Why we love the Square Mile’s Williamson’s Tavern May 22, 2025 In a new series celebrating the businesses nominated for the Toast the City awards, Adam Bloodworth visits one of the Square Mile’s best hidden gems, Williamson’s Tavern, an alleyway-based boozer with a vibe like no other What is it? Ancient rules dictate that sightlines to St Paul’s must be visible from across the capital and [...]
Martin Williams interview: New Evolv boss on aggressive growth and the closure of M May 22, 2025 In a new series interviewing the judges of our new Toast the City awards, our Life&Style editor sat down with new Evolve Collection boss to talk Terence Conran, aggressive growth and how it feels to see M Restaurant close Few people have had a bigger impact on the City’s food and drink scene than Martin [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: Out on the town with Evolv boss Martin Williams May 21, 2025 Last week, my Evolv Collection exec team and I were invited to visit Domaine de Mirabeau, the home of pink pleasures. In a world where wild yeasts are added to wines not only to assist primary fermentation, but to ‘influence’ the flavour profiles (think apricot, raspberry or peach, regardless of grape profile), it was inspiring [...]
How to buy wine for… A blitz spirit street party May 21, 2025 When I first moved into my street I was bemused by its welcome. Having lived in London for years, my neighbourly communication had typically been limited. The odd hello when you awkwardly leave your houses at the same time. In my twenties, there were some fraught messages from above about the volume of my music, [...]
Spanish wine: What I’ve learned and where to drink it May 20, 2025 Spanish wines are changing. At the annual Spanish Wine Tasting earlier this year I was struck by how the traditional styles are evolving and many of our preconceptions must be thrown out the window. Here are some of the top trends I noticed. Red wines are getting lighter There is still plenty of power but, [...]
Around The World In 80 Lunches May 16, 2025 Around the World in 80 Lunches – No Passport Required You could spend your lunch hour doomscrolling at your desk, or you could take a trip from Malaysia to Mexico without leaving E1. And frankly, we know which one sounds better. Petticoat Lane and the surrounding streets have quietly transformed into one of London’s most [...]
The Punk Patissiere – Sanji Parvee May 16, 2025 What makes a ‘good’ cupcake? If we’re speaking technically, it’s the fluffiness of the sponge, the silky smoothness of the frosting, and a perfectly flat top. But we don’t just settle for good down the Lane. Oh no. We’re striving for greatness, an unforgettable edible experience, and for that you need to “trigger a memory. [...]
Picking the perfect wine for the City AM Awards May 14, 2025 The City AM awards was buzzing last week as titans of industry and charity, tech entrepreneurs, hospitality bigwigs and global leaders of finance stepped onto the red carpet and into the vaulted rooms of Guildhall. A band played as I swigged fizzing cold Crémant with the Naked Wines team before being gathered into the main [...]
Exclusive: Gaucho owner to shut City icon M Restaurant next week May 12, 2025 Iconic Square Mile dining spot M Restaurant is to shut for good next week after 10 years serving steak to the City. The move comes after founder Martin Williams left M’s parent company Rare Restaurants in October. City AM understands new chief executive Baton Berisha, who assumed the role in March following spells at The [...]
How to fly to New York in style (and why The Devonshire is overrated) May 7, 2025 Flying to New York to visit the Evolv Collection Restaurants last week, I was reminded that the British Airways loyalty scheme conditions had changed. For reference, here are my own (slightly tongue in cheek) rules for any self-respecting ‘City Guy’ visiting Terminal Five: 1. Arrive at the airport in a cab and ask for the [...]