DINE TO IMPRESS
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GOOD FOR...
when you want to ‘go out for dinner’. Stylish interior, furniture and cutlery. Restaurant is downstairs and feels like a hidden secret of those in the London foodie crowd. Classic French and English dishes with a contemporary twist using ingredients of superb quality and taste.
WHAT WAS TASTED
In order of appearance on above plate:
Marinated tuna, radish, saffron mayonnaise
Grilled rump of 40 day aged beef, fondant potato, carrot purée and shallot sauce
Iced mint sherbet, baked bitter chocolate sponge
WHERE
92-94 Newman Street, London, W1T 3EZ
RIVERFORD BOOK LAUNCH
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WHAT
The Launch of Riverford’s latest cook book Autumn & Winter Veg. An evening of veg talk, organic carrot fizz, and canapés inspired by recipes in the new book, including beetroot rosti with cured salmon and cavolo nero bruschetta.
Founder of Riverford’s organic veg box scheme and farmer, Guy Watson, said of the new cooking companion, “We’ve created this book for real life, seasonal home cooking. My dream is that a veg box will seem like an allotment without the work, and that this book will help make veg the stars of your eating. I hope that this time next year, copies will be dog-eared and stained with use.”
WHO
Farmer Guy Watson founded Riverford in 1987, delivering organic vegetables to 30 local homes in Devon. Word spread, and with it came the challenge of how to meet demand without compromising a commitment to keeping a close link between grower and consumer. The solution was to team up with sister farms who share the same ethos, growing and delivering to their local areas. There are now four Riverford sister farms in the UK. Over 47,000 boxes of organic vegetables are now delivered each week to UK homes.
WHERE
The launch was hosted at the world’s first certified organic pub, Riverford at The Duke of Cambridge. This incredible gastropub is located in London’s Islington. 30 St Peters Street, Islington, London N1 8JT .
A GLASS OF WINE & A BITE TO EAT IN SOHO
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WHO
Damson & Co
GOOD FOR
When you want to meet a friend and catch up over good quality, tasty food and wine. Also good for its comfortable but stylish interiors.
WHAT WAS TASTED
In order of appearance on above plate:
Aubergine and tahini dip, crudités
Octopus, crushed potato, fresh salsa, olive oil
Greens Salad, broccoli, asparagus, sugar snaps, mustard seeds, chili & garlic viniagrette
Roasted Squash, harissa, whipped feta, coriander
WHERE
21 Brewer St, London W1F 0RL
MAYFAIR SUPPER CLUB
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WHO
The Punchbowl is one of Mayfair’s oldest pubs, housed in a Grade II listed tavern. They describe themselves as ‘a slice of cosy countryside in the heart of the city’.
WHAT
The Punchbowl’s first social Supper Club.
Delicious drinks of Pedrino and Sipsmith Sloe Gin & Ginger Ale were served on arrival. Supper club diners were then treated to a talk and demonstration by Allens of Mayfair (London's oldest butcher) about the many different cuts of meat that can come from a single lamb as well as details on how they source the best, most ethically reared, lambs. Next, the supper clubbers made their way upstairs to The Punchbowl’s private dining room where the three course meal commenced.
STARTER
Crispy (shredded) lamb shoulder,
seaweed, mint yoghurt, lamb's lettuce.
The accompaniments worked very well with the lamb, a fresh combination.
MAIN
Roasted stuffed saddle of lamb from Allens of Mayfair,
pomme dauphinoise, carrots and stem broccoli, lamb jus
Wonderful cut of lamb. Was tender and full of flavour. Stuffing was very moreish. Pomme dauphinoise was rich without being sickly or stodgy, had the optimum thinness of potatoe slices and had a satisfyingly crispy bottom.
DESSERT
Lemon posset,
citrus shortbread, raspberry coulis
The posset was perfectly light and refreshing. Shortbread took me by surprise, was the best I have ever tasted.
WHEN
The Supper Club takes place every first Tuesday of the month. Tickets will be available to purchase on The Punchbowl website in the coming weeks.
THE PUNCHBOWL IS GOOD FOR
A relaxed environment. It is tucked away on a charming quiet side street in Mayfair.
Enjoying and celebrating British cuisine. The Punchbowl has a passion for British produce and use the finest native ingredients. They also like to give a luxurious Mayfair twist to pub favourites.
Game dishes.
The Supper Club. The Supper Club is great for meeting new people, trying new food and beverages and learning a thing or two about food!
WHERE
41 Farm Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5RP
A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY DINING EXPERIENCE
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WHO
Restaurant Story, by chef Tom Sellers.
GOOD FOR
When you want to enjoy a unique michelin star dining ‘experience’. An ‘experience’ that gives similar pleasure to that of going to the theatre or visiting an inspiring exhibition. The full menu has approx. 20 courses and each and every one will surprise and impress.
