FOOD • November 2020

The Dining Club: D&D London

In a time where UK restaurants need our patronage more than ever, five of our favourite D&D London restaurants are waiting to welcome back Executive Club Members with 20 per cent discount and complimentary bubbles. With something on offer for every kind of foodie, here’s our guide to help you decide which D&D table will suit you best.

While restaurants are currently closed, why not try D&D’s at home kits? From sushi to Wellingtons, pasta to canapés, they’re a little taste of fine dining in your own four walls...

For the Italophile
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For the Italophile

Off a quaint side street in the heart of trendy Islington, you’ll find local favourite Radici. At this charming Italian trattoria, chef Francesco Mazzei serves up a menu of authentic antipasti, pasta and meat dishes (not to mention tempting wood-fired pizzas). Radici – meaning roots – is a celebration of Mazzei’s Southern Italian heritage – think fiery ’nduja bruschetta and creamy burrata di Andria. Be sure to head to the cosy terrace for an Aperol spritz or two after dinner.
The Club says: Make a day of it and sniff out vintage gems at Camden Passage market (open on Wednesdays and weekends) just around the corner.

For the aesthete
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For the aesthete

Design lovers will be captivated by modern brasserie Aster, conveniently located in bustling Victoria. Marble counters and copper fixtures perfectly complement the casual yet elegant French vibe. Head upstairs to the airy first-floor restaurant, designed by the eponymous Russell Sage Studio, complete with nifty molecular light fittings and floor-to-ceiling windows to watch the world go by. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the glitzy Champagne bar for your complimentary glass of bubbly!
The Club says: Fancy making a night of it? Book a cabin at the nearby Flight Club for a post-dinner tipple in its secret rooftop garden.

For the influencer
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For the influencer

Sister to the crowd-pleasing original on the King’s Road, Bluebird Café White City is steadily following suit. This chic all-day diner has long been popular with the Instagram elite – and it’s clear why. The bold, retro décor is an influencer’s dream – complete with quirky birdcage seating and artfully presented cocktails. The equally stylish heated outdoor terrace makes for spectacular dining under the stars, too.
The Club says: Drop by Puttshack for a cocktail-fuelled game of perplexingly high-tech mini golf just a short walk away.

For the riverside views
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For the riverside views

A hop, skip and a jump from the iconic Tower Bridge, Cantina del Ponte is the ultimate spot for a Thames-side feast. Sit back and relax, glass of bubbly in hand, as you observe the comings and goings of this historic neighbourhood. With warming dishes for those chilly nights, Cantina offers an authentic Italian menu of homemade pasta and slow-cooked meats best enjoyed al fresco (there are blankets on hand so you can stay snug).
The Club says: Feed your mind in neighbouring Bermondsey and catch Al Held’s upcoming exhibition at White Cube, showcasing the best of his hard-edged abstracts.

For the escapist
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For the escapist

Be transported to the Big Apple at East 59th, a Manhattan-style rooftop bar, grill and terrace more conveniently located in the centre of Leeds. Indulge in New York classics – from impressive stacks of fluffy pancakes to juicy cheeseburgers with extra gherkins – and, of course, its legendary surf ’n’ turf. Though the view might give the game away, it would be a crime to sit inside as the stylish, plant-filled terrace offers a stunning panorama of the city.
The Club says: Walk it off with an after-dinner stroll along the River Aire for more dazzling views of this picturesque city.

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This article has been tagged Food + Drink, Offers