Knife work if you can get it -Allens of Mayfair

This is Allens butchers in Mayfair and we are gathered around a chopping block the size of a dinner table to learn about how to butcher meat. I already know how to bugger up fish, and make a mess of vegetables so this will complete my training. Except this is a skills lesson, an introduction to an art most of us don’t practice anymore.

The Old Crown restaurant

The Old Crown in New Oxford Street is one of the older buildings. It probably wasn’t designed to be a pub, perhaps originally a shop, and it is in estate-agent parlance ‘bijou’. That means small. In the summer, though it has floor to ceiling windows that open wide, a corner location and tables outside that look like they were made from old railway sleepers or similar. Chunky chic.

Think happy thoughts and visit The Royal Garden this summer where Peter Pan welcomes you

The Royal Garden Hotel will remain forever young this summer thanks to being the official hotel partner for the inaugural performance of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. Until 30th August the hotel will play host to a series of Peter Pan inspired tributes, including themed cocktails, through to pre and post theatre menus inclusive of tickets to the show, all of which will guarantee that you too take a trip to Neverland.

Let us scoff -Galvin Bros to open their church

Plenty of foodies like to worship at the feet of chefs, now they can do it in a place with the right odour of sanctity. Defying the recession, or maybe just too far down the contract road to stop, Chris and Jeff Galvin have announced that the name of their forthcoming City of London restaurant will be Galvin La Chapelle

Smirnoff Black screenings at Bluebird

Following the sell-out success of last year’s 1950’s era Hollywood series, the Smirnoff Black Screenings will be returning to Chelsea favourite Bluebird this summer with an altogether more gentlemanly vibe. Celebrating leading modern gentlemen of the silver screen, the Smirnoff Black Screenings will kick-start a two month residency on 15th July 2009.