Fine Mother's Day dining for your Mother for free? Let me explain how!

With Mother's Day just around the corner we have rounded up the best menus to celebrate the special woman in your life!

Chinese Cricket Club Restaurant

Available on 10th March for one day only, between 12:30 - 4pm, expect a special Mother’s Day buffet for £42 per person. Highlights include signature Peking Duck showcase and tastings. Appetisers include Vegetable Spring Rolls, Peking Duck Spring Rolls, Tiger Chilli Crispy Beef, Slow Cooked Iberico Ribs and Seven Spice Crispy Tofu Bird’s Eye Chilli.

Mains include Wok-Fried Beef with Double Mushroom & Oyster Sauce, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Sauteed Shrimp with Black Bean Sauce, Sauteed Squid, Vegetarian Roasted Duck with Black Pepper Sauce, Vegetable Noodles, Vegetable Egg Fried Rice (Carrot, Asparagus, Chinese Mushroom, Garlic) and Steamed Jasmine Rice.

Enjoy fruit and a small selection of desserts to finish. For £5, add a Malfy Pink Rose (Pink Grapefruit) with Aromatic Fever Tree or a non-alcoholic option, the Yuzu & Cucumber Fizz.

Children from 6 - 12 years can enjoy the buffet at a 50% discount (£21).

Book here https://rb.gy/4apn6c

You'll find the restaurant within the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, 19 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6DB.

Mint Leaf London Restaurant

Spoil the beloved Mothers and Mother figures in your life this Mother’s Day. Mint Leaf London invites Mums to dine for free* and feast on a magnificent three course menu created especially for Mother’s Day. 

Celebrations kick off with Motherhood, an expertly crafted cognac cocktail with notes of almond and banana. Followed by an enticing selection of appetisers including Garlic and Thyme Chicken Tikka, Dill and Honey Tandoori Salmon and Chickpea and Potato Chaat.

Feast on Neelgiri Chicken, Fish Moilee or Paneer Makhani, all accompanied by Tadka Dal and steamed rice or naan. End on a sweet note with a light and sophisticated Rose Petal Cheesecake.

This menu is priced at £45 per person and will be available on the 9th & 11th March. 

For a Mother’s Day experience that will delight the whole family, book now here https://rb.gy/7fdwf4

*Mother’s dine for free, valid for one mother per booking. You will find Mint Leaf London at Bank, 12 Angel Ct, London EC2R 7HB.

Now Open: Mr Fogg's City Tavern

Mr Fogg's City Tavern, the brand-new bar and restaurant in Broadgate Circle near Liverpool Street, is now open.

As guests enter the venue, they are met with a warm and welcoming interior with a ceiling bedecked in everything from bunting, Victorian boxing gloves, a rocking chair, tankards, wooden hot air balloons and flags collected from Phileas' travels around the world. 

The wood-paneled tavern features characterful portraits of Fogg's varied friends and tables made from glass display cabinets, showcasing prized collectibles. Adjoining the Tavern is the sumptuous Saloon, akin to the traditional tavern reception room for games playing and conducting business, with luxuriously upholstered sofas and low seating. This will lead to The Snug, another classic addition to Victorian pubs, a slightly separated area that offers a transitional space between Tavern and Saloon

The cocktail menu features punches, for one, two or four to share, alongside 'Matron's Tipples' that provide a modern take on classic cocktails. Highlights include:

Mexican Berry Biff £14 / £26 / £50

Citrusy / Vibrant / Fruity

Patrón Silver tequila, Martini Fiero vermouth, raspberry shrub, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice

Blue Bull Negroni £14.5

Boozy / Aromatic / Complex

Blue butterfly pea flower-infused Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco aperitif and Nardini Acqua di Cedro liqueur mist

The Gilded Portfolio £15

Boozy / Aromatic / Complex

Hennessy V.S. cognac, Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino vermouth, Cointreau Noir orange liqueur, Guinness reduction syrup and Ardbeg 10yr Scotch whisky mist

The food menu features elevated classic tavern options such as the homemade chicken & leek pie served with creamy mash potato and red wine onion gravy, vegan shepherd's pie with tenderstem broccoli and vegan gravy and ribeye steak sandwich with melted blue cheese, caramelised onions, and American mustard on a sourdough bloomer. 

