Monthly Archives: July 2010

London Restaurant News

Posted by Bon Vivant

This is the first of a new series of articles to keep you updated with the latest news, opening and recommendations for London’s restaurant and bar scene. If you would like further information or to make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

London Restaurant Festival

The London Restaurant Festival is a citywide celebration of eating out, designed to showcase London’s diverse and exciting range of restaurants. From 4 to 18 October, food lovers can explore some of the capital’s finest cooking, from its high-profile Michelin-starred restaurants to coveted neighbourhood gems.

This year’s event includes a ‘Gourmet Odyssey’, where in one lunchtime, food enthusiasts can eat at three influential restaurants, meeting chefs and fellow foodies along the way, transported on a Routemaster bus; The Big Debate, where speakers including AA Gill and Janet Street-Porter will argue ‘Is French Food a Spent Force?’; and there will be a chance to dine on the London Eye, where every night during the festival, one capsule of the London Eye will become a 10-seat pop-up restaurant, with a different chef cooking each evening. To purchase tickets, please visit their website here.

OXO Tower

The OXO Tower Brasserie has recently launched a new ‘Not Afternoon Tea’ menu served on the terrace during the summer, featuring a range of four tasting dessert plates, each paired with a matching cocktail. The Not Afternoon Tea menu will be available daily from 3:00pm to 5:30pm, priced at £19.50 per pairing. To book a table, please contact them on 020 7803 3888.

Koffmann’s

Pierre Koffman, who is known as a bit of a legend on the London restaurant scene has opened his eponymous restaurant, Koffmann’s, at the former Boxwood Café site at The Berkeley Hotel. Expect hearty, robust and seasonal food from the French master.

Tapas Revolution

Passionate Spanish chef, Omar Allibhoy, who trained with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli and currently Head Chef at El Pirata Detapas, is on a 550-mile culinary crusade to convert a cross-section of the country to the joys of cooking tapas.

Omar has plotted a giant ‘T’ for ‘Tapas’ on a map of England and is offering a free Spanish cooking masterclass and tapas feast for anyone who lives, works or just happens to find themselves standing or sitting on the ‘T’.

To join ‘The Revolution’ simply check your co-ordinates, find an appropriate location on the ‘T’ via the website www.tapasrevolution.com, then contact Omar on omar@tapasrevolution.com, 07776 294 355, or send him a tweet @TapasRevolution.

Take Away Dim Sum

Opening this week next to Liverpool Street Station, Now is a new take away concept from the Ping Pong team, serving South China-inspired street food.

Now is open throughout the day serving anything from breakfast pastries to soups, salad, rice pots and dumplings, with prices starting at £1.29 for a breakfast bun to £3.99 for six steamed dumplings. For further information, visit www.nowstreetfood.com

Bombay Café in London

Dishoom, which was created on the heritage and traditions of the old Bombay Cafés, has opened to great praise recently, with an all-day café menu that takes inspiration from the food of Bombay. It has a no reservations policy, which suits its touristy location in Covent Garden.

Shaka Zulu

After three years in the making and with a total cost of £5.5m, Shaka Zulu, a vast African-themed restaurant, bar and club spread over 27,000 sq ft, opens in Camden on August 4^th. Based over two floors, with a seafood and oyster bar as well as an authentic South African Braai serving traditional dishes, Shaka Zulu is decorated with unique and hand made mosaics, tribal masks and cultural scenes from the Zulu nation and heritage.

If you have news of your own to add, please comment on this article or contact us.

Restaurant Reviews Summary – 26 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the critics’ restaurant reviews. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits Field and Fork in Chichester, which has ‘lovely, folksy-cum-hoity-toity cooking’ with ‘very efficient and helpful’ service.

The asparagus was ‘perhaps not as tasty so late in the season’, a ‘very good’ ceviche was ‘full of bright wild trout and plump, sweet scallop’, a rabbit tagine was ‘a little wan’, beef cheek with summer vegetables was ‘beautifully slow-cooked, dark and chocolaty with a good shine’, and the raspberry, chocolate chip and pistachio soufflé with vanilla sauce was ‘the most exciting thing I’ve had in years’. 6.67 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits the Ashmolean Dining Room in Oxford, ‘a shabbily constructed, ill-seasoned clearance sale of last year’s food fads’.

Salt cod croquetas were ‘quite nice potato cakes, shy of the salty fish’, a plate of hummus, mashed aubergine and labneh was ‘worthy face exercise rather than epicurean joy’, a haddock and salmon fishcake was ‘more piscatory potato in a thick skin of fried breadcrumbs that defied pleasure’, lamb chops were ‘skimpily butchered’ and ‘overcooked’, an almond and apricot tart was ‘too much undercooked pastry’ but a panna cotta was ‘perfect’. 2 stars out of 5.

Pascal Wyse, The Guardian

Pascal visits Lanterna, a ‘worn and loved’ restaurant in Scarborough, where ‘all the passion comes out in the food, which steams with pride’.

Battered langoustine was ‘to die for’ with ‘oozing sweet flesh’, chickpea and oxtail stew ‘ran deep with flavour’, venison ravioli ‘proved too good to miss’ and fillet of sea bass ‘lounged on a thick bed of sage, rosemary and thyme’. 8.5 out of 10.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay had ‘a rather lovely dinner’ at Trullo, a ‘dream neighbourhood restaurant’ in Islington that looks like a ‘classic Italian trattoria’.

