Paul Kitching, chef-proprietor of Edinburgh restaurant 21212, has died suddenly at the age of 61. His passing was announced this week by his partner, Katie O’Brien, who said “I’ve lost my love“. Paul was born in Gateshead and worked in leading kitchens, including Gidleigh Park in Devon, before launching Juniper in Altrincham with Katie. In […]
Veteran Soho restaurant Quo Vadis is to double in size following a major refurb in January. Owners the Hart Brothers say the work will provide a “grander and more spacious restaurant” befitting the cooking of acclaimed chef-partner Jeremy Lee (pictured). Having opened in 1926, Quo Vadis is rare among older restaurants in that it trades […]
Our weekly summary of what the national and local restaurant critics were writing about in the week ending 11 December 2022. ***** The Times “I’m so thrilled with it that I’ve just booked a table for 20 for the Times Comment Christmas dinner.” Giles Coren wasn’t reviewing Bouchon Racine, he just wanted to pop in […]
North Italian-style TOZI Grand Cafe opens on Monday 12 December, as the gastronomic offering at the Battersea Power Station redevelopment in London continues to take shape. Sister restaurant to TOZI in Pimlico and another branch in Amsterdam, it is on the ground-floor of the new art’otel in Electric Avenue, where it will be joined next […]
Soho gastronomic landmark I Camisa is to close down after Christmas – just seven years short of its centenary – unless a buyer steps forward to save it. Famous for its sandwiches, the Old Compton Street deli is a relic of central London’s Italian community and a much-loved feature of ‘old Soho’. Gianni Segatta, a director of […]
Los Angeles celeb chef Kris Yenbamroong has found a permanent showcase for his US-style ‘nu Thai’ cuisine at the new Hoxton Hotel overlooking Shepherd’s Bush green, launching on Monday 12 December. Chet’s, which aims to combine the excitement of Thai flavours with the comfort of an American diner, had a test run as a pop-up […]
A boutique hotel on the edge of the New Forest will reopen next week after a year-long refurbishment, boasting an ambitious new seafood restaurant. The Samphire, at Stanwell House in Lymington, will serve a tasting menu at £75 a head, alongside an à la carte offering. The listed Georgian building is privately owned and changed […]
Manzi’s, the long-promised seafood restaurant in Soho from The Wolseley Hospitality Group, finally has a launch date – next May, more than four years after it was first announced. Named after the much-loved family-operated restaurant in Leicester Square that ran for almost 80 years until 2006, the new Manzi’s will occupy two storeys with a large […]
Our weekly summary of what the national and local restaurant critics were writing about in the week ending 4 December 2022. We are heading into ‘best meal of the year round-up’ territory; Grace Dent in The Guardian has been the first to crack and mention Christmas this week, but we’ll have to wait a bit […]
A Spanish-Israeli fusion restaurant opened this week in a German-owned boutique hotel in Covent Garden. Penelope’s is named after the daughter of Hotel Amano co-founder Ariel Schiff (pictured, middle), who grew up between Tel Aviv and souther Spain. Dishes on the menu include Israeli-style paella with whole lobster, freekeh and gin-tomato sauce; Israeli sofrito combining […]