Every Saturday, Mr Fogg's City Tavern will host the Live Music Brunch featuring Midnight Rye Society. Guest are treated to a savoury main course and a sweet dessert course with 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco or punch for £48. 

Savoury dishes include Eggs Benedict with crispy bacon on an English muffin lathered with homemade Hollandaise sauce or Fogg's Famous Fry-up featuring pork sausage, bacon rashers, fried egg, roasted cherry vine tomatoes, portobello mushroom, black pudding, Heinz baked beans, and a hash brown. Sweet dishes range from homemade pancakes with maple syrup, fruit, and coconut yogurt to The Tropical Mess featuring cinnamon meringue, coconut rum cream, mango, pineapple, and shaved toasted coconut.

Later in 2024, the downstairs area The Luggage Room will be opened to the public featuring experiential and immersive aspects that Mr Fogg's venues are known for.

www.mr-foggs.com/mr-foggs-city-tavern

IG: @MrFoggsGB

Mr Fogg's City Tavern 

37 Broadgate Circle,

Liverpool Street,

London EC2M 2QS

Opening Times:

Monday & Tuesday: 12pm - 9pm

Wednesday – Saturday: 12pm - 12am

Sunday: Closed

FACTFILE: Mr Fogg's are well-loved for their unique, eclectic and immersive hospitality concepts across London including Mayfair based Mr Fogg's Residence, modelled on the actual home of Jules Verne's character Phileas Fogg, Mr Fogg's Apothecary, just opposite Claridge's, Mr Fogg's Tavern, a Victorian-inspired pub in Covent Garden, and Mr Fogg's Gin Parlour, which serves over 300 different gins. 

2018 saw the arrival of three new Mr Fogg's concepts, Mr Fogg's House of Botanicals, a Fitzrovia-based floral oasis, Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration, just minutes away from Charing Cross station as well as the newly launched Mr Fogg's Pawnbrokers and Mr Fogg's Hat Tavern & Gin Club in Soho.

Love is in the air with TOZI Restaurant & Bar

Love is in the air and as Londoners and visitors to our capital city get ready to cozy up on the most romantic night of the year, TOZI Restaurant & Bar in Victoria has revealed its special set menu for the big day.  

They say that the way to one’s heart is through their stomach, so let the restaurant’s cicchetti (small plates menu) do all the hard work this Valentine’s Day; featuring four courses or delightful Italian cuisine, the set menu means that you lovebirds can enjoy everything from Seared Beef Carpaccio with Grilled Artichokes & Parmesan Shavings and Paccheri with Fresh Devon Crab, Tomato & Basil to Calamari Fritti, Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli with Black Truffle and more.  

Their Valentine's Day set menu is £60.

With a delightful ambiance that will make lovebirds’ hearts truly flutter, the set menu comes with TOZI’s exclusive Valentine’s Cocktail – making sure that every moment is filled with culinary delights.  

For more information and to book a table, visit www.tozirestaurant.co.uk or call 020 7769 9771.  

You'll find TOZI Restaurant & Bar at 8 Gilliam Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 1HJ.

Treat your Valentine (and yourself!) at Mint Leaf London

Unlock your beloved’s heart this Valentine's Day at Mint Leaf London; which is a fine-dining Indian restaurant, bar and lounge located in the centre of the square mile.

Join them for a swoon-worthy evening that's absolutely guaranteed to delight the senses! 

Couples will be presented with the opportunity to attach their love lock to a gate, which will be kept safe until Valentine’s Day next year, when it can be unlocked to reveal a special offer.

Toast the occasion with two unique concoctions adorned with a love lock and key. Treat your special someone to an opulent five course modern Indian set-menu featuring Gol Gappa followed by a Vegetarian or Meat Platter. Chicken Chettinad, Hariyali Seabass or Anjeeri Malai Kofta and an indulgent Mixed Berry Cheesecake and perhaps a glass of something bubbly!

