José SE1 “I’d travel here from Spain for the pluma Iberica!”– José Pizarro’s original Bermondsey tapas bar “somehow has the edge over the competition”serving some of “the best tapas you will find”… “if you can get in (it’s always heaving)”. Barrafina (group) “The wait can sometimes be twice the time spent at the counter”, […]
Has there ever been a better time to drink Spanish wine? For many, of course, Spain has always meant the dark-fruited, often lean and old-fashioned, red wines of Rioja, with an occasional foray west to Ribera del Duero, a case or two of Penedes to the east, and many sips of sherry. Rioja dominates for […]
Arbequina, Oxford A “fantastic new find on the Cowley Road” from Rufus Thurston, of hit local Oli’s Thai; and Ben Whyles of east Oxford staple Door 74. The “fresh, minimalist” setting (a conversion of an old chemist) is an appealing backdrop to “yummy and authentic” tapas from a short, typed list showcasing “first-class ingredients”. […]
Ross Shonhan adds to his portfolio of rock ‘n’ roll ramen bars and izakayas (which includes Bone Daddies and Shackfuyu) with an offshoot of Flesh & Buns opening in Fitzrovia in late-June this year. The original opened in Covent Garden in 2013 and has won consistent praise among our reporters for food that’s “a taste […]
This storming little Pan-Asian pop-up from Scott Hallsworth (founder of Kurobuta) and Phar Shaweewan finds a permanent home in Soho’s Frith Street, in what was once the original Barrafina premises. Freak Scene fuses Japanese, Singaporean and Malay cooking, as well as adding some South American inspiration in the form of Miso-grilled black cod tacos with […]
Tom Aikens has relaunched the flagship site for his Tom’s Kitchen group of casual brasseries. The restaurant on Chelsea’s Cale Street has undergone an extensive refurbishment, as well as the introduction of a new menu offering seasonal British small plates. Tom’s Kitchen Chelsea first opened in 2006 serving comfort food classics, now 12 years on […]
A thousand restaurants across the world will put sustainability on the menu this week as they take part in the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s (SRA) One Planet Plate campaign, launching on 24 March. Chefs and restaurateurs will serve dishes that highlight what their business is doing to address problems within the food system – problems highlighted […]
This summer the unique dining experience that is London in the Sky will return to the capital. Previous years have proved so popular that organisers have decided to add two extra sky-high tables so more diners can book this daredevil al-fresco eating experience. Three Sky Tables will simultaneously be suspended 100ft in the air above the South […]
London’s appetite for fresh pasta specialists remains undimmed (Pastaio, Padella, Pastifico all spring to mind). Joining their ranks is this Covent Garden-fringe venture from William Ellner (of Joanna’s in Crystal Palace) and David Ramsey with ex-Locanda Locatelli chef Louis Korovilas in the kitchen whipping up the likes of pappardelle with kid goat and rosemary ragù. […]
Jay Rayner in The Observer reviewed United Chip in Clerkenwell. But make sure you also check out his defence of restaurant pricing below… “…the bravest restaurant opening in years. “United Chip stands out for attending to practically every modern bell and whistle it can find, while still caring about the essentials.” “…be in no doubt: this […]