Emily Rookwood has both traditional and pie-in-the-sky pop-up restaurants for September
There are two pop-ups worth investigating this month. One is pretty much what you’d expect from a pop-up – a temporary invasion of a space by some lovely chefs – whereas the second takes the ‘up’ part of very literally. If you’ve not got a head for heights you might want to look away now.
Pizza Locadeli
Giorgio Locatelli has launched a pop-up pizzeria. While Locanda Locatelli is closed for refurbishment, Giorgio and his wife Plaxy (pictured below) have set up shop on Blandford Street in Marylebone for three weeks.
Having founded Spiga, one of London’s first wood-fired pizza restaurants, in 1998, this is a much-anticipated return to casual dining for the pair. Serving wood-fired pizza alongside antipasti, meats and salads with Italian spritz, wines and craft beers, it sounds pretty great to me.
The couple have also teamed up with Damien Hirst, Gary Hume and other well-known names, who have designed a series of plates which will be hung on display and later auctioned off for Action Against Hunger.
It’s only open for another two weeks at this stage, but there are surprisingly still a few places available, so if you fancy it you should book sooner rather than later.
Pizza Locadeli is at 71 Blandford Street, London W1U 8AB. To book, phone or text 07437 425 621 or email pizzalocadeli@gmail.com
London In The Sky
If eating pizza with both feet on the floor is just too tame for you, then perhaps London In The Sky will be right. This is an extreme version of your feet dangling as you eat at a bar stool: you will be suspended 100 feet from the ground.
Your meal will be prepared and served to you up in the air, with your chefs working from a cooking station in the middle of your table. It all looks dreadfully exciting and just a bit bonkers.
This isn’t just any old food either – the pop-up will have five chefs from top Michelin-starred restaurants: Atul Kotchar, Pascal Aussignac, Tony Fleming, Xavier Boyer and Alyn Williams will all be taking to the skies.
After a Taittinger reception on the ground, to steady your nerves, you will be raised up to enjoy your meal – three courses at lunch and five at dinner. If you want something smaller you can go up for breakfast prepared by the Modern Pantry, or simply some champagne and canap’s.
The first night is tonight and the pop up runs until 21 September. Tickets range from ’50 to ’200 and can be purchased online here