A plant-filled courtyard, fresh AF British cocktails, epic Thai food, Michelin-starred credentials, art installations, DJs... Outcrop, you have our attention. Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis, founders of acclaimed Italian restaurant Luca, and Secret Cinema's Tom Allot, Andrea Moccia and Sabrina Goreeba have come together to create this three-month pop-up set in 180 The Strand. Their goal? To build a restaurant and arts space that "connects guests with nature". 

Drinks-wise, they've tapped none other than bartender Rob Simpson, who runs the cocktail scene at JKS Restaurants, to develop a bar programme featuring the best of Britain. His menu is all about highlighting independent UK distilleries, and features serves like the Barley Margarita, with barley eau de vie, London honey and gooseberry, and the Outcrop Martini, a combination of London dry gin and homemade herb-garden vermouth. When it comes to the food, AngoThai's John Chantarasak is running the show, marrying Thai cooking techniques with British ingredients. Wye Valley asparagus and sunflower seed satay? Coconut smoked turbot bone both? Yes please!

The proverbial cocktail cherry in the Manhattan here is the focus on art and music - expect a performance piece drawing inspiration from the migration of swallows and the African diaspora, a custom soundtrack exploring the relationship between music and nature, and a full line-up of live sessions. We're intrigued... and with buzz about a potential permanent version once the pop-up ends, it's certainly one we'll be keeping an eye on.

Opening 7 July 2023