“RedFarm brings a greenmarket sensibility to modern and inventive Chinese food” says their website. Whatever that means. The potential for this import from New York to be a bit crap is quite high. (This is their first in the UK, next to Balthazar in Covent Garden). But it’s actually loads of fun. Dishes like pork and crab xiaolongbao (£8), that’s those soup dumplings which are … Continue reading Red Farm, Covent Garden
Coal Drops Yard has really put King’s Cross on London’s culinary map. Whether it’s chocolates from Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, croquetas from Barrafina, tacos at Plaza Pastor or a Vermouth or three at Anthony Demetre’s Vermuteria, go north and you’ll be well fed and watered. Inside CDY’s trendiest shop Wolf & Badger you’ll find Hicce, taking up the entire third floor. It’s from business partners … Continue reading Hicce, Coal Drops Yard
Tom Kerridge has quite the restaurant empire. Over in Marlow, Buckhimshire he has the two Michelin-starred Hand and Flowers. Up the road he now owns a butchers called The Butcher’s Tap and a pub, The Coach. The latest addition is Kerridge’s Bar & Grill in one of London’s finest hotels, Corinthia Hotel London. Kerridge’s wife, Beth is an sculptor and the dining room is filled … Continue reading Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, Corinthia Hotel London
The clever Harts Brothers have taken on quite the challenge, opening a host of restaurants in the new Coal Drops Yard development in Kings Cross. There’s Plaza Pastor and Casa Pastor, serving tacos and rotisserie chicken, a new Barrafina and a wine bar-cum-restaurant called The Drop. Inside is a cosy spot; all exposed brick in low-ceiling arches. At one end there’s a counter to perch … Continue reading The Drop, Coal Drops Yard
I first heard of Salcombe Gin when a small group of ‘press’ were invited to Lympstone Manor. Here, we tried their limited edition, specially crafted, Arabella Gin created with chef and owner of Lympstone, Michael Caines. We had a lunch of crab raviolo, guinea fowl with Summer vegetables and lemon polenta cake (that place now has a Michelin star, it’s gorgeous FYI) while doing a … Continue reading Salcombe Gin School
I went to Cora Pearl for a weekday dinner when it first opened and loved it. Beautiful room, warm service and tasty grub – nothing not to like. I was excited then to hear this sister restaurant to Kitty Fisher’s is now serving Sunday lunch. Their ham and cheese toastie (£7.50) has become quite a ‘thing’. For good reason. But it’s the daintier dishes that show … Continue reading Cora Pearl, Covent Garden
Harry’s Bar on James Street (just by Selfridges) is inspired by its namesake, the fancy Mayfair private members’ club Harry’s Bar, that opened on South Audley Street in the 70s. It’s the brainchild of Richard Caring. He’s been rolling out Ivy Cafés/Brasseries/Grills like there’s no tomorrow and I imagine he’ll be doing the same here. But panic not, this ain’t no crap chain. It’s rather … Continue reading Harry’s Bar, James Street
The much loved A.Wong, now Michelin-starred, has just got itself a sister restaurant, over in Bloomberg Arcade. It joins a whole host of brilliant spots to eat: Koya, Brigadiers, Homeslice and the best burger in London: Bleecker. Kym’s specialises in Chinese roast meats and is backed by Chris Miller of White Rabbit Fund. You may recognise that chap from BBC Two’s Million Pound Menu. It’s … Continue reading Kym’s, Bloomberg Arcade
We’re in Amsterdam for a few days, staying at the new Soho House, which comes highly recommended. (You don’t need to be a member to stay there FY)I. A pleasant 20 minute stroll away is SUSHISAMBA. We start with a Smoked Plum Negroni and green bean tempura with black truffle aioli (£8) out on the terrace. We’re right by the canal watching the peddle boat … Continue reading SUSHISAMBA, Amsterdam
Maison Bab is a “modern kebab house” from friends Stephen Tozer (ex city) and Ed Brunet (ex Le Gavroche). Based in Covent Garden, opposite Temper, it’s a looker inside; tall ceiling, open kitchen and Tom Dixon-inspired copper light shades. I arrive a touch hungover which is handy as a kebab is the perfect fix. We start with a naan bread drenched in meat butter (£4.50). … Continue reading Maison Bab, Covent Garden
Kitchen W8, that Kensington neighbourhood restaurant which has held a Michelin star since 2011, is fresh from a smartly appointed refurb. The elegant dining room has had a lick of paint and some fresh linen and the result is splendid. We are however the youngest people in there by a country mile. It’s all white hair and people who don’t realise it’s their mobile ringing. … Continue reading Kitchen W8, Kensington
La Dame de Pic sits within the Four Seasons hotel in the former Port of London Authority headquarters right by Tower Bridge. As hotels go, it’s an ever so beautiful space, inside and out. The restaurant is by Anne-Sophie Pic, a lauded French chef, and it was awarded a Michelin star in the 2018 guide. We visit to sample the set lunch menu (£32 for … Continue reading La Dame de Pic, Tower Bridge
Ask a Hampshire local (Hey, Dad!) and they’ll tell you Heckfield Place has been a long time comin’. Five years in fact. It’s easy to see what’s taken so long when you drive through the manned front gate, up the winding path through the forest and arrive at the Georgian mansion facade. It’s a looker. The website is full of twoddle like “THE GROUNDS ARE … Continue reading Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Blacklock is the restaurant I recommend the most. If you love meat (they source theirs from Philip Warren in Cornwall) then there are few better places to indulge in London. The fact they serve decent cocktails in proper glasses for just a fiver is an added bonus. I was delighted then to hear of a third Blacklock – this time in Shoreditch. The space feels … Continue reading Blacklock, Shoreditch
You might know Adam Reid from Great British Menu and his ‘Golden Empire’ pudding which he cooked at the banquet. You might also know The Midland hotel in Manchester from the time Simon Rogan had a restaurant there. It’s all changed though… You’ll find Adam Reid at The French here now where it’s all multi course menus served in a fancy dining room. Two giant … Continue reading Adam Reid at The French
