London’s vibrant restaurant scene is notoriously merciless. One particular type of eating establishment, however, has managed to work up and sustain an appetite amid the stifling competitiveness. Single-item restaurants represent a niche in the market. A trend that has turned into something of a movement and a favourite haunt of knowledgeable and purposefully single-minded foodies.
Asya Gadzheva digs deep into the world of London’s single-item restaurants to find out what they are really about and identify five that are worth visiting.
According to a 2015 research by the restaurant discovery app Zomato, one in ten restaurants opened in London since April 2015 serves only one thing. London’s Cereal Killer Café, situated in Brick Lane and Camden, have been proudly serving cereal and cereal only since 2014. There seems to be a demand for such establishments. Spotting a gap in the market, single-item restaurants managed to profitably marry passion, singularity and perfectionism together. Thus, a concept was born.
Less is more
What makes a restaurant successful? The brand, the location, the service, the quality and of course the menu. What the rise of mono-eateries has indicated, however, is that singularity and selectivity can sometimes be your best bet.
Single-item restaurants focus on a product, a dish or a cooking technique. Restaurants like Soho’s HipChips, which serve a freakishly diverse variety of chips and dips. It opened in 2016 and like many others has embraced elements of street and fast food culture in quality dining.
From peanut butter and milk all the way to pancakes, soups and barbecuing: do one thing and make it shine. Simpler menus lead to higher quality dishes. Fewer items enable the staff to be trained in achieving perfection in cooking and presentation. Passion and dedication to make the product the very best it can be rule in these kitchens.
Above all, it is the attitude towards diners that sets these establishments apart. Stripping away the overwhelming diversity commonly associated with dining, single-item restaurants simplified decision making. The dining experience became more relaxed and in many ways more casual.
On the other hand, a simpler and in many ways arguably restrictive menu may not necessarily be to everybody’s taste. For some diners, the prospect of a limited food choice is not only a deal-breaker, but poses serious inconveniences during group get-togethers. Single-item restaurants, although praising quality over quantity, may not necessarily be a crowd-pleaser.
Starters
New York is said to be the mothership of the single-item restaurant concept. The New York Times reported in 2010 on the number of single-item dining establishments opening in the city, especially Manhattan. “Restaurants trained on a single dish or ingredient have been cropping up like stubborn cravings. From macaroni cheese to fries to rice pudding, if you can think of a comfort food, there’s a New York restaurant for it.”
It is really as much about food as it is about an experience. What is often overlooked is the fact that in offering a certain simplicity, sustainability and perfectionism in food preparation and dining, these restaurants curate and establish a relatable experience.
The beating heart of these businesses is the technique, the flavour and the experience linked to the specific dish or product. They create an emotional or sensational association with the item. Single-item restaurants stay afloat thanks to the experience and ‘vibe’ you will remember, not only the aftertaste you are left with.
Navigating your way through London’s cramped up restaurant scene, here are five single-item restaurants worth having on your radar.
https://maphub.net/lifetimewish96/Single-item-restaurants-London
Words: Asya Gadzheva | Subbing: Etienne Fermie
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