Summer places

Ah eating outside, is there anything nicer? Well yes, but not on a family website. We are collating places to snack in the great outdoors so read on and see which ones stir your suncream

Strada della Nonna – Gian Bohan

Strada della Nonna or The way of the Granny. Sounds a bit like a kung fu movie when you (very roughly) translate it. Italian kung fu that is, which presumably involves loudly honking your horn at people whilst flicking an imaginary beard. This is a book about a boy growing up under the culinary influence of a granny with ‘a six foot’ pasta rolling pin who would arrive in Sheffield from Modena, driven by her husband and with a car boot full of food treasures.

Galvin Brothers go larger still

Chris and Jeff Galvin today announce the forthcoming launch of their latest restaurant, based in the heart of the City. The restaurant, as yet unnamed, is based in the beautiful 19th century grade II listed St Botolph’s Hall in Spital Square, between Bishopsgate and Commercial Street. It will comprise three dining areas – a fine dining restaurant based in the main hall, a bar area in the old Curate’s House and an all day café with outdoor seating leading on to Spital Square.

Crouch End – a new beginning

Formerly the Princess Alexandra, Villiers Terrace on Park Road, offers straight forward, seasonal modern British food alongside a carefully compiled wine list, premium beers and creative cocktails.Interior designer, Paul Daly, combines classic ‘local’ surroundings with distinguished glamour.

The Company Shed Mersea

If Kirsty Young invited me to name my desert island dish rather than disc, I would probably say ‘shellfish”, which seems apt. A recent craving for crustaceans took me to Essex, but not as you know it. Colchester’s Mersea Island is just five miles by two of tidal salt marsh

Moti Mahal hits the road

On Thursday 28 May 2009 Moti Mahal will launch a new menu highlighting recipes of rural corners of India that has been inspired from the tales and experiences of Head Chef Anirudh Arora’s voyage across the ancient ‘Grand Trunk’ Road.

10 Minutes to table Xanthe Clay

Leaving aside the heretical idea that we might actually want to take longer over cooking than previously, in order to have something to do of an afternoon to prevent the slide into daytime TV and the inevitable unscrewing of the Costcutter Chardonnay at 3 p.m, is this the book we want right now?