‘Wide, butter-yellow ribbons of papperdelle came with an earthy stew of wood pigeon’, tagliarini with ‘nutty, intense brown shrimps and fine strips of courgette’ was ‘perfectly seasoned and judged’, lamb rump was ‘charcoal charred outside, baby-cheek pink inside and properly seasoned’, slow-cooked veal shin ‘oversalting aside’ ‘had a soft, melting texture’, and a Charentais melon sorbet ‘tasted simply like melon blitzed through a sorbet machine’. No rating given.

Tracey MacLeod, The Independent

Tracey had ‘a soulless experience’ at Cantina Laredo, ‘an entirely featureless air-conditioned box’ in Covent Garden with waiters who are ‘clearly well drilled in the American style of service’.

Quesadillas stuffed with ‘gooey’ Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms and caramelised onions ‘offered a flavour experience straight out of Pizza Express’, Cilantro chicken salad ‘failed to deliver any of the expected jolts of flavour’, a whole poblano pepper, stuffed with ground beef, pork, almonds and raisins was ‘the worst thing I’ve eaten in my professional career’, and pork shanks in chipotle-wine sauce ‘had, in apparent defiance of the laws of gastronomy, been left dry and tough by their alleged braising’. 2 stars out of 5 for the food; 1 star out of 5 for the ambience; 3 stars out of 5 for the service.

Lisa Markwell, The Independent on Sunday

Lisa visits Chipotle on Charing Cross Road, that’s ‘built for speed, not for comfort’.

A bowl of ‘stringy, but not unpleasant’ barbacoa beef came with ‘rice, beans, salsa, sour cream and chillis’, ‘the pork version’ came ‘wrapped in a tortilla’ and ‘sealed in tinfoil’ and guacamole was ‘surprisingly zingy’ and ‘ fresh’. 5 out of 10.

Lisa also visits El Camino, a ‘sassy little restaurant’ in Soho that feels ‘authentic’.

Jalapeño poppers (peppers stuffed with cream cheese and deep fried) were ‘crisp then creamy, delicious’ but there was ‘no heat’, a grilled prawn ensalada was ‘disappointingly generic’ and a pork tostada was ‘similarly modest’. 6 out of 10.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe visits The Elephant in Torquay, where the food ‘has character’ and ‘the vegetables in particular are stunning’.

A ‘simple’ beetroot and goat’s cheese salad was ‘a pretty root mixture of pink and gold’, scallops with apple and cucumber was ‘pretty good’, Cornish sea bass was ‘great’, confit duck leg was ‘so soft it bordered on crumbly’, the cheese plate ‘could have been more eventful’ but the crème brûlée was ‘totally stunning’. 7 out of 10.

Fay Maschler, The Evening Standard

Fay visits Koffmann’s at The Berkeley Hotel, where ‘the dishes read flirtatiously’ with ‘reasonably priced wines’.

A crouton of boudin noir on celeriac remoulade set ‘a slightly plodding tone for a meal where some of our choices seem like work in progress’, crab salad tasted ‘fine’, lapin roti à la moutarde was ‘masterful, a simple dish taken to the heights’, confit de saumon sauvage was ‘actively disagreeable’ ‘with no discernible flavour’, fries were ‘crunchy, greasy and saltily delicious’, pêche Melba was ‘fine’ but ‘orange macaroons sandwiched with chocolate’ were ‘delightful’. 3 stars out of 5.

Anthea Gerrie, The Travel Editor

Anthea reviews the ‘gastronomic novelty’ of Wabi in Horsham, an ‘alien arrival’ ‘on the site of a grotty old pub, across from a Pizza Express’ with ‘food of extremely pleasing complexity’ and ‘a pukka sushi bar’.

Yellowtail sashimi ‘tasted every bit as good as the slices of this unctuous fish I’ve eaten in the Pacific’, crispy salt and pepper squid with green chile dipping sauce was ‘tangy and delicious’, the foie gras Martini was the ‘stand-out starter’, the lobster tempura worked ‘against all the odds with its creamy kimchee dressing’, and sautéed jumbo shrimp ‘dressed judiciously with a yuzu truffle egg sauce and tiny golden tobiko fish eggs’ was a ‘triumph’. No rating given.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

Bon Vivant’s Newsletter – 20 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s latest newsletter, which can be seen in full colour here. Please see below a selection of the highlights that are available to our members over the next few weeks. To take advantage of these offers or to join Bon Vivant, please contact us.

New Restaurant Openings

London has already welcomed a host of new excellent restaurants during the first half of 2010. To read our pick of the best ones and to see which restaurants are set to open during the rest of the year, please click here.

Restaurant Offer – Catch at Andaz

Catch is the seafood restaurant at the Andaz hotel, formerly the Great Eastern hotel, next to Liverpool Street station. Until the 16th of August, Bon Vivant’s members can enjoy three courses from a set menu for £20, which is available Monday to Friday between 12pm and 2pm, and from 6pm to 10pm.

For further information visit www.andazdining.com, or to make a reservation please contact us or call the restaurant directly on 0207 618 7200.

Restaurant News – Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley

To celebrate the two year anniversary of Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, they are waiving all cover charges for the private room (normally £20 per person for lunch and £30 per person for dinner) for August only. They are also offering the Chef’s Table for a per person rate rather than set for a party of 8 guests. Therefore, smaller groups can reserve this exclusive table for £105 per person for lunch and £150 per person for dinner. This includes a glass of champagne and canapés on arrival, an eight course tasting menu created especially for the table and tea, coffee and petits fours to finish.

