These are the best bottles of wine to buy for the warmer weather April 28, 2026 It’s almost May, a time that brings its own particular joys when it comes to seasonal food. It therefore offers an opportunity for different wines to take centre stage after winter’s more hefty warmers. Spring’s food, however, is notoriously tricky for wine pairing. Here is a quick guide to the best bottles of wine to [...]
Here is the best wine from Australia, from Chardonnay to Shiraz April 22, 2026 Australian wine seems to be all anyone is drinking this month, perhaps because last month Matthew Jukes, a world authority on Aussie vino, announced his 100 Best Australian Wine report. Australian wine has consistently done well in the UK. We were their primary export market in the 19th century, and as their wine industry expanded [...]
Pub of the week: The Walrus and Carpenter is pints perfection April 17, 2026 We have opened nominations for the Toast the City Awards 2026. Each week we’ll be profiling some of the nominees: today it’s the Walrus and Carpenter, a pub like no other beside Monument. To find out more and to nominate your favourite bars, restaurants and hidden gems, visit the website here. “‘The time has come,’ [...]
The Last Supper: Michael Socha on his mum’s Sunday roast April 14, 2026 This is England and The Cage star Michael Socha tells us what he’d eat for his last meal on earth, from his mum’s Sunday roast to a Pizza Express dessert I’ve always liked food that’s a bit weird. I like going to the local store in different countries to try and find something strange. As [...]
Aziz Ansari talks cooking and writing over dinner at Hoppers April 13, 2026 Stand-up, actor and director Aziz Ansari is interviewed by his friend Karan Gokani, the restaurateur behind Hoppers. They tuck into a South Indian banquet at the brand new Hoppers Shoreditch to talk careers, inspiration and Indian cooking The Meal: Karan Gokani: Do you remember how we met? Aziz Ansari: Yeah, of course – I started [...]
The very best wine pairings for steak and fine cuts of meat April 9, 2026 Liverpool Street Chophouse & Tavern is not a place for small plates. The portions are generous, the menus come in a reassuringly bold red with gold lettering, the wines are decanted and the atmosphere harkens back to a time when long, bottle-strewn business lunches were still de rigour. Chef Mike Reid, formerly of M Restaurants, [...]
Two amazing London pubs have just reopened – but which to visit? March 25, 2026 Much of my early twenties was spent among the braying ponytails and pink pashminas of Parsons Green. The two mainstays for our diet of G&Ts and crisps were The White Horse (known to us as “the Sloaney Pony”) and Aragon House (otherwise called “Arrogant House”). Now these two London pubs, monoliths of Sloane Ranger culture, [...]
Pairing wine with spicy food at London restaurants KOL and Gunpowder March 18, 2026 Wine and spice make for a tricky duo. Traditionally we are taught that an off-dry white is an excellent pairing to soothe the heat, but this isn’t always the right call. I went to KOL and Gunpowder to find out how to best pair wine and spice. Pairing wine with spicy Mexican food at KOL KOL, [...]
Why Boisdale founder Ranald MacDonald is a London hero March 11, 2026 My culinary journey last week took me away from London. It was a tale of two Vikings, from Scotland to Stockholm and back again. So allow me to introduce my fellow founders, Niklas Ekstedt of his eponymous restaurant Ekstedt and Ranald MacDonald of Boisdale. BOISDALE OF BELGRAVIA When I began my entrepreneurial journey as founder [...]
This is low-key the best place to drink Italian wine in London… March 4, 2026 Please put that Pinot Grigio down. I know you think this Italian wine is a safe bet, but you are missing out. Italian cooking traditions were recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list and they deserve a more interesting dining companion. Sale e Pepe Mare is the most anticipated opening this week, with the [...]