From the horses mouth

Chef Season in the Cinnamon Kitchen

 May 14, 2012

You may want to head to Vivek Singh's Cinnamon Kitchen come May 15.

Why?

Well, the executive chef at Tuddenham Mill in Suffolk, Paul Foster (who was named as Young Chef of 2011 by Observer Food Monthly and up-and-coming chef to watch in 2012 by Good Food Guide), is moving his pots and pans in for one very special day.

Grab your tickets for a very reasonable £40-a-head and enjoy some of his extraordinary guest-cheffing. On the menu, he's preparing a menu which he is describing as 'natural modern British'. There'll be hazelnut and chickweed, organic salmon, asparagus, mugwort juice, slow-cooked cauliflower and an Indian dish with a twist: tandoor lamb rump, fennel, quinoa and yoghurt.

You've got to taste it to believe it. Reserve your seat at this 16-seat Tandoor grill online now.

http://www.cinnamon-kitchen.com/

Posted by Priscilla Pollara at 09:00 am | Comments »

The Real Greek Experience

 April 23, 2012

For one week only (from 23rd April to the 28th April), diners visiting The Real Greek in Bankside - which is known for its traditional and contemporary Greek favourites - will be welcome to pay for a meze dish in the country’s old currency.     

The Real Greek is loved for its hot and cold sharer meals; with customers able to choose from delicious and authentic dishes including Dolmades, Chicken Skewers and Grilled Halloumi.

The restaurant group, which started out as a fine dining establishment in Hoxton, has grown steadily in recent years and now boasts seven sites across London (Westfield Stratford City, Westfield London, Hoxton, Bankside, Marylebone, Spitalfields and Covent Garden).  

www.therealgreek.com


 

Posted by Elly Stancliffe at 12:14 pm | Comments »

A Very British Afternoon Tea

 April 3, 2012

 

Should you be taking a turn about Whitehall this Spring, we suggest you take some time out to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at the beautifully regal, and suitably grand, Guoman Royal Horseguards hotel. 

The hotel's Very British Afternoon Tea goes a step above the rest with its divine selection of carefully-crafted patisserie treats. Dainty sandwiches have been upgraded to include roast beef (supposedly Her Majesty's favourites); a pretty crown jewel cupcake; dark chocolate and peppermint creams; and artfully decorated biscuits in the shapes of favourite London landmarks. Knock it all back with a lemon and Martini meringue pie, inspired by QEII's cocktail of choice - and, of course, lashings of tea.

The Royal Horseguards' will be serving the Very British edition of afternoon tea from May 21 until June 17; booking ahead is advised. Priced at £35 per head, or £40 with a glass of champers, it's the perfect delight for a sunny Spring day.

See www.guoman.com for more information and bookings.

Posted by Kimberley Lovell at 10:05 am | Comments »

Easter Sunday at Babylon

 April 2, 2012

 

Easter Sunday need not be traditional and staid. Take your urban family to Babylon this Sunday, and enjoy a delicious three courses alongside some unrivalled views of the city from the Roof Gardens. 

After your three courses, each guest will receive an adorable Easter bunny lollipop to round off their meal. A lucky dip will take you straight back to childhood, although the prizes - including discounts at Babylon, membership at the private members' club on the 6th floor, and VIP treatment at the Roof Gardens - are decidedly more grown up!

Not that little ones can't join in on the fun - the Babylon Easter Bunny will be on hand to impress guests with his magic tricks, whilst they fill up on a three-course menu for kids.

For more information and to make your reservation, contact Babylon on 020 7368 3993 or Babylon@roofgardens.virgin.com

Posted by Kimberley Lovell at 11:00 am | Comments »

Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon

 March 26, 2012

 

In a fitting tribute to its number 1 customer, Fortnum & Mason recently decked its halls and windows with a beautiful range of food, drink and memorabilia in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Now, the famous grocer is dedicating one of its elegant tea rooms to the 2012 celebrations - the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, designed by David Collins - opening on April 1st.

Situated on the fourth floor of the landmark Piccadilly store, the Salon will pay homage to the nation's favourite beverage, which has long been a bestseller at Fortnum's. Experts will be at guests' beck and call, to advise on the 150 varieties of tea available, with all types and tastes catered for in the shop downstairs. Each pot also arrives with a timer, to ensure optimum brewing time; and should you wish to learn more about this ancient tradition, there's a tea tasting room available for private hire and events. 