This menu priced at £65 per person will be available on the 10th, 14th, 16th & 17th February. For a Valentine’s Day experience that won’t be forgotten, book now at this link https://widget.thefork.com/en-GB/48a91979-1ce5-478a-88df-c89231b5f639

To learn more about Mint Leaf London visit them here https://www.mintleaflondon.com/city.

And do enjoy some of their amazing cocktails, too. They also White Rhino IPA beer from India's first craft brewery.

SquareMeal announces London's Top 100 Restaurants

SquareMeal has announced the best restaurants London has to offer in 2024. SquareMeal’s London Top 100 shines a spotlight on the capital’s greatest places to eat, as voted for by both critics and diners.

Using a combination of thousands of reader votes and the opinion of SquareMeal’s own expert critics, the London Top 100 Restaurants is a true reflection of the city’s beautifully varied dining scene. The list features everything from fine dining experiences through to gastropubs and everything in between. Each restaurant is truly unique but all have one thing in common - an unmissable experience.

Shoreditch restaurant Lyle’s named the best in London

SquareMeal’s Best Restaurant in London title went to Lyle’s - a restaurant that needs little introduction. Celebrating its tenth birthday this year, Lyle’s has evolved from a young, brash newcomer to one of London’s most recognisable and essential modern restaurants, reflecting a 30-place rise from last year’s list to take top spot in 2024.

The serene whitewashed interiors belie the technical precision going on behind the scenes, where James Lowe and team weave their magic. Lyle’s is also home to an exceptional non-alcoholic drinks offering - another sign that this trailblazer remains one of London’s most innovative restaurants too.

SquareMeal’s Managing Editor, Ellie Donnell, explains, ‘London's restaurant scene moves very quickly, which is why our Top 100 Restaurant lists become more important every year. They allow us to pause and reflect on the incredible restaurants from the year prior - both new and old - while giving those at the height of their culinary careers the time and attention they deserve.

‘In Lyle's, we have a restaurant that has not only stood the test of time, but continues to push the boundaries of what modern British food means today. James and his team have managed to capture the very essence of casual fine dining in a truly timeless restaurant, where a focus on UK-grown produce, exceptional plates and friendly service will never go out of fashion. Bravo!’

You can check out the full listing here https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/best/londons-top-100-restaurants_262

(Image courtesy of Laurie Fletcher Photography) 

New Hot Spot: The Brandy House Bar at Burnt Faith

This month, the Brandy House Bar at Burnt Faith opens its doors to cocktail lovers in London.

The UK's first dedicated Brandy Bar from the UK's first dedicated Brandy House, it is a spirited addition to the Blackhorse Road Beer Mile of craft breweries and wineries – a destination for those who like to drink well and choose local.

The menu showcases the classic cocktails you know and love with an innovative edge and local nod. Each cocktail is served with a neat pour of Burnt Faith brandy to allow guests to appreciate the base spirit inside the drink.

Burnt Faith is on a mission to expand people's understanding and appreciation of what brandy can be and how it can be enjoyed. This is a buzzy, vibey urban space where drinkers can learn a little more about this fascinating spirit. 

Not sure if brandy is for you? The Brandy House Bar at Burnt Faith is the place to convert you. There's also an array of cocktails that whisky, gin and rum lovers will know and adore, including an Aged Negroni, a banging Espresso Martini and a chocolate-tinged Cocoa Old Fashioned.

It's not just brandy from Burnt Faith that you'll find in the drinks, as the Burnt Faith eau de vie – unaged grape spirit distilled in London – plays a supporting role in the Honey Man Daiquiri alongside honey from the Local Honey Man. While the Burnt Faith Triple Sec – home-made orange liqueur - boosts the Plum margarita along with Lacto-fermented E17 foraged plums.

Burnt Faith is a proudly British Brandy House and is uses only local suppliers wherever possible, including Local Honey Man who ios just up the road, Bethnal Green Chocolatiers cocoa to infuse the Rye for the Old Fashioned, as well as Devils Botany Absinthe and VSRD London Vermouth.

