Food and Drink

Valpolicella, a "Valley of Cellars", is probably one of the most important wine-growing regions you have never heard of. Second only to Chianti in terms of total Italian DOC wine production, it is known colloquially as the "pearl of Verona" to locals, who enjoy everything from novello-style table wine to Classico and Superiore styles thanks to its plentiful bounty. The Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico 2016 is stereotypically intense claret that displays cherry aromas on the nose with inviting and attractive hints of...

Originally exclusive to the country’s wealthiest, Chinese poetry and music sources suggest dim sum was first enjoyed over 2500 years ago. While dim sum is most commonly linked with Cantonese cuisine, the first dim sum is said to have been made in northern China, eventually served in tea houses along the famous Silk Road. On discovering that tea aids digestion, these tea houses began to serve bite-sized snacks to “touch the heart” (the most common translation of ‘dim sum’) rather...

With a name inspired by the four core ingredients used to produce beer (grain, yeast, hops and water), Fourpure Brewing Co. launched as a family-run brewery in October 2013. Since then, the brewery has gone from strength to strength, now regarded as one of London’s most exciting craft beer producers, recently bought out by Australian-headquartered Lion (joining a portfolio which includes Australian craft breweries Little Creatures and Malt Shovel Brewery, amongst others). Operating from a site on Bermondsey Trading Estate,...

Tying in with International Women’s Day (8th March), Ladies of Restaurants - a collective of women working in hospitality, launched to support women in the industry - will host a weekend of events in London, Liverpool and Manchester. Taking place between Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th March, Ladies of Restaurants’ first International Women’s Day Weekender will strive to celebrate and support women in the hospitality industry with four exciting events scheduled to take place. Beginning in Liverpool, a L.O.R.’s of...

In the midst of concept restaurants and fleeting food trends there is always one reliable dinner option that never fails: steak. While plant-based eating is on the rise, what with everything now being turned into a meat-free alternative, steak, however, is still as prevalent as ever. This food source forms the backbone of many note-worthy restaurants in London. Hawksmoor, first opened in 2006, now operates out of six branches in the capital, while Blacklock, which has risen like a fine...

Following the warm reception to his first solo venture on Bermondsey Street, Spanish chef José Pizarro has since opened two additional London restaurants and plans to takeover a pub in Esher, Surrey. Formerly occupied by Claude Bosi, the Swan Inn will re-launch as a ‘Spanish pub’ next month, with José intending to bring the best of his London restaurants while maintaining a British pub feel. Signature tapas dishes will feature on the menu alongside a selection of classic pub dishes...

A new vegan pie class has been introduced to the British Pie Awards ahead of the 2019 event prompting speculation that this year could be the first time ever that a vegan pie reigns Supreme Champion. The world-famous Awards, now in their 11th year, are to be held on Friday 8th March 2019 in the pork pie capital of Melton Mowbray, with judging taking place on Wednesday 6th March. This year sees the introduction of three all-new elements, including a Vegan...

Just Eat is set to roll out a nationwide food safety improvement programme for the UK’s takeaway sector with a commitment of £1 million to raise hygiene and safety standards. Under the scheme all zero-rated restaurants will be removed from the platform from 1 May, and restaurants with a food hygiene rating of 2 or lower will receive funding to get up to the required level. All new restaurant sign-ups will have to meet the minimum standard of FHRS rating...

Complex, mellow and packed full of flavour this week's wine choice is a Pinot Noir masquerading as a Burgundy. The delightful Yarra Valley-grown vino is packed full of deceptively French characteristics, with plenty of earthy and developed personality. Yet with a light and delicate composition it is very much the embodiment of everything that is good about Australia's famed wine growing region, saving you plenty of dough on a comparative bottle from continental Europe. Twenty pounds may sound a lot for a Pinot...