Weekends are for fun. Weekends are for friends. Weekends are for fitting in as many activities as you can possibly cram in over such a brief – but enjoyable – period of time. Our favourite way to spend our days off is, of course, by eating great food and drinking great drinks. Living in a city like London, you'll never be lacking for a range of ace and tasty events running over the weekend. But choosing which ones are worth your precious presence (and, moreover, worth the Google Calendar invite) is a bit more difficult.
After all, there's nothing worse than spending your Saturday and Sunday at an event with limp burgers and weak cocktails. To help you make the most of your time off work and away from your glass office, we've created this handy little weekend round-up of the best food and drink events going on across the city. Anything you think we missed out? Well, feel free to be in touch with the events that you think we should be covering next week!
From half-price pizza from the folks at Made of Dough to Taste of London's winter iteration and a brand-new food hall to explore in the West End, there's plenty of exciting food and drink activities and events on this weekend.
11 things to do in London this weekend
1. Buy one get one free at Roma Pizza
21-24 November; 224 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
Opening up on Brick Lane, Roma Pizza will be serving pizzas and cocktails for £5
The pizza team behind Made of Dough are launching a new fast, affordable, thin crust pizzeria on 21 November. Opening up on Brick Lane, Roma Pizza will be serving pizzas and cocktails for £5. No, really. Every 12" pizza on the 8 pizza-strong menu will be just £5. And that doesn't mean they've skimped on the ingredients. The dough is organic, the tomatoes are organic, and even the pepperoni is sourced from Bedfordshire. A glass of house wine will set you back £3, a glass of house draft beer just £2.25 and all of the cocktails are £5. Blimey. To celebrate the launch, Roma Pizza are letting you and a friend order two pizzas for the price of one. That's a bargain you can't beat.
2. Taste of London Winter
21-24 November; Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF
BAO have pulled out all the stops by offering some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won’t want to eat them
BAO have pulled out all the stops by offering some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won’t want to eat them
BAO have pulled out all the stops by offering some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won’t want to eat them
BAO have pulled out all the stops by offering some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won’t want to eat them
BAO have pulled out all the stops by offering some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won’t want to eat them
Looking for a perfect way to kick off the festive season? Look no further than the return of Taste of London this 21-24 November. 25 of London's tastiest restaurants, 100+ artisan producers and masses of cocktail and drinks workshops will be crammed into East London's Tobacco Dock, along with a roaming brass band banging out old school classics, DJs in hidden corners and even a gospel choir decking the halls. BAO have pulled out all the stops this year by offering up some adorable bao-bles that are so damn cute you almost won't want to eat them. Almost.
3. 100 ji giveaway at Mr Ji
22 November; 72 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UN
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus at Mr Ji's on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot
Mr Ji – a new restaurant specialising in Taiwanese Night Market chicken – is opening up an Old Compton Street site on 20 November. To celebrate, Mr Ji is going to be giving away 100 free jis on 22 November on a first come, first serve basis. Yep. That's a lot of chicken. Using only 100% free range chicken throughout the whole menu, the focus here is on Taiwan's signature crispy fried chicken, best eaten piping hot. The eponymous hero dish is a huge butterflied chicken breast, brined and coated in gluten-free sweet potato flour then deep fried. The jis are dusted with a range of flavourings which the team have developed from scratch, these include traditional spice, Taipei ketchup, Ningxia BBQ and salt and black vinegar.
4. Beyond Food Supper Club with Chris King
23 November; 139 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ
Beyond Food Supper Club – a supper club with a social purpose – has announced Chris King, executive chef at The Langham as the guest chef at its latest supper club
Beyond Food Supper Club – a supper club with a social purpose – has announced Chris King, executive chef at The Langham, as the guest chef at its latest supper club, which will take place on 23 November at Brigade Bar + Kitchen. The Roux protégé will be collaborating with Beyond Food for the third year running, bringing his contemporary take on classic French cooking to the bustling social enterprise restaurant. For £45, guests will be treated to a four-course meal, prepared by King, the Brigade team and Beyond Food's latest cohort of apprentice chefs. Dishes include: beef dripping focaccia; whisky cured salmon, malted soda bread, and smoked salt butter; tender glazed beef with Mimolette potatoes in a 'Marchand de Vin' sauce; Baron Bigod truffle, honey and crackers; and a Caraibe chocolate coulant with coffee and walnut caramel. All profits from the event will go back into the Beyond Food Foundation's two-year, fully qualified apprenticeship scheme.