The interior is aesthetically pleasing, the acoustics are perfect and the cutlery and glass wear are of a high design quality.
WHERE
199 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2JX
A NEW HYDE PARK RESTAURANT
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WHO
Aubaine Hyde Park is the 10th opening in London. A restaurant, boulangerie and pâtisserie serving french cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
GOOD FOR
Guaranteed, good quality tasty food and friendly service. Everything hits the spot taste and presentation wise.
Salmon fish cake (pictured above). Fish cakes can often be dry, bland and too potatoey. Aubaine’s salmon fish cake is full of fish, moist and well seasoned.
Proper french desserts e.g the Tarte tatin (pictured above). The pastries, gâteaus and macaroons all live up to the french standard. The macaroons are one of the best to be found in London.
WHAT ELSE
There is a grand dining room in this new Hyde Park branch which is perfect for large get togethers, celebrations or events.
WHERE
129 Bayswater Road, London W2 4RJ
BREAKFAST WORTH LEAVING THE HOUSE FOR
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WHO
Hotbox.
GOOD FOR
Brunch with flair. All menu items are tastier and more imaginative than what the average person can whip up themselves at home. For example, (pictured above): Huevos Rancheros (eggs served on a corn taco with Mexican sauce and guacamole) and Truffle Egg toast with asparagus and melted Fontina cheese. The menu contains an impressive broad selection to choose from to suit both a savoury and sweet tooth. Pssst, the pancakes are of top notch New York quality which is hard to find in London.
WHAT ELSE
Hotbox has made a name for itself as the London BBQ destination, serving a full range of barbequed delights.
WHERE
Spitalfields. 46-48 Commercial Street, London.
A GLASS OF WINE & A BITE TO EAT
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WHO
Antidote wine bar.
GOOD FOR
When you find yourself in Soho and want to escape to a relaxed setting where food, interior design, ambience and wine will be a guaranteed 10/10. The small plates are of extremely good quality, delicious and satisfying with aesthetically pleasing presentation.
WHAT ELSE
There is also a first floor restaurant serving lunch and dinner menus.
WHERE
12A Newburgh Street, London. (Just off Carnaby Street).
INSTAGRAM PARTY HOSTED BY FOUNDER KEVIN SYSTROM & JAMIE OLIVER
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WHAT
Instagram party hosted by the founder Kevin Systrom.
WHERE
Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Barbecoa, London.
MONDRIAN LONDON HOTEL
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WHAT
Mondrian London Hotel. Opened in October 2014. Interior designed by Design Research Studio, under the creative direction of renowned British designer Tom Dixon.
HIGHLIGHTS
The original cocktails.
The rooftop bar and its panoramic views of London.
The copper clad wall inspired by the hull of a ship which runs from outside the building, through to the lobby and on to the river side of the hotel.
WHAT ELSE
The hotel is characterised by large-scale custom features referencing the transatlantic maritime history of the building. The building itself was designed by American architect Warren Platner in the 1970s. Originally designed as a luxury hotel, the building’s brief was never fulfilled and it instead was occupied as office. Among these was a shipping company ‘Sea Container’ from which the building now draws its name.
WHEN
The hotel has been open since Autumn 2014.
WHERE
On the south bank of the River Thames. Between the OXO Tower and Blackfriars Bridge.
NEW GIN ON THE BLOCK
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WHAT
Pinkster Gin. A new pink gin. British born and bred.
HOW
Pinkster hand-steep fresh Cambridge grown raspberries into their core spirit.
WHAT ELSE
This new gin on the block has won an International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) Quality Award.
RAYMOND BLANC’S BELMOND LE MANOIR AUX QUAT'SAISONS
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WHAT
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is chef Raymond Blanc OBE’s restaurant- with bedrooms.
WHERE
Great Milton Manor, set in 30 acres in Oxford.
WHY
Raymond Blanc’s dream was to create wonderful food in beautiful surroundings.
WHAT ELSE
The two-acre vegetable and herb garden and orchard supply the restaurant's kitchen with fresh organic produce.
THOMAS HEATHERWICK’S EAST BEACH CAFÉ
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WHAT
East Beach Café. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick.
WHERE
Littlehampton. UK.
THE NOMINEES FOR BEST GREY GOOSE FILM AWARD COCKTAIL
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WHERE
These GREY GOOSE Film Awards Season Cocktails are ‘showing’ at Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London.
WHEN
Until 12 Feb 2015.
LEMON MERINGUE BY GORDON RAMSAY
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WHAT
Lemon meringue dessert with liquid nitrogen.
WHERE
Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Maze, Grosvenor Square, London.
AN EVENING WITH GREY GOOSE
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WHAT
Grey Goose vodka’s pop-up boulangerie and the secret party behind the ‘oven’ door.
DID YOU KNOW
Grey Goose vodka is made from the wheat grown in the famous Picardie region (the “breadbasket” of northern France) which is the same wheat used in the finest of French breads.