Street food in the City? Street Kitchen co-founder Mark Jankel on his locally sourced alternative to Pret February 17, 2015 We were professional chefs and we thought it would be good fun to set up a street food kitchen, just to see how it worked. We did it as a bit of a laugh for two weeks, and loved it so much we decided to pursue it as a business. I left an executive job [...]
Mezcal: Has the time finally come for tequila’s cousin? February 17, 2015 Alcohol aficionados have been talking up mezcal for years. For as long as I’ve been writing about drinks, it’s teetered on the edge of being the next big thing. Although it has crept onto the pages of the odd drinks list, it isn’t even out of the starting blocks in competing with tequila, its more [...]
Oxo Tower Restaurant has great food but the lighting left us a little blue February 10, 2015 The Oxo Tower Restaurant has been chugging along forever, minding its own business. Harvey Nicks has run the eighth-floor dining room for 19 years. Its head chef Jeremy Bloor has been there for 12, while the restaurant manager is a relative rookie, with only nine years under his belt. Located on the South Bank, in [...]
Mix it up: London Beer Week proves there’s more to life than cocktails February 10, 2015 Every summer, the world’s young (and not so young) adorn their arms with an ever-growing number of wristbands from music festivals. Each is a trophy, a plastic testament to their summer of mud. But why should ravers be the only ones to show off? Next week, you can join in – and you won't even [...]
Top Bafta moments February 10, 2015 We pick out the top moments from the weekend’s big event #1 The BAFTAs never disappoint when it comes to cringeworthy displays of loveydom, but Stephen Fry raised the bar this year when he descended from the stage he’s graced for (a few too many) years and kissed Edward Norton and Michael Keaton. #2 Surprisingly, [...]
Dish that’s orbit of a guilty pleasure February 3, 2015 Daniel McGarey, head chef at Canary Wharf restaurant Plateau, on his Hawking tribute Why did you choose The Theory of Everything as your inspiration for this dish? The Theory of Everything is one of my favourite recent movies and while I am not a scientist, I believe I have a good basic understanding. I find [...]
Mix it up: Raise your glass to London’s best rooftop cocktail bars with a view February 3, 2015 Architects and engineers are at war with the sky. While they battle it out, the rest of us can sit back and raise a glass to the men and women who are realising humanity’s inexorable urge to break the heavens. Each skyscraper will have its day – but there can be no winners. Just consider [...]
Alternative Valentine’s Day 2015: Left-field options to woo your loved one on February 14th February 3, 2015 Stand out from the crowd with these left-field options to woo your loved one come February 14th – or just find someone new altogether. ALL LOVED UP AFTERNOON TEA Throughout Feb: Skylounge Use the view at this rooftop bar to seduce your Valentine over a selection of aphrodisiac sandwiches. Designed to get the heart [...]
Let them eat steak: Martin Williams is the man behind the City’s newest brand – M January 27, 2015 Martin Williams, owner of the new M complex on Threadneedle Street, shares his vision for the brand WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR M? A multifaceted venue with a private members’ club feel. A home from home that you can use for breakfast, wine tastings, cocktails, live music and a quick (or epic) lunch or dinner. [...]
Restaurant review: M by Martin Williams on Threadneedle Walk January 27, 2015 It’s a brave man who first ate an oyster, they say, but it’s a braver man who opens a restaurant in the Square Mile. The normal laws of gastronomic physics don’t apply here. The food scene moves slowly, governed by ritual, force of habit and sheer bloody-mindedness. The trends and fads of Shoreditch and Mayfair [...]