Every week we round up the newest openings, menus and exciting news from the food world. This week it’s International Carrot Day, The London Coffee Festival and our brand-new April issue.

New issue: April

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of our April issue, available in Sainsbury’s supermarkets from Wednesday. It’s full of eggcellent Easter recipes (including Gizzi Erskine’s Easter around the world), as well as a Middle Eastern lunch feast from Sabrina Ghayour and on-trend Hawaiian dishes from Felicity Cloake.

Soft launch: Mercer & Co

This week, head to Islington’s Chapel Market to enjoy an array of delicious lunches for just £1 at new salt beef bar Mercer & Co. From Wednesday to Sunday, customers can buy any drink and enjoy a mouthwatering meal for just £1. Aside from the classic salt beef bagels, hungry lunch-goers can choose hearty vegetarian or beef chillis, indulgent mac and cheese boxes or fresh and flavourful salad boxes.

International Carrot Day

Tuesday is International Carrot Day; a great chance to unleash the full potential of this versatile veg. Incorporate carrots into a healthy breakfast, like this bowl of creamy carrot cake overnight oats, as the base of a crunchy, refreshing salad (we love Clean Eating Alice’s cashew, carrot, pomegranate and halloumi salad), or as a theme in an Easter showstopper – this hidden carrot cake is perfect for those who prefer their carrots in chocolate cake form…

The London Coffee Festival

Are you up to date with the latest coffee trends? The London Coffee Festival is taking place this week at the Old Truman Brewery on London’s Brick Lane. Pay a visit to Coffee Island’s stand on Saturday afternoon for a taste of their intensely silky Espresso Speciality blend or on Sunday afternoon to sample the new El Salvador Pacamara blend, an elegant and sweet variety with floral notes and a creamy full body. If you feel like experimenting with coffee at home, try shaking up a Chocolate Espresso Martini or wowing guests with a DYI affogato with melting chocolate.

New opening: Lokhandwala

Indian tapas restaurant and bar Lokhandwala is now open on London’s Charlotte Street, serving a variety of small plates using a unique mix of ingredients and spices from round the globe. Featuring a range of vegan shots and smoothies as pre-meal palate cleansers, the menu features classic Indian dishes all with a healthy twist. Don’t miss the spiced marinated tandoor lamb chops, or vepudo tacos, made from potato skins filled with sea bass, radishes and Andhra hot spices.

New menu: Sea Containers

Sea Containers riverside restaurant at Mondrian London has just launched an exciting weekend brunch menu. In a picturesque spot overlooking the Thames, diners can now indulge in dishes with British sourced ingredients in an American style. Wash down a Brooklyn Sandwich (buttermilk waffles with crispy bacon, maple syrup and vanilla ice cream) or crab omelette with a boozy hard shake – we love the look of the The Big O-reo (Jim Bean double oak whiskey, vanilla, Oreo cookie and whipped cream). For a more classic weekend spread, guests can opt for sharing roasts, while bottomless Prosecco is also available for supplement.