For further information visit www.marcus-wareing.co.uk, or to make a reservation please contact us or call the restaurant directly on 020 7235 1200.

Exclusive Offer – Last Minute Theatre Bookings

As well as having access to the best seats at theatres, concerts and operas, we have an excellent allocation of discounted last minute tickets for a variety of performances that are updated on a daily basis. If you decide on the day that you would like to visit the theatre, please contact us to see what we have to offer. Tickets can be collected at the theatre on the night.

Exclusive Offer – Tom Robinn Grooming Products

Developed and made at their own laboratory in France, Tom Robinn brings you a range of top quality, natural products proven to enhance your skin, vitality and well being. Special offer for all Bon Vivant members of a 50% discount on all products with the promotional code BV1 at www.tomrobinn.co.uk.

Hotel Competition – Enter Kiwi Collection’s $10,000 Hotel Sweepstakes

Kiwi Collection, one of the world’s largest and most discerning hotel curators and booking engines, wants to send you to the hotel of your dreams. Over the next two weeks, Kiwi Collection will be giving away two $10,000 ultimate hotel stays. This coming week, the theme will be Spa Escapes. Simply search the Kiwi Collection website for your favourite spa hotel, enter your selection, and if your name is drawn, they’ll send you there. The following week, the final theme will be Island Hideaways. Enter now by clicking here.

Events Calendar

Below we have included a selection of the events occurring over the next few months. If you would like to book tickets for any of these events please contact us or reply to this email. Please note that these events are available to members and non-members.

The Silverstone Classic – 23 to 25 July 2010

The largest classic car racing event will be held at Silverstone on the 23rd 24th and 25th of July 2010. The event will also include the music of The Yardbirds, Dr Feelgood, Rick Parfitt Junior and various X-Factor stars including Jedward.

Bon Vivant’s members can purchase 2 tickets for the price of 1. To take advantage of this offer, please visit www.silverstoneclassic.com/tickets and enter the code: BONVIV57D.

Cartier International Polo – 25 July 2010

The Cartier International Polo is considered by many to be the highlight of the British social season and is the pinnacle of the polo calendar. The Chinawhite enclosure throughout the day and night is now also firmly established as one of the parties of the summer. We can offer a variety of hospitality packages, so please contact us for further information.

Frieze Art Fair – From 14 October 2010

Frieze Art Fair takes place every October in Regent’s Park showcasing new and established artists from 150 of the world’s leading galleries to an international audience of contemporary art lovers. The opening night is renowned for being a glamorous affair, which is a must for fans of contemporary art. The restaurant at the fair will be hosted by a renowned London chef – last year it was Mark Hix, offering a selection of classic British dishes. Please contact us for ticket information.

London Restaurant Festival – From 4 October

The Music Industry Trust Awards with Tom Jones – 1 November 2010

We are delighted to be able to offer you the opportunity to attend the annual Music Industry Trusts’ Award dinner. This year’s recipient of this prestigious award is Sir Tom Jones in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music. The award dinner takes place on Monday 1st November 2010 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair. Please contact us for ticket information.

ATP World Tour Finals – From 21 November, O2 Arena

The O₂ Arena in London will host the World’s top 8 Tennis players as they go head-to-head in a battle to be crowned 2010 ATP World Tour Champion at one of the most prestigious events on the Tennis calendar. Please contact us for ticket information.

Below is a selection of the concerts being held over the next few months, for which Bon Vivant can obtain VIP block and box seats.

O2 Arena Dates

Rod Stewart – 28 July 2010
Gorillaz – 14 & 15 September 2010
Les Miserables – 3 October 2010
NBA Europe Live – 4 October 2010
Disney on Ice – 20 to 31 October 2010
Michael Flatley Lord of The Dance – 3 November 2010
Peter Kay – November 2010
Andrea Bocceli – 12 November 2010
JLS – 9 and 10 December 2010
Lady Gaga – 16 & 17 December 2010

Wembley Arena Dates

Cirque du Soleil – 28 July to 1 August 2010
Michael Buble – 2, 3 and 4 October 2010
Dr Who Live – 8 to 10 October 2010
Biffy Clyro – 4 December 2010
Paul Weller – 10 December 2010
Status Quo – 11 December 2010

Please note that the price and availability of offers are subject to change without notice.

Bon Vivant

Bon Vivant is a bespoke, highly personalised concierge service that advises on and arranges every travel, lifestyle and leisure need. Members have access to exclusive treatment, complimentary benefits and discounts at top hotels, restaurants, members’ clubs, exclusive nightclubs and a range of lifestyle services, as well as access to VIP and sold out events. For affordable luxury with the personal touch, please visit www.bonvivant.co.uk.

Restaurant Reviews Summary – 19 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the critics’ restaurant reviews. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits the ‘iconoclastic’, ‘urban’ and ‘irredeemably modern’ Magdalen Arms in Oxford, which ‘is currently serving the best food of its kind for 50 miles around’ with a ‘dreamy’ menu.

English octopus was ‘cool and beefy, purple and white and sweet as scallop flesh, tender’ ‘and gorgeously native-tasting’, asparagus served with drawn butter was ‘barely hatched and barely cooked, twinkly like emeralds and sweet like Haribo’, hake with potato and chorizo was ‘just dazzling’ with ‘perfect’ fish, the rabbit with mustard and cream and bacon ‘looked so good’, and the pork stew with polenta was ‘another triumph’. 8 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits Gauthier, a ‘contemporary French restaurant’ in a ‘skinny little townhouse with small, cramped rooms’ in Soho, where ‘the seasoning is underwhelming on everything, as if it were afraid of strong tastes’.

