Flat Iron Square, near London Bridge, is fast becoming the new bankside foodie hub and with restaurants, street vendors, live music and entertainment it has the relaxed urban feel that you expect south of the river.
Comprising seven railway arches and Grade II listed Devonshire House, it is the perfect location for Lupins, an exciting new restaurant showcasing small plates and snacks of British produce with a global twist.
The owners, Lucy Pedder and Natasha Cooke, have already made a huge success of ” The Cooking Collective “, their bespoke catering company, and are now happily ensconced under the railway arches creating dishes that combine their favourite British ingredients paired with more exotic flavours.
They call it sunshine food and I can see why, it is colourful, innovative and tasty, everything to put a smile on your face whatever the British weather is up to outside!
Lupins is set over two floors, the downstairs space has an industrial edge with the exposed brickwork of the railway arch and an open kitchen.
You can eat here or pop upstairs to the light, bright dining room which has a softer look, think white panelled walls, wood floors and pops of pale pinks, blues and greens.
The framed poems on the wall and the velvet cushions on the banquettes are a nice touch and both spaces are modern, open and friendly, the ideal backdrop for a relaxed meal.
The menu is varied and imaginative and you could find yourself tucking into a snack of carbon spiced lamb scrumpet with pomegranate molasses or white bean crostini with smoked anchovy and lemon salsa.
The small plates collection includes dishes such as Cornish crab thermidor, Slow cooked pork belly eggs benedict, Sea bass cevice with chicory salad cups or Spatchcocked spiced quail and kohlrabi.
Or maybe you fancy trying Sea trout, pickled cucumber, fennel and beetroot, Chipotle roast pigeon with charred baby gem and carrot or Spiced beef short rib with purple sprouting broccoli.
To finish off the meal, guests can indulge in treats such as a plate of Neal’s Yard cheeses or dark chocolate mousse with sesame and salted caramel.
The drinks list is packed full of quirky and well priced wines, 75% of which are natural, organic and biodynamic varieties from the new independent company Smashing Wines. There is also a monthly changing cocktail and beers from unique craft supplier The London Beer Factory.
In a nutshell
A 10 minute walk from London Bridge, the Globe and Tate Modern, Lupins is a great place to try something a bit different, where the food is fun and interesting.
Whether you are looking for a relaxed lunch, pre-theatre snack, weekend brunch or after work drinks, or maybe want to impress that new date then pop into Lupins and get a bit of that sunshine for yourself!
