During these strange times, with us all on lockdown, unable to go to our favourite pubs and restaurants, interestingly enough the world of food has been flung wide open by the enthusiastic adoption of DIY Meal Kits by many of the UK’s best venues.
No longer do we have to travel to a city to try out a well-known restaurant, instead we can just order it online and in a few days it arrives on our doorstep. This is increasingly true of many of the UK’s Michelin-starred operations – meaning you can get some of the best food imaginable – without any of the stress of travel.
Maray
Starting off in Liverpool back in the summer of 2014, Maray has grown to include two more sites in the city, and they’ve won a plethora of awards for their Middle-Eastern inspired food and drinks. Their new ‘At Home’ Kits include a selection of Mezze, a DIY Falafel kit, and a choice of Seven Spice Pork Chops or Halloumi (or both). Finished off with a sublime Walnut Cake and cocktails – this one comes highly recommended indeed.
Rudy’s
All of those poor people outside of Manchester who couldn’t taste the beauty of a Rudy’s pizza – well, the magic of nationwide delivery, and vacuum packing has now fixed it for them all. So even if you’re stuck in some backwards town in Lincoln, or in Telford somewhere, or in Taplow – you can order yourself a ruck of pizzas and enjoy in your very own home. Are they the best pizzas in the world? Maybe yeah.
Hawksmoor
One of the city’s best and most reliable restaurants, Hawksmoor have successfully transitioned this highest-of-quality to their ‘at home’ endeavours – with some truly wonderful meal boxes available and a selection of unique cocktails that’s pretty much unbeatable by anyone else. February sees a Sirloin Box (£95) on the menu, as well as a Prime Rib Box (£120) and a Roast Dinner Box for 4 (£120). You can’t go wrong really.
Northcote
Michelin-starred cuisine in your very own home? Surely not? Well, this pipe dream is now a reality with Northcote’s ‘at home’ service – where Lisa Goodwin-Allen will send you the finest dishes using the finest ingredients and all you need to do is finish them off yourself in your crappy little kitchen.
Cash & Kari by Hoppers
Sri Lankan and South Indian-inspired cuisine now from this cool London outfit – who are offering up a host of ready-to-cook meal kits, cocktails, spices, beers and merch from their ‘Cash & Kari’ online store. It’s easy to choose too, with their Ultimate Hoppers Meal Kit (£75) for 4 coming packed with a Whole Marinated Kalupol Chicken, Mutton Rolls, Bone Marrow Varuval and LOADS more. Add some ales and a couple of cocktails on the side and you’re all set.
Quo Vadis At Home
A famous historic restaurant and members’ club in Soho, Quo Vadis serves up seasonal, regional British dishes – all brought together by Chef Proprietor Jeremy Lee and Head Chef Doug Sims. They’ve recently launched a finish-at-home menu for two featuring their rather famous pies – alongside a host of other delectable treats. It’s very reasonable too – coming in at £95 for two people.
Home by Nico
A great restaurant concept that has been seamlessly recreated to be enjoyed ‘at home’, instead of their usual 6-week rotating menus Six By Nico have created a series of new 4-week long ones – each one exploring a UK city. Their current February menu – The Hebrides is SOLD OUT – but you can order yourself their new March menu ready to be delivered in 5 weeks’ time.
DIY Shoryu Kit
I always enjoy a visit to the excellent Shoryu Ramen on Piccadilly Gardens, and even though the location of the restaurant is a bit of a miss, the food in there is always excellent – and there’s plenty of change on the menu to keep things interesting. Well, they’ve also launched their very own nationwide DIY Shoryu Kit where you can make your own restaurant-quality ramen bowls and sides at home.
Smokestak At Home
Perhaps wear a bib when looking at the online store for Shoreditch-based Smokestak – coz this meat looks amazing! There’s a couple of ‘Build-em-yourself’ buns on offer, as well as full meal kits, but the real deal here is the fact that you can order yourself a WHOLE Beef Brisket (£150) which will feed you for a month or so! They also have their range of other meat dishes available too, including Glazed Pork Belly, and a Whole Rack of 30-day dry-aged Beef Rib.
The Dishoom Bacon Naan Roll Kit
Yes! Now we’re talking. One of the most infamous breakfast dishes ever is now available anywhere in the UK – even if your nearest Dishoom is a thousand miles away. You’ll get everything you need to re-create the Bacon Naan Roll in your very own kitchen, including tons of bacon, dough for the naan bread and even some loose-leaf tea for a cup of Dishoom chai to drink alongside it.
Sabor En Casa
From the Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant co-founded by Nieves Barragán Mohacho and José Etura, Sabor en Casa is your chance to taste some truly wonderful dishes at home – no matter where you are in the UK. It’s a no brainer to go for their Feast Menu for 4 (£220) featuring a selection of Spanish treats that will delight and impress all.
The Reuben Sandwich Pack by Monty’s Deli
Outstanding London Jewish deli and restaurant Monty’s now offer their amazing Reuben Sandwiches to anyone in the UK – all you need to do is re-heat, put together and enjoy! And enjoy you will – as these beauties are piled high with tonnes of pastrami or salt beef and then finished with cheese, sauerkraut, mustard and Russian dressing.
Lyle’s Provisions
Another Michelin-starred option here – this time from Lyle’s in Shoreditch. There’s a Goose Menu Box, Mutton Menu Box or Game Menu Box (all £140) – each one designed so that you can re-create and experience a true Michelin-starred meal in your very own home. Complete the order with a bottle of posh plonk and you’re all set for the most extravagant lockdown food experience imaginable.
Patty & Bun
Have you always wanted to try a Patty & Bun burger but felt spending 200 quid on a train ticket down to London was a bit OTT? Well, now is the time to get your own way – because they’re now offering nationwide delivery on their DIY Meal kits. There’s everything you need to create their, frankly, out-of-this-world burgers at home – and they’re actually really good value. A Meal Kit for 4 comes in at only £25!