Tomato capellini in green soup, olive-oil tart with vegetables and cold broad-bean soup were all ‘very neat and polite, and exceedingly bland’, a summer truffle risotto was ‘very nice’, John dory with lime was ‘a tiny tranche of fish’, ‘not enough to sustain, just enough to annoy’, lamb was ‘little rosy nuggets of tough and insipid sheep that was too tepid’ and ‘pudding was the best bit’ ‘including a soufflé in a duck egg, which was passing clever’. 2 stars out of 5.

Matthew Fort, The Guardian

Matthew visits The Pump House in Bristol, where ‘there is fine, judicious cooking going on’ with ‘thoughtful dishes well-made from very carefully sourced ingredients’.

The cured pig’s cheek was ‘a light delight, delicately smoky, peppery from the flower, the egg providing just the right degree of ping’, the red mullet, ‘although a magnificent piece of fish’, was ‘muddled on the flavour front’, the wild rabbit ballotine had ‘large chunks of meat in which the rabbit flavours hopped about in agreeable fashion’ and the cherry parfait was ‘decent, but cherry is a difficult and subtle fruit, and some of its piercing deliciousness got lost in translation’. 7 out of 10.

Allan Jenkins, The Observer

Allan visits Gauthier in Soho, where ‘pedigree and hunger for more stars shine through in the quality of the cooking, the relentless pre-starters, the good butters and breads’.

Crab with crustacean jelly was ‘clean-tasting, fresh if not exciting and surprisingly small’, the summer truffle risotto was ‘faultless, with a generous layer of finely sliced truffles’, monkfish with girolles offered ‘satisfying savoury mouthfuls’, but John Dory with lime was ‘a dull piece of fish the size of an After Eight’, guinea fowl fell ‘from the bone’, duck egg soufflé was ‘delightfully light’ and a signature Golden Louis XV chocolate and praline stole ‘the show’. No rating given.

John Walsh, The Independent

John visits Café Luc in Marylebone, which ‘has bags of style and its chef’ ‘has a rare eye for beautiful display as well as flavour’ with ‘terrific’ food.

A crab tian was ‘a little work of art’ and ‘tasted good’, Scottish scallops ‘were, unusually, steamed in a wine marinière rather than seared in a pan’, red mullet served with a bouillabaisse reduction was ‘a gorgeous combination that tasted as good as it looked’, and organic chicken supreme with champagne, wild mushrooms and pappardelle was ‘an irresistible combination’. 4 stars out of 5 for the food and service; 3 stars out of 5 for the ambience.

Matthew Norman, The Telegraph

Matthew visits Abu Zaad, ‘one of Britain’s tiny handful of Syrian restaurants’ in Shephard’s Bush, which is ‘firmly in the bargain basement gaudy Middle Eastern style’ where ‘the food is immaculately fresh, and usually well prepared and cooked’.

Fatoush ‘zinged with lemony, minty sharpness’ and the tabbouleh was ‘superb’, Halloumi was ‘fried to an alluring brown finish’, Foul Mutalla (broad beans in olive oil, garlic and coriander) was ‘a bit sub-par’, minced lamb with aubergine and yogurt was ‘delicious and aesthetically pleasing’, the chicken was ‘glorious, all juicy and crispy and savoury’ and okra with lamb cubes was a ‘cinnamony delight’. 8 out of 10.

Elfreda Pownall, The Telegraph

Elfreda visits La Becasse in Ludlow where ‘fine dining doesn’t get much finer’.

Tiny clams cloaked in foam and sitting on a green-flecked pasta square were ‘fine but underwhelming’, goat’s cheese salad ‘tasted like pudding’, halibut with a parmesan crust was ‘perfectly cooked’, the chicken was ‘pink on the breast, and pinker on the leg’, a dessert of poached peach with a puréed rice pudding was ‘really good’ and a chocolate and beetroot cake was ‘good, but the uncooked vegetal strings surrounding it was one beetroot too many’. 5 out of 10.

Marina O’Loughlin, The Metro

Marina visits Viajante, ‘the new project from Portugal’s wild Nuno Mendes’, which ‘is well worth the trip east to Bethnal Green for anyone who considers themselves a foodie’.

A whole roasted broad bean pod was ‘filled with its peeled beans and São Jorge cheese’, baguettes were ‘sensational’ ‘with almost caramelly butter’, charred leeks, white asparagus, hazelnuts and milk skin with grey blobs of ‘leek ash mayonnaise’ was ‘a sublime vegetables-only dish’, and pork neck and langoustine was ‘a delectable’ ‘number’. 5 stars out of 5.

Rich Major, the Grumbling Gourmet

Rich visits Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, where ‘service throughout was flawless’ with ‘attentive, knowledgeable’ staff.

Herb parcels in filo pastry were ‘deliciously salty and very more-ish’, an ‘amuse of heirloom tomato mousse’ was ‘less inspiring though a handy palate cleanser’, Scottish langoustine salad with coral jus was ‘some of the sweetest shellfish I’ve ever had’, the roasted rib, saddle and kidney of milk fed lamb, served with ‘perfectly cooked’ roasted purple artichokes and new potatoes was ‘a revelation’, ‘technically one of the finest takes on this dish I’ve had, with a wonderful clarity of flavour’, and the roasted native lobster with seasonal vegetables was ‘simple perfection in ingredients and preparation’. No rating given.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

Best Restaurant Openings of the First Half of 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Emyr Thomas, founder of Bon Vivant, a concierge and lifestyle management company in London, shares his thoughts on some of the best restaurants that have already opened in London during the first half of 2010.

