As 5* London hotels go, Corinthia London is a real whopper. From afternoon tea, to Tom Kerridge to the finest spa in the city, it’s got it all. The latest addition is André Garrett, previously of Cliveden House, who’s overseeing the menu at The Northall. The vast space is refined without being stuffy; tall ceilings, natural light aplenty, plush carpets and crisp tablecloths. Our visit … Continue reading Northall at Corinthia London
I’ve heard plenty about Sticky Mango, housed in a sleepy side street in Southwark. Reviews from legendary Fay Maschler and that Giles Coren were both terrific. The place has some history. It used to be RSJ, a neighbourhood restaurant that those-in-the-know will know is where Posh and Becks once courted back in the day. Then head chef, Peter Lloyd, is now Chef Patron, and his … Continue reading Sticky Mango, Southwark
This seafood restaurant has been a hit on Brewer Street in Soho for over 20 years. Perched at a stall in the candlelit dining room, kitted out in pie ‘n’ mash shop white tiles, below a disco ball, tapping our feet to tune after absolute tune, it’s easy to see why. I haven’t had this much fun in a restaurant in ages. The menu, 15 … Continue reading Randall & Aubin, Soho
Although Alain Ducasse might be better known for his uber fine dining spots like Le Meurice or his newly-opened riverboat on the Seine, this bistro has been around since 1932. Once owned by Marthe Allard, and kept in the family for centuries, not much has changed about this charmingly quaint spot in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, since Ducasse’s takeover. You arrive in a corridor opposite a tiny, semi … Continue reading Allard, Paris
As we sit in Anthony Demetre’s Wild Honey in the Sofitel St James hotel I can’t help but feel relaxed. It’s a large, bright and cheery space, modern art fills the walls, giant chandeliers fill the ceiling. Service is upbeat and charming. The menu makes you hungry. How about classic bouillabaisse Marseille style? Or classic farmhouse terrine? Or a soup made from partridge, pheasant, woodcock … Continue reading Wild Honey, St James
This is the first Ivy Asia in London, one has been a hit in Manchester for a while now. You’d be right to assume Richard Caring (Sexy Fish, Annabel’s, Scott’s, 34 etc) plans to roll these out like the rest of his Ivy branded restaurants. UK domination, it certainly is. Best of all here is the design. There’s nowhere quite like it. Just look at … Continue reading The Ivy Asia, St Paul’s
You’ll likely know Bellamy’s as the Queen’s favourite restaurant – she’s famously visited on a few occasions. This Bruton Place stalwart (just down the road from The Guinea Grill) is celebrating its 15th Birthday. Owner, Gavin Rankin, flung open the doors after working as MD at Annabel’s Group, so he’s a well connected chap. It’s a rather understated affair from the room to the menu … Continue reading Bellamy’s, Mayfair
Emile won’t be around for long; if you fancy visiting this restaurant from Nick Gibson and Damian Clisby you’ve got just under 6 months. It’s a popup taking over the former Rok Shoreditch site and it’s the first time this illustrious pair have teamed up. Continue reading Emile, Shoreditch
I’ve been a fan of Adam Handling ever since watching him on MasterChef: The Professionals back in 2013. He’s a bloody good cook, even if the folk at Michelin are yet to acknowledge it. A recent meal at Handling’s restaurant, The Frog in Covent Garden, was superb. Continue reading Adam Handling at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel
If you’re not from round these parts, the walk to Hackney Church Brew Co is a little hairy. Down an alley, under a railway arch, past a group of men drinking vodka and there you’ll find it. Hackney Church Brew Co is a community brew house, basically a bar, and a noisy one at that. Out the back you’ll find a chap called Elliot Cunningham, … Continue reading Lagom, Hackney Church Brew Co
London is full of exciting new hotel openings right now. You’ve got the Hoxton Southwark, Mama Shelter in Shoreditch, The Biltmore in Mayfair and The Stratford in, er, Stratford. Head over to King’s Cross and you’ll find the first UK outpost from The Standard. It takes over the old Camden Town Hall right opposite King’s Cross station. A little less glamorous than its Downtown LA, … Continue reading Isla at The Standard, London
Soho House can do no wrong in my eyes. From the recently refurbished original Soho House to the Electric Cinema in Portobello Road to White City House to The Ned – I love them all and I’m not even a member! Here, we have their latest opening, a roadside motel and diner by the name of Mollie’s. It sits next to the BP Garage on … Continue reading Mollie’s Motel and Diner
What is the logical next step for a chef and restaurateur who has dominated the culinary scene in, arguably, the most culinary destination in the world? A river boat, that’s what. Ducasse sur Seine sits on the famous Parisian river directly below the Eiffel Tower and is unlike any river boat restaurant you may have been on before. It’s powered 100% by electricity, the food, … Continue reading Ducasse sur Seine, Paris
I’ve been working front of house for nearly a year now. I’ve written about eating in restaurants for yonks but never before considered the difficulty involved in the day to day running of one. It’s been a steep and fascinating learning curve. Shortly after employing me, Oisín Rogers, general manager of the Guinea Grill, gave me Danny Meyer’s Setting the Table. In this book the … Continue reading Osteria Francescana, Modena
Based in the Ascot countryside, which is reassuringly close to London, the setting for Coworth Park is a rather stunning one. Once checked in we go for a walk around the grounds, all 240 acres of them. Wildflower meadows unlike anything I’ve seen before lead out onto Polo fields as far as the eye can see. A giant helicopter lands nearby, its owners visiting for … Continue reading Dining Under the Stars with Dom Pérignon
