the difficulties faced by partially sighted people in a noisy city like London.
Set menus from £52, 69-73 St John Street, Farringdon.
We hope our countdown of the best food and experiences in London has been helpful. Whatever you're looking for in the city, you'll find something in our list to suit your needs!
Welcome back to the Slice! It's been an eventful 2023, and as we look back at all the amazing experiences we've had, we thought what better way to end the year than with a countdown of the best of the best in London. From moody underground bars and the finest fine dining rooms, to mindboggling VR shows and West End showstoppers, we've rounded up our top spots for the coming year!
Starting off with Food & Drink, coming in at Number 10 is Stanley's Chelsea. This West London oasis is the perfect balance between a pub and a high-end bar, offering elegant decor and exceptional food. Dishes such as the crab crumpet and the ham croquettes are cooked, seasoned and presented to perfection, and all at a price that's hard to beat!
Number 9 is Cafe KOKO, the iconic Camden venue. Every Saturday from 11.30am to 4pm, the whitewashed brick walls, tile floors and cool artwork of the venue's back room come alive with RnB classics and delicious NYC-style pizzas and Sicilian Baked Eggs. And all for just £35! It's the ultimate hangover cure.
Number 8 is WC, a pair of bars set up in two of London's abandoned water closets. With original Victorian tiling and charcuterie boards stacked with tasty sharers, as well as a reasonable drinks list, it's a rather romantic place for a date.
Number 7 is Cord by Le Cordon Bleu, the restaurant of the legendary culinary school. Tables for two are set in front of a window into the kitchen, where toque-wearing chefs put on a show while diners enjoy dishes like Highland Venison, sizzling on hot coals. The sommelier will pair your meal with something from the curated wine list.
Number 6 is Freak Scene, the AustralAsian restaurant created by chef Scott Hallsworth. With locations in Clapham and Bloomsbury, it offers succulent pork belly and rare wasabi tobiko.
Number 5 is Bandra Bhai, the striking Pahli Hill restaurant on Fitzrovia's Mortimer Street. Down the velvet-lined staircase awaits an atmosphere of centuries old smuggling, with sultry live music and showy-offy peacocks. Rich mango cocktails and date and whiskey mixtures can be found here.
Number 4 is Dans Le Noir, the unique dining experience. The restaurant is pitch black, and guests are guided in by a staff member who is themselves blind or partially sighted. It's a theatrical and memorable meal out, as well as affording a new appreciation for the difficulties faced by partially sighted people in London.
And finally, rounding off the list at Number 3 is Stanley's Chelsea. This West London oasis is the perfect balance between a pub and a high-end bar, offering elegant decor and exceptional food. Dishes such as the crab crumpet and the ham croquettes are cooked, seasoned and presented to perfection, and all at a price that's hard to beat!
So there you have it, the best of London 2023! Don't forget to check in with The Slice for more of the best of the capital. Until next time!
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