The Brandy House bar at Burnt Faith will offer flights of brandy tastings, a full programme of events and masterclasses, tours and tastings to follow.

Opening hours: Friday & Saturdays 4pm – 11pm

Address: Burnt Faith Brandy House, 57 Sutherland Rd, London E17 6BH

Booking policy: Reservations via Designmynight and walk-ins

Burnt Faith Brandy

Burnt Faith Brandy Batch 001 | 40% | £36 | Stockists : Burnt Faith online,  The Whisky Exchange Harvey Nichols

The first release from the new British Brandy house that is making waves for all the right reasons, Burnt Faith. Burnt Faith is on a mission to unlock the real potential of brandy and is redefining what brandy can be. 

Burnt Faith Batch 001 is aged, blended and bottled in Britain and is crafted with an intriguing blend of aromatic grape varieties and unusual cask finishes to deliver a brandy like no other. This is a delicious blend in a stunning bottle at a very reasonable price. It is packed full of fruit, notes of caramel and a truly elevated chocolatey smooth finish.

https://burntfaith.com/products/burnt-faith-brandy-batch-001

 

KOL’s 3rd Birthday - A Celebration of Mexico in London

Sunday 8th October at KOL, London - Santiago Lastra welcomes Jorge Vallejo for one day only, uniting Mexican food, culture, and spirit in London. A celebration of everything KOL is and represents on the restaurant's 3rd birthday. 

Held at Santiago’s restaurant KOL, guests will have the option of lunch or dinner and to take a journey through Mexico in the form of an exclusive, collaborative and very special tasting menu: blending influences of each chef’s ethos in creating a personal dining experience of Mexican cuisine.

KOL is now No.23 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and honours Mexican cuisine through a contemporary lens. Championing seasonality and regional British produce, Chef Santiago has developed a new understanding of what Mexican cuisine is, without access to Mexico’s abundant ingredients.

Chef Jorge Vallejo, alongside his wife Alejandra Flores, opened Quintonil in 2012, exploring Mexican culinary traditions and concentrating on product and flavour quality by working with regional producers who spark a positive impact on their communities. Now over 10 years later, Quintonil sits at No.9 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants due to Jorge’s personal and professional interpretation of what it means to be a Mexican chef. He has become an inspiration to Chef Santiago and KOL. 

Santiago and Jorge are welcoming diners to their four-hands collaboration to experience an authentic, personable and contemporary exploration into Mexican cuisine. The two chefs will spend time beforehand foraging in Kent’s open countryside to part source ingredients and inspiration for this new collaboration. 

The tasting menu will feature 8 creative dishes, served with an opening welcome drink from Montelobos Mezcal. Non-alcoholic options are available throughout the meal, as well as a drinks pairing using Montelobos Mezcals, or a curated selection of wines from the KOL Mezcaleria.

“As Aeromexico, we are thrilled to join forces with KOL and Quintonil to celebrate the exquisite flavours of Mexican cuisine. Through this partnership, we are not just bringing Mexico to the UK but also connecting cultures and creating unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned for more exciting collaborations as we continue this culinary journey together” noted Mark Mooren, Aeromexico’s Sales Director UK and Benelux. 

Date: 08/10/23

Times: Lunch - 12:00, Dinner - 18:00

Address: 9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA

The Clove Club X Daniel Berlin

Chef Isaac McHale of London's two-Michelin star restaurant The Clove Club, will welcome Chef Daniel Berlin from restaurant Vyn, Skåne in Sweden for one exciting dining experience on Monday 18th September.

Supported by the popular booking platform Resy, the chefs will present a special collaborative eight-course tasting menu showcasing a selection of their signature dishes: Sardine Sashimi with Crisp Potato, Ginger and Chrysanthemum Glaze served with a creamy Whisky and Sardine Broth and Grouse Breast with Orkney Clapshot and Elderberry with a Grouse Dumpling served on the side with Lentils and Truffle from The Clove Club and Vendace Roe with Pickled Celeriac, Cold Smoked Creme Fraiche with Juniper and Jelly of Celeriac Juice and the infamous Salted Egg with Caramelised Rosemary with Yogurt Sorbet for Daniel.

