Five Places To Eat And Drink When In London
The handwritten cookbooks packed away in stowed luggage on The Windrush, the ship carrying families from The Caribbean into London’s foggy harbor, found their place in the kitchens of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon post World War II. And, like all great things, these home-cooked meals soon became signature dishes on menus in storefront restaurants just as Calypso’s ‘riddim’ and Reggae’s bass-heavy groove started becoming fixtures on mainstream radio. Both influences on the plate and in the studio have forever changed the taste of England. Fast forward to today, the combination of Rice and Peas is almost as respected as the Wimbledon delight of Strawberries and Cream from the days of Queen Victoria. Many restaurants and bars around modern-day London mirror those rich cooking traditions. One has taken its patrons south to the pale white sands of Mexico’s east and west coasts. With the YAM Carnival coming up this weekend attracting many in the black travel community to The Big Smoke, we wanted to introduce you to some of the trendiest black-owned restaurants and bars in London for you to brunch, lunch and dine before (and after) Saturday's masquerades and live performances.
Deano Monocrieffe is here to educate and entertain your palette with his list one glass at a time. (Photo Credit: The Caterer)
Hacha
Let’s be real. No one expects to see an 'agaveria’ in London. Hacha's escape from the usual assortment of dark ales on tap can be seen at their list of twenty-five brilliant agaves. Each gives a real drinking experience that starts on the Yucatan Peninsula and treks all the way to the Pacific Coast valley town of Jalisco by the sip. Founder, mixologist and agave connoisseur, Deano Moncrieffe, sets the atmosphere with his vision of flavor. His acclaimed Mirror Margarita was selected as 2020 Cocktail of the Year by CLASS Bar Award. The Misty Mezcal has received its own praise after winning Britain's Best Mezcal Cocktail Competition. All selections blend heat with the sweet and define the out-of-the-norm taste of this chill agave bar in Brixton. Ivory-walled and lit-to-mellow, the ambiance is perfectly themed for an intimate beachside cantina feel as dusk arrives. (*Cue Maze’s ‘Golden Time Of Day’*) The drinks featured on Hacha’s list are 'simpatico' with the menu from the line of Mexican expatriates living in England. Maiz Azul is the culinary outfit introducing Londoners and everyone in black travel alike to authentic Mexican market food during their kitchen residency. For starters, there’s the Corn Riblets marinated in chipotle mayo that’s covered in shaved halloumi cheese and coriander. Currently on the summer menu is a ceviche-style experience with the Sea Bass Aguachile. Mains like the beef brisket-filled Suadero Tacos, Tinga Quesadilla teeming with braised chicken and the crispy-and-rolled Potato Flautas With Mole feature the classics made by this band of chefs. ¿Como se dice 'impressive' en Espanol? Yes, there are Mexican-themed bars and restaurants all over Great Britain, but to have a place on this side of The Atlantic completely devoted to serving the drink that has its own national holiday is next level. Hacha is set to open its second bar this month in Market Row where the fine dining public can expect the same greatness in food and drink.
Get paired up at Hacha. (Photo Credit: Hacha’s Instagram)
Owner of Three Little Birds and former Miss Jamaica Universe, April Jackson. (Photo Credit: Cocoa Diaries)
Three Little Birds
April Jackson, the owner of Three Little Birds, was fresh off of her stint on the 2015 run of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ when she decided to make her Jamaican culinary heritage into two restaurants—one in Brixton and the other in Clapham Junction located in Southwest London on Battersea Rise. Each location is the perfect setting for a Bottomless Brunch with unlimited Prosecco, Mimosas and helpings of Rum Punch as you dine on comfort food like Banana Pancakes, Avocado on Toast and a Jamaican Breakfast starring the nationally-treasured duo of Ackee and Saltfish. ‘Don’t worry ‘bout-a-thing’ black vegans and vegetarians traveling to London can all sigh in joyful relief knowing that there is a prime dining choice for them to enjoy during their stay. Across Three Little Birds' entire menu, you will see plenty of great options meant for the plant-based-loving foodie who wants a taste of Jamaican cuisine sans the flesh. Jerk Roasted Cauliflower, Spiced Sweet Potato and Ital Stew with vegetables cooked in rich coconut milk are all must-haves for the black traveler who’s also a meatless enthusiast. The dinner menu features dishes that instantly catch the Jamaican food lover’s eye such as the popular Curry Goat, BBQ Ribs and Whole Roasted Fish stuffed Callaloo that are all gluten-free. This seasonally fresh parade of choice eats also has a variety of drinks perfect for each dish. Caliente is a Scotch Bonnet margarita with a kick, East 8 Hold Tight infuses Cariel Vanilla Vodka with hints of bitter aperitif, pineapple and passion fruit represent the catalog that lets everyone know that this special house of rum is the spot to kick back and ‘vybe’ the day or night away.
