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Entries are now open for the prestigious UK Sommelier of the Year competition, hosted by the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) and the UK Sommelier Academy. Entry forms are available from iwsc.net and must be submitted by May 1st. Stage 1 of the competition is conducted online in three parts: a theory exam, an […]
Rebecca Mascarenhas launched her career as an independent restaurateur 39 years ago with the opening of Sonny’s in Barnes (now in its third incarnation at Home SW13). She also owns Home SW15 in Putney, co-owns Elystan Street in Chelsea and Kitchen W8 in Kensington with the distinguished chef Phil Howard, and is a consultant and […]
Our weekly round-up of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 23rd February 2025 London Standard Shakara, Marylebone David Ellis dined out at a new West African spot whose name apparently means ‘to pose or show off’ in Nigerian slang, and with a kitchen headed by former Talking Drum […]
With Greek cuisine all the rage in London and cooking over fire here to stay, the arrival of two separate restaurants named after the Greek word for fire may be not be altogether surprising. This week saw the opening of Pyra in Queen’s Park, billed as a ‘love letter to the Mediterranean’ and featuring Greek […]
Chef David Taylor is to double his footprint at Hampton Manor luxury hotel near Birmingham with the opening next week of restaurant Kynd, following his success with Grace & Savour on the same Warwickshire estate. Grace & Savour opened three years ago, quickly establishing itself as a Midlands powerhouse and rising to number 30 on […]
Petersham Nurseries has closed its two Covent Garden offshoots, citing rising rents, the recent budget and Brexit for the decision. Its famous flagship cafe will remain open in the old plant nursery on the edge of Richmond Park. Facing an annual £1.2m bill for rent, rates and services at the Floral Court premises of The […]
The Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone may be closed for the rest of the year after a fire caused by wood falling from a pizza oven swept through the building on Valentine’s Day. More than 100 guests and staff were evacuated and 125 firefighters brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported. The fire started […]
Gordon Ramsay (right in photo) has acquired the former site of Le Gavroche in Mayfair, with chef Matt Abé (left) shifting from his flagship, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, to take charge of the as-yet-unnamed new venture. Michel Roux closed Le Gravroche, in Upper Brook Street, just over a year ago, ending […]
Our weekly roundup of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 16th February 2025 London Standard Bar Valette, Hoxton David Ellis was underwhelmed by the new venture from Isaac McHale of nearby heavyweight The Clove Club, this one a self-styled “European restaurant” with mostly Spanish and some French dishes […]
