Food and Drink

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  In Rathfinny on the south coast of England, ex-fund manager Mark Driver is in the process of planting what will be, when completed in 2020, one of the biggest single-site vineyards in Europe. The location offers a lot of promise. According to the local weather station in Eastbourne average temperatures have been climbing since the 1980s to almost a degree higher today, making it an idyllic spot to dabble in the temperature-sensitive world of viniculture....

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food As if the traditionally British cheap Friday night treat hadn’t already become expensive enough, over the past few years: a brand new pop-up Chip Shop is set to open at London’s Covent Garden in the Summer, for four nights only. For Krug & Chips, the high-end Champagne company has teamed up with Michelin starred chef Tom Sellers, in order for the chef to provide his own take on Fish & Chips. However, instead of...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food We’ve already discussed the soaring popularity of cocktails being celebrated within some of the Capital’s finest restaurants, providing a refreshing change from the more classic dinner accompaniment of Wine. However, although the restaurant scene is jumping on board, it’s London’s exclusive Bars that are still reigning over the city’s cosmopolitan drinking scene. And one of these Cocktail Bars that has been generally renowned as one of London’s finest haunts is The Polo Bar, which...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent This summer a Chelsea restaurant will bring a taste of the countryside to the city by offering foraged food to go. Brothers Rich and Oliver Gladwin, behind the acclaimed wild food restaurants Rabbit on King’s Road and The Shed in Notting Hill, will take to the road to bring foraged food to the rest of the country. 'Rabbit in The Shed' will serve up a slice of Richard and Oliver's rural lifestyle back in West...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food “Would you like me to pair some Wine with your chosen courses, monsieur?” our zealously competent sommelier asks of us upon ordering our meals. And although having already partaken in a few pre-dinner drinks at next door’s rather luxurious Polo Bar that’s situated within The Westbury Hotel, in the spirit of eating out, the sommelier’s offer does seem hard (and slightly rude) to refuse. Yet as is – thankfully - proven during our visit...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food French-born Sebastien Guesdon has made quite a name for himself over the past two decades. Having worked for acclaimed bars such as The Ritz hotel’s Rivoli Bar, Galvin at Windows, and the bar at roast, the qualified mixologist now serves as the general manager of The Lucky Pig and head barman at The Lucky Pig’s new Fulham venue. So in celebration of the opening, Guesdon has shared a recipe for Jimmy Barrat’s original ‘Tomatini’...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With over 30 awards to its name, as well as having retained its prestigious Michelin Star every year since 2009, our expectations of Galvin at Windows were already sky high, before even arriving at Park Lane’s Hilton Hotel. Opening back in 2006 (9 years to the day, on our recent visit), after ascending to the hotel’s 28th floor, the sweeping panoramic views are the first experience that’s on offer from the restaurant. However, although...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Since opening way back in 1982, Bombay Brasserie’s mission has always been to present London with the authentic food of Bombay in all its ethnic variety. And having dined at the recently refurbished restaurant last week, it’s safe to say that the restaurant manages to deliver that promise, as well as much more. In recent years, there’s been a huge increase in competition when it comes to fine Indian cuisine within the city, however,...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Nestled along Kingsway a few moments from High Holborn tube lies this well-kept secret. Rocket is a chain of high end and trendy restaurants with sites across the City, Docklands, the Holborn site of course and even one venue in Nottingham. The restaurant is down a flight of stairs and the feel is sleek but also had a relaxed feel. For a Wednesday night it was pretty busy and we took a table towards the...