Now, Fortnum's wouldn't be Fortnum's without the chance to indulge in something delectable - and in fitting style, the Salon will serve an Afternoon Tea, a High Tea, and both lunch and dinner. The Salon will open Monday through Saturday, from noon until evening (last booking at 7pm), and on Sundays from noon until 6pm. For more information, and to make your reservation now, go to www.fortnumandmason.com

Posted by Kimberley Lovell at 10:10 am | Comments »

Temple and Lunch in Neasden

 March 15, 2012

Mother's Day is around the corner, as you may well know ... but have you thought about taking your loved one to Neasden this Sunday?

Perhaps not, but this is why you might want to ...

Opposite the majestic Swaminarayan Hindu Temple is where Shayona, a contemporary Indian vegetarian restaurant, is located. Expect a lot of paneer at this fantastic restaurant, but also dishes filled with delicious stuffed mushrooms, spiced baby aubergines and Maharaja-wrapped cauliflowers, and so on.

Whether it's before or after your meal, why not step inside the Temple? If you've never been to Neasden, in north-west London, you're unlikely to have encountered this grand and beautiful structure. But take it from us, the Temple - made out of 2,000 tonnes of Italian marble and 2,828 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone, is a capital-must-see.

www.shayonarestaurants.com

 

Posted by Priscilla Pollara at 11:12 am | Comments »

A Suite Tooth

 March 14, 2012

No one with even a semi-sweet tooth could have missed the masses of chocolate bunnies appearing all over London. Easter is well and truly upon us, and like any good indulgence-seekers, we have spied a particularly tasty package available at Belgravia's Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel.

The cleverly named Suite Tooth package includes a beautifully chocolate-y afternoon tea in the Lowndes Bar & Kitchen, one night in a luxurious suite at  the Jumeirah hotel, and the rather divine Chocolate Ecstasy Tour, guaranteed to teach you something new about your old favourite treat.


The Suite Tooth Package is available on Saturday or Sunday evenings from 31 March through to 6 May, and is priced from £510 per room per night. For more information and to book your decadent getaway.

Go  to www.jumeirahlowndeshotel.com or contact the hotel on 020 7235 1234.

 

Posted by Kimberley Lovell at 15:00 pm | Comments »

Bentley's Beef and Oyster Club

 March 13, 2012

When the clock strikes 2pm at Bentley’s it’s time for a tour of the kitchen to see the mighty rib of beef resting in all its glory and to inspect the carefully shucked oysters before enjoying a canapé or two and one of chef Eoin Corcoran’s rhubarb Bellinis. Guests then make their way through to the Grill restaurant for home baked bread and handmade seaweed butter plus a selection of hot and cold oysters (garlic baked, Vietnamese, Rockefeller and of course, natural). Next up is shellfish - Lobster bisque (a modern interpretation of this Victorian classic) or a selection of crustacea and then the main event, Hereford beef with all the trimmings. To finish? Tipsy trifle of course! And if you’re lucky, Chef Eoin might invite you back into the kitchen to meet Richard Corrigan himself.

£45pp for four courses and coffee

www.bentleys.org

Posted by Stephanie Hirschmiller at 09:30 am | Comments »

Mother's Day at Harrods

 March 8, 2012

The date is looming ... have you thought about Mother's Day yet?

Here are two tips from Harrods ....

A Wild at Heart Rose Bouquet: at £65, this horticultural bundle is pulled together by Pink Anemones, Pink Piano Roses, Dolce Vita Roses and Guelder Roses. It is an explosion of pink, and utterly gorgeous.

A Fine Tea Collection Basket: give a hamper full of Harrods' very own, The Fine Tea Collection. Inside the seagrass basket, there are coveted estate teas, but also a glass teapot, two glass cups and a silver spoon. After all, what's the point in giving tea and not drinking some, too? It is priced at £200.

www.harrods.com

 

Posted by Priscilla Pollara at 13:03 pm | Comments »

Wine at Bodega Catena Zapata

 March 7, 2012

Just how does one sail through March to the (hopefully) warmer climes of April?

Wine could be a start. Well, if that's your train of thought, too, why not attend the Argentine wine tasting with Bodega Catena Zapata (a family-run winery which dates back to the early 1900s), that is being hosted by Plateau Restaurant on Monday 12th March?

The Canary Wharf-based event, which starts at 6.30pm, is priced at £20 for 5 wines ... while there are canapes being thrown in on the side, too. (Anything to help the wine go down well).

Started up in 1902 by Nicola Catena, the Bodega Catena Zapata is an enduring family-led winery. Today, it is run by Laura Catena - who is four generations down the line from her pioneering ancestor. Two of their wines just recently picked up a regional trophy at the Decanter awards in December 2011.

History ... and booze. April will be here before long. Give it a try.

www.plateau-restaurant.co.uk

Posted by Priscilla Pollara at 12:33 pm | Comments »

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