Books

John Torode Beef

John Torode’s face gazes out of the front cover of this book looking like a cow benignly watching a farmer approach with a shotgun. No doubt it was a deliberate design decision, but it does make you question the wisdom of eating as much meat as John clearly has done. He looks, to be blunt, a bit beefy himself.

Eat Drink Talk

Osso Buco

Osso buco is the perfect dish to feed a crowd. It is one of those dishes that can simmer away happily unattended for hours and fills your kitchen with delicious smells.

Restaurant Reviews

Footstool restuarant

Some things purr on, doing their business, no X-factor genes pumping their spoilt podgy dancing legs. One of these is the modest but wonderful Footstool Restaurant in the brick-vaulted crypt of St Johns church in Smith Square, Westminster.

Offers

Mela restaurants are offering a sweet deal for their Indian Cuisine

If you’ve decided to cut back on expenses by giving up dining out, you might want to reconsider after you read about this special offer. Mela restaurants are offering their award-winning Indian Cuisine at a 50% discount during January. And no coupons are needed. Simply whisper, in a sweet voice, “50 % off” into your server’s ear. Perhaps this could become a January tradition for all London restaurants! And if you visit their website www.melarestaurant.co.uk, and click offers, you will also be able to print out a voucher for a free bottle of wine for a table of four.

Food

Give your man a pizza the action

We all know men love pizza, whether it’s served up for breakfast along with the morning paper or over a romantic candle light dinner. So, why not give them a chocolate pizza this Valentine’s Day? Even the most macho of men won’t be able to resist this 10″ inch chocolate feast! Presented in an authentic pizza box with red tissue paper, the specialty chocolate comes with a Valentine’s gift card and envelope so you can include your own personalised message inside.

Wine

Cool pink for hot valentines

Croft has shaken up the Port category with a lip-smaking rosé called CROFT PINK which will tickle palates pink on Valentine’s Day. No longer considered as only an after dinner drink, CROFT PINK has revolutionised Port drinking bringing it right up to date for year round enjoyment. Smart drinkers will enjoy its sweet, vibrant aromas when served chilled, over ice, or with soda accompanied by roasted almonds or olives.

B.Log

Camo Bags- the credit crunch cover up

Times are tough and people are feeling the pinch, but not everyone is shopping downmarket, in fact many people can still afford to go to Waitrose. But how to look responsible and still eat well? Enter the Camo Bag concept. ‘Of course we can still afford to buy the best,” says Helen whose husband is a well-paid columnist on a liberal newspaper. ‘But in our circle it’s just not cool now to admit it. When Tatiana gets the Waitrose bags out of the back of the Range Rover I can almost feel the neighbours disapproval.” So Helen had as she puts it, ‘a brilliant idea!”

Recipes

Celebrate Chinese New Year With Alan Coxon’s Oriental Banquet

‘Kung Hei Fat Choy’ or ‘Happy Chinese New Year’! The Year of the Ox is celebrated on 26th January and with Chinese households cleaning, repainting and handing out Lai See (lucky money); Alan Coxon has developed a menu for those who want to join in with the festivities. Food is an integral part of the celebrations and Alan has scoured the Orient to come up with a delicious menu for all to enjoy.