Boxhall City, which opened earlier this year, features 14 kitchens and two bars, and aims to showcase independent and craft-driven businesses. Located within a restored Edwardian shopping arcade, it combines street food with chef-led offerings in a communal setting. The new Melt kitchen joins a growing roster of independent vendors in the 17,000 sq foot venue, and will operate as a takeaway-only outlet. They will be offering a selection of popular toasted sandwiches, including The Eastender and The Melt, as well as a site-exclusive sandwich called The Boxer, with smoked pulled pork, maple mustard, a cheddar-mozzarella blend, Kansas BBQ sauce and candied jalapeños, served with house-made coleslaw.

The toastie brand, known for its indulgent approach, has developed a loyal customer base since it opened in Spitalfields. Founder Tom Pepper said: “We’ve always believed great comfort food should be bold, simple and full of personality – which is exactly why Boxhall feels like the perfect home for Melt. We’ve built an incredible community at Old Spitalfields Market, and we’re bringing our toasties, dips and big flavours to a whole new crowd in the heart of the City. We can’t wait to fire up the grill and serve Liverpool Street its new favourite melt.”

Luther Dyer, general manager at Boxhall, enthused: “We’re thrilled to welcome Melt to Boxhall. Their dedication to quality ingredients and unapologetically indulgent comfort food makes them a perfect fit for our community. Melt brings a real sense of fun and flavour to the space, and we know their toasties will be an instant hit with our guests.”

Food Desk

Melt is now open at Boxhall City, 1-27 The Arcade, Liverpool Street, London EC2M 7PN. For further information, visit their website here.

The pop-up marks the return to the coffee industry of entrepreneur Scott Martin, the founder of Coffee Nation, a brand developing pioneering self-service coffee stations in the UK. Unity Coffee represents Martin’s latest venture, which he says is a response to what he sees as stagnation in the high street coffee sector. “High street coffee has lost its way,” Martin opined, adding that his company offers “a revolutionary new product”. Visitors to the Soho location will be able to sample drinks free of charge by downloading the Unity Coffee app. The machine, which features automated technology and uses what the company describes as “premium ingredients”, is intended to be rolled out in workplaces, universities and transport hubs across the UK.

The company’s self-service model reflects a growing and controversial trend in the food and beverage industry towards automation and contactless service. While Unity Coffee is still in its early stages, the pop-up offers an initial view of the technology and user experience behind the brand.

Unity Coffee has not yet announced a full launch date for its broader rollout but has indicated plans to expand into high-footfall areas in 2026.

Food Desk

Unity Coffee’s pop-up takes place from 16^th until 18^th December 2025 at 19 D’Arblay Street, London W1F 8ED. For further information about Unity Coffee, visit their website here.

The book spans a period from 2007 to 2023 – a time during which Brooklyn underwent significant demographic, cultural and architectural changes. Rizzo’s work captures this transition through candid street scenes and portraits, offering a visual narrative of the borough’s shifting identity. The images, taken with a toy camera, are marked by a lo-fi aesthetic that evokes a sense of nostalgia while highlighting the grit and vibrancy of urban life.

The Brooklyn-based photographer, is known for her intimate portrayals of urban life, often focusing on community, place and identity. In Wonderland, she focuses on her own surroundings, capturing the everyday moments and people that define the borough. The use of a toy camera – typically a plastic-bodied camera with limited controls – lends the images a dreamlike quality, underscoring the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of street life.

Wonderland includes texts by photographer Claudio Edinger and Kings County Distillery co-founder Colin Spoelman, providing additional context and commentary on Rizzo’s body of work and the neighbourhoods she portrays. The book is published in English and presented as a cloth hardcover with a tipped-in image on the cover. 

Wonderland: Brooklyn 2007–2023 is available now and adds to the growing body of documentary photography exploring the social and visual fabric of urban America.

Food Desk

Wonderland: Brooklyn 2007-2023 is published by Kehrer Verlag at the hardback price of €48. For further information or to purchase, visit here.

