All the ingredients to make happy memories
Thinking of taking the family out for a celebratory meal this Chanukah?
KOSHER
“Because we are a family, memories are made when we come together, share a bottle of wine, a couple of stories and add to this a thoughtfully prepared meal,” says a spokesperson from Sami’s kosher restaurant.
Sami’s Hendon branch is making it easier than ever to hold a family gettogether, with a new house set menu, suitable for between two and 15 people, which includes a Mediterranean meze platter, a smoked mixed meats entrée, followed by dessert and hot drinks, for £27.
A new arrival on the kosher scene is Sophie’s, in Edgware. Licensed by the London Beth Din, family-run Sophie’s offers a non-meat menu from 8am to 10.30pm. Sophie’s breakfast and brunch options are proving popular — from eggs Florentine oozing with hollandaise sauce, to an avocado mushroom Benedict on artisan sourdough bread, or even traditional porridge. There is plenty here to satisfy even the most picky of brunch-goers. Stop by for a quick breakfast, or a leisurely brunch.
The dinner menu at Sophie’s has “evolved and matured” since the restaurant opened in early July, say the owners, and offers creative, beautifully presented dishes like the signature lemon sole ballotine or the ovenroasted cod on baby gem lettuce, with crushed olive mash and cornichon butter.
For starters, the choice ranges from beetroot and citrus cured salmon to a generous portion of nachos with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
The main courses are described as “a premium dining selection at a an affordable price”. The juicy “burger and chips” is a surprise — it comes in salmon or lentil varieties. Traditional favourites include the comforting fish pie topped with mash, beer-battered fish with triple-cooked chips and a wide variety of pizza and pasta.
Another highlight are the tripledecker club sandwiches. Fast-paced free wi-fi is the perfect accompaniment to the snacks, cakes and salads available throughout the day. For a treat, try Sunday afternoon cream tea, served on elegant three-tier china stands — scones with whipped cream and preserves, alongside sandwiches of cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise and cheese and chutney. Left: Hosh, for Turkish specialities. Above: Sophie’s cured salmon
TURKISH
New on Golders Green Road is named after the Turkish words for “welcome” and “pleasant”. The restaurant seats 110, so it can accommodate large or small groups.
There is an exceptionally large choice of dishes for non-meat-eaters. Meze options include imam bayildi (grilled aubergine with yoghurt, tomato and garlic sauce) and pan-fried halloumi with mushrooms. Main courses include home-made falafel, vegetarian moussaka, kabak mucver (courgette fritters) and fish such as whole sea bream and halibut.
There is a choice of set menus, with cold meze and a main course for £21 or hot and cold meze plus main course for £25. There is also a large takeaway menu, which includes meze and fish.
close to Canons Park tube station, has a good range of hot and cold starters, including falafel, hellim izgara (grilled Cypriot cheese, served with tomato and cucumber) and yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves with rice and pine kernels.
Vegetarian main courses include kebabs of grilled aubergine, mushrooms and peppers, with onions and tomatoes, served with salad, and patlican sovurme (grilled aubergine, green peppers and tomatoes, dressed with olive oil and herbs), as well as some of the starter dishes in a main-course size. There is also a takeaway service.
At in Bushey, there is an excellent range of non-meat dishes. Starters include vine leaves stuffed with rice, onions and parsley in a lemon juice and olive oil dressing and ispanak tarator (chilled fresh spinach in a creamy yogurt sauce with a hint of garlic. Or feast on falafel and hummus, or cheese borek.
Main courses include sea bass, salmon and halibut and grilled halloumi salad drizzled with pomegranate sauce and olive oil. As well as the à la carte menu, there are set menus at £20 and £25. Takeaways are also available.