Isaac and Daniel share the same philosophy of cooking using strictly seasonal, hyper-locally sourced ingredients. The dinner will be an ode to the end of summer with hints of changing produce as the autumn months approach.

In the decade that passed since opening its doors in 2013, The Clove Club has become an internationally-acclaimed, gastronomic dining destination, achieving both national and global recognition.

It's garnered praise from both the media and its peers, plus a loyal following of regular guests. The Clove Club was awarded two Michelin stars in 2022 and has remained consistently present on The World's 50 Best list since 2016. 

Chef Daniel Berlin closed his two-Michelin-starred restaurant Daniel Berlin Krog in September 2020 and only recently announced the opening of his new venture Vyn in Skåne. Vyn now encompasses a casual food & wine bar and will open a restaurant with a private area for up to 24 guests and boutique hotel with 15 bedrooms, next month, October 2023. 

“I’m so looking forward to this dinner with Daniel. Ever since we cooked together in Estonia 8 years ago, I have wanted to bring him to The Clove Club and get together in the kitchen again. He cooks technically brilliant, exciting and delicious food, and has his own unique style. I can’t wait to share it with you. And it’s a double celebration too with his new restaurant launch this year and our 10th anniversary. It’s definitely going to be a special night,” said Isaac Mchale. 

The dinner will be priced £240. Bookings will go live today at 12pm on Resy https://resy.com.

https://www.thecloveclub.com

Please note, due to the nature of the collaboration for one night only, the restaurant will not be able to cater to guests with specific dietary requirements or allergies, so please keep this in mind when booking or dining there.

Sainsbury’s brings more shopping choice to Wapping with exciting new local store

Sainsbury’s has launched its newest store with the opening of Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local in Tower Hamlets, London. 

Open from 7am to 11pm seven days a week, the 1,658 sq. ft store has created new jobs for local people and supporting regeneration in the neighbourhood, whilst providing a much-needed boost to retail options for local people.

Customers now have the opportunity to sample Sainsbury’s latest convenience range, from fresh fruit and veg, healthy snacks and food-to-go to sweet, savoury and frozen staples. 

They'll also be able to choose from an absolutely delicious selection of freshly baked bread and pastries every day, plus pick up Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing products ordered online via the in-store Click and Collect service. (EDITOR: I love my Tu jacket!)

Conveniently located on the corner of Wapping Lane and Green Bank, it's a mere two minutes’ walk from Wapping Rail Station.

Sainsbury’s new store is located on the ground floor of a former office building, the upper floors of which have been converted into a suite of luxury apartments by Malins Group. 

The two companies have worked closely together to ensure, like the flats above it, the new Local has been sensitively designed to stay in keeping with the local area. This included updating some of the external elements originally proposed in response to community feedback.

The colleagues making up the new store team will play an active role in the local community whilst also participating in Sainsbury’s national charitable programmes and initiatives. 

For example, through Sainsbury’s partnership with Neighbourly, the new Local will work with local food donation partners to help ensure any surplus food items from the store will go to those who need it most.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to welcome Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local to our estate this week. We’ve recognised the very real chance a new convenience store would represent for the local community in Wapping for some time now and we’ve really pulled out all the stops to bring our plans to life, making the most of an unique space in a fantastic redevelopment project. We’re delighted with the result and we think our customers will be too."

Jamie Buckland, Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local Store Manager, went on to say: “I felt privileged to join members of my team to cut the ribbon on our brand new store this week and we were thrilled to see a queue of customers patiently waiting outside before we opened. We know our neighbours have been looking forward to our arrival and we're really pleased to be able to welcome them for the first time today.”

Lauren Atkins, MD with The Malins Group, said: “It’s always a privilege to repurpose underutilised spaces and transform them into vibrant new ones. 

