secret supper clubs: part one

Here at the Great Date Guide we're all about secrets, and letting you in on them! So, here is our pick of the best secret supper clubs in London. Perfect for a delicious dinner date with a difference! We love the illicit nature of the supper club, not to mention the fabulous food and wonderful atmosphere that you'll experience.

We were planning on doing our top 10 but we discovered so many fantastic and original underground restaurants that we couldn't narrow it down!  Make sure you click on the links to find out about dates, venues (you'll probably only be told a few days before your dinner!) and suggested donations.

So, here is part one of our pick from London's exciting and original supper club scene - part two coming soon...

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Bootleg Banquet: One of the Kings of the underground restaurant revolution, based in an abandoned pasta delivery kitchen in trendy Shoreditch. You'll be treated to delicious food, an in-house DJ and an eclectic bunch of dining companions. Helio and Pieter are extremely talented chefs with an impressive resumé - you won't be disappointed, but book early because this place is popular.

Lex Cook You Eat: You only have to read the reviews to know that Lex Eat is a hugely popular supper club. Now in a smaller, more intimate, venue on Regent’s Canal, Alexis and Yohanna offer their guests superbly cooked food in a stylish and relaxed atmosphere.  Our favourite touch? Little messages to their guests written on the brown paper tablecloth!

The Old Hat Club: A pop-up restaurant based in Angel. Run by four friends who strive for well executed, home cooked, modern comfort food and a great laugh. It's not a quick bite to eat, but a slow, relaxing Sunday lunch cooked mainly in their outside wood-fired oven and eaten in the comfort of their home (and garden when the sun is shining!). Enjoy a Bloody Mary on arrival and let the good times roll!

The Secret Ingredient: Run by the excitable, Dennis the Menis apron wearing, Horton Jupiter this is a deliciously chaotic supper club. Since opening in mid January 2009 they've been serving 8 or 9 course meals of exotic vegetarian Japanese food  - people ask "why Japanese?"  because it's sexy says Horton! After a recent success serving tapas they've come up with a new concept - well, a new word actually, JAPAS! Held in a council flat in Newington Green every other Wednesday/Thursday, this is one quirky supper club!

The Friday Food Club: Set in the heart of Blackheath Village in the old GPO film studios, now a seriously funky apartment, Lee Behan, your classically trained Chef and host, cooks fantastic British Food with a modern twist with inspiration from the global larder. He also lets other chefs loose in his kitchen! Mark Hix, Dhruv Baker (Masterchef fame) and Anna Hansen to name but a few… Expect excellent food and a great atmosphere, but as usual, book in early!

Cucina Cinzia: Flown over from Tuscany for the supperclub, Cinzia (and Fulham based Jill) want to welcome you into a Tuscan family atmosphere, serving authentic seasonal Tuscan food; things that you wouldn't normally find in Italian restaurants in London.  Their supper club is everything that you would associate with an Italian family supper: delicious home cooked food, an informal atmosphere and a real love of entertaining.

The Secret Larder: The Secret Larder is run by food writer James Ramsden and his sister Mary at their flat in North London. The atmosphere is cosy and welcoming, the food lovingly cooked, and the guests welcome to stay as long as they like. Sounds pretty good to us! It runs every other Thursday.

White Room Supperclub:  Located close to the Barbican in a stylish venue, with great views over town, this club is perfect to come to with your date, or in the hope of finding one! You'll be served delicious food in slick surroundings with a special emphasis on meeting new people and mingling. Every evening starts with a drink and canapés before being seated on one  big table for the meal. The location makes this one perfect for an original post work date…

Love a Locavore: A fabulous little pop up in the Sands End area of Fulham, the essence of which is UK grown seasonal food, much of which comes fresh from the owners family kitchen garden in the Costwolds.   This pop-up really is perfect for a date because, not only is the food delicious, but you have the opportunity to sit at a romantic table for two overlooking the "restaurant", or if you're feeling more sociable, you can join in at a table of 6 - 8 diners.

Eat Meet Supperclub: They've had a break over the summer but should be back in action again in Brockley this autumn. Eat Meet Supperclub is fun and relaxed with every other supper being a singles supper club, and sometimes themed… Expect good food and good times!

Nomad Chef: A secret restaurant in the heart of Holland Park where an ever changing group of adventurous, interesting, eclectic food lovers meet to eat food from all over the world, and share stories and artifacts of their lives… in the true Nomad tradition.  Perfect for the free spirited adventurous daters amongst you! 

The Savoy Truffle Supperclub: Operating from a lounge in Blackheath (and other pop-up venues) this laidback monthly supper club is underground and exclusive, promising a multi-course feast of fabulous locally-sourced food (the veg comes from their allotment or a farm, just seven miles away), a buzzing atmosphere, a chance to meet new people, to talk to the chef - and to get a peek inside his home! Want to impress your date? Just tell them your guerilla chef has cooked for Orlando Bloom, James MacAvoy, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall... 

Keep an eye out for part two, appearing on the website soon…