La Stazione, Ryries Bar, Haymarket, Edinburgh
La Stazione is an Italian osteria/trattoria. It is sat immediately above Ryries Bar, an old Scottish pub that has been in operation since the 1860s, in a building that dates back to the 1749. La Stazione is a good local eatery, while there we noticed a number of tables occupied by tourists, like us, but it seemed clear that there were a good number of local customers, it is a popular place and rightly so.
The Bank, Adamo Hotel, Stirling
The Adamo Hotel in Stirling is an imposing building, having been converted from its previous incarnation as a bank, it seems quite natural that they should give that name to their restaurant, which occupies much its ground floor space, together with a bar and lounge area. The Bank is a relaxed haven serving good food and is certainly a place to visit.
700 years of Armagnac
You would think that an invitation to attend an event to celebrate 700 years of Armagnac, to learn about its development and production and of course, to sample the wares of the different producers of this French spirit would be something to leap at. Indeed, I did leap at the opportunity and when it got to the tasting part of the afternoon began to remember why I quite often avoid such events......
Chinese Cricket Club bowls us over with their Chinese cookery tasting and masterclass
Since its opening last November, Chinese Cricket Club, set within Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blackfriars, London has, we understand, attained some popularity for its menu of Sichuan specialties with a modern twist. The masterclasses provide a good opportunity to get an insight into Chinese cuisine and if you are so inclined, like me, to participate as well as to ask questions.
Alan King says farewell to The Park, as Bar Boulud opens at The Mandarin Oriental in May
I have never written about The Park, though it has held a special place in my heart for some eight years now, long before I started writing for foodepedia, or for london-eating prior to that. It is with sadness tinged with excitement that I will say farewell to The Park, but look forward to the exciting times ahead.
Coquine launches on a river of champagne
Coquine opened its doors to a battery of invited guests earlier this week. This new cocktail lounge/restaurant launched on a river of champagne, which merged into several tributaries of interesting cocktails. It is clear that a lot of thought and effort has gone into creating the space and its aura of respectable decadence, why not go there and enjoy a cocktail or two while you take it in?
The Pear Tree, Margravine Road, London
The Pear Tree pretty much epitomises the archetypal ‘local’. This early Victorian pub stands out, surrounded as it is by somewhat more modern flats and houses. It is true to say that it is a work in progress, with its continuing restorative work. The place is already a popular haunt for locals and I can see that developing, as well as the prospect of attracting those further afield.
The Avenue, St James’s Street, London
The Avenue is an impressive place, its long bar with comfortable seating opposite draws you in to the main restaurant area. Clever use of mirrored walls makes this already substantial and spacious restaurant look enormous. Our meal there was excellent and we would highly recommend it.
Verjuice launches Nationwide
Verjuice has recently become available to British home cooks and chefs alike. This versatile product is made from the unfermented juice of unripe wine grapes, pressed from the green-harvested thinnings that, we are told, are high in acid and low in sugar. Its versatility as a flavour enhancer makes it an excellent alternative to lemon juice, vinegar or wine in your cooking.
Discover the Origin!
The Discover the Origin campaign has hit London. The purpose of the campaign is to promote five European products: Parma ham (PDO), Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (PDO), Burgundy wines (AOC), Port and Douro Valley wines (DOC). These protective markings have a dual purpose, to protect the regional producers against imitations and to enable you, the consumer to be sure you are getting exactly what you are looking for.
Robert Mondavi wines
Robert Mondavi opened his winery in 1966, his reported intention - to produce Californian wines that belonged in the company of the great wines of the world. Given the producer’s prominence in the Napa Valley, we decided to sample a couple of Robert Mondavi's premiere wines and let you have our thoughts.
Bar Pepito Launches in Kings Cross
This little sister bar to Camino in The Regent Quarter, just off Pentonville Road, is unique. A tiny bar, just across Regent Quarter’s Varnisher’s Yard central Courtyard from Camino, it has big character. It is quite simply, unique, attractive and fun, and I was very taken with it.
Tapas Fantasticas
For the uninitiated, this festival, now in its third year, seeks to replicate a similar event that takes place in the Rioja region of Spain each year, where locals and visitors walk from one restaurant/tapas bar to another purchasing one dish and a glass of Rioja wine to complement it, at each. This sounds like a great thing to do on a summer’s afternoon and evening. One for the Diary I think.
Melati, Peter Street, London
This popular Malaysian restaurant has been in business for some 30 years now. Melati is a short walk from west end theatreland, and is a great place to grab a tasty meal before the curtain goes up, or to meet friends and have a relaxed informal meal, particularly if you are excited by mouth tingly zingy dishes, we enjoyed it.
Massala, Cobham, Surrey
Massala is an excellent Indian restaurant with great dishes on their menu, certainly worth making an effort to seek out and undertaking a bit of a journey for. We would definitely recommend it.
PINCHITO Tapas, Bayley Street, London
Pinchito tapas is a vibrant and fun place to go for a meal, the style of eating is informal so it works well for both lunch and dinner or for sharing a variety of nibbles with friends over a few drinks. We certainly enjoyed the experience.
Chino Latino, Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London
Chino Latino is an excellent restaurant, we enjoyed our meal there and the ambience enormously. Situated on the south bank of the Thames, diagonally opposite the Houses of Parliament, it is a little away from central London’s restaurant land, but it is well worth making the effort to seek out.
Midnight Feasts
Midnight Feasts conjures up a misty-eyed nostalgia, which makes for an enjoyable wallow in memories, but more than that, there are ideas for everyone in here, from the novice to the more accomplished cook: and better still, 100% of the profits go to Springboard for Children.
Five a day, the Spanish way
After hearing about these remarkable fruits, it was time to taste some tapas, specially created by Ibèrica Head Chef Santiago Guerrero, all using Spanish raspberries and strawberries. Not necessarily an easy task, given that these fruits aren't renowned for pairing with meat and fish - but we had open minds.
My Dining Room is now open to the public
Recently opened following a refurbishment and a change of name, from 'The Farm', My Dining Room is the latest gastro pub to open in fulham. Together with other media types I was invited along, following its recent launch, to sample some of the dishes from their menu andI was favourably impressed with what I tasted.