5. Morty & Bobs x Kricket
Until 30 November; 49 Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4DQ
The grilled cheese gurus at Morty & Bob’s have launched the latest sandwich in their Melt Collaboration series with Indian restaurant, Kricket
The grilled cheese gurus at Morty & Bob's have launched the latest sandwich in their 'Melt Collaboration' series with Indian restaurant, Kricket, to create the ultimate Bombay inspired toasted sandwich mash-up. The Kricket x M&B creation is available throughout the month of November and consists of Krickalilli (Kricket's version of Piccalilli) coriander chutney, grilled between thick slices of sourdough bread, topped with melted cheese. The sandwich will be priced at £8.50, with £1 being donated to the Apne Aap Women's Collective, an anti-trafficking organisation that serves the women and children of Kamathipura, the Red Light area of Mumbai.
6. Market Halls West End
9 Holles Street, W1G 0DB
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia’s Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all at Market Halls West End
Market Hall's flagship venue Market Hall West End is finally open and you should really spend this weekend paying London's latest (and potentially greatest) food hall a visit. With seating for up to 900, 11 kitchens, four bars and a rooftop terrace open throughout the year, Market Hall West End offers shoppers, workers, locals and tourists alike a new canteen to keep their energies up and stomachs full. Top vendors like Pastaio, Nud Dudhia's Super Tacos, BaoziInn, Goodbirds (from the folks behind Flank), Paradise Slice Pizza Shop, Pleasant Lady, and Gopal's Corner's are all present, attending, and waiting to feed you with top notch grub.
7. Ember Yard re-opening
60 Berwick Street, W1F 8SU
Ember Yard is open once again at 60 Berwick Street following a fresh new redesign. It's also back with a completely revamped menu and a brand-new head chef, Christian Parisi, at the helm. The new look Ember Yard is in the perfect position to tempt in late-night revellers with its exciting new basement bar – a laid back, intimate space where you can get your fill of small plates over the impressive new cocktail list. The food at Ember Yard will also go back to its roots, featuring a selection of dishes smoked and cooked over fire to create exquisitely flavoured meat and fish. See if it's still up to snuff this weekend.
8. Mince Pies at Brick House Bakery
1 Zenoria Street, SE22 8HP
This Christmas, Brick House sourdough bakery is going to be the place to get your mitts on some excellent mince pies. Throughout the festive season, this South East London staple will be filling its bakery with the familiar scent of its signature eccles mince pies, fresh out of the oven. Brick House's signature eccles mince pies are Fergus and Sharmin Jackson's spin on the Christmas favourite – halfway between a flaky Eccles cake and a fruit-filled mince pie, they're flavoured with allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, zested orange rind, and a healthy dose of dark rum. Completely vegetarian, the pies are priced at £2 each or you can even purchase a box of 4 for £7.50.
9. Scotchtails opening
Borough Market Kitchen, Southwark Street, SE1 1TL
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development
Haydon Perrior
How do you like your eggs in the morning? Scrambled? Fried? Scotched? Artisan scotch egg brand, Scotchtails has opened its first permanent site at the new Borough Market Kitchen development. And it intends to cater to your every oeuf desire. Expect an extended menu of scotch eggs (made fresh to order using Clarence Court Burford Browns) alongside a collection of egg-based dishes like ham, fried egg and confit chips and a Berkswell cheddar and egg toastie. Sounds egg-squisite.
10. Truffle menu at Theo Randall at the InterContinental
1 Hamilton Place, W1J 7QY
Theo Randall at the InterContinental has launched a new limited-edition menu this season celebrating the white truffle
Theo Randall at the InterContinental has launched a new limited-edition menu this season celebrating the white truffle
Theo Randall at the InterContinental has launched a new limited-edition menu this season celebrating the white truffle
Theo Randall at the InterContinental has launched a new limited-edition menu this season that celebrates all that's great about the white truffle. Theo Randall uses premium white truffles from Umbria and the menu offers Italian food lovers and truffle enthusiasts alike the chance to eat range of expertly designed dishes to complement one of Italy's most prized and coveted ingredients. Decadent dishes on the truffle menu include a tartare of beef fillet with rocket salad, Parmigiano Reggiano and white truffles from Umbria, to taglierini con burro – fresh taglierini pasta with butter and Umbrian white truffles.