Bar Boulud, Knightsbridge

Daniel Boulud, one of the most coveted chefs in the US, has opened his first restaurant in the UK at the Mandarin Oriental with Bar Boulud, which was already a big success across the pond. The room may lack real character, but the mix of rustic French brasserie fare and a New York style buzz has been an instant hit. With almost universal praise for the charcuterie boards and the burgers, Bar Boulud has certainly made its mark.

Caravan, Clerkenwell

From the former chef at The Providores, Caravan has been the surprise hit of the year. Offering a weekend brunch menu to rival any in London, along with an excellent evening menu that is ideal for sharing, Caravan is a relaxed and effortlessly cool newcomer on Exmouth Market. The New Zealand influenced restaurant has its own coffee roaster, so flat whites are very popular too.

Viajante, East London

Following the success of The Loft, his supperclub in Dalston, Nuno Mendes opened Viajante in Bethnal Green’s new town hall hotel earlier this year. Nuno’s cooking is described as experimental with echoes of the grand master, El Bulli, and while not every dish gets it just right, Viajante is seen as a breath of fresh air from a chef with real passion.

Bistrot Bruno Loubet, Clerkenwell

The Zetter hotel in Clerkenwell has welcomed Bruno Loubet back on to the London scene with his eponymous restaurant, Bistrot Bruno Loubet, having spent the last eight years in Australia.

The space may be a bit crammed, with tables packed in next to each other, but the crowds keep flocking here for the rustic French cooking with intense flavours.

Gauthier Soho, Soho

Alexis Gauthier, who achieved a Michelin star at Roussillon, has opened his eponymous restaurant at Lindsay House, once occupied by Richard Corrigan, in Soho. Gauthier’s cooking is classic French with a large focus on vegetables and, despite the rather sedate mood, the restaurant brings a touch of refined class to Soho.

Zucca, Bermondsey

Zucca is a bright and bustling modern Italian restaurant in Bermondsey, described by many as a River Café at half the price. The reasonable prices and generous portions mean that the restaurant is usually booked up, so book far in advance or try your luck on one of the stools at the bar.

Other Highlights

Other notable highlights include Koya, an affordable udon noodle restaurant in Soho, Roux at Parliament Square, Brasserie Joel at The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, Gordon Ramsay’s new Petrus and Paramount, the members’ club that has now opened its doors to us all.

Coming Soon

Heston Blumenthal’s first foray into the London restaurant scene will be at the Mandarin Oriental later this year with ‘Dinner’ by Heston, St John and Hawksmoor both have plans to roll out their brands at other sites in the West End in the autumn, The Savoy Grill will re-launch at The Savoy later in the year, and Pierre Koffman will open Koffman’s at the former Boxwood Café site at The Berkeley Hotel in mid July.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

Restaurant Reviews Summary – 12 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the critics’ restaurant reviews. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits the Daylesford Organic Farmshop Café in The Cotswolds, which is ‘glistering white with long rows of tables dressed with little pots of thyme and rosemary’ with ‘multi-ethnic waiting staff beautifully well-informed and solicitous’.

A plate of three salads was ‘in the rudest of health, glistening with summer colour’, the gazpacho was ‘good, plain’ and a ploughman’s of gammon, cheddar and pork pie was ‘grade A’. 8 out of 10.

AA Gill, The Sunday Times

AA Gill visits The Mount Street Deli in Mayfair, which ‘has been designed, devised and stocked by someone who has never, ever been to another sandwich bar or cafe in the world’.

The lobster ‘tasted of a dumb pinkness, luckily overcome by a small packet of mayonnaise’ and came with a couscous salad that was ‘coarse’ with ‘small, earwax balls of mozzarella’, poached salmon with beans ‘could only have been welcomed by a shop assistant on an extreme diet’, a lemon meringue ‘tasted like an egg poached in Jif’ and the coffee was ‘ghastly’. Online rating of 1 star out of 5; printed rating of no stars out of 5 for the food; 5 stars out of 5 for the atmosphere.

Sam Wollaston, The Guardian

Sam visits Wabi in Horsham, Sussex, where ‘the food isn’t bad’ but there’s ‘no atmosphere’, ‘no warmth, no passion, no generosity, no care’.

Edamame were ‘nice, firm and salty’, miso soup and yellowfin tuna sashimi were both ‘perfectly respectable’, vegetarian and prawn tempura were ‘more like closing time at the chippy’, the duck confit in a peanut sauce was ‘OK, but there’s not enough of it’, the sushi had ‘all the raw appeal of an M&S party pack’. No rating given.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay had ‘an enjoyable meal’ where ‘the food’ ‘is good, in a very precise, French way’ at Brasserie Joel at the Park Plaza Hotel, which ‘looks like a club class airline lounge’ and was ‘full of solo diners’.

A gazpacho, with a scoop of tomato sorbet, was ‘vivid and light and fresh’, a ‘dark, sticky’ dish of sweetbreads, roast cèpes and ‘beautifully turned’ roast potatoes was ‘better still’, a lobster Cobb salad ‘felt overly chucked together for such a louche ingredient’, a side of gnocchi soufflé was ‘light and fluffy and crisp’ and a rum baba ‘wasn’t quite lush or syrup-soaked enough’. No rating given.

Tracey MacLeod, The Independent

Tracey visits Table in Brighton, which ‘on paper’ ‘looks like the perfect modern restaurant’ and ‘despite its slightly bland appearance, feels bespoke’.

