3 min read

CHEF TOMASZ BARANSKI'S INSIDER GUIDE TO ST KATHARINE DOCKS

Chayote's Head Chef Talks us Through St Katharine Docks' Best Food and Drink Spots

Named “one of the world’s top chefs” by Forbes, Chef Tomasz Baranski’s remarkable career has seen him mastering Mexican, Peruvian and Spanish cuisine at prestigious and Michelin-star restaurants in Spain, Mexico and London.

His impressive culinary CV includes work as Head Chef at Michelin-star Spanish destination, Barrafina and mastering Basque techniques to launch world-famous destinations like San Sebastian’s Donostia.

And thanks to 18 years' experience in these worlds, there is nobody better placed to blend Mexican and Peruvian gastronomy with a Spanish twist for the eagerly-awaited Chayote restaurant, which opens on 12 October on St Katharine Dock’s stunning marina.

Menu highlights include a range of inventive tostadas, tacos and quesadillas, with fresh seafood ceviche - like the sea bass and green mango - and sharing dishes including the Lamb Barbacoa in Adoba and Banana Leaf. The desserts are equally innovative in their celebration of the menu’s roots, with offerings including Spicy Chocolate Doughnuts and Chocolate Habanero Tart. Named after Mexico’s edible gourd, Chayote's sophisticated interior reflects the rich, tropical environment of South America, with deep greens, tan browns, moody blacks, natural wood and warm, exposed brickwork. Beautiful statement lighting explodes from the ceilings of the 80-cover restaurant and the luxury velvets and leathers create a relaxed, cosy and refined dining ambience. Outside, diners can overlook the yacht marina and glittering water from Chayote’s terrace, beneath heated umbrellas.

Chef Baranski brings nearly two decades experience to the restaurant and has turned his refined palate to the food and drink offerings around the St Katharine Dock restaurant, to bring us his guide to the best, healthy spots to feed and water yourselves.

Tomasz Baranski is Head Chef at Chayote, 2 Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London, E1W 1AA

COFFEE

URBAN BARISTAS

I drink my coffee black. And Urban Baristas make excellent, freshly-roasted coffee. They also provide healthy, Aussie breakfast options, if you wanted to grab a bite as well.

Urban Baristas, Devon House, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1JP

BREAKFAST

WHITE MULBERRIES

I’m a trained nutritionist as well as being a chef. I do intermittent fasting and then taste the food before I serve lunch, which works as breakfast for me, so I don't really go out for breakfast.

But if I did, my recommendation would be White Mulberries. They serve a range of beautiful and healthy breakfast bowls, like their Acai Bowl with pistachio, berries, banana, oat, seeds and granola or the savoury bowls, like their salmon, eggs and avocado bowl with seeds and tomato. And it's a lovely, relaxed morning spot, overlooking the twinkling docks.

White Mulberries, D3 & E Ivory house , St. Katharine Docks, London E1W 1AT

LUNCH

NATURAL KITCHEN

I love the healthy lunch selection at Natural Kitchen, from superfood pesto courgetti with vegetables to their Teryaki salmon with brown rice. Their food-to-go deli menu is pretty handy too, if you’re on the move.

Natural Kitchen, St. Katharine Docks, 1 E Smithfield, London E1W 1AZ

DINNER

EMILIA'S CRAFTED PASTA

Emilia's Crafted Pasta is lovely, with a great, buzzy atmosphere. Everything is fresh, simple and delicious with huge respect for the authentic and traditional Italian techniques. My favourite dish there is the creamy mushroom and walnut pasta, which I’ll have while taking in the pretty view of the boats bobbing about outside.

Emilia’s Crafted Pasta, Unit C3, Ivory House, St Katharine Docks

DRINKS

NINE LIVES BAR

I don’t drink, apart from a good glass of wine with a meal. However, Nine Lives on Holyrood Street is a brilliant spot and a big hit with our bar manager Clark and the Chayote team. It has great, tropical-meets-urban decor, an impressive cocktail list and some lovely alcohol-free options if you don’t drink, like their Habanero Lowball.

Nine Lives, 8 Holyrood St, London SE1 2EL

INSIDER TIP

OCTOPUS AT THE MELUSINE

I recommend ordering the excellent grilled octopus with oyster mushroom and baby capers at The Melusine and sitting at the counter to watch the chefs preparing the dishes in the open kitchen. I’ve been working in open kitchens since 2008 and am a huge fan of them - I like the transparency; the theatre and I find it helps to create a calmer work environment.

The Melusine, Unit K, Ivory house, East Smithfield, St Katharine Docks E1W 1AT London