Food and Drink

Chef Jesse Dunford Wood's take on the classic dessert

By Jack Peat, TLE Editor  Last summer I started writing a book exploring the understated role of wood in bringing to life regional qualities that lay at the heart of the most lauded drinks in the World. A trip to North Yorkshire, a trip to Bordeaux, a trip to Porto, a trip to Switzerland and a trip to the Inner Hebrides of Scotland later and I have 35,000 words of gold on a hard-drive doing not very much. But the...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With the first Hawksmoor restaurant having opened its doors in 2006, there are now six outposts scattered across the country (five in London, one in Manchester). Positioned just a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, the original opening in Spitalfields also boasts a separate basement bar that’s so strong it could stand alone without the help of the adjoining Steakhouse. Accessible via a door that’s hung just a few metres from the main entrance,...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Residing within The Westbury, a five-star Mayfair Hotel, the award winning Polo Bar comprises a grand selection of Cocktails as well as fine Wines, premium Spirits and Champagnes. Headed up by head mixologist Carmine Catena – having joined the bar in 2008 – who is in charge of curating the exciting cocktails: one of which he has shared the recipe for. Featuring Ilegal Mezcal Joven, Campari, Barolo, Orange Jam and Lemon Juice, here’s a...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Since 1936, Orangina has been hailed as a delicious soft drink that’s sparkling and made with real Orange pulp and zest that requires a “shake to wake”. However, over the past years it’s become increasingly difficult to find Orangina on shop shelves across the UK. Thankfully, the thirst-quencher that’s perfect for the Summer months has made a grand return. The taste is the same as before, but there’s a new plastic bottle that’s bigger...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Strength: 5.4% ABV Brewed: Tottenham Hale, London Not only does Beavertown Brewery adorn the World's coolest labels (see above), their range of Beers is also implausible. Named after the old Cockney name given to the De Beauvoir area of London, where the brand was born in 2011, they now operate from a site in Tottenham Hale. Having upgraded to a premises with a 50HL Brew House to work from, Beavertown’s Alpha Series features five Beers,...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  New research has found six out of ten adults now prefer more ethnic and adventurous dishes than meals which are thought of as traditionally British as more people expand their menus with foreign tastes and flavours. The typical Brit’s dinner table plays host to meals from up to six different countries during the week, including Mexican, Chinese, Italian and Indian dishes. In many households, the Sunday roast is the only occasion when a traditionally British dish sees the...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food As soon as the news broke of The Richmond’s opening, I was sure that I’d heard it all before. Locally acclaimed chef takes on a new premises within a trendy neighbourhood, serves an overpriced menu of “quintessentially British seasonal food”, all types of on-trend fare, and pricey Craft Beers to the local foodie crowd. And the result, overall, is generally gratuitously underwhelming for anybody that doesn’t own a beard comb or antique bicycle. Thankfully,...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Named after the Canadian Nobel Prize winner Lester B. Pearson, The Pearson Room is an addition to the expansive list of restaurants scattered around Canary Wharf, one of the city’s most prominent business districts. Opened as part of the Reebok Sports Club, finding the venue in time for our lunch reservations is almost as difficult as deciding to spend an hour on the cross-trainer next door, whilst plenty of diners are working their way...