Ten restaurants that recapture that holiday feeling
Not risking a trip abroad this summer? We don't blame you. Thankfully, you don't need to travel far to have your appetite for foreign flavours sated. London is a melting pot, bubbling with traditional cuisines from around the world. It's also a launching pad for bold and experimental fusion concepts.
From the dining room that fully immerses its guests in the Italian experience to the hidden-under-the-arches gem offering a one-way ticket to Porto, these restaurants conjure up our favourite holiday destinations, transporting us far, far away via our taste buds
Whether you're dreaming of that Latin American holiday that remains high on your most desirable destinations or fortunate enough to have experienced ceviche, tiradito and tacos in their native setting, you want to prolong the sense of tropical living. There's nothing better than a caipirinha in a lush plant-filled glamorous oasis just off Kensington High Street and a hyper-talented chef, Francisco Lafee, hot from El Celler Con Roca (formerly number one in World's 50 Best Restaurant list), to revive that holiday spirit.
Owned by dashing Spanish twins, Zuaya is exuberantly tropical yet the right side of sophistication, and the food is very good indeed.
Best of all on our visit was a vegan beetroot-based ceviche with watermelon, lime and blood orange. It outshone the sea bream ceviche with sweet potato ice cream and a generous tuna tartare with impeccable zing. Also outstanding were the black squid ink-infused tacos filled with spicy squid, a dish to return for. And for a more substantial meal, grilled octopus with corn purée looked superb, as did the sea bream with ginger, coriander, mint and kaffir lime.
Frankly, all eyes should be on the dessert list. Quindim, if on the menu, is a must. it is an egg-yolk-rich custard tart served with cinnamon, bay leaf ice cream and raspberries. Utterly delicious.
At the weekends, there is often a DJ playing chilled-out tropical sounds – all the ingredients to prolong the holiday vibes.
