Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: Best Japanese restaurants in London March 12, 2025 Last week I was busy spending time dining charitably with sporting heroes. It began by sending Shawsey off on his ‘Legends of Telemark’ mission (he raises funds for MND) with a lunch where beautiful beef wellingtons reigned. It took place in the company of former Scottish international, Ryan Wilson at the Black Lamb in Wimbledon [...]
Diving for wine in the ocean paradise of the Maldives March 7, 2025 You don’t think of the Maldives as a wine country. It’s dry for a start, and no vines grow on these sandy atolls. But exciting things are happening here. Emerald Maldives Resort and Spa have started aging wine on the sea floor and, to show there are no depths I will not go to for [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best gastropubs in London March 6, 2025 The past week has been one of celebrations. Gordon Ramsay opened his 22 Bishopsgate venue, where I enjoyed caviar and Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir as Nick Grimshaw played tunes and GQ’s Worst Dressed Man of 2018, Joe Wicks, danced with Angela Hartnett and other ‘A-listers’. I enjoyed an amazing St David’s Day dinner at Quaglino’s [...]
Libby’s Naked Wines diary: artful drinking in Mayfair March 5, 2025 Libby’s Naked Wines diary: this week, City AM’s wine columnist Libby Brodie is with Mayfair’s art set It was one of those events where everyone is the most interesting person in the room. A small gathering of London’s fashionable and fascinating to wish farewell to Stephen Webster’s Mount Street Salon, as he moves his London [...]
Top Pancake Day recipes: How to make the perfect pancake on Shrove Tuesday March 4, 2025 Pancake day is upon us! We asked some top chefs for ideas for something a little extra this Shrove Tuesday. Here’s how to make the perfect pancake from the comfort of your own kitchen. Chocolate and banana pancake Cyril Lignac, head chef at Bar Des Pres As a chef, pancake day gives everyone, both amateur [...]
International Women’s Day: The future of women in wine March 3, 2025 This International Women’s Day, I caught up with Queena Wong, a wine enthusiast who is helping to reshape the industry for the better Queena Wong has become a controversial character in wine after spearheading the first UK Women in Wine Survey. According to marketing research agency PROOF Insight, 78 per cent of the women who [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best steak in London February 28, 2025 When I joined Gaucho as CEO in 2019, I embarked on a five year programme to re-imagine the brand; making it accessible and attractive to a more diverse demographic. We already sold the best steak in London so I achieved much of this through design, an innovative international wine list, and our catering at a [...]
Martin Williams to take over as D&D London boss, now rebranded Evolv February 27, 2025 Former Gaucho boss Martin Williams is to take over as chief exec of D&D London, one of the biggest high-end restaurant groups in the UK. The move will see him take charge of brands including Coq d’Argent, Bluebird, German Gymnasium, Quaglino’s and Angler, which holds a Michelin star. Williams said: “I am delighted to be [...]
Why Tasmania is Australia’s overlooked wine destination February 26, 2025 It was only four years ago I was served a glass of House of Arras, an exceptional sparkling wine, full of crystalline precision and refined fizz. I was surprised to hear it was from Tasmania. Before then, I knew very little about wines from this region. London is the most exciting marketplace for wine in [...]
Eat like an Egyptian at amazing new lunch spot Koshari February 26, 2025 The City’s eating and drinking scene has gone into overdrive in recent months and years, with dining options to rival anywhere in London. Our favourite new lunch spot is Koshari Street, which recently opened on Cannon Street. An Egyptian restaurant named after the famous dish of grains, chickpeas and tomato sauce, it’s a great option [...]