‘They’re too big!” Chef Franco Taruschio, the chef who will always have ‘Walnut Tree’ in any sentence that follows his name, is giving me the full benefit of his sixty-nine years of culinary experience. ‘You want a size seven,” he says gazing at my feet, ‘ but they’re still a nice pair of shoes.” As we walk out the shoe shop and join the Italians promenading up the main street of Porto Recanati in La Marche, Italy, his squat figure makes his wife Ann giggle. ‘Here we are in Italy and he still looks and dresses like a Welsh farmer,” she says fondly.
St Patrick’s Day: Legendary Irish chef Richard Corrigan to host a stylish celebration at Bentley’s
This March 17th, mark St Patrick’s Day in style at Richard Corrigan’s iconic seafood restaurant Bentley’s, on the borders of Soho and Mayfair. Guests of this exclusive occasion can make a day of it, enjoying the private Jameson Room from 12.30pm when the event kicks off with a Black Velvet reception, followed by a delicious Irish buffet lunch, traditional live music from Hungry Grass, and a full cash bar open until late. Rasher butties will be available later in the evening.
Aquum
Aquum is in the heart of Clapham and spread over three sleekly designed floors, with quality service andfood, all in a beautiful setting. At night, Aquum transforms into a style bar, boasting innovative cocktails, Top DJs, and a unique party vibe.
The Pembroke
The Pembroke belongs to that ever-growing category of eatery – the Gastropub – providing a welcome culinary alternative to the (in) famous pub grub. Recently re-opened under a new name, you will find the Pembroke sitting majestically on the corner of the Old Brompton Road.
Nespresso
If there’s one thing we like here at Foodepedia, it’s a nice cuppa java. A Nespresso machine would be just the thing for us as it’s designed for reasonable family use and is cool enough to sit alongside our iMacs.
Nagano sake at Saki this month
Saki, the Japanese restaurant and bar in Smithfield is renowned for its excellent sake list and for promoting Japan’s favourite drink among London’s discerning diners. This March, Saki dedicates the whole month to sake from Japan’s Nagano prefecture.
Festival de la Mer at le Bouchon Breton during March and April 2009
This Spring, Spitalfields best loved French brasserie, Le Bouchon Breton launches a stunning Festival de la mer, an exceptionally well priced selection of seafood based treats to celebrate the last few months of the season. Throughout March and April, the team at Le Bouchon Breton have come up with a very special seafood ‘Festival menu” which features three delectable seafood courses, ½ a bottle of white Burgundy (Macon) per person all for the recession busting price of just £25 a head. This menu is available at both lunch and dinner.
The National Cookbook by Oliver Peyton
In The National Cookbook over 120 traditional dishes are given a modern twist by restaurateur and Great British Menu judge Oliver Peyton and his chefs. Since opening in 2006, the award-winning National Dining Rooms has established itself as a favourite with London’s National Gallery visitors, offering a great British eating experience.
Ribollita Soup
Keep warm this March with this delicious, easy to make Ribollita Soup from olive oil specialists, Filippo Berio. Packed full of healthy vegetables including carrots, courgettes and beans, it’s the perfect pick me up until the sunshine arrives!
Babylon Roof Gardens restaurant
It’s popular, this design trope of papering one wall with loud, geometric and rather 70’s patterns. Stick a Yes poster on the wall and it could be one quarter of my teenage bedroom. If anyone is going to do it in a restaurant though then Babylon Roof Gardens (prop. R. Branson) is the one.