Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best restaurants in Florence March 20, 2025 Last week began with a wonderfully long lunch in Bluebird Chelsea with Mirabeau founder Stephen Cronk and his chief exec Richard Larkin. Everyone in the drinks business loves these guys, but I take credit for introducing the Batman and Robin of Provencal rose to each other back in 2017. In Bluebird, the restaurant atmosphere was [...]
Bistrot Pierre: Jobs lost and restaurants closed as chain rescued March 7, 2025 Almost 160 jobs have been lost and a number of restaurants are to close after Bistrot Pierre was sold out of administration to a private equity firm. A vehicle owned by Cherry Equity Partners has snapped up part of the Nottingham-headquartered chain in a deal which has saved 394 roles and ten sites. However, eight [...]
Spudway: Subway expands into jacket potatoes in bid to boost UK sales February 19, 2025 Subway has revamped its menu in the latest change to its marketing strategy as it looks to boost UK sales. The fast-food giant will trial a customisable jacket potato in 170 UK stores, citing the humble potato’s social media “renaissance” and “fame on social media”. Deniz Safa, Director of Innovation & Culinary at Subway EMEA, said [...]
Chopstix doubles its sales in four years as UK expansion continues February 14, 2025 Asian food eatery chain Chopstix more than doubled its sales over a four-year period ahead of being snapped up by a European giant, it has been revealed. The London-headquartered business has posted a turnover of £64.5m for the 12 months to 28 April, 2024, its final full year before being acquired. A 51 per cent [...]
London restaurants honoured in 2025 Michelin guide February 11, 2025 Jason Atherton’s iconic Tower 42 restaurant City Social was stripped of its Michelin star at the food guide’s annual awards ceremony this week. In a bittersweet evening for Atherton, his new Row on 5 restaurant on Savile Row – seen as the celebrity chef’s flagship venue following the closure of Pollen Street Social last year [...]
Chap Bistro is the sort of chef London needs more of February 4, 2025 Restaurants in London desperately need to be more fun. Yes, they should serve sustainable food, but surely ethical sourcing has evolved into an expectation rather than a concept by this stage – just be sustainable and stop talking about it. What this overworked city desperately needs is more humour and light heartedness. Gloria in Shoreditch [...]
Kolamba restaurant founders: chilli is massively overused in London kitchens February 3, 2025 Kolamba is a contemporary Sri Lankan restaurant with outposts in Soho and Shoreditch. Their dishes deal in big colour and splashes of vibrant flavour. Think roasted pineapple as a centrepiece for the table; jackfruit hopper biryani, moorish spinach dahl; and Idli with Sambar. They’re particularly proud of their vegetarian food – but here co-founders Eroshan [...]
Wingstop and Popeyes serve up major UK expansion plans January 27, 2025 Fast-growing chains Wingstop and Popeyes have each announced major plans to expand further across the UK and create thousands of jobs. Popeyes has outlined proposals to almost double its footprint in the UK with the opening of more than 45 restaurants. The move will increase its presence in the likes of Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol [...]
Why January is the month for steak-loving carnivores like me January 24, 2025 Martin Williams: Eat, drink, sleep, repeat – our new columnist’s guide to the best epicurean spots in London. This week: Why January is the best month for red meat, especially steak As we all tire of festive white meats, January brings out the red meat-loving carnivore in me. Steak Tartar satisfies this. The capital’s most [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best places to avoid Dry January January 16, 2025 Every January, I hang my head in shame. As a business leader who has spent almost three decades championing the finest beverages and hospitality, I must admit I am in no small part responsible for the abomination which is Seedlip, the crown jewel of the no alcohol movement, forced down your throat each “Dry January”. [...]