A bowl of devilled whitebait came ‘with shaved fennel, orange and red onion’, a smoked trout salad ‘fell short’, ‘a Middle Eastern-inspired’ dish of chicken and couscous was ‘exactly the sort of food you want to eat in a heatwave’ and ‘tasted actively fantastic’, a slice of chocolate nemesis was ‘deliriously good’ and mini doughnuts with brandy-soaked cherries and yoghurt were ‘naughty, but nice’. 3 stars out of 5 for the food; 4 stars out of 5 for the service; 2 stars out of 5 for the ambience.

Lisa Markwell, The Independent on Sunday

Lisa has two visits to the Dock Kitchen, ‘a pop-up restaurant that never popped back down’ in Notting Hill, which has ‘ultra-chic furniture’.

On the first visit, service was ‘painfully slow’, tenerume soup was ‘cool and a little less generous than our neighbours’’, seabass cooked in crazy water was ‘all bones and bits’ and a cherry granita was ‘delicious’. 12 out of 20.

On the second visit, bull’s heart tomatoes were ‘good’ with ‘soft texture’, ‘bullish flavour, and scattered with pretty little edible flowers’, griddled salt-marsh lamb chops with smoked green wheat, aubergine and tahini packed ‘a punch’, ‘the lamb tender and juicy’ and the wheat ‘frikking good’, Cornish yellow chicken in milk, sage, lemon peel and white wine was ‘a thing of subtlety’ and a Lebanese pistachio ice-cream and a white peach crostata were ‘utterly delicious’. 16 out of 20.

Matthew Norman, The Telegraph

Matthew visits The Olde Bell, a ‘prettily whitewashed and ancient “modern coaching inn” in rural Berkshire’, with a ‘daily-changing menu’ that ‘looked appealing’ but had ‘patchy’ ‘execution’.

Chorizo with a ‘runny’ duck egg ‘cleverly drizzled with chilli oil’ was ‘a nice idea well rendered’, “rack of lamb” was ‘four large and fatty chops of adequate meat’ ‘perfectly cooked’ but ‘clumpingly presented’, the Aylesbury duck breast was a ‘shocker’, ‘both undercooked and dry’, and an Eton Mess was ‘decent’. 3 out of 10.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe ‘loved’ Bar Boulud, where ‘the atmosphere is informal but eventful’ and ‘the menu reads like a dream’.

The petit aioli was ‘so beautiful’, the crab salad had ‘a nice, comforting base of avocado’, the ‘Frenchie’ burger was ‘magnificent’, the beef ‘had a wonderful tenderness’, the agneau à la tunisienne was ‘intensely, earthily flavourful’ and a coupe de fruits exotiques was ‘just right’. 9.5 out of 10.

Fay Maschler, The Evening Standard

Fay visits Redhook in Clerkenwell, which has ‘an agreeable industrial feeling’, where the menu is ‘fundamentally straightforward’ or ‘dull’.
A crab linguine was ‘delicious’ but ‘inappropriately rich’, Redhook salad was ‘a peculiar assembly of runner beans, peas and toasted garlic’, the T-bone steak was ‘tender and with discernible flavour’, the ‘chilli-driven dipping sauce gave’ the Canadian lobster ‘some much-needed personality’ and seared halibut steak was ‘so stiff and desiccated’ ‘it was a shockingly poor piece of fish’. 2 stars out of 5.

Marina O’Loughlin, The Metro

Marina visits Battery in Canary Wharf, which ‘is all rather dazzling… except, perhaps, for the food part’.

Starters were ‘weird’, a ‘bijou serving’ of monkfish had been ‘bludgeoned with cumin and dried apricot’, but a sirloin steak was ‘one of the best I’ve tasted in London recently: ripe, smoky and bloody, tender but full of well-hung-beefy flavour’. 2 stars out of 5.

Chris Pople, Cheese and Biscuits

Chris visits Cantina Laredo in Covent Garden, which has ‘full-on’ ‘ludicrously bold’ pricing with ‘enthusiastic but slightly odd’ service.
Camaron Poblano Asada had ‘a wonderful aroma and the beef itself tasted almost as good as I’ve had outside of the top London steakhouses’, but needed ‘something a little more from a dish costing £19’, Enchiladas Veracruz had ‘nice fresh tortillas and’ ‘a genuinely good tomatillo sauce’ but ‘the chicken inside the wraps was overcooked and dry’, a flan dessert ‘tasted fine, but it was just a flan’ and Strawberry Buñuelos was ‘better, but still fairly dull’. 5 out of 10.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk

Bon Vivant’s Newsletter – 6 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Restaurant Offers – Sam’s Brasserie and Harrison’s

Sam’s Brasserie & Bar opened in August 2005 and is located just off Chiswick High Road in the heart of leafy Chiswick. Since it opened, Sam’s Brasserie & Bar has gone on to win a number of prestigious awards including Time Out Best Local Restaurant in 2006 and in 2008 the Evening Standard Award for Best Value Restaurant in London.

Spearheaded and run by Sam Harrison and co-owned by Rick Stein and Rebecca Mascarenhas, Sam’s Brasserie is a buzzy, informal, all-day neighbourhood restaurant and bar with a modern European menu.

Following the success of Sam’s Brasserie & Bar, owner Sam Harrison opened up Harrison’s in October 2007 in Balham, which has a modern brasserie menu. Bon Vivant’s members will receive a complimentary buck’s fizz or bloody mary with every weekend brunch at both restaurants.

