#FLODown: this month in food
This latest instalment of ‘this month in food’ we are bringing some of our favourite spots in the city to your attention. Including the newly opened Church Food Hall in Mayfair – yes, that means gin and tonics served up on a church alter – a new pizzeria that has been dubbed the best in South Kensington, and a Middle Eastern eatery which is ideal for lunch on-the-go.
Ergon London
For Brunch
Bringing a taste of Thessaloniki to our very own Mayfair, Ergon Foods Deli and Café, offers a range of classic Greek dishes made exclusive from products available in store and some brunch favourites. Ergon Foods is a popular deli in Greece, well-known for its artisan dishes and has been a subsequent staple on Maddox Street, in London, since 2017.
They serve up a selection of all-day brunch dishes including smashed avocados, seriously chocolatey pancakes, their classic Peinirli, plus a whole range of meze dishes including zucchini balls with feta cheese and fava bean falafel with hummus, quinoa tabbouleh on pita bread. With all these mouth-watering treats on offer they have generated a huge following amongst locals and the store is often extremely busy on weekends.
The restaurant is in two locations: the main area and an extension into their concept store. Please note, they only have license to serve alcohol in the main deli, so if you’re looking to have a drink with your meal make sure your seated in the right place.
What to eat?
From their all-day brunch menu
Pancakes with hazelnut praline and nuts
Price: £9.50
Peinirli with shakshuka sauce, feta cheese, cheddar and poached eggs
Price: £10
Hot Meze
Santorini fava-bean falafel with hummus, quinoa tabbouleh on pita bread
Price: £9.50
‘Bougiourdi’ grilled feta and gruyere with paprika
Price: £7
Zucchini balls with feta cheese wild herbs and Greek yoghurt
Price: £8
Best for?
With great dishes and wines to suit, this makes for the perfect spot for a catch-up with friends. But it must also be mentioned that the dishes are very affordable and so it’s also a great location for a quick lunch break.
#FLODown: Ergon have great food, a great ambience and stylish interiors, all with affordable prices – despite the central post code. However, you may be waiting quite a while for your food to arrive when you order as it does get extremely busy.
Lockdown update: Ergon Foods are open and fully stocked with delicious treats, homemade pies and their all-day brunch menu is available too – but takeaway only. Click here for more information.
Location:
15 Maddox Street, London, W1S 2QQ
Nearest Station:
Green Park/ Oxford Circus Station
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8.00 am- 7:00pm
Weekends and bank holidays 9.00 am- 7.00pm
Mercato Mayfair
The street food hall
This new food hall is brought to you by the same people behind the hugely popular Mercato Elephant and Castle. Located in the newly refurbished St. Mark’s Church on North Audley Street, expect to find four floors packed with food stalls serving a range of tasty Italian dishes, Thai dishes and seafood to name just a few.
After grabbing your food, you can then head over to the church alter where you’ll find Jim & Tonic serving a fine selection of seriously good gin and tonics. Whilst the majority of restaurants are food stalls, there is one restaurant on site offering table service if you want to treat yourself.
Mercato Mayfair is a must visit, namely for the great selection of food, market ambience and those delicious drinks on the alter. Don’t forget to check out the wine and cheese bar in the basement crypt!
Click here for the full list of food suppliers.
Stalls to Visit?
Wine Bar – For a selection of wines and cheeses from all over the world
Fresco - for authentic and ridiculously good Neapolitan pizza
Pasta London – For homemade pasta cooked right before your eyes.
Lala – For traditional Turkish pide with a huge selection of toppings
Cha Cha Mayfair – For seafood and cocktails
Jim & Tonic- For the best gin and tonics
Best for?
With food, drinks and various events aplenty, Mercato would make the perfect location for a date.
#FLODown: Mercato is a fantastic location for a casual dining experience, but also for workshops, events, cookery classes and yoga. They also have a great rooftop which will be amazing in the summertime!
Click here to book onto one of their weekly yoga sessions.
Lockdown update: Mercato Mayfair grocery is open daily from 9am – 10pm. You can also order online. They have next day delivery available if you live in Zones 1 - 3 (if you order before 5pm).
Several of their restaurants are open for takeaway only. Including Fresco and Santo Grill and Wine. Click here for more information.
Location:
St. Mark's Church, North Audley St, Mayfair, W1K 6ZA
Nearest Station:
Bond Street Station
Opening hours:
Daily 9am – 9pm
Rocca Di Papa
For dinner
A pizzeria located a short distance from South Kensington station, Rocca is a smash hit amongst London’s biggest pizza enthusiasts. Serving a selection of classic Italian dishes from pizzas to carbonara and lasagnes they have something to suit everyone’s taste. Plus, they also have a selection of starters including arancini balls, aubergine with mozzarella and generous portions of burrata.
Once a part of Christies Auction House, the restaurant has retained serval elements of the building’s historic features and chic furnishing to compliment the from open brick walls. The restaurant also features a lovely heated terrace, if you would prefer to dine whilst people-watching over the Old Brompton Road. Rocca also has a second branch in Dulwich Village.
What to Eat?
aubergine parmigiana with mozzarella and tomato
Price: £5.75
burrata (n) either ‘natural’ or ‘smoked’, with pesto dressing and grilled sourdough
Price: £6.95
funghi field and wild mushrooms, garlic, mozzarella
Price: £ 8.35
homemade lasagna al forno with beef ragù
Price: 9.25
cod fillet ‘griddled’, sweet peppers and potatoes
Price: £16.40
Best for?
Rocca makes the perfect spot for a range of occasions, from family dinners, to date nights, to a business lunch meeting.
#FLODown: A neighbourhood Italian restaurant with a very friendly vibe, Rocca offers great food at great prices and a good wine selection.
Lockdown update: They are currently offering a limited takeaway menu for collection at their Dulwich branch only. Click here for more information.
Location:
73 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3JS
Nearest Station:
South Kensington Station
Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11am - midnight
middl·eat
For lunch on the go
This Middle Eastern eatery offers fast, fresh and wholesome food that is rich in both flavour and taste. With a design-your-own bowl menu, you get to choose from super grains, slow cooked meats and ridiculously good falafel.
Whether you’re looking for a meaty salad bowl or a vegan/vegetarian wrap they have a little slice of lunch time glory to suit all taste buds.
middl·eat also offer in-store seating but this is quite limited and it is usually very busy between 12-2pm during the lunchtime rush. As well as their Kings Cross branch, they also have a second store in Fleet Place.
What to eat?
Our favourite custom bowl
1. Protein: Falafel
2. Base: Fattoush salad
3. Filing: Tabbouleh
4. Trimmings: Hummus or tahini sauce
Price: £6.50
Best for?
On-the-go lunch with colleagues or to take back to the office.
#FLODown: With generous portion sizes and deliciously fresh ingredients, middl·eat is the perfect place for fresh, authentic middle-eastern food.
They will be launching a free office delivery service soon so you can get your lunch delivered straight to your desk. Click here for updates on when this will be going live.
Lockdown update: Currently closed
Location:
King’s Cross: 12 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX
Fleet Street: 2b 10 Fleet Place, EC4M 7RB
Nearest Station:
King’s Cross St Pancreas Station and St Pauls Station
Opening Hours:
Monday- Friday 11am – 5pm
