Over lunch on Carnaby Street, Douglas Blyde resolves an online spat with Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of Leon restaurants.
The Greenhouse, London
Antonin Bonnet has held a Michelin star at The Greenhouse for the four years he has been working there, and it is thought by many that he should have been given a second this year. It certainly fits the French two star mold – silently swooping waiting staff who pull out your chair before you have a chance to reach for it yourself; a seriously priced tasting menu (£80 per person) and a bulging wine list that includes such treasures as a double magnum of Château Lafiteâ€ÂRothschild 1er Grand Cru Classé from 1959, which will set you back a tidy £15,500. Certainly one for a special occasion.
Toad in the hole
Last week my recipe came from the exotic far flung reaches of Southeast Asia and this week, I am bring it back to ‘Good Old Blighty’ with one of the nation’s dishes, Toad in the hole. Yorkshire pudding batter enveloping as many plump and juicy sausages that you can fit into the dish, with a generous ladleing of meatylicious gravy.
Chocolate Chip Date Nut Cake
After yearning for her childhood treat ten Carole Egbert sees a recipe for a chocolate, date cake in a newspaper column. “With minor adjustments, this is the cake I have baked for many parties. I always use a Bundt pan and slather the cooled cake with unsweetened, heavy cream that has been beaten to stiff peaks. Last week, I topped the cream with sliced strawberries and promised our guests that I would share the recipe. Here’s how I did it”
Two Michelin Stared Chef, Pino Lavarra, joins the Brunello Restaurant team at The Baglioni Hotel for 5 evenings only.
Throughout 2010 Brunello is planning a series of special, fine dining events planned to delight the most demanding gourmets. For the first in this series of seasonal guest chef events, much acclaimed chef Pino Lavarra of Rossellini’s at Palazzo Sasso, in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, where he holds two Michelin stars, will present dishes from his menu.
Aubrey, South Kensington, London
Aubrey has a nice atmosphere for a hotel restaurant, cosy, intimate, leathery and old time. American tourists must love it. It seems a shame that it may only attract hotel guests because the food while not aiming to be an artistic statement is certainly what I like to eat on a regular basis.
Lashings of ginger beer. Crabbies goes gourmet at Benares
I have never drunk so much ginger beer in one sitting in my life. Even the waiters at Benares are barely concealing their mirth as they crack open yet another bottle of Crabbies to pour into my glass. ‘Do you drink it yourself?’ I ask one of them ‘Oh no!’ he replies, horrified, then mindful of the fact his boss Atul Kochhar head chef at this award winning Indian restaurant is lending his name to the product, quickly explains his defiant rejection. ‘I am a Muslim!’
Six courses, six spirits, three nights
The Providores restaurant and Sipsmith Spirits have announced an exclusive three night pop up restaurant at the Sipsmith distillery in Hammersmith. Only 90 people will have the chance to experience The Providores & Prudence soirees, so if you are interested and intrigued you will need to book early to avoid disappointment.
Enoteca Turi, Putney, London
Enoteca Turi is situated in Putney High Street, close to Putney Bridge, just a short walk from the main line station. As you enter the restaurant you are struck by its crisp but stylish homelike decor, it has a warm comfortable feel to it that is very inviting.This an excellent local restaurant, serving good regional Italian food and certainly an enjoyable place to visit.
Shilpa Shetty launches V8’s flagship Bombay Bicycle restaurant in Chelsea
With our glasses of chilled bubbly in hand we proceeded to explore this latest venture of the V8 group, We wandered through this newly fashioned eatery, struck by the bold vibrant decor, with its strong colour palate softened by yards of sheer curtaining. It all comes together well.