Pop-ups have evolved a long way since their guerilla origins in front rooms and disused buildings. Popular supper clubs have waiting lists that stretch into next year and high-end caterers have been quick to add their more sophisticated offerings into the mix.
If you love the one-off, unique nature of pop-ups but prefer a high-end slant, Grub Club’s Jess Astbury takes us through five of the top luxury pop-ups in London.
1) INTERACTIVE FINE DINING
Cuisson
An experimental, luxury gastronomy company, Cuisson can list Louis Vuitton, Krug, Aston Martin and Veuve Clicquot among the clients they’ve previously catered for.
They’ve held exclusive sushi nights in Tower Hill and afternoon tea pop-ups in Burlington Arcade but their most current concept is POPdown – an interactive night of fine dining where guests can help to put the finishing touch on dishes as well as eating their own seven course menu.
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2) ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCES
UNA
For truly special occasions, no night could be more memorable than a trip to UNA, which takes place in the iconic St Pancras Clock Tower.
Tables are restricted to just 12 people each night which ensures an intimate experience and personal interaction with the Brazilian chef, Martin Milesi. Find your way into the clock tower and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning 7-course menu with matching Argentinian wine from Graffigna Winery.
3) CELEBRITY FAVOURITE
Uyen Luu
Hosted in her home in Hackney, Uyen Luu’s Vietnamese supper clubs are regularly ranked at the top of London’s supper club scene. Around 30 guests attend each time to enjoy a lavish feast of Saigon summer rolls, wonton noodle soups and beef in betel leaves.
The focus on sharing food and conversations with strangers combined with Uyen Luu’s impeccable cooking skills means it’s no wonder that she counts Jamie Oliver and Ellie Goulding amongst her previous guests!
4) WORLDLY CREATIONS
That Hungry Chef
It’s not very often that you get the chance to dine around the dinner table of a Michelin-trained chef. Pratap Chahal (AKA That Hungry Chef) has cooked in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, Chez Bruce, Cinnamon Club and Galvin Bistrot, amongst others.
Now, he invites diners into his beautiful Islington home for sumptuous feasts with monthly changing menus and themes – dine like a Maharajah, find your perfect scent at an edible perfume dinner or feast on a traditional Goan Thali.
5) THE OLDEST AND THE BEST
The London Foodie
Investment banker turned Cordon Bleu trained chef and food writer, Luiz Hara is the owner of the hugely popular The London Foodie blog and supper club.
Notorious in the supper club scene, Luiz’s supper club is a must for anyone that calls themselves a London foodie. Get through the lengthy waiting lists and you’ll be welcomed into his Islington home for course after course of exquisite Japanese or French Cuisine, with perfect hosting to accompany.
Grub Club is a platform for supper clubs and pop-ups in London. Chefs are connected to underused spaces to unlock hundreds of nights of unique dining experiences for adventurous foodies.