"The benefits of permitted development are clear at Green Bank Lofts, where the collaborative efforts of The Malins Group and Sainsbury’s have enabled a speedy transition from unused office building to 18 apartments and thriving retail space.”

Clearspring Pledges 30k of Free Plant-Based Meals to Mark 30th Anniversary

Leading Japanese and organic fine foods specialist Clearspring is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has teamed up with their long-term partner, plant-based community cookery school and food charity Made In Hackney, to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals to communities who are in need. 

Made in Hackney, which are celebrating their own 10th anniversary, will work with Clearspring to donate products and cooked meals to families and individuals who have emergency support needs.

Sarah Bentley, founder of Made in Hackney said: "Made In Hackney and Clearspring believe everyone should have access to high quality, healthy food that's good for people and the planet. Clearspring have supported our community cookery classes, meal service and fundraising activities with their incredible products for many years. 

"We're really pleased and delighted to partner with them now to provide 30,000 free plant-based meals to households with food support needs as part of Clearspring's 30-year anniversary."

Maria Dawson, who's the MD at Clearspring commented: “Reaching 30 years as an independent family business is a really great achievement to celebrate. We wanted to use this opportunity to make a concerted effort to give back to the community with our pledge to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals.” 

Alongside the food donation pledge, Clearspring will also be fundraising throughout the year to support the important work Made in Hackney is doing. Clearspring will also partner with other organisations including City Harvest, who help to distribute food to over 350 local charities offering food support to local communities.

Maria Dawson went on to say: “We also wanted to say thank you to everyone who's helped us reach this 30-year milestone. Thank you to the brilliant Clearspring team, the fantastic organic and Demeter certified farmers and artisan food producers, the committed wholesalers and retailers who stock our products and the loyal shoppers who choose to add Clearspring to their baskets every day. 

"Please know that your continued support is helping us realise our dream to create a more sustainable future and is enabling us to work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day.”

Clearspring was founded in 1993 by award-winning organic Japanese and plant-based foods pioneer Christopher Dawson. Originally from New Zealand, he came to London to study organic and biodynamic farming and subsequently set-up and ran his own health food shop, East West Natural Foods, in London back in 1977.

Christopher decided to move to Japan in the 1980s to further his understanding of organic agriculture and made the country his home for the next 18 years, working with local artisanal producers to convert and comply with international organic standards. Clearspring was created as a way to help the producers he worked with share their unique traditional and organic products with a global audience.

From humble beginnings offering Organic Japanese Miso Soups, Teas and Tamari, Clearspring now offers a vast range of over 300 products across 30 categories, including Japanese specialities, Tofu, Seasonings, as well as European cold pressed oils, vinegars, snacks, purees, pasta and pasta sauces. All Clearspring products are plant-based, refined sugar free and made without the use of artificial additives or ingredients. Clearspring is available in over 60 countries around the world.

 You can find out more about the fundraising and food donation campaign by visiting https://www.clearspring.co.uk/blogs/news.

Celebrate the Coronation with Lío London

From being a dedicated fan of royal family to simply enjoying a luxurious drink, Pacha’s Lío London (recently transformed from the iconic Café de Paris) has the coronation weekend cocktail selection to leave you royally impressed. 

Lío’s carefully crafted a range of cocktails inspired by the regal themes and tastes of the monarchy featuring some of the most exquisite and premium ingredients. Each drink has been expertly designed to create a unique and indulgent drinking experience, fit for a king or queen.

