PETRUS – KNIGHTSBRIDGE

THE HYPE The ‘new’ Petrus by the chef everyone most loves to hate – Gordon Ramsay (the old Petrus is now Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, it’s a long story and I wouldn’t get involved). Following a lukewarm critics’ response in 2010, it was awarded a Michelin star in 2011, and has recently been increasingly … Continue reading →

FLAT IRON – PICCADILLY CIRCUS

The Hype   Pop up turned permanent soho steak restaurant. Set apart from the rest of the steakhouse breed on two counts:– low prices are meant to be the draw at just £10 for the flat iron steak itself, and the décor is more stripped back warehouse than typical cowhide and glossy granite. The Food Starting … Continue reading →

EVANS & PEEL DETECTIVE AGENCY – EARL’S COURT

The Hype The ‘nadir of the speakeasy trend’ – a mysterious cocktail bar masquerading convincingly as a detective agency. You have to make an appointment with an actual case to solve to drink here. I love secret and slightly ridiculous things so this went straight to the top of my to do list as soon … Continue reading →

HAKKASAN MAYFAIR – GREEN PARK

The Hype Fancy (no really!) chinese restaurant that recently gained a Michelin star – with a sister in Hanway Place, both with décor a bit like something out of  a James Bond film. It surprises me to know it is the brainchild of the same guy who brought us Wagamama and Busaba Ethai. The Food … Continue reading →

BOB BOB RICARD – PICCADILLY CIRCUS

The Hype ‘Deluxe diner’ for grown ups (they don’t allow children) serving classic British and apparently also Russian comfort food in elegant dining car style surroundings with old school service. It’s most famous for the “push for champagne” buttons which can be found in every booth. It’s been open since 2008 but has somehow slipped … Continue reading →

DINNR – CHEZ KATEMEOUT (!)

The Hype Apparently a concept recently seen on the Apprentice, Dinnr are trying to “bring cooking back into your life”. You can order as late as 3pm on the date you want to make dinner and they’ll deliver a little bag with the exact amount of ingredients you need to your office or home, and … Continue reading →

KERB YOUR ENFOODIASM – KING’S CROSS

The Hype Kings Cross based street food hub that usually operates at lunchtime (you may remember my trip to Spit Roast there a couple of weeks ago), transformed for one night only into a foodie christmas party with the addition of music, fairy lights and mulled wine. During the week the stalls rotate days, but for … Continue reading →

SPIT & ROAST @ KERB – KING’S CROSS

The Hype High quality ingredients meet burger van fried chicken in Hackney. Reviews of their speciality buttermilk fried chicken served in a bun had me excited enough to make a lunchtime dash with clients in tow, just to visit their mid week residency at KERB London, a new street food hub conveniently hidden just behind … Continue reading →

MASH – PICCADDILY

The Hype Recently opened MASH (standing for Modern American Steakhouse, not the potato variety) in the former Regent Palace Hotel building on Brewer Street, is the first of its kind to open outside in London. In fact, it’s not American at all, but Danish originally, and this is the first ever international branch. It’s the … Continue reading →

POLLEN STREET SOCIAL – OXFORD CIRCUS

The Hype Relatively new and highly regarded michelin star dining in Mayfair, from the same Jason Atherton who trained underneath Gordon Ramsay and was responsible for Maze. The draw in this case being that it’s intended as a more fun, informal and relaxed restaurant than you might usually expect to get with fine dining at … Continue reading →