Demystifying the Italian stallion of the wine world August 18, 2015 Have you ever felt as though the world of wine was an elite club, made up of snobs intent on throwing around words such as “mouthfeel”, “cuvée” and “vinification”? You are not alone. Learning about wine can seem daunting, and plenty of people will try to convince you that their palate is more sophisticated than [...]
Mix it up: The best brunch spots in London August 18, 2015 Brunch, as we all know, is the most important meal of the week. So if you haven’t already, lay down that greasy spoon and brunch like the British invented it (which, in fact, we did in the 1800s). For those chasing the hair of the dog that bit off as much as it could chew, [...]
Five of the best places to eat game August 11, 2015 Tom’s Kitchen Get your game on while looking out over the marina at St Katharine Docks, where Tom’s Kitchen will be serving up a whole roast grouse for two to share with pate en croute, game chips and plenty of bread sauce. tomskitchen.co.uk/st-katharine-docks Bluebird This Chelsea institution – known for its sprawling courtyard on the [...]
Working lunch in the City: Tonic and Ready August 6, 2015 Our guide to the best places to eat during office hours in the City and Canary Wharf WHAT? Don’t be fooled by a name that brings to mind medieval lotions and potions, Tonic and Remedy is a bitingly modern Hoxton restaurant from Gary Rhodes protege Paul Welburn. The Hoxton eatery, located on the first [...]
The restaurants truffling feathers: Best truffle venues in London August 6, 2015 London’s love-affair with the truffle continues apace with the opening of Sackville’s in Mayfair. Here are some of our favourite truffle spots SACKVILLE’S This Mayfair new opening is crazy about this distinctive fungus, serving it on practically every dish. Last week our restaurant critic fell in love with Sackville’s self-titled wagyu steak burger with foie [...]
Mix it up: Get off your Spritz on the cocktail of the summer August 6, 2015 The Spritz may have been born by the canals of Venice, but it’s coming of age on the packed terraces of London’s rooftop bars. Ten years ago nobody drank them; now we can’t get enough of the stuff. It’s is one of the simplest cocktails to make. Find the largest glass you can, fill it [...]
Bought a valuable bottle? Storing it correctly is essential August 6, 2015 Where do you store your beloved wine collection? While there are plenty of good storage solutions for the home, they can often be expensive, and not all of us have the luxury of an underground cellar. To ensure you are giving your wines the best chance of a healthy and happy life, there a few [...]
Lessons in wine: Why you should know your terroir July 29, 2015 If the clothes make the man, does the soil make the wine? This posit is often made by winemakers, wine lovers and wine snobs alike, all utilising the term “terroir”. But what does terroir mean and does it truly make a difference to wine? In the broadest terms, terroir describes the unique characteristics of a [...]
Restaurant review: Is £38 the dearest burger in London? Sackville’s serves up x-rated food porn July 29, 2015 This week I ate a burger that cost £38. It was at new truffle-themed restaurant Sackville’s in Mayfair, and while it wasn’t the most expensive burger I’ve ever eaten – that dubious honour goes to Miami’s Bâoli which charged me $95 (£60) – it’s the most expensive I’ve had in this great city of ours. [...]
Picnic in the park with a butler: An indulgent alternative to afternoon tea July 24, 2015 A summery lunchtime alternative The butler is a British institution both ridiculed and revered in equal measure. A complex figure, sitcoms have parodied the butler, but he is also powerful, and his omnipresence has been portrayed in period dramas and twee murder mysteries for decades. It is no wonder, then, that butler services prove a [...]