Morgan Meunier Rocks The Barbican

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City Editions: Boston | Chicago | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Miami | New York City | San Francisco | more Nov 24, 2011 OPENING OF THE WEEK Morgan M Barbican Why? Because we prefer to let Paris come to us. Culinary superstar Morgan Meunier opens a gorgeous new restaurant in Barbican, building on the success of his elegant establishment in Islington. Simply called Morgan M Barbican, the stylish eatery is split across two levels with Gallic cuisine served up against a soothing colour palette of olive greens and browns. Bang on-trend are the restaurant's tasting plates -- the ravioli of snails in Chablis is perfect with a flute of champers for busy, always-on-the-go Londoners -- while a fuller a la carte offering is available for those who want to make a meal out of it: we recommend the butternut soup with rosemary, olive oil and wild mushroom tempura followed by the Deben Valley Mallard duck "aux epices," and finished with a pineapple souffle and coulis with pina colada sorbet. Clearly, we've done the legwork. And with everything washed down with a predominantly French wine list, Barbican's newest kid on the block is sure to have the fabulous, famous and indeed French flocking.   ADDRESS: 50 Long Lane, EC1A PHONE: 020 7609 3560 WEB: morganm.com   EVENT OF THE WEEK 'Tache Party at Giraffe Bar & Grill Why? Because it's the last hurrah. Unless you've been living under a hair-free rock the past couple of weeks, you'll have noticed that London gents are sporting facial fashions usually reserved for rednecks, porn stars or ad execs circa 1962. But it's all for a jolly good cause, with the 'tache-growing charity event known as Movember having even clean-shaven city slickers giving up the razor to raise money. Well and truly on the bandwagon is restaurant group Giraffe, whose Soho outpost is hosting its very own 'Tache Party on 30th November to showcase all the weird and wonderful designs discerning men-about-town have styled throughout the month. All mouscachioed men (and women with fakes) are invited to the party with the promise of 50% off selected drinks all night. So check it out, and take the edge off before taking the 'tache off.   ADDRESS: 11 Frith Street PHONE: 020 7494 3491 WEB: giraffe.net   RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Mishkin's Why? Because "haute deli" is the new thing. Trust us. We've waited with bated breath, and tomorrow it arrives: we're talking, of course, about Russell Norman's latest offspring, Mishkin's. The fifth restaurant in the now-renowned restaurateur's ever-expanding empire -- which, together with co-owner Richard Beatty, includes Polpo, Polpetto, Spuntino and Da Polpo -- Mishkin's finally open its doors this Friday at 25 Catherine Street. Described as a "kind of Jewish deli with cocktails," Mishkin's moves away from the Italian influence of its older siblings but retains a distinct New York vibe. Jewish classics will appear on the menu, including salt beef and brisket, and will be accompanied by predominantly gin-based cocktails. But the best bit? In the same vein as Polpetto – only recently, mind -- Mishkin's will take reservations all week long. Though we still challenge you to get in.   ADDRESS: 25 Catherine Street PHONE: 020 7240 2078 WEB: mishkins.co.uk   LAST WEEK'S TOP PICK Foreword by Tom Sellers Why? Because it's the sort of place that defines the term A. List. Heard of Tom Sellers? Perhaps not, but this time next year he'll be a household name -- mark our words. Fresh from Noma in Copenhagen, the 24-year-old culinary whiz will be cooking up a Scandinavian storm with an East End pop-up at the end of this month. Opening ahead of his permanent restaurant next year, called Story, this one goes by the name of Foreword (get it?) and is bookmarked amongst the cool galleries of Vyner Street. Having teamed up with hipster pop-up club The Rebel Dining Society, the temporary eatery will be open for business on 28th and 29th November for just 40 lucky guys and gals per night. Everything will take place at the Society's HQ in Bethnal Green -- where else? -- and will be experimental to say the least with dishes like bread and butter pudding for starter; beef cheek, pumpkin seed, brown butter and sorrel for main; and charred pear, parsnip and buttermilk for dessert. It's not too steep, either, with tickets going for £70 a pop. But not for long. In fact, by the time you read this they'll probably all be gone. But don't say we didn't tell you so.   ADDRESS: 30 Vyner Street, E2 WEB: www.therebeldiningsociety.co.uk   If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by changing your preferences. To read about our privacy policy, click here. Copyright 2011 IGN Entertainment, 625 2nd Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco CA 94107. All Rights Reserved.