Eleven Revelstoke Lodge is located in interior British Columbia, an area that receives over 700 inches of snowfall annually and is considered one of the world’s premier heli-skiing locations. The lodge provides access to 300,000 acres of skiable terrain across the Monashee and Valhalla mountain ranges. Skiers are guided through the area’s varied landscape – which includes glaciated terrain, open bowls, and tree-lined slopes – by experienced guides with deep local knowledge. There are also direct heli-skiing transfers from Kelowna Airport available, allowing guests to begin skiing shortly after their arrival.

The lodge, which sits in the centre of the town of Revelstoke, has undergone a series of upgrades, including the addition of three new guest rooms (bringing the total to 12), as well as renovated bathrooms and a redesigned interior overseen by Blake Pike and Twelve Interiors. The new look incorporates a mix of vintage and custom furnishings, Moroccan tiles, rustic plaster and local pine, blending traditional ski lodge elements with mid-century modern design. New amenities include a third-floor lounge and bar area, four treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, cold plunge and a fully equipped fitness centre. A new gear and locker room has also been added, providing guests with secure storage for outdoor equipment. The former boiler room has been transformed into a public bar that’s open Wednesday to Sunday evenings, and the in-house restaurant, Quartermaster Eatery, is open to both guests and the public daily for dinner.

Heli-ski packages at Eleven Revelstoke Lodge are available from 19^th December to 31^st March 2026, with rates starting at $12,985 USD (approximately £9,739) per night for groups of one to three guests, and $24,431 USD (approximately £18,400) per night for groups of four to eight. The price includes guided heli-skiing, equipment, meals, and planning services.

Food Desk

Eleven Revelstoke Lodge reopens on 19^th December 2025. For further information or to book, visit their website here.

Situated on the 14^th floor of The Hoxton, Seabird is proud of its panoramic views of the London skyline, and their collaboration with Champagne Pommery aims to provide guests with an atmospheric dining experience during the festive period. There will be a curated selection of champagne available alongside the restaurant’s usual menu, with a focus on seafood – particularly oysters. Live jazz performances will also take place each Saturday evening throughout the month, adding a sophisticated musical element to the vibe.

The rooftop venue has previously hosted seasonal events, but this marks its first formal collaboration with Champagne Pommery. The champagne brand, based in Reims, France, produces a celebrated range of brut and vintage cuvées and has been involved in various hospitality partnerships across Europe. The partnership comes as London’s hospitality venues prepare for the busy festive period, with many establishments offering themed dining experiences to attract both local residents and visitors. With its central location and rooftop setting, Seabird is presenting itself as a destination for seasonal outings in the city.

Reservations for the December events are now open, with high demand expected in the lead-up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Food Desk

The Champagne Pommery collaborative dinners are on until 31^st December 2025, with live jazz on Saturdays, at Seabird at The Hoxton, 40 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NY. For further information or to book a table, visit here.

The family-friendly event will take place from 1 to 3pm in the basement club room, featuring a special edition of Big Fish Little Fish, the kids’ rave collective that has previously appeared at Glastonbury Festival. The afternoon is designed for parents and kids to celebrate together with music, dancing and interactive activities. According to organisers, the space will include a multi-sensory dancefloor with DJ sets, glitter cannons, bubbles and craft stations – plus there’s a licensed bar for adults. Billed as a 2pm Midnight Celebration, the event aims to provide an early countdown for families with little ones. Tickets are priced at £10 for children and £15 for adults.

Food and drink options will be available on-site throughout the day. Fulham Pier’s Riverside Market will offer casual food options such as burgers, pizza and butter chicken. But for adults seeking a more formal experience, Brasserie Constance, the venue’s riverside restaurant overseen by Michelin-starred chef Adam Byatt, will host a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner. Running from 5.30 to 9pm, the special dinner is priced at £95 per person and includes a welcome drink and live music, with a seasonal menu served overlooking the Thames. One of the featured dishes is a Baked Alaska Mont Blanc, and there’s plenty of champagne and high-class revelry all round.

The programme marks Fulham Pier’s first New Year’s Eve celebration since it opened, reflecting the venue’s dual focus on family-focused events and upscale dining. While the rave is expected to draw local residents with children, the dinner will target those looking for a quieter, more refined way to welcome 2026. Tickets for both are available now.

