Glamour Eats… The best mac & cheese in London
In search of some really decent macaroni cheese? (Who isn't?) Try these London restaurants…
David GriffenRestaurant/Bar: Tom’s Kitchen
Where: St Katharine Docks, London E1W 1AZ
Vs… Picture Editor Sandra Waibl
The mac & cheese was… a big gooey, delicious and moreish hug in a bowl.
Tom's Kitchen have introduced Mac & Cheese Fridays at their St Katharine Docks and Canary Wharf restaurants, and what a brilliant idea it is. Who wouldn't want to tuck into a bowl of Fleetwood Mac (with crab and lobster) or Piggy Mac (pulled pork and smoky BBQ sauce) on a Friday night? Veggies are also catered for - the Stella Mac includes squash, ricotta and cheese.
Eat with: A side salad and/or broccoli with almonds and butter will go nicely. If you have room for a starter, the hand dived scallops with gem lettuce, sorrel and almond vinaigrette are excellent. You must have the caramel and popcorn sundae, you really would be foolish not to.
The crowd: Mostly couples and youngish professionals having a relaxed meal and a catch up while enjoying some of the best and fun service to be had in London Town. Also we couldn't help but spy a certain Belgian sleuth amongst the guests.
You should also know… live jazz is happening every second Wednesday of the month - see you there!
Restaurant/Bar: Bumpkin
Where: Notting Hill, West London
Vs… Hannah Lyons Powell, Junior Features Editor
The mac & cheese was… Well, let me set the scene: Crispy cheddar cheese bumbled as a hot sauce pan of golden goodness arrived on our table. After breaking the melted top, a creamy and scrumptious traditional sauce on small-chopped macaroni was revealed. Not to wax lyrical or anything but in short, I may well have found macaroni cheese perfection.
Eat with: Bumpkin has four outposts in London now, all serving seasonal British fare so we’d recommend going for something from the special’s board which changes all the time.
The crowd: Weekend brunchers and locals.
You should also know… Championing British produce doesn’t just stop at the food… The wine list is pretty fab, too. #JustSayin
Restaurant/Bar: Rabot 1745
Where: Borough Market, London
Vs… Acting Editor Rebecca Cox
The mac & cheese was… Just listen to this: "Mac and cheese in cacao nib pastry, celeriac puree, leeks and mushrooms." What it means: mac & cheese pie. We can't tell you just how good this was, you'll have to go and try it for yourselves - perfectly-seasoned, rich cheesy pasta with a leek tang, wrapped in a thin, crisp, tasty pastry. Unbelievably good.
Eat with: It would be rude not to try the white chocolate mash while you're in the building (see more below...)
The crowd: Hungry Borough Market shoppers and after-work diners.
You should also know… The restaurant is run by Hotel Chocolat, and named after the Caribbean cacao estate the founders bought 10 years ago. Everything on the menu features cacao in some form, which means just one thing: dessert is a must.
Restaurant/Bar: South Place Hotel
Where: 3 South Place, The City (nearest tube: Moorgate)
Vs… Rebecca Cox, Acting Editor
The mac & cheese was… Actual mac & cheese heaven. I’ve tried M&C in pretty much every form, and this is one of the best I’ve had. Gorgeous grilled wild mushrooms, a hint of creamy pesto, crunchy breadcrumb bites and plenty o’ cheese, it’s food heaven in the city.
Eat with: The wild mushroom mac & cheese is part of South Place Hotel’s fabulous weekend brunch menu, where you can enjoy two courses for £20 or three for £25. We also sampled the Welsh rarebit and baked cheesecake, making for a three-course cheese fest that set us up perfectly for the weekend.
The crowd: Birthday brunchers and ladies what lunch
You should also know… You can add unlimited Bellinis (or Bloody Mary’s. Prosecco or Mimosas) to your meal for just £10 (normally £15). Is there a better way to spend a lazy Sunday? (Answer: No.) www.southplacehotel.com
Restaurant/Bar: Soho Kitchen & Bar
Where: Soho, London
Vs… Features Editor, Lisa Cowan
The mac & cheese was… Served in a cute earthen pot complete with lid which only added to the anticipation of what cheesy goodness lay within. It didn’t disappoint. A mix of cheddar and mozzarella made for one delicious serving of gooey, gorgeous mac & cheese heaven. If only it was bigger!
Eat with: Soho Kitchen & Bar serves a mix of salads, sides and grilled meats like steak and chicken, all of which are the perfect accompaniment to a steamy hot pot of mac and cheese.
The crowd: Cool creative types and the post-work drink crowd.
You should also know… Soho Kitchen & Bar has a lively atmosphere, especially in the front bar which is a great place to meet friends for a pre-dinner cocktail. Try and bag a table by the window and enjoy the people watching on Old Compton Street.
Restaurant/Bar: The Diner
Where: Ganton Street, Soho (and all over London)
Vs… Acting Editor Rebecca Cox
The mac & cheese was… Traditional, cheesy and delicious. The cheese crisp topping is the stuff dreams are made of.
