Meet M Threadneedle’s newest member of staff: Marion the robot December 5, 2020 This has been a year of surprises, few of them very pleasant – especially when it comes to the hospitality sector. But being served a glass of Veuve Clicquot by a robot called Marion was an unexpected and welcome moment of levity, especially on the first day out of lockdown. Marion the champagne bot is [...]
Where chefs plan to celebrate the end of lockdown 2 December 1, 2020 It has been a truly miserable month for foodies, who have had to rely on the new home delivery options from top restaurants to get their fix. As lockdown 2 nears its conclusion, we spoke to some of London’s top chefs to find out where they will be spending their first post-lockdown meal. Take some [...]
Restaurants and clubs that survive Covid may see a boom like never before December 1, 2020 For those in the hospitality industry, 2020 can’t end soon enough. Recent news suggests that by Spring, London finally will start to see some semblance of normal life return, with a lifting of this year’s countless rules and regulations. The hospitality industry has been decimated this year, despite the Government’s attempts to help by offering [...]
Restaurant food delivered for the last weekend of lockdown November 27, 2020 This is the last weekend of full lockdown, although the muddled, miserable restrictions that continue to place an unfair burden upon the hospitality sector mean it’s hardly time to pull out the party poppers. Still, if you’re looking for one last big weekend home-delivery binge before venturing out in your household bubble to enjoy a [...]
Toast the end of lockdown with a cocktail literally fit for a queen November 26, 2020 Next week, you’ll be able to walk down to the Connaught Bar yourself and sample a drink from officially the best bar in the world. Until then, here’s how to throw one together yourself – perfect for celebrating the end of a miserable second lockdown. Earlier this week we spoke to The Connaught Bar’s director [...]
Tier 2 dining: heated terraces to meet for a covid-safe meal November 26, 2020 As London is about to enter tier 2, next Wednesday, dining out with groups may seem like a thing of the past. Again. But don’t worry – there are plenty of places in London to eat outdoors, and these ones are comfortable despite the cold weather. Skylight Rooftop igloos It may be freezing outside, but [...]
The best London takeaways, and the wines to drink with them November 26, 2020 The end is in sight: one more week until we are released back into the wild. While we all brace ourselves to get back into our favourite restaurants and bars across, I have been thinking about my favourite wines to pair with takeaway food for one last lockdown binge. Indian If like me you find [...]
New Covid rules are a ‘disaster’ for hospitality, based on non-existent data, says D&D London boss November 24, 2020 The head of restaurant group D&D London has slammed the new government Covid restrictions, calling them a “disaster” and a “kick in the teeth” for the hospitality sector. Des Gunewardena writes in an exclusive column for City A.M. that the government is failing to back up its new regulations, which place tough restrictions on bars [...]
The government is ignoring Covid science and hospitality is paying the price, says D&D boss November 24, 2020 Des Gunewardena is Chairman and CEO of D&D London, the restaurant group behind brands including Bluebird, Angler, 14 Hills and Coq d’Argent. Here he lays out where the government has failed the hospitality sector and gives a plan for how it could still salvage something from the most important month of the year. So we’ve finally [...]
How to run the best bar in the world – by the man who does, The Connaught Bar’s Agostino Perrone November 24, 2020 This month Mayfair’s The Connaught Bar topped the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, having been a regular fixture in its upper echelons for years. Its creative mastermind is its director of mixology Agostino Perrone. We asked him what it takes to get to the top, and how he plans to stay there. Tell [...]