Eat Out to Help Out

Hello August! Where did you sneak up from? It’s been more than four months since Boris called for restaurants in the UK to close their doors for the unforeseeable. In that time, we’ve seen restaurants turn to DIY kits, wholesalers to home delivery, and the steady return of London’s favourite hobby - eating and drinking in pubs and restaurants. While venues reopened to elated punters and patrons, providing us all a sense of normal again, the restaurant industry faces a long journey back to normal.

For many venues, slow starts to the week were often offset against after-work drinks crowds and jam-packed weekends; but with venues facing up to a 70% drop in capacity, some just cannot justify the quiet Mondays. In a bid to get the industry back on its feet, Chancellor Sunak has deployed a number of financial initiatives to the industry, such as the drop in VAT on the supply of non-alcoholic beverages and food, including hot takeaway items; and the next initiative launches today.

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will run from 3rd August to 31st August and hopes to boost that early-week trade, much needed for our beloved pubs and restaurants! Received with a little uncertainty at first, London’s food scene seems to be welcoming the scheme, with many of our favourite eateries joining the scheme.

Here’s ‘just a few’ of the venues we’re pleased to see utilising the scheme:

Franco Manca

For the first time ever, Franco Manca will be offering 50% off. Think pizza from £2.60 and homemade tiramisu for £1.95!

Oklava

Oklava’s early evening set menu will only set you back £20 and see you feasting on Turkish-cypriot delights such as grilled hellim, honey & lemon, chilli roast cauliflower, and baharat bread & Medjool date butter.

JKS Restaurants

Spoilt for choice, the restaurants championing the scheme from this group are Hoppers, Trishna, Brigadiers, Gymkhana, ASAP Pizza, Bao and Sabor. Where to first?!

Forza Wine

If you haven’t already checked this place out, then there’s no excuse now. Grab a spot on our favourite South London rooftop and indulge in their cauliflower fritti, Scroppino cocktail, and don’t leave without trying the Custardo!

Legare

A much loved Italian in the Shad Thames neighbourhood, Legare is still closed Monday and Tuesday will be offering the scheme on Wednesdays for your mid-week fix of their insane cannolis.

Jason Atherton

Michelin star restaurants have taken a huge hit from Covid, so we’re pleased to see Atherton’s Social Eating House and Pollen Street Social back in business offering the discount.