The SLMan Food & Drink List

THE NOLO BEER: Big Drop World Collab Series

Specialist alcohol-free brewer Big Drop has teamed up with four leading Nordic breweries to launch a limited-edition range of 0.5% ABV beers. The range is the second in Big Drop’s ‘World Collab Series’, created with renowned beer expert Melissa Cole. Launched in mid-January, the four beers include a coconut stout made with Icelandic brewery Einstock; an elderflower IPA with Sweden’s Hop Notch; the excellently named ‘Rye’d Said Fred’, a juniper rye IPA by Finnish brewery Fat Lizard; and a vegan-friendly peach melba pastry sour, made in collaboration with Norway’s Amundsen. The collection costs £9.80 for four 440ml cans.

Visit BigDropBrew.com

THE SNACK: Ember Snacks

Ember Snacks, which has made a name for itself with some award-winning biltong, has launched three new charcuterie products. Available to buy in Sainsbury's, each pack is high in protein and low in fat, with meat sourced from the best of British farms to limit environmental impact. The new products include cracked black pepper steak slices; smoked paprika lean pork salami; and wild venison slices. Having recently tried the lot, SLMan can vouch for both the flavour and quality of the meat used.

Visit EmberSnacks.com

THE CAFFEINE FIX: Ueshima Coffee Company

Japan’s bestselling coffee is now available in the UK. Established in Kobe in 1933, Ueshima Coffee Company is steeped in history: a household name in Japan, it has a 36% market share and a network of coffee shops across the country. Characteristically smooth, bold in flavour and low in acidity, the new range includes beans, Nespresso-compatible aluminium capsules and coffee bags in three blends – Tokyo Roast, House Blend and Fuji Mountain – each using original recipes. Keen to mix up your morning routine? Sign up to the newsletter, and you’ll receive 10% off your first order.

Visit UeshimaCoffeeCompany.com

THE MEAL KIT: Flesh & Buns

You should already know Flesh & Buns as the pair of Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurants in Covent Garden and Fitzrovia. Now the group’s doing at-home kits, with UK-wide delivery. The bao box contains everything you need to recreate signature crispy piglet belly buns at home, including six buns, piglet belly, pickled apples, karashi miso and shiso leaves. Each kit serves two and costs £27.50, or £35 if you need a bamboo bun steamer. The packs are available seven days a week from Restaurant Kits and are delivered two days after ordering.

Visit RestaurantKitsUK.com

THE EASY COCKTAIL: Daffy’s Martini

Strathmashie Distillery has launched an excellent pre-batched cocktail: Daffy's Orange Blossom Martini, which won London's ‘World’s Best Martini’ competition a few years back. Bottles of orange blossom gin and vermouth are mixed at a 4:1 ratio, coming in at the ideal martini ABV of 29.3%. Designed to be served ice-cold straight from the bottle into your favourite martini glass, this will perk up even the dullest of lockdown weekends.

Visit DaffysGin.com

THE HEALTH KICK: Hide at Home Detox Juices

Still sticking to your new year health drive? Oskar Kinberg – award-winning mixologist and bar manager at Ollie Dabbous’s Hide Below – has created a selection of fresh, vegetable-focused detox juices. Cleansing and reinvigorating, the team makes different juices each week depending on what’s available. Recent recipes have included a mix of beetroot and lemon verbena; cucumber, spinach, aloe vera and kiwi; and carrot, mango and orange blossom. We also like the sound of the lemongrass kombucha, which includes refreshing notes of citrus, galangal and rose petal.

Visit Hide.co.uk

THE SHOP: New Breed Bottle Shop

New Breed Bottle Shop has opened its doors in Loughton, Essex, and its well-stocked wares can be shipped across the UK. Offering craft beers, small-batch spirits and wine, the independently owned store is the long-term goal of friends Neil Datta and Mikey O’Kane. Together, the pair offer a curated mix of beers, ales and lagers, alongside natural, low-intervention and biodynamic bottles from innovative vineyards. If spirits are more your thing, look out for bottles from distillers such as East London Liquor Company and Linden Leaf, alongside a selection of pre-bottled cocktails from Bottle Proof and acclaimed east London bar Three Sheets.

Visit NewBreedBottleShop.co.uk

THE CONDIMENT: Osu

Japanese apple cider vinegar brand Osu has expanded its product range with two new flavours. Alongside the 2020 Great Taste award-winning original apple flavour, Osu has introduced blueberry & pomegranate and lemon & ginger to its repertoire. Ideal for adding into a morning routine, the condiment is great taken as a shot to kick off the day or added into a morning smoothie. If you’re after versatility, the original flavour can also be used in lunchtime salad dressings or drizzled over grilled fish for dinner.

Visit OsuVinegar.co.uk

THE MEAT-FREE LAUNCH: Rudy’s Vegan Butcher

Rudy’s Vegan Butcher in Islington has launched a click-and-collect service, so Londoners can stock up on plant-based favourites as part of their essential shop. Whether you’re vegan or have been converted to occasional meat-free meals over the course of Veganuary, this ‘butchery’ is the place to head for favourites such as ‘baycon’, ‘black puddin’, and ‘soysage’ rolls. If you’re after a full-on takeaway, Rudy’s Vegan Diner is available Thursday-Sunday via Deliveroo. Dishes include Buffalo ‘chick’n’ burger or a classic Rudy’s Reuben – layers of vegan pastrami, ‘cheeze’, grilled and crispy onions, pickles, sauerkraut and Russian dressing. Whatever you do, add a side of ‘mozzarella’ sticks with spicy marinara sauce.

Visit RudysVegan.com

THE FIZZ: Gusbourne Estate Blanc De Blancs 2016

Got an occasion to celebrate during lockdown? Wine producer Gusbourne Estate has launched its blanc de blancs 2016, a vintage English sparkling wine. The bottle is characteristic of the producer’s award-winning blanc de blancs, made from 100% chardonnay grapes and with natural minerality on the palate. With a nose of citrus, pink grapefruit and pear, the 2016 vintage has hints of lemon, nectarine and green apple on the palate, alongside notes of toasted brioche, shortbread and hazelnut – ideal flavours for this time of year.

Visit Gusbourne.com

THE SUPERMARKET HERO: Miso Tasty Craft Tofu

Fans of this brand will already know it delivers on taste – we rate its brown rice miso paste and ready-to-cook udon packs. Now Miso Tasty has launched organic craft tofu. The product comes in two varieties: ‘firm’ – a robust tofu that can be crisped up for stir-fries and holds well in vegan burgers – and ‘soft’, which has a creamy texture that soaks up flavours, making it ideal for curries, soups and vegan-style ‘scrambled eggs’. There’s no need to press or drain it – just toss it straight into the pan and cook.

Visit MisoTasty.com

THE BOOK: Today’s Special

Twenty top chefs were asked a simple question: who’s next? The resulting new book, Today’s Special, shines a light on 100 up-and-coming chefs from all over the world. Nominated by the likes of Daniel Boulud, Skye Gyngell, Margot Henderson, Yotam Ottolenghi and Marcus Samuelsson, the chosen cooks are listed in alphabetical order, with an original essay about each of them, followed by a menu, recipes and photography of their dishes and where they cook. The ultimate inspiration for when we can travel and visit restaurants again.

Visit Waterstones.com