Nopi, London

I would not consider myself the quintessential foodie, especially when compared to some of my other friends here in London. However, just about every week I do try to find someone to drag along to a new restaurant, and luckily there are plenty of choices. One that’s been on my “to do” list for ages was Nopi.

Nopi is one of Yotam Ottolenghi’s restaurants here in London. A few months ago I tried one of his recipes from his cookbook “Plenty,” Brussels Sprouts and Tofu, and although I was a skeptical while I was putting it together, once I tasted it I was converted to an Ottolenghi fanatic!

Nopi is focused on Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, all prepared at a bar in the front of the restaurant and served up by the waiters. It’s like going to a deli for lunch, except the food is so. so. SO. good.

Also- there are amazing drinks. I ordered the special, a pumpkin martini, and my date for the evening had a Tom Collins with Rooibos. I pretty much drank about half of each because both were so good.

Because everything on the menu looked just amazing, we decided to order several things and share it all. We got the courgette and manouri fritters, sea bream with mustard seeds and the most amazing garlic green beans I’ve ever had.

Just one tip for your trip to Nopi: order lots of sharing plates because the portions are small and you don’t want to be confined to just two mains- everything is just too good to hedge your bets!