Food Desk

To book tickets for the Big Fish Little Fish New Year’s Eve family rave at Fulham Pier, visit their booking page here.

To book a table for the New Year’s Eve dinner at Brasserie Constance at Fulham Pier, call 020 3002 5221 visit the restaurant’s website here.

The thatched-roof pub is located on High Street in the village of Harrold, which sits alongside the River Great Ouse. With Slater and her husband, Andy, at the helm since 2021, it’s earned two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence, and has become a local hotspot for seasonal menus and locally sourced ingredients. 

The “show-stopping” cheesecake, which was first served in early December, offers a modern reinterpretation of traditional festive flavours, and is visually innovative too: it is presented in a custom mould (developed in collaboration with design company Tasteshed) that’s shaped like a sixpence coin in reference to the age-old British tradition of hiding a silver coin in a Christmas pudding for luck. The new dessert features a base of Valrhona 35% white chocolate, infused with currants and set on a spiced sablé biscuit. At its centre is a whisky caramel made with Scapa single malt, offering what the team describes as a “molten richness”. While the presentation is contemporary, the flavours aim to evoke the comfort and nostalgia associated with traditional British Christmas puddings. “It reimagines nostalgic Christmas-pudding flavours with a lighter, modern touch,” said Slater.

The Christmas Pudding Cheesecake is available for the duration of December at the Oakley Arms, with reservations encouraged.

Food Desk

To book a table at The Oakley Arms, 98-104 High Street, Harrold, Bedfordshire MK43 7BH, call 01234 720166 or visit their website here.

 The standard menu features dishes such as Roasted Beetroot Houmous with herb oil and Urfa chilli, served with warm za’atar pitas, and Crispy Aubergine Skewers accompanied by shatta sauce and labneh. Main courses include Pan-seared Sea Bream with almond and dill gremolata, and Slow-roasted Shoulder of Lamb with black lime, pomegranate and caramelised chestnuts. Desserts on offer comprise Kataifi Cheesecake with preserved lemon curd and pistachio baklava.

The premium menu presents a more elaborate selection, with starters like Smoked Aubergine Baba Ghanoush and Charred Celeriac with dill and lime aioli. Mains include Whole Roasted Plaice with smoked mussels and burnt butter, and Slow-roasted Beef Short Ribs served with giant couscous and Graviera cheese. Both festive menus are available for groups of four or more diners and are priced at £49 (standard) and £59 (premium) per person.

To complement the food, Brother Marcus has introduced two drink packages. The Classic Collection (£180) features Sauvignon Blanc from Piedmont, French Malbec, and Keo Lager from Cyprus. The Premium Collection (£299), with Vinho Verde, organic Côtes du Rhône, and Greek Rakomelo, a honey liqueur traditionally served warm. Among the other drink options, there are Prosecco, Champagne Gremillet, and a Greek Paloma cocktail made with tequila, Mastiha and pink grapefruit.

Each Brother Marcus location has been seasonally decorated by designer Sophie Malpas, whose work appears in Dishoom and in collaboration with fashion brand Rixo. Decorations vary by site, with the Soho branch featuring metallic drapes and gold accents, Canary Wharf adorned with a large Christmas tree and pomegranate-themed details, and Angel dressed with paper stars and rustic ornaments.

The group has also collaborated with Planteray Rum – recently awarded World’s Best Pot Still Rum at the 2025 World Rum Awards—to create a festive cocktail menu. Among the concoctions for this latter, there are Solstice Daiquiri, Rum Mulled Wine, and a Rum Orange Hot Chocolate.

Founded in 2016 by friends Tasos Gaitanos and Alex Large, Brother Marcus has expanded from a single Balham café to a multi-site operation. The founders draw inspiration from East Mediterranean hospitality and cuisine, aiming to bring a sense of warmth and community to their dining experience.

Food Desk

For further information and reservations, visit Brother Marcus’ website here.