Eat with: From the tower burgers to the all-day breakfast menu, there's a whole menu of mac-friendly partners. We love the corned beef hash with eggs.
The crowd: Young, hip and hungry.
You should also know… The milkshakes are to-die-for. Stay traditional with a vanilla or treat yourself to peanut butter.
Restaurant/Bar: Tom’s Kitchen
Where: The stunning setting of Somerset House
Vs… Picture Editor Sandra Waibl
The mac & cheese was… Macaroni in a rich creamy sauce with a crispy cheesy topping and a generous grating of truffle. The most decadent and best Mac and Cheese you will ever taste.
Eat with: Modern British classics such as Beef Burger or Steak and the most divine triple cooked chips which are also available with truffle or if you want more cheese, Parmesan. Fish lovers do try the smoked Salmon on Soda Bread and follow it with the Roast Seabass with buttered clams, de-li-cious!
The crowd: A mixed crowd of couples on a date, friends and families enjoying a relaxed dinner and business people kicking back with a glass of wine or beer after a long day.
You should also know… We had a great view of the Thames and will definitely come back in Summer for drinks on Tom’s Terrace.
Restaurant/Bar: The Jones Family Project
Where: 78 Great Eastern Street, London (Closest tube: Old Street)
Vs… News Editor, Leanne Bayley
The mac & cheese was… Bubbling hot and insanely good. Served as a side dish on the a la carte menu, it’s the perfect size dish for two people to share. The delicious macaroni cheese, with just the right amount of truffle oil inside, will leave you dreaming about it for days after. It’s worth noting that on Thursday’s set menu, The Jones Family Project serve macaroni cheese as a main and they serve it plain, with spiced chicken or with Ginger Pig bacon. See you Thursday.
Eat with: Steak. I’ve never had steak with macaroni cheese, but bizarrely, it works. I’m not sure I’ll be saying that when I’m shopping for jeans, but hey, it was delicious. I opted for Rib Eye Steak with Classic Argentinian Chimichurri sauce. I’d order it again, for sure.
The crowd: Because it’s opposite the trendy Hoxton Hotel in London, it’s a great spot for people watching.
You should also know… Jones Family Project is a revelation – sophisticated yet cool and all about the small details. Also, Anna’s Triple Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce is incredible. www.jonesfamilyproject.co.uk
Restaurant/Bar: Mews of Mayfair
Where: Lancashire Court (nearest tube: Oxford Circus/Bond Street)
Vs… Rebecca Cox, Acting Editor
The mac & cheese was… Classically British grub. With a mild cheese sauce, crispy breadcrumb topping and plenty of flavour, this creamy m&c is just like mum used to make it.
Eat with: The macaroni cheese is best served as a side to one of Mews’ brilliant brasserie dishes such as the tasty Scottish Ox Cheeks or wholesome steak sandwich. And start with the scallops; they’re divine.
The crowd: Mayfair’s fashionable after-work crowd and Bond Street browsers
You should also know… Don’t leave without trying one of the naughty-but-necessary puds. We sampled the rhubarb & chustard and the sticky toffee pudding. Both were worth every calorie. www.mewsofmayfair.com
Restaurant/Bar: The Fable
Where: Farringdon, London
Vs… Editorial Assistant, Leah Farrar
The mac & cheese was… Delicious. Seriously. Served in a mini black skillet, on a wooden board, even this cool exterior doesn’t prepare you for the food-gasm waiting inside. The combination of leaks, bacon, cheese and pasta makes for a delightful experience. It may only be a side but it’s certainly filling. The sort of food you dream about afterwards.
Eat with: The menu is an eclectic mix of salads, steaks, burgers, fish, and pasta. You name it it’s on there. You might want to opt for something light however and let the mac & cheese do the talking. Oh and cocktails are a must.
The crowd: Bankers, city workers and more bankers.
You should also know… The Fable is brand new, only 5 weeks old and has that super fresh feel about it. By day it’s a flower and wine shop, by night it’s a cool bar and restaurant. There’s a special section purely for cocktail making with an in house expert too, for an alternative networking event or special night out with the girls.
Restaurant/Bar: Geales
Where: Chelsea Green, West London (Sloane Square)
Vs… Junior News and Social Media Editor, Lauren Smith
The mac & cheese was… A lot less cheesy and heavy than I expected. Bacon bits amped up the calorie factor, but I didn’t come away with a cheesy pasta food baby like I normally do. Which was probably a good idea for a Sunday lunchtime.
Eat with: The real star on the Geales menu is the fish and chips, which they’re famous for. My boyfriend and I ordered both mac and cheese and the fish to share, and then fought over the latter – the batter was deliciously crispy, and the mushy peas tasty.
The crowd: Normally, Chelsea locals who come on Friday night for fish suppers– but when we visited on a Sunday lunchtime, the SW3 set had decamped to the local pubs for a roast, so service was quick and speedy, if a little quiet.
You should also know… Geales is a bit of an institution in the fish and chips realm – my parents used to come for a plate of battered goodness back in the day when they were in town – and the locals keep coming back – which suggests it hasn’t lost any of its charm.
