This year has brought some very good meals (Pied a Terre, Chez Bruce, Hibiscus), some average ones (Tom Aikens, Arbutus) and some damn right terrible (Umu). In the ‘very good’ column I can add Galvin at Windows and Bistro de Luxe, so I was very interested in seeing what the brothers had managed to do with their new venture. Would it be a restaurant too far or a City winner?
Gourmet Garden launch new products
The recent party held by the producers of Gourmet Garden, to promote their range of produce, and to launch four new blends, was held at Maya club just off Oxford Street in Dean Street. I have tried some of these products at home and am happy to report that they do add good fresh flavours to your dishes.
Sargeant manoeuvres himself away from Ramsay
Close students of Saturday Kitchen and other daytime delights will have become used to the sight of Mark Sargeant, Ramsay’s right hand man, cooking for the TV audience. As one of Gordy’s team for 13 years he first came to our notice in the original Hell’s Kitchen,where he could be often seen quietly helping the contestants get over their roughing up by Ramsay and steering their dishes back on course
Award-winning Whites restaurant gets a new head Chef
The award-winning Whites Bar & Kitchen at the White Horse in Steyning has recently announced the appointment of their new Head Chef, Stuart Dove. With a menu and wine list full of locally sourced produce if you are conscious about food miles and carbon footprints, maybe you should try Whites.
Kill Chill. YO! Sushi new dishes fight the winter cold
At £4.50 a bowl the hot soups are hot, filling and good value but both need a bit more spicing up – basically if my nose aint running, they aint working. The prawn croquettes are great and the mushrooms are ok, but could be better with some work.
Hove-ward Bound
More entertaining than the town’s floral clock and in ruder health than its ill-looking palms, Hove’s ‘L’Eglise’ brasserie is well-worth an escape from the capital’s chaos. Under orders from wine ‘Kinight’ François Domange, we accept the unenviable task of rating a five course, five wine, Bordeaux banquet at Hove’s ‘L’Eglise’…
Allens of Mayfair – butchery classes for 2010
The Butchery Classes for Beginners, which Allens pioneered in 2007 have become hugely popular since they launched and they are now taking bookings for their 3rd season, starting in January 2010. Indeed, we went on one and found it fantastic.
Free Chinese Tea lessons
Until 4 December 2009, Royal China Club will be holding free afternoon Chinese Tea appreciation lessons with the renowned Hong Kong Tea Master, Shek Kwai Sim. With 20 years of experience, Shek Kwai Sim is a master of presenting the Chinese tea culture and the nutrients that each tea provides.
New fish! Kitchen in East Sheen offers Londoners the perfect catch
At the new fish! Kitchen, Tony Allan will continue to adhere to his founding fish! principles – freshness, sustainability and good value for money. Fish and Chips has never tasted so good. Allan offers his customers top quality fish cooked in a multitude of different ways, from the classic Fish and Chips, to unique twists on traditional fish dishes loved throughout the UK.
Prism, London
They say that as you get older, policemen start to look younger. Well that applies to waiters too. The fresh faced kid serving us bread in Prism seems so youthful I’m tempted to ask why he isn’t back home studying for his mock GCSE’s next week.