The London Restaurant Festival team recently set things in motion by putting tickets on sale for what promises to be perhaps the most exclusive pop up restaurant. Starting with drinks at the Savoy guests will be taken by boat to the London Eye where a capsule will have been transformed into a ten seat restaurant serving dishes from a glittering cast of Michelin starred chefs.
Dishoom Launch Chowpatty Beach on the southbank
Phillip Azevedo visits Dishoom’s Chowpatty Beach Bar on the southbank and is charmed by the by the experience, the materials used in creating it and enjoys the variety of cocktails on offer.
Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon
The trouble with heading someplace that everyone proclaims ‘you’ll absolutely love!” is that it immediately puts the recipient of such a comment on the back foot. But Gidleigh Park deserves all its accolade and acclaim. The food is sublime; packed with beautifully juxtaposed flavours.
One Greedy Italian
It’s hard to stop grazing on the anti pasti, which is what makes Italian food so great; the sense of sharing, of conviviality, of food as life. It’s all so different from the Church of Food we seem to have constructed for ourselves here in London. Heads down, talk only in whispers and raise reverential gazes to Chef in His Kitchen.
Tamarind to take on the Terminator
Tamarind, the posh Indian restaurant in Mayfair, has decided to end the spice drought in Arny Schwarznegger’s California and open Tamarind of London in Newport Beach, Orange County one of the best beachside cities on the Pacific Coast.
The Grazing Goat. New Quebec Street, London
Recently refurbished, The Grazing Goat has a ‘modern rustic’ feel, both to its bar and the first floor restaurant, with its wood clad walls, wooden floors and furniture enhanced with a scattering of artefacts. We had a great meal at The Grazing Goat, their service is attentive and the staff very helpful.
Feng Sushi’s Japanese Barbecue on the South Bank
The preponderance of chains on the South Bank leaves many spoilt for no real choice. Feng Sushi’s innovative summertime only barbecue allows us to break free from the formulaic and, as Joanna Biddolph discovered, grab a quick bite and a cocktail, to fill a gap, on the way to a concert, film or play – or as an after-work snack. The barbecue fills a physical gap on the South Bank, too.
Cay Tre opens in Soho
Vietnamese restaurateur Hieu Bui has opened his fourth restaurant in London, a second incarnation of Cay Tre this time in the heart of Soho.
Going Underground, The Clove Club supper club
I’m no trendy, in fact I make Arthur Smith look cheerful and happening, but invited by Bisol Prosecco the sponsors of Supper Club at The Clove Club, to get round to Dalston to get a taste I quickly grow a baby beard, stick a sock on my head and go.
The grass is always greener. The asparagus menu at Refettorio
You catch glimpses of the man – Giorgio Locatelli, his trademark hair almost back to its original piratical length, emerges from his kitchen at Refettorio every now and then to see how the ‘grass’ is going down with guests.
I’m liking it a lot, the seasonal treat that is English asparagus, or ‘grass’ to greengrocers, is fresh, crisp and delicious. At this time of year it demands to be eaten every day because when it’s gone, it’s gone and we’ll soon be back to inferior foreign stuff.