If a Caribbean getaway this summer is feeling a little too…well, hot, in the current climate, we have the next best thing. The Langham, London has transformed its Palm Court into a six-month Caribbean-inspired restaurant pop-up called The Good Front Room. Running it is chef Dom Taylor, fresh from winning Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef on Channel 4 (and Netflix) last week.
If you missed Dom’s efforts on the TV cooking show, it was filmed at The Langham and judged by the hotel’s culinary director, who happens to be the esteemed Michel Roux Jr. With Dom winning the prize of his own restaurant here at the hotel, he brings a meld of influences from his Caribbean heritage (a Jamaican mother and Saint-Lucian father) and South London upbringing. We particularly like the restaurant’s name, which was Dom’s idea, inspired by one sacred room at his great aunt Myrtle’s house that was filled with trinkets and reserved for very special guests only.
When you cross the VIP threshold into The Good Front Room, there’ll certainly be a welcoming vibe, with palm trees, artwork and dried flowers all part of the design from Nigerian-born Caroline Chinakwe to set the scene. You can expect a showcase of Caribbean ingredients – goat, plantain, sorrel and rum – interplayed with classic dishes. On the plate, this translates to the likes of:
- Ackee and saltfish cakes, confit garlic and Scotch bonnet aioli, pineapple and heirloom tomato chow and scallion oil
- Jerk chicken, plantain jam, plantain crisp, blackened sweetcorn dressing
- Dark-rum-glazed pork belly, pickled raisins and cho cho, charred hispi cabbage and thyme salt crackling
- Jamaican bun and cheese, with toasted spiced bun, sweet blue cheese, sour cherries, spiced plantain chutney
Drinks-wise, there are some suitably Caribbean-influenced cocktails – such as the Sorrel Cosmo (Grey Goose Citron vodka, sorrel and ginger) or the Carrot Cake Punch (Wray & Nephew rum, Zapaca 23 rum, carrot juice, coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and clove) – along with a list of world wines or Rock Leopard lager and IPA.
More about The Good Front Room
Where is it? The Langham London, 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
When does it open? 15 July 2023 for six months
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @langham_london
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