Newsletter - 1st August 2025
Lupa
When: Opened 21 June 2025
Where: 73 Highbury Park, N5 1UA
BOOK: https://www.lupa.restaurant
If you want to find out what you get when you combine a Hollywood star with one of London’s most accomplished chefs, then get yourself down to new Italian spot in Highbury, Lupa. Actor Theo James (White Lotus and The Gentlemen) has teamed up with Ed Templeton (co-founder of the restaurant/creative foodie hub Carousel) to bring a Roman neighbourhood dining experience to the streets of N5. A former traditional Italian delicatessen, the small but welcoming space can accommodate up to 28 diners but will be offering porchetta sandwiches to-go on match days. The menu includes a selection of antipasti, pasta, secondi, and sides, with favourites from reviews so far including the “must-have” golden Paccheri al Carbonara, Carpaccio di Pomodoro, and the Tiramisu. In terms of wine, the restaurant claims to be focusing on ‘keenly-priced, approachable Italian wines from independent winemakers’, with a small yet mighty cocktail menu offering a Negroni, Martini, Spritz, or M&M (Montenegro & Mezcal). Visited recently by Time Out, Lupa has received much praise for their ‘hearty and powerful Roman-inspired comfort dishes,’ and noted the glam crowds and bold menu. Thanks to their celebrity co-founder, they have received lots of media coverage despite only being open for a few weeks. So, if you want to be one of the first to see if the trattoria lives up to expectations, head on down to test it out.
Utopia Bagels Pop-Up at the South Bank
For a three-week stint, Londoners will have the chance to sample creations from Utopia Bagels which have been previously described as some of the best in New York. The 45-year-old bakery from Queens has come across the pond for a limited time to take up residency under Hungerford Bridge (between the Southbank Centre and Jubilee Gardens). The spot will be open daily from 11am to 11pm until 17 August and crowds have already flocked to get a taste of the New York institution. Expect hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels which are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Fillings on offer range from Sausage, Egg, and Cheese to Scallion Cream Cheese; there are also hash browns on the menu as well as freshly squeezed orange juice. Reviews are swirling around social media already and are mostly positive! Bagel-lovers are impressed with the unique doughy-ness of these Big Apple bagels but do mention that they come at quite a steep price. Click here to get the details.
Rosé on the Roof at Ham Yard Hotel
From 1st August until mid-September, the 4th floor roof terrace of Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel will be offering a taste of Provence in collaboration with Château La Coste. North of Aix-en-Provence, Château La Coste dates back to the 17th century and spans 200 hectares of countryside. If sipping on wine whilst feasting on the flavours of southern France sounds like your cup of tea, then these sessions might be for you. Available Wednesdays to Sundays from 3pm onwards, you can enjoy the Mediterranean inspired terrace decorated with olive trees and lavender, and sample the Provence-themed menus which pair perfectly with the wine selection. A rooftop afternoon tea is also available at 1pm on the weekends, serving treats such as Jambon Beurre and Orange Blossom Brioche. Additionally, there is a lavish seasonal dinner with wine pairings on 13 August. Click here to find out more.
Dough Hands Popping Up at Toklas Bakery
Starting as a market stall in Brixton, Dough Hands shot to fame online after receiving rave reviews and building up a loyal fan base. Now available at two locations (Hackney and Nunhead), the pizzeria prides itself on “crispy bases, big flavours, weekly specials, and collabs with some of the best chefs around.” Toklas Bakery in Temple will be hosting Dough Hands for a two-night collaboration from 5-6 August, bringing 20-inch pizza slices alongside sides, ice cream sandwiches, £5 negronis, and a selection of wines. The bakery itself has been a viral success, churning out beautiful bakes such as their Blackcurrant Spandauer, Strawberry & Pistachio Galette, and Gooseberry & Elderflower Basque Cheesecake. It’s set to be a delicious coming together of culinary hot spots. Take a look at the Toklas Bakery Instagram to find out more.
Leave a comment