For further information visit www.samsbrasserie.co.uk and www.harrisonsbalham.co.uk or to make a reservation please contact us or contact the restaurant directly quoting ‘Bon Vivant Offer’.

Restaurant News – Bob Bob Ricard

Bob Bob Ricard is proud to announce the arrival of its new house Champagne – the legendary Pol Roger. Both the Pol Roger Reserve Brut NV and the Pol Roger 1999 are available by the glass at £11.50 and £15.50 respectively. Bob Bob Ricard has a reputation for the best-priced fine wine list in the UK and the two champagnes represent great value for a London restaurant.

To celebrate the new house Champagne, Bob Bob Ricard will offer a complimentary glass of Pol Roger with every lunch ordered in July. The lunch must include any main course plus either a starter or dessert and be ordered before 4pm.

For further information visit www.bobbobricard.com or to make a reservation please contact us.

Exclusive Offer – Good Vibes

Good Vibes is an independent group of boutique Power Plate studios in Central London, with studios in Fitzrovia, Covent Garden and Liverpool Street. Power Plate high-speed training works all your muscles at the same time, which means that you get a whole body workout in a speedy 25 minute class.

Bon Vivant’s members have access to the following offer:

Buy 10 sessions and get 2 sessions free for £150 or buy 25 sessions get 5 sessions free for £350. If you would like a free trial session, email reception@goodvibesfitness.co.uk or call 020 7240 6111. For further information, visit the website at www.goodvibesfitness.co.uk

Competition – Win £300 to Spend at Nobu

Keynoir, the online members’ buying club, which offers its members one aspirational and fun thing to experience every day at exclusive, reduced prices, is offering all new members a chance to win a £300 voucher to spend at Nobu. Join for free today by clicking on http://bit.ly/KNBVNobu

Hotel Offer – Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh

Hotel Missoni is the debut hotel from the luxury fashion house, Missoni. Opened just one year ago, the lavish hotel overlooks Edinburgh’s old town in the heart of the historic city centre. Offering contemporary accommodation and exceptional service in a welcoming atmosphere, Hotel Missoni is the ideal place for meetings, business lunches, entertaining clients and for enjoying well earned breaks with partners or friends.

The hotel has an Italian restaurant, Cucina, which is open all day from breakfast until late. The spectacular bar is positioned in the lobby of the hotel on the ground floor and with its bespoke cocktails list, it is the place to be seen in Edinburgh.

Hotel Missoni Edinburgh would like to offer all Bon Vivant members and newsletter subscribers a complimentary upgrade on arrival (subject to availability), a welcome bottle of wine and a late check out. Please quote Bon Vivant at the time of booking or contact us to make a reservation.

Events Calendar

Below we have included a selection of the events occurring over the next few months. If you would like to book tickets for any of these events please contact us. Please note that these events are available to members and non-members.

Fifth Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols – Exclusive Dom Pérignon Dinner – 13 July

On Tuesday, 13th July, the Fifth Floor Restaurant will celebrate the wines of Dom Perignon. Hosted by Master of Wine Richard Bampfield, who recently won the European Champagne Ambassador’s Award, this exclusive evening will be a rare opportunity to try three of the Dom Pérignon wines: Dom Pérignon Blanc vintage 2000, the exceptional Dom Pérignon Oenothèque vintage ’95 and the new Dom Pérignon Rose vintage 2000 with a sumptuous four course gourmet meal prepared by Fifth Floor Executive Chef, Jonas Karlsson.

Tickets are limited and are priced at £175 a head. To book a ticket or for more information please contact the Fifth Floor Restaurant on 020 7235 5250.

Veuve Clicquot World Cup Polo Finals – 15th July to 18th July

Now considered one of the premier social events of the British sporting season, we extend an invitation to you to join our hospitality and spectator package at the finals of the most competitive tournament in the World of Polo – The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Lord Cowdray’s estate, the home of British Polo.

Kerrang Awards – 29th July

Renowned the world over for its wild guests and chaotic shenanigans, The Kerrang Awards is the number one date in any rock star’s diary. Please contact us for ticket information.

Teens Choice Awards – 1st August

The Teen Choice Awards honours the year’s biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, as voted by those aged 14–19. The Teen Choice Awards is attended by some of the hottest stars and never fails to disappoint its audience with fantastic live music acts. Please contact us for ticket and after party access.

Starlite Gala Marbella – 7th August

We are delighted to invite you to the Starlite Gala at the Villa Padierna Hotel from The Ritz-Carlton group in a magnificent setting surrounded by 3 golf courses and a lake in Marbella. During the charity gala there will be live performances from renowned artists including Jamie Fox. Please contact us for ticket information.

MTV Video Music Awards – 12th September, California

As one on the greatest music award ceremonies in the world The MTV Video Music Awards 2010 is set to see some of the best acts in music from around the globe celebrate a year of the top music videos. Please contact us for ticket information.

Goodwood Revival – 17th to 19th September

The Goodwood Revival is a chance to revel in the romance and glamour of motor racing as it was in the halcyon days on a circuit that has a special place in the history of British motor sport. Please contact us for ticket information.

London Fashion Week – 17th – 21st September

We are delighted to offer you the chance to immerse yourself in the drama and spectacle of London Fashion Week. Whether it’s an early morning champagne breakfast, a fine dining lunch or an afternoon or evening fuelled with champagne and canapés, experience the exclusivity of the catwalk and witness forthcoming trends before anybody else.

