Restaurants

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food “Well at least Michel Roux came to greet us,” one ageing gentleman bellows from a few tables away, adapting the audacity of a dated Town Crier. Unfortunately Marcus Wareing isn’t present at his mother ship restaurant at The Berkeley Hotel but he can be forgiven the day off, especially due to an injury that he's currently recovering from, as was explained on our earlier tour of the surprisingly calm kitchen. In fact, if that’s...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor @TLE_Food Having first opened its doors in November, M is the relatively new, debut solo venture from Gaucho’s Managing Director Martin Williams. Located just a stones throw from The Royal Exchange, on Threadneedle Street, the restaurant’s downstairs is split into two contrasting dining concepts, while the upstairs features a range of private areas as well as a well equipped cocktail bar. The most popular of the two M restaurants – Grill – specialises in high-end steaks,...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Upon entering a relatively late restaurant service, escaping from the abhorrent coolness of a springtime evening, the overwhelming aroma of rich spices is always a welcome greeting for any food enthusiast. Situated within a large former Bank building, Zaika has recently reopened its doors after originally opening way back in 1999, boasting high ceilings with huge walls covered in Empirical artworks and a kitchen that delivers a vast range of delicious Northern Indian inspired...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor   Upon approaching acclaimed chef Mark Hix’s first outpost situated south of the river, you’d be forgiven for instantly relating the neon signage and general exterior demeanour to one of those seedy clubs in Soho. However, after being escorted through a corridor that contains just one of the restaurant’s impressive bars, you’ll end up feeling comforted by the unexpectedly airy dining space (unless a trip to a sordid bar and an STD was, in fact,...

By Jack Peat, TLE Editor A taste for more artisanal and authentic produce has given birth to a ‘source market’ in London where produce is both made and prepared in house. The movement is a natural evolution of a gastro drive which has seen demand for locally sourced produce shoot up as punters seek a seal of authenticity which is often local in nature. The craft/ real ale surge is a manifestation of this. Camden Pale Ale, Meantime Brewery and...

  By Jack Peat, Editor of The London Economic Oh how I miss spontaneous, local, seasonal food. For nights on end I bellow “where art thou market-based cuisine” across the rooftops of London, my desperate whimpers reverberating against the constant stream of wagons bringing food from afar. A city founded on the bustling markets of Camden, Portobello, Borough and Smithfield is crumbling under the weight of mass-produced foods marketed as being artisan, organic, ethically sourced and the rest (when will...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food The new solo restaurant venture from Gaucho’s Martin Williams is set to go above and beyond in embracing this summer’s Polo season. Currently throwing a weeklong celebration for World Malbec Day, M Restaurants is set to team up with the UK’s finest Polo tournament – Chestertons Polo In The Park – as their official partner. So throughout the season, the restaurant’s upstairs M Bar is set to serve a specially created exclusive cocktail The...

  By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food   Due to the location of the City, it’s never too easy to find perfect fresh Fish that’s readily available. Juxtaposed to the surrounding Kent and Essex coastlines, positioned a fair distance from the beating heart of the Square Mile. However, the seafood that’s on offer at the D&D’s Michelin Starred Angler, seems as though it’s been reeled straight from the sea and placed onto headed up by Executive Chef Tony Fleming’sprettily presented...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  This Sunday the River Thames will host the 160th boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Along with Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the FA Cup final and the Open Championship it is one of the most quintessentially British sporting events to be hosted each year. For those of us looking to watch the race in its entirety and in relative warmth and comfort Brew Cafe in Putney is offering a unique viewing experience. Food and drinks...