Lockdowns, eh? We’ve been getting used to working and socialising virtually; as for eating out, forget it. However, we can have a stab at recreating a restaurant dining experience at home – and with much more style than just a regular take-away.
We have a lot of good food delivery options around Barnet. Love Barnet website offers a handy listing of what’s available locally, so you don’t have to keep trawling through the food delivery apps. However, sometimes we fancy something less familiar or a higher-end treat for a special occasion.
This is easily done in central London with some of the country’s finest restaurants still open for collections and deliveries, but they are increasingly covering larger areas (eg an 8-mile radius or within the M25). Some are even hooking up with providers for a nationwide reach and are offering restaurant kits or dishes to reheat like super-smart ready meals. Varying levels of preparation are required and in some cases there are online tips and guidance from the chef.
It’s a fun and novel way of breaking the monotony of lockdown (and all that home-cooking) and these kits make great gifts for close friends or family you aren’t seeing over the festive period. It also helps maintain support for the hospitality sector – which it desperately needs.
There’s plenty on offer, but here’s a selection of what’s available for delivery to Barnet.
The Italian Supper by Café Murano
Angela Hartnett’s stylish dishes from beautifully sourced ingredients to finish off at home.
Bocca di Lupa At Home
Jacob Kenedy’s first-class monthly-changing Italian menu kits to prepare at home as well as cocktails and wine.
Padella
Pasta kits (hand-rolled pasta, sauce and garnish) with nationwide delivery from the people behind Trullo in Highbury.
Quality Chop House
Sophisticated, well-sourced British food available nationwide from the Farringdon-based restaurant and shop. (Main picture.)
Hawksmoor At Home
Tip-top steak dinner boxes with or without alcohol (note the excellent cocktails) delivered nationwide.
Hame by Adam Handling
Seriously smart restaurant kits, wine and bottled cocktails available nationwide. The Christmas and New Year menus look fabulously indulgent.
Galvin At Home
Galvin La Chapelle Michelin-star quality weekly changing three-course menu or select from items on the Galvin Bistro menu. In both cases simple finishing required at home. Available nationwide.
Corbin and King Home Dining
Menu favourites from Zédel (a big favourite of ours), The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Colbert etc dishes to finish off at home with all profits going to staff to help top up their wages. (Delivery nationwide.)
Côte At Home
Bistro classics from this popular chain also offering comprehensive selection of fresh produce, cheese and baked goods with nationwide delivery.
Patty and Bun
Lockdown DIY burger kits: more filthy than fancy, but just as tasty and available within the M25.
Hoppers Cash and Kari
Meal kits and other food and drink items from Sri Lankan restaurant group, Hoppers for nationwide delivery.
Sambal Shiock
Stunningly good Malaysian spicy noodle soup from Mandy Yin’s laksa bar on Holloway Road. You can also order her laksa pastes and sauces.
Old Chang Kee
Singaporean curries and curry puffs delivered hot (up to 8 miles from their shops) or chilled (nationwide) to store in your fridge or freezer and reheat.
The Ambassador General Store
Restaurant kits and cocktail kits from high-end Gymkhana, Trishna and Brigadiers for delivery nationwide.
Delivery platform Dishpatch has a broad selection of delicious monthly menus from leading restaurants available nationwide.
Although they don’t yet extend as far as Barnet, keep an eye on delivery apps Big Night and Supper as things are evolving quickly.
Image courtesy of Quality Chop House.