From Avacado Toast to drinks worth toasting, Three Little Birds whets all apetites. (Photo Credits: Three Little Birds, Design My Night and Conde Nast)
Clement Ogbonnaya, Founder of Prince of Peckham. (Photo Credit: Peckham Place)
Prince of Peckham
You know you’ve found the right place once you see the colorful mural of a young, melanated royalty on the red brick wall of Prince of Peckham. Upon entry, the decor of aged wooden boards on the floor and ceiling, old-style booths and soft, warm lighting give the interior a real English pub aesthetic worth the visit for those wanting to cross that off of their black travel bucket list. The menu, however, is steeped in the modern sips and eats typifying bar food of today. Specialty drinks like The Prince, the pub’s dark rum and tropical juice signature, Burna Boy, tequila with freshly-squeezed lime juice and agave, and Hennessey Bramble with Creme de Mure with lime and cranberry that neighbor the wine and spirits of all persuasions and lager keepsakes for all beer-drinking traditionalists. Every day is different menu-wise in this kingdom. Hot Mess Mondays is where grilled-and-sauced wings take flight and the Jerk Chicken Bun on Tuesdays is one of the amazing burgers sandwiched between two slices of sesame seed for that all-important first bite. The overall festively warm charm felt wall-to-wall of this venue that can turn into a house party at the drop of a beat of a song also adds to its vibrancy. Founder and Peckham native, Clement Ogbonnaya, is the mind that created this nexus of Jamaican flavors on the plate and world-class selections forever brimming in the raised glasses of the smiling patrons. With almost three full years in service, there’s no doubt that this rightful heir will reign supreme for many brunch-filled days and fun times for nights to come.
You can eat like a king and queen at The Prince of Peckham (Photo Credit: Prince of Peckham’s Instagram)
Your table awaits you at Ayanna’s London. (Photo Credit: Xrestaurants)
Ayanna's London
The epicurean and bon vivant both know the lasting impression fine white-linen cloth makes when it drapes a restaurant table set for dining. It complements the beam of cloudless sunlight during lunch and the moving glow of evening as the radiance of nightlife moves by the large bay window. Ayanna's London, nestled ‘a stone’s throw away’’ from this international city’s bustling Canary Wharf, embodies this visual duality in its setting and in its seamless fusion of Jamaican classics prepared with the subtleties of English decadence. The menu is a la carte and made to order to ensure freshness and that all presentations are as impeccable as imagined. Ayanna Fisher is the owner of this luxurious establishment that reminds many of home once they glance at the descriptions of the dishes. Callaloo Pancakes, Sweet Chili Prawns and Lobster bathed in a mixture of fresh Spring Onion and Coconut Sauce each masterfully appetize before the main courses of Marinated Jerk Chicken Breast, Braised Oxtail and Steamed Sea Bass with Mashed Potatoes and Spinach sate all cravings. Patrons become magicians as the dreamy Tropical Cheesecake, cooling sorbets and luscious gelato all deliciously vanish once served. This host of savory masterpieces proves that the chic veneer of Ayanna's London is merely a prelude to its achievement of high-end dining.
Fresh and savory. A wonderful combination. (Photo Credits: Restuarant Guru, Zomato and Ayanna’s London)
The Chef himself, James Cochran. (Photo Credit: Eater.com)
Restaurant 12:51
Two-Michelin-starred Chef James Cochran's mixed-cultural upbringing is the inspiration behind the taste-elevating dishes becoming the standard at Restaurant 12:51 since its opening in 2018. His mother, with roots to St. Vincent, and Scottish father made dinners at his Glasgow home where he was raised proved to be a blending of these lineages of cuisine. In the kitchen of his North London restaurant is where his creations pay homage to a charmed life that sparked his love of cooking. This comes through in waves when viewing the Tasting Menu with five courses. Cured Scottish Salmon Tartare, Brown Crab, Slow Cooked Hen's Egg, Curried Mussel Chutney, Rump Roast of Mutton are a few of the hearty delicacies of Scotland garnished with the undeniable presence of Caribbean spices that bridge the flavor gap across The Atlantic. Chef’s Sunday Roast for this month alone is a snapshot of that marriage of cooking he patterns his exceptional style after. The Sirloin of Belted Galloway Beef that has been aged forty-two days is served with Horseradish Cream, Carrot Puree and Cauliflower Cheese and Hispi Cabbage that has been chargrilled. And for the vegans out there, Restaurant 12:51 has got you covered with an array of courses that feature Jamaican Ginger Fondant, Feuille De Brick and a Wiltshire Truffle. Chef Cochran and his team at Restaurant 12:51 display an inventiveness that serves as an ambassador to anyone looking for a genuine taste of The United Kingdom with a touch of color from The Grenadines.
The scene and the fare you will see and taste at 12:51. (Photo Credits: 12:51 and Great British Chefs)
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