Quick review: Wine bar and restaurant Hackney Coterie is boldly sophisticated December 1, 2021 WHAT IS IT?A wine bar and restaurant, Hackney Coterie manages to both be relaxed and boldly sophisticated. Opened in July 2021, it’s the brainchild of two friends, restaurateur Anthony Lyons (of Lyons Seafood & Wine Bar) and sommelier Kelvin McCabe. The wines hail from across Europe, and form a seriously impressive collection. As for the food, [...]
For a one of a kind gift check out this unique whisky auction from Sotheby’s December 1, 2021 The Distillers’ Charity, the philanthropic wing of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, has teamed up with Sotheby’s for a charity auction that promises to net some lucky bidder some rare and rarified bottles. Taking place at Barnbougle Castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh on Friday 3 December, the theme is “One of One”, with each [...]
Maurizio Zanella: The man behind the rise of Franciacorta November 28, 2021 Franciacorta is a small but mighty Italian wine appellation currently making waves on the sparkling scene. Though wine has been produced here since the sixteenth century, Prosecco is the Italian sparkling wine that jumps more readily to the international mind. Franciacorta, however, is made via the traditional method and was the first region to gain [...]
Lidl promotes Ryan McDonnell to UK CEO November 26, 2021 Supermarket Lidl has announced current UK CEO Christian Härtnagel will become chief executive at Lidl Germany, while Ryan McDonnell will be promoted to lead the group’s UK operations. McDonnell, who left a family business in construction for Lidl’s graduate scheme in 2000, set up the company’s buying and marketing divisions. The supermarket business, which [...]
US chain Wendy’s beefs up UK presence with 50 new branches November 25, 2021 Fast food chain Wendy’s plans to open 50 new locations across the country, marking the third attempt by the popular US burger chain to break the UK market, according to reports. The bold move was prompted by strong sales at five UK restaurant sites, including in Croydon and Stratford, according to the Financial Times, which [...]
We swing by The Ned’s new jazz and cabaret lounge The Parlour November 25, 2021 The City’s vast eating and drinking destination The Ned has opened a new jazz and cabaret lounge called The Parlour. One of six restaurants housed in the former banking hall (the others being The Nickel Bar, Electric Bar & Diner, Malibu Kitchen, Kaia, and Lutyens Grill), The Parlour is an intimate venue located in the [...]
Collectivino: The ethical wine company making it easy to drink good wine November 24, 2021 Sustainability is the current watch word in wine. As bottle weights and recyclability are increasingly discussed, companies must at least nod in an environmentally friendly direction or risk falling behind competitors. People are increasingly aware of the impact their choices make on the planet but buying ethical wine sustainably can be a tricky thing to [...]
Why it’s time to end the scourge of the service charge November 24, 2021 Ask five people about service charge – that innocent looking ‘discretionary’ or ‘optional’ 12.5 per cent right at the bottom of your bill – and you’ll get five different answers. It’s an archaic, often clandestine system and I’m glad to have scraped it at our restaurant Oklava. Here’s why. Service charge never sat right with [...]
William Wolfe’s Guide to Living Excellently in London – an extract from this amazing new book November 24, 2021 This new book by the fictional William Wolfe is a who’s who of the London luxury scene – here are some of his top tips: In the 1960s a gentleman couldn’t possibly exist without Sir Francis Chichester’s Guide to Good Living in London. It was a pocket-sized map of the West End and the City, [...]
Last Orders: Restaurant insolvencies jump 31 per cent amid rising expenses November 22, 2021 Restaurant insolvencies rise by 31 per cent as costs rise ahead of customer demand in a post-lockdown economy.