Food and Drink

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Tying in with the brand new series of The Great British Bake Off and 2014 finalist Luis Troyano’s first cookbook – ‘Bake It Great’ - out later this month, we had a chat with the man himself. Discussing his new book, life after the Bake Off, and Beekeeping. Here’s what the Great British Baker had to say. Hi Luis, what are you up to today? Today so far I've made 144 portions of dark...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Strength: 4.5% ABV Brewed: Hackney Wick, London CRATE’s 'Golden' has already been featured as our ‘Beer of the Week’, however, having recently partaken in a bottle of the brewery’s Pale, we have a new favourite. For those unfamiliar with the brewery, Crate was set up in 2012 and operates from an old print factory in the heart of London’s Hackney Wick. Using only the finest British Malts and internationally sourced Hops, the brand now...

Located upon the 40th floor of London’s Heron Tower, Duck & Waffle isn’t just the highest restaurant in the UK, it’s also one of the most popular amongst London’s foodie elite. Open 24 hours a day, it’s still incredibly difficult to book a table for two. Arriving a little earlier than planned, we begin our visit at the already bustling bar area, taking a seat with a glass of Wine before being whisked away into the dining area and seated...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Opened as the second restaurant within The Shard – the skyscraper that still divides opinion between Londoners – back in 2013, Hutong is now perched on floor 33 above Aqua Shard (owned by the same company). As well as the view, as is often the case with this type of skyscraper inhabiting restaurant, the location of London’s first Hutong, based on the Hong Kong original, has contributed to the venue’s popularity, although the building...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food The term “gastropub” has become a little tricky and somewhat controversial. Coined in 1991 by David Eyre and Mike Belben, proprietors of The Eagle pub in Clerkenwell, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the term as: “a pub, bar, or tavern that offers meals of high quality”. However, ever since the phrase came to being over 20 years ago, far too many of the UK’s pubs have (wrongfully) rebranded themselves. Let’s face it, if every single pub...

A decadent take on the classic snack.

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With plenty of exciting restaurant openings constantly taking place across the Capital, here’s our pick of the best new restaurants arriving in London over the coming month. Austen’s Smokehouse – Kensal Rise It’s no secret that DJ Yoda loves his food. Now, for the first time ever, the artist will be bringing his love of BBQ to Kensal Rise for his first restaurant opening. Set to open its doors later in the month, the 80-cover restaurant set across...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Having recently opened in Clapham, MOMMI is a Japanese-Latin Raw Bar + Grill situated on the High Street. Not only do they deliver a sophisticated element of style with their inventive cuisine, their Cocktail list is also very strong. Created by head mixologist Andrew Houliston, the list includes the ‘Pachamama’, which features Rum and Velvet Felurnum. Follow the recipe below in order to make the drink at home, this weekend. Ingredients 40ml Dark Rum...

By Emma Silverthorn, @HouseOf_Gazelle Don’t go to Umami for the ambience - the restaurant is on the first floor of a Crowne Plaza Hotel - and though ‘Smooth Jazz’ was advertised, the music sounded more like muzak to me. The décor is certainly aiming for stylish contemporary but could be better described as corny. And on the Friday night that we went the hotel had been taken over by a loud wedding party, so drunken guests provided the night’s entertainment. Bluntly:...