Humble Grape is a wine bar like no other: Here’s its origin story August 4, 2026 Is a bar only as good as its origin story? The calibre of the drinks and service are of, of course, of vital importance but it’s the mythos of a place that gives it that je nais se quoi. Humble Grape, one of our Toast the City Awards 2026 Finalists, has one of the best [...]
Martin Williams: My top picks for the Toast the City Awards 2026 July 29, 2026 The Toast the City Awards 2026, for which I am honoured to be a judge, is down to its final stage – the public vote! Now in its second year, the awards give you the chance to celebrate the most amazing places in the Square Mile (and slightly beyond). So to help inspire you to [...]
For Albarino in the City, head to Humble Grape July 29, 2026 Not satisfied with one isolated national grape day, Albarino (or Alvarinho in Portugal) is about to kick off a week’s worth of celebrations from 1 August. This annual event began in the 1950s in Spain as a wine-tasting competition between local winemakers and was later made official, spreading internationally to highlight what makes this grape [...]
Here we go again: The best roof terrace for yet another heatwave July 28, 2026 Just when you thought you’d got out… they drag you back in. Or up: up to London’s roof terraces to bask in yet another spell of 30 degree heat. We round up some of the top spots up top to make the most of this most clement of summers. Madison Where else to start but [...]
Will Ibai take home a Toast the City Award? July 21, 2026 The Finalists have been announced for our second annual Toast the City Awards and we’re thrilled to highlight some of the runners and riders over the coming weeks. Today we’re celebrating the amazing steak restaurant Ibai, which is one of 12 Finalists in the Best Restaurant category. Here’s what our food critic – and Toast [...]
Fine dining and The Jab: A Michelin dinner with the Ozempic set July 21, 2026 The age of Ozempic is changing fine dining. Anna Moloney asks how to run a Michelin-star restaurant when your diners don't want to eat.
Rossella: The family business defying the hospitality crisis July 20, 2026 The UK hospitality industry is grappling with an unprecedented crisis. Rising wages, a lack of staff and surging energy bills mean that an estimated 30 per cent of operators are now loss-making, according to UK Hospitality. As restaurants and bars close their doors, it’s estimated that 200 jobs a day are disappearing from the sector. [...]
Why lighter, chilled Claret is causing a stir July 16, 2026 Bet on Claret – but the Brit fave is changing Wine has a habit of making things more complicated than they need to be. The terminology, the labelling, the annoying communicators warbling on about “mouthfeel” and describing perfectly enjoyable bottles as tasting of “tar”, “tennis balls” and that Sauvignon Blanc classic “cat’s pee”. (Sorry about [...]
Jamie’s Italian is awful but don’t worry, there are some great new Mediterranean restaurants too July 15, 2026 This week I talk about two Italians, one Greek, a talented Cypriot and an irritating Englishman. Prepare to read about two restaurants you should visit (Bancone and Zylia) and one you should reserve for your worst enemies (Jamie’s Italian)… ZYLIA Covent Garden is a part of London that you only go to for a specific [...]
Why chilled red wine is the coolest thing to drink right now July 13, 2026 Rosé is a safe summer bet, but the coolest thing to be drinking right now, in more ways than one, is a chilled red. There was an inkling that this was going to be a thing last summer, but now that chilly glass of rouge has its feet well and truly under the table. I [...]