We've managed to find an affordable Michelin-star restaurant in London

Spring is here, so we’re reviewing the best Easter treats (Picture: Johan Persson / Supplied)

Being bougie on a budget is an art form. This Easter Bank Holiday we’re sharing sexy pasta dishes at London’s most beautiful restaurant, whizzing through a super speedy Michelin-starred lunch, and trying the world’s poshest nugs. Hop to it!

The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London, so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered.

Read on below for this week’s edit of the best things to do in town – and if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here!

The Slice’s Pick

Pollini

A delicious highbrow experience (Picture: Pollini)

By Sophie Laughton

Given that Pollini is housed inside Ladbroke Hall, a Notting Hill’s swanky neighbourhood arts venue, it’s no surprise that it’s all very highbrow – intellectual folks nod along to a serious talk next door, energetic waiters zip past in hip grey boiler suits, and a trip to the loos involves a detour through an exhibition of exquisite vases. But what is surprising is its breathtaking design. The towering atrium, contemporary artworks, neoclassical columns and massive anemone-like chandelier all give the effect of eating dinner in a museum – you half expect to see a marble statue propped up on the emerald cushions at the table next to you. Luckily the food is almost as beautiful as the surroundings. Chef Emmanuele Pollini’s signature dish Ravioli della Graziella is a genius take on lasagne: a silken knot filled on one side with bechamel and the other with luscious pork ragu, studded with shards of dehydrated sauce. The portion is a little on the smaller side – treat this as a starter (along with a sublime black truffle pizzetta) and save yourself for a heftier plate of sumptuous wild boar tagliatelle or Cornish monkfish poached in Gavi di Gavi wine. Finish with a scoop of homemade gelato and soak it all in.

Mains from £22. Ladbroke Hall, 79 Barlby Rd, Notting Hill. Book here.

DON’T MISS THIS WEEK:

Sakura season means pretty pink desserts (Picture: Sticks n’ Sushi)

If you hadn’t guessed by the heaps of petals turning every parked car in London pale pink, blossom season is in full swing. Japanese-Danish fusion Sticks n’ Sushi is celebrating all this seasonal loveliness with an enormous Sakura installation at their Canary Wharf branch, alongside a sweet range of pink, cherry-infused treats. Over the Easter weekend branches are also hosting free origami activities – with a bonus Easter egg for little ones.

Until 31 March, various venues. Book here.

Food & Drink

Pavyllon 

Affordable Michelin star dining?! (Picture: Pavyllon )

By Kate Rice

Affordable Michelin star dining might sound like an oxymoron – but Yannick Alléno’s Pavyllon London has achieved just that. Their new deal ‘Lunch in 55’ serves a speedy set menu of five courses in 55 minutes for £55, making the fine dining experience accessible in more ways than one. In under an hour, you’ll have courses so flavoursome you can’t help but utter ‘oh my god’ after taking first bite. Soft egg tuna tartare and poached rhubarb bookend the lunch perfectly, but the real highlight is a steamed Comté cheese souffle which puts all other souffles to shame. For those happy to splash some more cash, there’s an optional extra course and countless experimental-yet-classy cocktails to explore that have ingredients ranging from sparkling tomato extraction to enoki mushrooms. If you’re looking to make your start in London’s fine dining scene, you can consider Lunch in 55 the gateway drug.

£55 per person. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. Book here.

Bébé Bob

Chicken nuggets for fine dining? (Picture: Bébé Bob )

By Rob Buckhaven, Metro Drinks Club editor

I love a chicken nugget, though I’ve never associated it with finer dining. Wrong. Bébé Bob specialises in rotisserie chicken, so it’s not a stretch to diversify into high-end bundles of golden, crispy deliciousness. First off, they use Landais chicken, the black-feathered ‘Rolls Royce of the poultry world’ from western France noted for its fattier, highly flavoursome meat. Hence the juiciness. Second off, the batter uses vodka rather than beer for a lighter, less cloying crunch. Spoiler alert, paired with a glass of Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne it became an almost spiritual experience. The nuggets come with a green salad and fries, but crack on and elevate them further with caviar, anchovy egg mayo or the bellota ham. I certainly did.

Express lunch £19. 37 Golden Sq, Soho. Book here.

Taste of London

AD FEATURE

There’s an a-list line up this year (Picture: Taste of London)

Taste of London, 12-16 June 2024 celebrates its 20th year as the biggest food festival in town. Join over 30 top London restaurants serving 120+ dishes in the beautiful surroundings of Regent’s Park. This year features an A-List line-up including Japanese superstars Roka, The Shard’s Oblix and Rhythm Kitchen bringing their Caribbean flair as well as many more of the city’s latest and greatest eateries. Upskill your cooking game with the Taste Cook School and BBQ Cook School (tutored by a collection of the countries best chefs), discover new dishes cooked over the open flame of the BBQ, or learn a new technique in the kitchen to impress your friends. You can also take a break from all the food and join in with one of the complimentary cocktail masterclasses from the likes of Jack Daniel’s, el Jimador tequila or Piper Heidsieck. For a special day out, treat yourself to a VIP bundle including dish vouchers and a private VIP lounge with bars and much more…

12-16 June, Regent’s Park. Buy tickets here.

London’s best… Easter treats

BEST CHOCOLATEY: Bagatelle.

What more says Easter than chocolate (Picture: Bagatelle)

Inspired by Wonka, the glitzy French restaurant is transforming into a chocolate factory wonderland, complete with a menu of whimsical treats, candy cocktails and a sumptuous Easter Sunday lunch. Each night they’ll be handing out chocolate bars, with the chance win a golden ticket entitling you to dinner for four. £1 from your meal over Easter will go to the charity Magic Breakfast. Unlike a certain other Wonka experience, we predict it will be a world of pure imagination…

31 March – 7 April, 32 Dover St, Mayfair. Book here.

BEST BUNS: Poppies.

They might divide opinion, but they are worth the try (Photo: Stacie Ma)

‘What business does a fish and chips shop have with hot cross buns?’ I hear you ask. Good question. Poppie’s hot cross bun butties have been dividing the Slice team all morning, but we’re slowly coming round to the idea that salty, triple-cooked chips sandwiched between buttered, spiced buns might just work. Get yourself down to one of Poppies London chippies in Soho, Spitalfields or Camden and let us know what you think.

£4.95, available 29 March – 1 April. Book here.

BEST MEATY: The George.

If you’re looking for an Easter feast.. (Picture: The George)

Family in town? Let’s hope they’ve brought their appetites. This historic Fitzrovia pub is hosting a whopper of a Bank Holiday Roast – a whole shoulder of lamb, with trimmings including minted new yoghurt sauce and a boatful of gravy. The feast serves six and costs £200, working out at a not unreasonable £33pp. Leave a bit of room for hot cross bun bread pudding with lashings of earl grey custard.

£200, reserve by 28 March. 22 Great Portland St, Fitzrovia. Book here.

Theatre

Sister Act★★★★

It’s back and it’s nun-tastic (Picture: Johan Persson)

By Hugh Montgomery

This joyful stage adaptation of the nun-tastic 1990s Hollywood comedy is back in the West End. Beverley Knight once again takes the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who goes into witness protection in a convent, while Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones is the disapproving Mother Superior.

Until August 31, Dominion Theatre. Book here.

See you next week!

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