GOODMAN – BANK

The Hype On hearing that I used to be part of a proper steak club (you can call me 18 ounce Kate if you like) my date declared Russian-owned Goodman to be the best steak restaurant in London and suggested that we try it as soon as possible. Armed with a new job to celebrate … Continue reading →

GIANT ROBOT – FARRINGDON

The Hype Trendy Clerkenwell all day diner, from the people behind uber-cool but highly regarded venues Milk and Honey, Redhook and The Player. I initially booked based on rumours that they were serving up my favourite burger from Lucky Chip (which I otherwise have to make pilgrimage to Hackney for). By the time I got … Continue reading →

AQUA SHARD – LONDON BRIDGE

The Hype Another resident of the Shard, Aqua is largely considered “not as good as Hutong but better than Oblix.” Here, it’s contemporary British food, but you may be better acquainted with its Spanish/Japanese relative, Aqua Nueva – if not for the food, then for the incredible roof terrace just off Regent Street. The Food … Continue reading →

HUTONG AT THE SHARD – LONDON BRIDGE

The hype London’s newest really tall building, the Shard, best known for the question “wait, that’s what it looks like finished?”, is, more importantly, home to three exciting new restaurants on floors 30-33 (which in case you’re wondering, is nowhere near the top). Hong Kong’s Hutong has been the most critically well received of these … Continue reading →

SMITHS Spitalfields – LIVERPOOL STREET

The Hype Following an excellent evening at Smiths of Smithfield a few months ago, I was delighted to be invited for the launch night of its new four storey sibling, SMITHS Spitalfields in September – located in a trendy location within Spitalfields market. The Fun With exposed brickwork galore, an outdoor terrace within the covered … Continue reading →

METRO GARDEN RESTAURANT – CLAPHAM COMMON

THE HYPE You’ve probably walked past this little restaurant right by Clapham Common tube a hundred times and never noticed it, so you’d be surprised to know it has a huge garden restaurant, filled with trees and twinkly lights hidden just behind it. Given this was the summer for al fresco, I thought it would … Continue reading →

NO. 11 PIMLICO ROAD – SLOANE SQUARE

THE HYPE New all-day-eating-and-cocktailing-and-coffeeing-bar-slash-restaurant opened on the former site of The Ebury just off Sloane Square as No 11 Pimlico Road. You might have seen it featured quite heavily on the recent series of Made in Chelsea, but I was already keen to go due to some early rave reviews of the breakfasts. THE FOOD … Continue reading →

TRULLO – HIGHBURY & ISLINGTON

THE HYPE Nice Italian hidden off the beaten track, in a bit of a weird location near Highbury & Islington tube. It’s the baby of a former River Café maitre d, and the chef trained at Fifteen, St John and Moro, so on paper at least, a winner. THE FOOD The menu changes every day, … Continue reading →

PURL – BAKER STREET

THE HYPE A friend returned from a date last year claiming to have been to a cocktail bar where she had to don a moustache disguise to drink one of the concoctions, and another was accompanied by a man striking a Chinese gong as you drank. That place was Purl London, located handily opposite my … Continue reading →

HONEST BURGERS – BRIXTON

THE HYPE One of the earliest entrants to the London super burger scene, Honest Burgers’ first outlet was also helpfully located in the foodie mecca that is Brixton Village (and a short walk from my house). A 4* and a 5* review from trusted burger detective Burgerac seemed to suggest there was more worth investigating … Continue reading →