Newsletter - 14th August 2026
Zylia
When: Opened 3rd June 2026
Where: Bedford Street, WC2E 9HZ
Book: https://zyliataverna.com/
‘A place you wish you’d reached sooner’ is the tagline for this new Mediterranean summer opening. Slow cooked cooking, shaped by tradition, are the foundations of Nick Molyviatis’s new spot. Zylia brings together both Cypriot and Greek cooking heritage to create an exciting and tasty menu.
So, where to start? The most talked about starter is the Prawn Saganaki. This rich and spicy starter has got much praise since the restaurant’s opening. This dish, along with the mix of grilled Cypriot bread and Greek pita, is a nice, easy going opener.
If you’re going for a few sharing plates, the grilled Cypriot lamb and goat halloumi with oregano, the Sweetbreads Spanakopita (fried lamb sweetbreads), or the crisp fried Metsovone cheese croquettes with thyme & honey are all excellent options which can help make you feel like you’re on a little Greek holiday. And finally, for the bigger meat dishes, you can’t go wrong with Pork Souvlakia, two excellently seasoned skewers.
To see the full menu, click here.
Luca 10th Anniversary Menu
This modern Italian restaurant draws from traditional Italian cooking and gives it a contemporary spin. Luca’s success has enabled it to stand for 10 years in London, at a time when restaurants are becoming harder and harder to keep afloat. Until the 5th of September, Luca is putting on a special anniversary menu to celebrate. If you’ve been here before, you might recognise a couple of these Luca classics. Expect Parmesan fries, a salad of Ligurian bull’s heart tomatoes, grilled yellow peaches, Taglierini of Cornish lobster, and caramelised lemon tart with roast fennel ice cream for dessert. Book here.
Franco Manca Limited Edition Pizza
Franco Manca is joining forces for this summer only with chef and owner of the acclaimed London restaurant Wildflowers, Aaron Potter. They have worked to create a limited edition pizza named Summer in Bloom. This pizza lets the ingredients do the talking and includes crispy coppa, juicy peach, Gorgonzola and truffle honey. So, head to your nearest Franco Manca and see what it has to offer. Details here.
The After Taste: Supper Club by Michael Flakes
Supper clubs have taken over the UK in the last few years, and we here I have highlighted a few of the best that I have found. This one, led by Chef Michael Flakes, is a little different. Along with good food, it offers unlimited drinks and curated music to perfectly match the meal and company. If this sounds like something of interest, it’s on the 20th of August, and tickets can be booked here.