Top Trends: What’s on UK restaurant menus

Tapas and vermouth on tap

Aperitif time has been given a chic air with vermouth on tap and tinned fish delicacies appearing on restaurant menus. Tollingtons Fish Bar in Finsbury Park to sample pickled anchovies, grilled sardines and vermouth on tap. FlavorThe tapas menu features a selection of fish appetizers to choose from, such as bacon, anchovies and picos de gallo, and a section dedicated to top-quality Galician seafood preserves, such as scallops and sardines. Vermouth can also be found on tap at Bar 44 Cardiff. Accompany it with a portion of boquerones: pickled Cantabrian anchovies sprinkled with sumac. Try the fried anchovies with Cecilia Coffee Sage and anchovy fritti or skewered with olives for gildas in Quality wines.

To set the mood at home, check out our The best vermouth cocktailsAt your next gathering, serve our Recipe for sage and anchovy fritti.

This summer, ice cream takes an unexpected turn, with unusual new flavours taking their place in freezers, restaurants and ice cream shops across the country. Drawing inspiration from herbs and flowers, vegetables, pantry ingredients and seasonings and even a little taste of the sea, there’s an unusual ice cream for everyone this summer.

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We are heading to Fortnum and Mason to try some unusual ice creams for ourselves. Fortnum & Mason has taken its signature eau de nil colour and transformed it into a sparkling soft serve, with a mint flavour inspired by the iconic Blackpool rock. Even a classic chocolate flake has been replaced, and the soft serve is adorned with a rock bar. Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream ProjectAmong the flavours inspired by cult brands are ice creams made with Kikkoman soy sauce, Filippo Berio pesto, Perello olives and even Sarson’s vinegar. For those with a sweet tooth, Bird’s custard ice cream and McVitie’s Penguins or Jaffa Cakes have also been transformed into ice creams. From Wilson In Bristol, a unique oyster ice cream is served, topped with a bright rhubarb vinaigrette, while Gelupo In London they served fig leaf ice cream in August.

To recreate at home, try our tarragon ice cream recipe or gently spice up a classic with this smooth chocolate and black pepper ice cream.

This year, dips have taken a turn for the better, and simple hummus and guacamole have been greatly improved. Whether you’re packing for a picnic, looking for snacks to accompany drinks when entertaining friends, or ordering finger foods to start a meal at a restaurant, gourmet dips are everywhere. We headed to , a Greek restaurant in Borough Market, to try some gourmet dips. The menu has a selection of spreads to choose from, including baba ganoush and tahini with Jerusalem artichoke chips or tarama topped with pickled cucumber and carob crackers. Don’t miss the warm chips and fluffy bread for dipping. You can also try whipped sheep’s cheese topped with warm honey at Jasminefresh cheese sauces in Bistro Bavette in Leeds and beet pesto in The laundry in Brixton.

Prepare our gourmet sauces at home with these processed cheese, hummus labneh and muhammara Recipes.

Matcha is popping up all over the UK, with interest in its health benefits and delicious taste. Matcha has a slightly sweet, nutty, grassy flavour that pairs well with white chocolate, mango, strawberry and more. Matcha’s striking, vibrant green hue makes it ideal for Instagram posts – as a result, coffee shops and cafes are getting increasingly creative with flavour combinations and toppings.

We visit some of our favourite matcha spots in London. Fit Café Matcha is a specialty matcha cafe with a mission to “introduce people to the true taste of matcha.” You can choose from three grades of matcha powder, ranging from the house blend; a rare, hand-selected blend; and an intense blend; there’s something for beginners and matcha enthusiasts alike. Tsujiri It offers a wide range of matcha-based drinks and desserts. Smoothies are very popular, with the matcha strawberry smoothie being a favourite. jenk Highlighting the health benefits of drinking matcha, the menu offers add-ons to complement them. The soothing lavender and CBD flavour is floral and sweet, and the immune-boosting ginger and turmeric flavour is spicy and comforting.