Cocktails include:

Long Live The King: Tanqueray No10, skinos, with citrus notes and raspberry - £20

Queen’s Passion: Ciroc summer citrus with tropical passion fruit and sweet vanilla - £20

The Heir of the Throne: Singleton 12yo, mixed with raw honey and red sour cherries - £22 

King of Soho: Kind of Soho Gin, yuzu and citrus notes, herbs and lemonade - £25

The Duchess: Casamigos reposado accompanied with Grand Marnier, fresh lime and rhubarb - £23

The Duke: Casamigos mezcal, ojo de dios hibiscus, umami sense, fresh lime and grapefruit soda - £25

And, if you really want to splash, out there is something for you too:

Crown Jewel (served in an actual crown): Johnnie Walker blue, with macadamia nuts and chocolate - £65

Lastly, for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option providing a refreshing a guilt-free indulgence, they offer:

Mock the Jester: Seedlip, with sweet agave and citrus fruits - £15

Lío London offers a unique concept, so while you’re sipping on your cocktail you can enjoy the signature cuisine, music and a modern reinterpretation of a cabaret show. The Mediterranean inspired à la carte menu has been expertly brought to life by former Kensington Palace executive Chef Attila Kalanyos and includes the signature Pacha Cherry dessert alongside delicacies such as Blue Fin T-Bone Tuna and Confit Potatoes.  

Wow! This looks absolutely great and looks an ideal venue for you to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.

https://liolondon.co.uk/

Guoman Hotels joins London Restaurant Festival celebrations

Guoman Hotels, has announced the Grand Imperial London will be celebrating the London Restaurant Festival for the first time by hosting Oriental Tea & Jazz afternoons in its bar lounge from 3-17 October 2011, bringing authentic Hong Kong Cantonese food at its finest.

Guests will be able to indulge in an Eastern take on Afternoon Tea with a selection of savoury and sweet dim sum.  Surrounded by the splendid Feng Shui setting of the restaurant's bar lounge, accompanied by jazz on the piano. The Oriental Tea & Jazz afternoons are a chance for guests to take their palate on a sumptuous journey to the East.

The Oriental Afternoon tea includes classics such as 'Char Sui Bao', 'Concubine Chicken Wrap' and Grand Imperial's signature 'Chocolate Dim Sum' or a velvety 'Green tea brulee'. To accompany these treats, guests can select their favourite soothing Oriental tea or opt for a glass of Balfour Brut English Rosé and, exclusively for the festival; they can pick any cocktail including the latest popping Boba drink. Throughout the festival guests will also have the opportunity to sample the restaurant's Oriental bar menu offering an extended choice of delicious Cantonese treats.

London Restaurant Festival returns to the capital in 2011 from the 3rd to the 17th of October and is a two-week celebration of London's extraordinarily diverse range of restaurants. Grand Imperial London will also celebrate with a bespoke 2 course menu, available by reservation only and which includes specialities such as 'Crispy duck salad' and 'Black cod with honey pepper sauce'.

Oriental Afternoon Tea & Jazz will be served up every day between 3-6pm and priced per set with the option of an extra glass of champagne or a cocktail.

Located in landmark heritage hotel The Grosvenor, Victoria, Grand Imperial London is headed up by Chef Rand Cheung and is one of Malaysia's leading restaurant groups with a premium reputation in fine dining. Featuring original pieces of artwork and calligraphy excerpts, Grand Imperial London has been designed around the ancient practice of Feng-shui, along with traditional artefacts and a private dining room to entertain up to 24 guests.

The London Fine Meat Company. Meat to your door

At last, the denizens of South West London can enjoy the luxury of having fresh cuts of fine quality meats delivered directly to their doorss. And just in time for this year's barbecue season, too!

The London Fine Meat Company (LFM) has launched. It's an independent British meat supplier based in the South West London area.

They not only pride themselves on the standard of the meat they supply but can promise to deliver it easily and conveniently to your door ready for you to cook.

LFM has been created and launched by Stuart Ferretti, who is a skilled and knowledgeable local butcher who has worked in the profession for in excess of two decades.

LFM use traditional butchery skills alongside the latest vacuum packing technology in state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities to ensure that the meat is delivered to you in prime condition.

With their pristine premises and modern facilities designed to the highest standards, customers are assured LFM always go above and beyond the basic health, safety and hygiene requirements.

