Alas, isolation means that many of us are having to go without a quick lunch or indulgent dinner at our favourite eateries. Luckily, many of those same eateries are coming to us. Restaurants big and small are delivering during the lockdown so you don’t have to go without your Michelin meals and fine-dining favourites for long. Just make sure you check you’re within delivery radius before ordering. It sounds obvious but, well… we’ve all been there.
1 / Yautcha
Devour some delicious dim sum without leaving the sofa. Also available on the Supper app and website, bite into seafood and black truffle dumplings and mushroom spring rolls and imagine you’re dining on a much quieter night at Yautcha. The scallop shui mai and char sui buns should top your list along with the crystal jade dumplings and the iconic venison puff. Oh that venison puff! If you simply can’t choose, there are a selection of sets for convenience.
Don’t forget to order some sides of steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried greens to round your meal off in full. The good thing about Yautcha’s takeaway is the patisserie is included, and you’ll be glad to know you can order a selection of the restaurant’s famous macarons and handcrafted cakes.
More at Yauatcha.
2 / Hakkasan
If you’re fancying yourself some luxury Cantonese this quarantine, you can enjoy a selection of the Mayfair restaurant’s signature dishes and set menus – all available on Supper (an upscale Deliveroo, if you’d like). Hakkasan at Home, as the group is calling this venture, will allow you to feast upon the grilled Chilean sea bass with honey and black truffle-roasted duck.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to indulge in some heartier meat dishes, in which case the stir-fry black pepper rib of beef with Merlot is on the menu – as is the sweet and sour Berkshire pork. Add some greens to your plate with baby broccoli and sugar snap peas with eringi mushrooms and enjoy the Hakka noodles or some fried rice on the side. You can even choose your favourite wines, beers and spirits from the restaurant, pairing your gourmet meal with a Sancerre, Gavi or even a 2010 Riserva, should you wish.
More at Hakkasan.
3 / Mac & Wild
Get your fine Scottish meat fix thanks to Mac & Wild. The restaurant has launched its online butcher to offer guests-turned-customers the best beef and game. There’s even Mac & Wild’s own venison haggis on the menu and it’s all available for home delivery across the UK, directly from the Highlands.
Choose from top quality six-week dry aged beef fillet steaks, six-week dry aged rib roast beef, Ayrshire middle bacon, beef sausages, leg of Highland Hill lamb and free-range Highland chicken. Not only do you get your delivery of high-quality meats, but all produce will also be accompanied by Mac & Wild’s own recommendations, recipes and tips on storage and freezing.
If you fancy venison mince, the notorious venison haggis and Tomahawk beef steak, it’s worth looking into the Meat Survival Box, which incorporates the best of Mac & Wild’s menu straight to your home.
More at Mac & Wild.
4 / Benares
Forget your local Indian takeaway; this is isolation in style. If you’ve been craving tandoor lamb chops or samosas during isolation, Benares is the one. Paneer curry or lamb rogan josh are just as good without Benares’ opulent décor; but just order an extra serving of black dhal to make up for it. Stock up on the rotis and naan breads; it’s harder to ‘just order another one’ when you’re getting delivery and you can always heat them up the next day for leftovers. Indian is one of the few fine-dining meals that will actually keep. If anything, it’ll taste better the next day.
If you’re looking for another excuse to order from Benares, the restaurant is donating one meal to NHS workers in the area for every meal ordered. As well as being available on Supper and Deliveroo, the restaurant is operating its own delivery service within the M25 too.
More at Benares Restaurant.
5 / Macellaio RC
South Kensington, Clerkenwell, Battersea and Union Street residents are all very lucky; they live nearby Macellaio RC, an underrated gem of a steakhouse in London. Macellaio at Home is now live so order over the phone and enjoy free delivery if you live within a 15-minute walk of your nearest restaurant. If you’re a bit further out, you can go through Deliveroo, so check the app or website to see if you’re within the catchment area. Salivate as you read the menu and choose between the different cuts, including a seven to nine weeks dry aged beef rib or t-bone steak.
Although the beef tataki is superb, the tuna tataki and charcuterie boards also excel in the starters section. If you’re missing some essentials from your kitchen cupboard, Spaccio del Macellaio (the restaurant’s corner pantry shop) sells pasta, sauces, meats, cheeses and olives (as well as cuts of steak to cook yourself at home) that can be added to your delivery.
More at Macellaio RC.
6 / Pidgin
Although Pidgin had to close its doors, like the other restaurants, you can still get your hands on the weekly changing menus. The award-winning Hackney restaurant is operating a special collection service dubbed ‘Homing’ Pidgin’. The menu for the coming week will go live every Sunday at 9pm – make a note in your calendar as they aren’t taking any pre-orders.
It’s collection only but the restaurant is accepting Ubers to collect your meal on your behalf as long as you specify in the ‘additional notes’. Obviously the menu is ever-changing but if you put in your order, expect to be dining on delicacies such as broccoli salad with wild mushroom and apple cider braised pork belly with a warm lentil salad and lemon and cardamom tahini dressing.
More at Pidgin London.
7 / Ishbilia
Have fine, authentic Lebanese cuisine delivered to your door, courtesy of Ishbilia and, once again, the Supper app or website. Proud to have welcomed its fair share of celebrities and Middle Eastern royalty through its doors, Ishbilia’s delivery menu offers diners a selection of hot and cold mezze, as well as larger grilled plates. Think moutabal (chargrilled aubergine), tabouleh (chopped parsley salad) and labneh (a yoghurt and cream cheese dip).
For those who are more liberal with their dinner, I highly recommend the hot hummus with lamb, as well as kibbeh (deep fried lamb), sambousek (in either cheese or lamb) and the manakeish (baked flatbreads with various toppings). There are many lamb and chicken grill options, including shawarmas and shish styles, for which the Knightsbridge restaurant is known.
More at Ishbilia.
8 / Sticks ‘n’ ‘Sushi
After a brief closure, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi’s King’s Road and Wimbledon restaurants are back up and running for takeaway. Sushi is probably one of the things most people are craving yet it is one of the harder dishes to make and, so far, hasn’t emerged as an isolation trend or challenge. So it is safe to say the King’s Road branch being open is great news to South West and West London residents – although check the Deliveroo app to see if you’re within catchment.
If you can make the journey and back within your one-hour walk or bike ride, you will not regret it when you’re biting into that Ebi Panko (tempura shrimp and avocado) roll or enjoying the sweet and soft miso marinated black cod yakitori stick. Order a selection of snacks such as the crab croquettes with wasabi caesar dressing or the grilled cauliflower with black truffle sauce or indulge in a Sushi Sister (a full sashimi set, featuring salmon, sea bass, scallop and more). If you’re less of a sushi lover, you can choose the Robust set menu, featuring all the grilled options.
More at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi.
