PERGOLA ON THE ROOF (West London)
You know summer’s just around the corner when restaurants start popping up on the city’s rooftops, so we were glad to hear of Pergola on the Roof ’s return. Perched on top of the Television Centre in West London, it can hold an impressive 600 people and, this year, is inspired by The Hamptons in New York. Expect top notch food from visiting restaurants, palm trees and day beds. If you want to receive a free drink upon arrival (and why wouldn’t you?), sign up online below.
PETERSHAM NURSERIES (Covent Garden)
Petersham Nurseries in Richmond makes it on to everyone’s must-visit list, but it’s a long trip down from the city centre. Thank goodness then, for Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden, the first phase of which is to open in June and the second in September. Two restaurants, a home and garden shop, a delicatessen, a wine cellar and a florist mean you’ll have everything you need to live the seriously good life in the city.
SKYLIGHT (East London)
On the other side of London but don’t want to miss out on the rooftop action? Try Skylight in East London, which takes an elegant British urban lawn club as its theme. Pétanque courts, croquet lawns, street food and bars on every level are just some of the delights waiting to greet you.
ENOTECA POMAIO (Brick Lane) – Reviewed by Tom Pettit
Brick Lane tends to be synonymous with bagels and sub-par food rather than Tuscan cuisine, but in what is an ever-changing area, Enoteca Pomaio manages to offer an authentic, delicious alternative. Inside, the interior is perhaps a little starker than you would expect from the warming terracottas you find in the rolling hills of Tuscany – think industrial chic meets Italian modernism. However, the staff are warm and friendly, guiding us through the Italian menu and offering suggestions for wine pairings. Enotica Pomaio is twinned with Podere di Pomaio, an organic vineyard in Arezzo, and as such the wine selection is excellent.
We started with an authentic charcuterie featuring traditional cured meats, pecora, vacca and homemade jams, paired with a beautiful Chianti. For the main course I chose the thoroughly Tuscan dish of wild boar on polenta, which was cooked to perfection, while my guest opted for the fragrant truffle gnocchi which was incredibly rich in flavour. A thoroughly authentic hideout in the midst of east London mayhem – top marks from us.
