FOOD & BOOZE NEWS
ROKA OPENING IN CANARY WHARF
Canary Wharf is becoming the talk of the town for its buzzing food scene.?With restaurants flinging open their doors faster than you can say “bruschetta”, it’s getting tough to keep up. Do not, however, miss Monday’s opening of the fantastic Japanese restaurant Roka, which serves a delectable assortment of sushi, meat and seafood from a robata grill. The miso cod and sticky ribs with cashews are simply delicious. It seats 140 people, so expect a crowded, vibrant lunch and dinner spot if the beloved Charlotte Street branch is anything to go by. Opens Monday, 4 Park Pavilion, 40 Canada Square, E14 5FW, tel: 020 7636 5228.
MOLECULAR MIXOLOGY AT HUSH
Anything with “molecular” in the name sounds a bit 2001 – molecular gastronomy being in distinct opposition to the “simple food cooked well” mantra that is so trendy now. But molecular mixology??There’s no “simple is best” rule when it comes to booze. Enter the new range for Hush Bar designed by the “Heston Blumenthal of cocktails” Pedro Solazarno. It’s worth going just to try the Caipiroli no.8: element 8 rum blended with lime juice, simple syrup, green food colouring and sodium alginate. Or the pina colada garnished with, wait for it, rum caviar. 8 Lancashire Ct, W1S 1EY, tel: 020 7659 1500.