Out and about in Kings Cross...
Kings Cross: for many years just an underground interchange, national artery and gateway to Europe. Nowadays, it’s a destination in its own right.
Fast becoming a hotbed for new talent, it’s home to some of the London’s most exciting new openings this year. If you want to lose a day eating and drinking your way into the wee small hours, Kings Cross is a pretty good place to start…
The Coal Office
A brave new concept put together by esteemed British designer Tom Dixon and acclaimed chef Assaf Granit – The Barbary anyone? Consider The Coal Office less restaurant, more playground (so to speak) – a space we’re told, where the boundaries of design and flavour are tested in tandem.
Housed in a magnificent 1851 brick warehouse, the interior is split over three floors with Dixon’s signature industrial stamp throughout. Already revered by Wallpaper, the décor alone is reason to visit. When it comes to the food, it’s just been rated 5 star by ES’s Fay Maschler…need we even say more? Following in the footsteps of The Barbary and The Palomar, think moreish sharing plates; a mix of tastes and textures from the Middle East, Med and Jerusalem.
Barrafina
A familiar London favourite, Barrafina’s new site their fourth in the capital, is arguably the biggest and best yet. Located in Coal Drops Yard, this 40-cover restaurant delivers the same outstanding Spanish fair of its predecessors, with a welcome Catalan-twist. Headed up by executive chef Angel Zapata Martin, the menu which includes Gambas rojas ‘a la sal’; Cuttlefish ‘a la bruta’ served with charred leek; and chargrilled Pyrenean lamb cutlets, is bound to draw in a steady crowd.
The Drop
Another offering from the Hart Brothers, The Drop is a subterranean wine bar, just along from Barrafina in Coal Drops Yard. Complete with cellar-like cues; brick walls and low lighting, the intimate space provides bar seating, one large central table and a few coveted private tables to choose from.
The wine list, put together by Aimee Hartley (founder of Above Sea Level and Genuwine), includes bottles from younger winemakers in classic regions as well more unusual wines from low-intervention vineyards.
Caravan
A write up on Kings Cross wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this place. Located in the popular Granary Square development (just minutes from Kings Cross station), this Caravan restaurant and coffee roaster is definitely worth a detour…not least because their beans are roasted daily on-site.
Serving breakfast through to dinner, the menu draws inspiration from around the world and delivers punchy flavours. The industrial décor makes this a social and informal space for both business and pleasure.
Granger & Co
Whilst this site in Kings Cross opened a good few years back now, Granger & Co’s reputation as a go-to brunch spot still holds strong. Both the brainchild and namesake of celeb chef Bill Granger, every one of his four cafes in the capital is famed for its fresh, healthy fusion of aussie-asian flavours.
Located on the ground floor of the Stanley building in St Pancras Square, the 86-cover restaurant is adorned with foliage and pastel pink hues; shades reminiscent of sunny days down under. When it comes to the food, think ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter, those scrambled eggs and the likes of seared salmon with miso nori sauce come lunch or later.
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