Now that we’re firmly in the throes of autumn, we’ve updated our list of the best seasonal dishes of the moment. We’ve labelled new dishes on the block, and rated each autumnal plate according to its food-porn prowess.
Pimped-up consommé at Hatchett’s, Mayfair NEW
What: This modern British bistro in Mayfair offers a feast of filling dishes for the colder months. If we had to pick just one star for autumn, it would be the chicken and mushroom consomme´ with braised leeks and chanterelles, topped with a deep-fried hen’s egg.
How much: £8.50
Where: 5 White Horse Street, W1J 7LQ
Food-porn factor: 7/10
Venison pizza at Homeslice, all locations NEW
What: Everyone wants a slice of this homeboy, a pizza mini-chain in the making that currently boasts three locations (Fitzrovia, Covent Garden and Old Street). Their latest features venison shoulder, slow-cooked with pears, red wine and marjoram, then shredded onto a pizza topped with ricotta and dukkah- and pomegranate-pickled kale.
How much: £20
Where: All locations
Food-porn factor: 8/10
Tobacco and Rum Ice Cream at Gelupo, Soho NEW
What: Jacob Kenedy’s ever-popular Soho gelateria Gelupo has collaborated with a string of top chefs to create some rather unique flavours that will have you craving a cone whatever the weather. Try out Pierre Koffman’s (of Koffman’s, Knightsbridge) smoke-scented tobacco and rum creation – a grown-up scoop if ever there was one.
How much: £3.50 for a small serving
Where: 7 Archer Street, W1D 7AU
Food-porn factor: 6/10
Salmon Donburi at Sushi and Robata, Kensington NEW
What: This Japanese hotspot offers a seasonally changing menu alongside its à la carte. We recommend the drool-inducing salmon donburi, served five ways. Available from November.
How much: £13.75
Where: Whole Foods Market, 63-97 Kensington High Street, W8 5SE
Food-porn factor: 9/10
Full English at Foxlow, all locations NEW
What: When the temperature dips, head for a cosy, relaxed brunch at this Hawksmoor spin-off. The best thing on their menu for autumn? The full English, with sausage and bacon, eggs, spice-roasted tomatoes, mushrooms in gravy and a rib-sticking sweet potato and chilli hash.
How much: £10
Where: All locations
Food-porn factor: 8/10
Le Lapin à l’Escargot Burger at Hyde Bar, Knightsbridge NEW
What: This bunny in a bun from Hyde is a worthy addition to London’s luxury burger market. Le Lapin à l’Escargot features tender rabbit meat, snails, melting Gruyère and finger-licking garlic butter, all stuffed into a carrot bun (geddit?).
How much: £19
Where: 101 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RN
Food-porn factor: 9/10
Sunday roast at The Water Poet, Spitalfields NEW
What: Roast lunches are the ultimate comfort food on cold, crisp weekends, but Sunday is meant to be a day of rest, so forget about cooking one yourself. Instead, take your hangover to Spitalfields’ Water Poet and order the roast beef, which comes with fluffy-centred roast potatoes, honey-glazed parsnips, carrots, gravy and a sizeable Yorkshire pud.
How much: £18
Where: 9-11 Folgate Street, E1 6BX
Food-porn factor: 9/10
Jugged Hare, City
What: British Food Fortnight runs from 17 September until 2 October, and it doesn’t get much more British than this Moorgate gastropub. It’s going to be serving this jugged hare (naturally) for the full two weeks, with creamy mashed potato, cabbage and bacon.
How much: £26
Where: 49 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SA
Food porn factor: 7/10
Moon cakes at Yauatcha City and Soho
What: To celebrate the Chinese mid-autumn festival, Yauatcha City and Yauatcha Soho are offering moon cakes until this Thursday (15 September), served with thick, Chinese-style custard filling.
How much: £6.20
Where: Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2QS and 15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL
Food porn factor: 7/10
Roasted almond cake at Ember Yard, Soho
What: Soho’s Ember Yard has teamed up with Cervezas Alhambra brewery to create a beer-paired menu, available until 27 September. This dessert option comes with a Mezquita beer, spiced ice cream and poached cherries.
How much: £7
Where: 61 Berwick Street, W1F 8SU
Food porn factor: 7/10
The Filipino burger at Hawksmoor Seven Dials and Hawksmoor Spitalfields
What: Steak supremo Hawksmoor has turned its attention to burgers and we’re not complaining: the Filipino consists of pork adobo (slow-braised shoulder in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic) and buffalo Mozzarella in a brioche bun, topped with onions, Little Gem lettuce, mayonnaise and banana ketchup.
How much: £13
Where: 11 Langley Street, WC2H 9JG and 157 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ
Food porn factor: 8/10
Mixed paella at Camino Bankside, Blackfriars, King’s Cross and Monument
What: Try out the new express lunch menu from the Camino group, launching on 19 September, with different options for every day of the week. We’re gunning for Thursday’s choice: mixed paella with chicken, prawns, saffron and Calasparra rice (extra-absorbent for all that glorious stock).
How much: £9.95
Where: Various locations across London
Food porn factor: 6/10
Rainbow trout at The Walmer Castle, Notting Hill
What: The Walmer Castle is going full-on British gastropub for its new menu. Try out this pan-fried rainbow trout with samphire, Devonshire crab, heritage potatoes and blood orange sauce.
How much: £16
Where: 58 Ledbury Road, W11 2AJ
Food porn factor: 7/10
Lamb taquito at Wahaca, various locations including Soho
What: Thomasina Miers’ ever-expanding Mexican chain has got some new tasty treats for autumn. This lamb taquito is a crispy-fried tortilla, filled with slow-cooked British lamb which has been marinated with ancho chillies and oranges.
How much: £5.75
Where: Various locations
Food porn factor: 6/10
Flatbreads at Bread Street Kitchen, City
What: Chow down in St Paul’s on flatbread washed down with beer, courtesy of Gordon Ramsay. Don’t miss this texture-layered combo of sweet potato purée and Italian sausage, with pine nuts, crispy kale and shaved parmesan.
How much: £6.50
Where: 10 Bread Street, EC4M 9AJ
Food porn factor: 8/10
If you’re more partial to a cocktail, there are some great new sips on the scene this season…
Our Bloody Mary at Restaurant Ours, South Kensington
What: Tom Sellers has come up with some new, sumptuous cocktails including this Bloody Mary, made with premium vodka, fresh tomato juice, spices, horseradish, Fino sherry and beetroot powder.
How much: £15
Where: 264 Brompton Road, SW3 2AS
Long Lane Sour at Ask for Janice, Clerkenwell
What: If you like your cocktails as sour as a traffic warden’s face, this is the drink for you. Made with dry gin, wood sorrel, grape shrub, lemon juice and egg white, it’s a very tasty treat.
How much: £9
Where: 50-52 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
Oud Flamboyant at Hotel Café Royal, Soho
What: Get thee to the hotel’s Green Bar for a new list of 10 cocktails, all created in collaboration with Parfums Givenchy. Our favourite is this Oud Flamboyant: Nikka Coffey Grain whisky, coconut, noir iced tea, manuka honey and lemon, all infused with smoked cinnamon.
How much: £15
Where: 68 Regent Street, W1B 4DY
If you only ever want to eat from the very latest menus hitting London, you’ll love our list of new restaurants coming soon to the capital.
This article was modified 27 October 2016