10 great reasons why you should try LFM...
The convenience of having delicious, great value meat delivered to your door (no need to waste time going to several supermarkets to get the cut you want)
Wide range of cuts and sizes available, including a full organic range
Money-saving discounts when you buy one of the meat boxes
100% satisfaction guaranteed (or your money back)
They use the latest technology (and years of experience) to make sure the meat reaches you in perfect condition, every time
Quick and easy-to-use online shop
Orders arrive chilled, ready to cook or freeze, in quantities to suit you
British-sourced meat, which means it's not only fresh but hasn't had to travel thousands of miles before it reaches you
Delivery times to suit you
And do not forget! There is a very welcome 10% DISCOUNT and FREE DELIVERY on your first order!

Stuart is the latest in a family of butchers and he learnt the profession from his father and uncle who created their own business in the late sixties. He later professionally trained with various firms learning modern butchery skills, up-to-date health, safety and hygiene requirements and business practice.

He set up his own business as a catering butcher supplying top notch restaurants, hotels, pubs, restaurants, schools and catering companies which led him to establish, what is now known as, The London Fine Meats Company.

London Fine Meats pride itself on being as ‘green’ as it can possibly be, and they go to great lengths to maintain this. With a passion for the environment and preserving energy and waste, the company uses their own wind turbine to help with power needs, light sensors to prevent the waste of electricity and sensor controlled water taps to monitor and reduce water waste.

They have top-of-the range fridges that are highly efficient within a temperature controlled prep room and they vacuum pack the majority of their products to ensure freshness and to cut down on the amount of packaging used. They are committed to recycling as much as possible and they are working towards having a paper free office. All their products are delivered in returnable poly boxes.

Stuart is firmly convinced that eating a healthy diet with plenty of natural food is very important and therefore LFM does not supply any processed meats and only sells the highest quality organic and some non organic meat. Visit http://londonfinemeats.com.

Cafe Luc, Marylebone, London

Recently my wife and I were in London on business and as we were in Marylebone we decided to try Cafe Luc which is in Marylebone High Street.

We were both immediately impressed with the 'look' of the place, both outside and inside.

It is modern, although discretely designed and there is plenty of room for diners. The seating is comfortable and well-chosen, as is the décor.

We decided to opt for the set menu which is available weekdays from noon until 3pm and also from 6pm until 10pm from Monday to Sunday.

The choice was extremely inviting, consisting of starters, a main cause and a desert.

For the starters the options are: Tomato gazpacho with basil oil,

Fine smoked salmon with English crumpet, horseradish cream and

Terrine of duck confit with foie gras, toasted sourdough.

The main courses are: Pea risotto with aged parmesan, wild rocket

Pan fried Cornish Mackerel with Piperade and Steak & frites, pepper or béarnaise sauce.

And for deserts the choices are as follows: Nutella crème brûlée, Lemon tarte with raspberries and Chantilly plus Tiramisu.

We both decided to have the Fine smoked salmon on an English crumpet with horseradish cream.

An excellent choice, the salmon was melt in the mouth and the horseradish cream tasted as if it had come from Heaven that morning!

We both ordered steak. We both asked for 'very well done' and it was cooked to perfection. The béarnaise sauce was absolutely delicious, as was the pepper sauce, which was my option.

The Pomme frits were a revelation. Fast food restaurants do not sell French Fries. Cafe Luc, on the other hand, does. They were by far and away the nicest chips (of any type!) we had tasted in ages.

For desert my wife chose the Lemon tarte with raspberries and Chantilly whilst I went for the Tiramisu.

The Lemon tart was truly delicious and well-complemented by the raspberries and the Chantilly.

And the Tiramasu? The best I have ever tasted!

Please bear in mind that this is in the heart of London and that the cost per meal was only £15.50. A very modest price.

My wife had a sweet white wine whilst I chose a mineral water. Both modestly priced, too.

The service is excellent and attentive, yet without being over eager.

It is open from 7am until 11.30 with different menus reflecting the time of day.

50 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5HN
Tel 020 7258 9878.

http://cafeluc.com

It's probably best to check to see if reservations are necessary.

We noticed a very mixed clientèle, business people, office workers, shoppers and tourists and local people meeting up for lunch.

Will we be going back there? You can count on it.