Food and Drink

General perception of Chinese food in Britain has come along way since we began importing tea during the 17th Century. Now Britain’s favourite international cuisine, according to research conducted by Paymentsense in 2017, Chinese food was first introduced to London during the late 1800s. ‘The Chinese Restaurant’ in Glasshouse Street (near Piccadilly Circus) was London’s first recorded Chinese restaurant, opened in 1908. Until the 1930s, however, Limehouse in East London was considered London’s Chinatown, though the west-end overtook when a...

With more than a quarter of a million Scottish people living in London and the South East (and with a fair number of brilliant Scottish restaurants) – it’s unsurprising that Burns Night has become so commonly celebrated in London. With plenty of exciting events taking place this week – from whisky and chocolate pairing to indulgent Burns Night suppers, both traditional and contemporary – we select the best events taking place in London restaurants and bars to celebrate Burns Night...

With dinner at Bob Bob Ricard, three things are almost guaranteed: a ubiquitous sense of occasion, an uncontrollable wave of excitement over the “Press for Champagne” button and all its photogenic glory, plus a cumbersome bill to finish. Just two weeks into 2018, however, it’s already proving to be a tough year for restaurants - with many having already closed or announced imminent closure. Earlier this month Galvin Bistrot De Luxe and Victor Garvey’s Encant announced their closure. The Jamie Oliver...

Nuggets of breaded and deep-fried haggis are relatively simple to make at home, joined by a Red Jon sauce.

With more than a quarter of a million Scottish nationals now living in London and the South East, Burns Night celebrations in England have become more prominent than ever, with such a variation of events taking place – both traditional and contemporary – and a wide selection of Scottish restaurants. Traditionally, it seems iniquitous to celebrate with any drink other than Scotch whisky. First created in 1824, The Glenlivet is considered the original Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, renowned for...

Following the success of a number of pop-ups at festivals, and across London, plus a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign – The Vurger Co has announced plans to open its first permanent site in Shoreditch, East London. Aiming to launch in March, the Shoreditch site will have space for around 30 covers, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Here, the plant-based vegan burger pioneers’ full menu will be available. “Fresh but indulgent” burgers will include the best-selling ‘Tabasco Auburger’, made with...

January has arrived and the nation's mood has switched from chestnuts roasting on an open fire to wet socks drying on an exposed radiator. With the nights still long and the weather unremittingly miserable we pick at life's little pleasures to see out the worst of the winter, and what better place to start than with a warming, full bodied bottle of red. La Bohème, Act Four is a fine wine shipped from the famed Yarra Valley in Australia. Like its...

Launched at the beginning of 2013, Weird Beard Brew Co. operates from a site near Ealing and produces a number of hop-driven beers alongside classic styles. With the aim to “satisfy, enthuse and be enjoyed by whoever the drinker,” Weird Beard offer a number of core beers as well as some occasional specials and one-off brews that push creative boundaries. Beginning life as South Seas pale ale, Mariana Trench - ‘A Transpacific Pale Ale’ – was initially brewed with Pacific...

Eating alone at five thirty in the evening, down a side street in Clerkenwell, used to be pretty low on my tick list. But this was different. It was an evening I’d been waiting 18 months for. I’d finally bagged a (single) seat at London’s most exclusive restaurant. Of course ‘exclusive’ can mean many different things. Sure there are ‘sleb heavy haunts where if you ain’t been on Big Brother you’re not getting in. There are Michelin starred restaurants for...