The newest places to chow down in your neighbourhood.
Gin Rummy
What’s your favourite tipple?
If it’s a gin and tonic, or a dark and stormy, or any concoction that’s gin or rum based, then you’ll want to pay a visit to the Kia Oval on September 23, where a touring Gin and Rum Festival is calling in for one day only.
Sip your way through samples and discover new varieties – there’s over 120 to try in total – while also having a boogie to music spun by the festival’s resident DJ.
Not a fan of either but dutifully accompanying someone else? You’re in luck: an all-rounder bar is serving sipping tequilas, beer, prosecco and more.
All merrymakers will be given a reusable stainless steel straw to carry with them throughout the day.
The Oval, Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SS. September 23, 12:30pm – 5pm or 6:30pm – 10:30pm.
Admission: £15.
www.ginandrumfestival.com/festival-tickets/
Kanpai’s on the move
Seven years after setting up the UK’s first sake brewery in Peckham, British couple Tom and Lucy who fell in love with Japan’s signature rice wine while exploring the country, are moving their business Kanpai to London Bridge.
We know, it’s a big loss for SE15. But they haven’t left just yet. In fact, they’re hoping you’ll pay them a visit and help them drink the taps dry.
The bar’s last hurrah coincides with Peckham Festival on September 15 – 17.
If you can’t make it, be sure to check out the new site at the top of the Bermondsey Beer Mile on Druid Street, where there will be plenty of launch events in the lead up to World Sake Day on October 1.
Here’s hoping they’re taking their high-tech, bottom-warming Japanese toilet with them.
Kanpai at Druid Street, London SE1 2EZ.
Opening late September. Kanpai remains at Copeland Park, Southwark SE15 3SN until September 17.
Chow down at Kachori
By all accounts, this chic new Indian restaurant in Elephant and Castle is a winner.
Here, blushing clay-like walls meet a black and white chequered floor, and the food menu is just as much a fusion of east-meets-west with the likes of a railway cutlet burger, guinea fowl tikka and smoked chicken salad among the highlights.
If this sounds like tricky territory to navigate without butchering multiple cuisines, then let us reassure you, because in charge of the food is Brinder Narula, former head chef at Michelin-starred Gymkhana and Benares.
With Kachori something of a diamond in the ruff, bag a table while you can.
12 Ash Avenue, London SE17 1GQ.
Open daily, 12pm – 10:45pm.
Taca Tacos comes to Peckham
It’s only been a year since Thorne Addyman brought his authentic, Cali-style tacos to Deptford Market Yard under the name Taca Tacos.
The restaurant was itself an evolution of Thorne’s pop-up series Taco Shack.
Well, having won over diners in SE8 and lured in Londoners from far and wide to try his green chile pork, chicken pibil, beef birria and more, the taco connoisseur is launching a new restaurant in Peckham, following yet another successful pop-up at Brick Brewery.
We’ll gladly raise a margarita to that – and we hear they’re pouring a fair few variations.
200 Rye Lane, London SE15 4NF.
Opening in August 2023.
Souvlaki Street becomes Evi’s and finds a home
The first bricks-and-mortar site of Evi Peroulaki and Conor Mills’s hugely popular Greek street food stand opens its doors on East Dulwich’s North Cross Road this month.
Trading out its old name Souvlaki Street for a new one, Evi’s, the neighbourhood restaurant promises freshly-made pitas stuffed with spice-rubbed meats or halloumi; chips; zingy dressings and flame-scorched veg.
18 North Cross Road, London SE22 9EU.
Opened August 3.
Battersea gets a branch of Arcade Food Hall
With its Tottenham Court Road site a thriving hub where JKS-approved food traders do sterling business every night, Arcade Food Hall has launched a new site in area du jour: Battersea Power Station.
Just like the original one in the towering Centre Point building, Arcade Battersea looks like a trendy, late-night canteen.
But unlike your regular food hall, the fodder here is of the gourmet, fashionable variety: Insta-famous chef Thomas Straker is lending his name to a flatbread stand, Siu Siu is dishing up Cantonese comfort food and, in keeping with the original site, there will be more fiery Thai, this time from Phed Power.
1st Floor, Boiler House, Battersea Power Station, 330 The Power Station, Circus Rd S, London SW11 8DD.
Monday – Wednesday, 11am – 10pm; Thursday – Saturday, 11am – 11pm; Sunday 11am – 7pm.