For South Asian indulgence in the heart of town, modern Indian restaurant Farzi in Haymarket is serving a two-course Taste of Farzi selection for £38.95, incorporating Duck Khurchan Cornetto and Kosha Mangsho, among others. Desserts include Fig & Ginger Pudding and a Christmas Brownie with grilled marshmallows. For an option away from the hustle and bustle, Kokum in East Dulwich presents a £50 menu of dishes like Achari Turkey Tikka and Ossobuco Laal Maas, served with Brussels sprouts stir-fry and saffron-cardamom kulfi. Namaste Village, with locations in Twickenham and Islington, has also introduced a vegetarian and vegan Indian holiday feast, available for £35.95 a head. The five-course selection includes Galawati Kebabs, Christmas Masala Dosa and Carrot Halwa with Brandy Butter, aiming to showcase “the truest flavours of India for a season of warmth and togetherness”. If Twickenham is a bit too far west, Putney’s Chook Chook has also created a £40 Indian Christmas menu featuring Duck Vindalo and Curry Leaf Prawns, accompanied by sides and festive cocktails like their Cranberry Margarita and a Spiced Colada. 

In Covent Garden, pizza champions Doughnation are serving a Turkey Cranberry Feast pizza, topped with turkey, chipolata sausage, cranberry and rocket, and accompanied by a gravy dipping sauce. Priced at £18, it’s available daily, and there’s a bottomless pizza and cocktail deal – including unlimited special pizzas and Jingle Bell Spritz pitchers – for £45 per person. 

Further east – both in culinary terms and on the tube – Xi Home Dumplings Bay (near Liverpool Street) is introducing four seasonal specials inspired by Northeastern Chinese home cooking, available from 24^th December: deep-fried shredded radish balls, prawn and fish roe wontons with chilli oil, Clay Pot Braised Beef Short Ribs with tomato and sweet cabbage, and Osmanthus-stewed Pear, poetically inspired by the iced fruits left outside to freeze during Northeastern winters. Meanwhile, Chinese restaurant Noodle and Beer (with branches in Chinatown and Spitalfields) is rolling out a £99 sharing special lobster, at 1.1kg, served with handmade noodles and house sauce and designed to feed up to four, alongside accompaniments like courgette fries and brown sticky rice cakes. Huǒ in Belsize Village has also launched a £95 Asian set menu with Thai Green Curry, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Yuzu Cheesecake, as well as optional additions such as Crispy Aromatic Duck.

Continuing in the south east of the city, Japanese restaurant Kibou in Battersea is offering holiday platters selections, starting at £35, with sushi for home celebrations also available. The more indulgent Tokyo Menu (£75) features options like Yuzu Miso Salmon and Wagyu Crisp. Marylebone’s Roketsu brings a six-course kappo-style Japanese banquet for £150 per person that foregrounds delicacies like Yellowtail Yuzu, Foie Gras Miso Monaka and Iberico Pork, plus optional wine and sake pairings ranging from £70 to £200.

This plethora of treats reflects the range of cultures and tastes in the proudly diverse British capital, and demonstrates the growing trend among London restaurants to provide festive alternatives. Bon appetit!

Food Desk

To book a table at any of these restaurants, visit their individual websites in the text above.

Wild & Fruitful, a small business based in Cumbria, developed the product in collaboration with Amazon. The company is one of over 100,000 small and medium-sized enterprises currently selling through the platform as part of its wider grocery offering, which includes fresh produce, household essentials and artisanal products from independent sellers. Their new product is being promoted as a seasonal novelty and potential gift item for food enthusiasts. Suggested uses include pairing it with roast potatoes, fried chicken or festive sandwiches. It is one of several items featured in Amazon’s Christmas Shop, which highlights curated selections from small businesses across the UK. According to its creators, To-Matcha Ketchup is made with 100% natural ingredients and is intended for use as a dip, glaze or condiment.

Founder Jake Winter said: “Wild & Fruitful places taste above all else with any product that we launch, so when we discussed the prospect of To-Matcha Ketchup with Amazon, we were excited about the challenge! As a nation, Britain loves ketchup and matcha has become an everyday pick-me-up for so many people across the country. With To-Matcha Ketchup, we’ve brought the two ingredients together in a way that is surprisingly delicious – it’s the perfect talking point for foodies this Christmas!”

Food Desk

To-Matcha Ketchup is currently available exclusively from Amazon UK. For further information or to purchase, visit here.

For further information about Wild & Fruitful, visit their website here.