The Ryder Cup 2010 – 28th September to 3rd October, Celtic Manor Resort, Wales

The most anticipated golf tournament in the world is heading to Wales in 2010 where golfers from USA and Europe will battle to claim the Ryder Cup. Please contact us for ticket and hospitality information.

Shakira – 20 December 2010, The O2 Arena

Shakira will take to the O2 Arena on Monday 20 December for the final night of her tour and it promises to be full of life and rhythm. Great individual VIP seats as well as box seats are availability.

O2 Arena Dates

Bon Jovi – June 2010
Jack Johnson – 30 June 2010
Britain’s Got Talent Live – 11 July 2010
Rod Stewart – 28 July 2010
Gorillaz – 14 & 15 September 2010
Les Miserables – 3 October 2010
NBA Europe Live – 4 October 2010
Disney on Ice – 20 to 31 October 2010
Michael Flatley Lord of The Dance – 3 November 2010
Peter Kay – November 2010
Andrea Bocceli – 12 November 2010
JLS – 9 and 10 December 2010
Lady Gaga – 16 & 17 December 2010

Wembley Arena Dates

Britain’s Got Talent Live – 4 July 2010
Cirque du Soleil – 28 July to 1 August 2010
Michael Buble – 2, 3 and 4 October 2010
Dr Who Live – 8 to 10 October 2010
Biffy Clyro – 4 December 2010
Paul Weller – 10 December 2010
Status Quo – 11 December 2010

Please note that the price and availability of offers are subject to change without notice.

Bon Vivant

Restaurant Reviews Summary – 5 July 2010

Posted by Bon Vivant

Welcome to Bon Vivant’s summary of the critics’ restaurant reviews. Enjoy!

Giles Coren, The Times

Giles visits Brasserie Joël, a ‘clackety, lacquered space, doomily red-lit’, in the vast Westminster Bridge Park Plaza hotel where the cooking is a ‘honeyed dream of modern, produce-driven London-European food’ with ‘wonderful’ service.

Artichoke soup was ‘earthy and aromatic’, sweetbreads with mushrooms and veal cheeks were ‘bulbous and sweet’, gnocchi soufflé was ‘unbelievable’, and the milk-fed lamb shoulder was ‘sweet and mild’. 6 out of 10.

Kate Spicer, The Sunday Times

Kate Spicer visits The Masons Arms, ‘a bit of’ a ‘characterless box’ in a ‘typical sleepy village’ in north Devon.

The smoked duck starter was ‘cold, tender’, the foie gras was ‘warm, caramelised, moussy and rich’, halibut with a potato crust and cider cream was ‘light’ and ‘cooked perfectly’, but lamb chops were ‘not pink, but undercooked’. 3 stars out of 5.

Jay Rayner, The Observer

Jay visits Obsidian in Manchester for ‘dull food and slow service’ in an empty restaurant with a limited lunch menu, which is ‘pretty plain modern British bistro food’.

A goat’s cheese mousse with Parma ham and peas, and a salad of black pudding, apple and soft-poached egg ‘weren’t bad. Nor were they great’. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder was ‘fine, a solid round of well-braised, well-seasoned meat’, “market-fresh fish grill” was ‘not a lot for £18’ and a Manchester tart had ‘a very good crisp pastry shell’ and ‘some nice peaks of meringue’. No rating given.

John Walsh, The Independent

John visits Field and Fork at the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, which has ‘superior, perfectly judged, confidently flavoured cooking’ and ‘indefatigably charming’ staff.

A starter of smoked eel was ‘tender, moist and yummy’, a tagine of quail was ‘cooked to a perfect tightness of texture’, main courses were ‘equally rich and substantial’, including a jambonette of black leg chicken that was ‘a hugely elaborate structure’ and ‘really delicious’, and a slow-roasted pork belly that was ‘dark, intense, mysterious and delicious’. 4 stars out of 5 for the food and service; 3 stars out of 5 for the ambience.

Zoe Williams, The Telegraph

Zoe was ‘not so impressed by the food’ at Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus, where ‘the smell of luxury is stronger, considerably stronger, than the smell of any of the food’.

The pan-fried mackerel fillet with tomato chutney and niçoise salad was ‘fine’ but the ‘tomato chutney tasted like Dolmio’, the pressed foie gras with confit and smoked duck was ‘very good’ but ‘it lacked impact’, the pan-fried sea bream was ‘fine’, marinated pineapple with a coconut panna cotta was ‘all right’ but the fennel crème brûlée was ‘distinct’ and ‘perfect’. 6.5 out of 10.

David Sexton, The Evening Standard

David visits ’28-50 Wine Workshop’, which has a ‘shortish menu of brasserie food, fairly priced’, with ‘more than 30 wines available by the glass’, but the atmosphere is ‘a bit underground car park’.

Pan-fried ballotine of ham hock and black pudding was ‘fibrous’ and ‘flavoursome’, gazpacho with prawn salad was ‘an oily, cold soup, containing a mound of prawns surely out of a packet’, the lamb shoulder was ‘pleasant enough’, a fillet of farmed salmon was ‘served in a disconcertingly orangey vinaigrette sauce’ and the seasonal vegetables were ‘far too buttery’. 2 stars out of 5.

Marina O’Loughlin, The Metro

Marina visits the ‘personality free’ Roux at Parliament Square, which is ‘a sea of cream and beige’.

An ‘amuse’ of scallops and oysters ‘in lemony, buttery emulsion’ was ‘excellent if a bit snotty’, sea trout with ‘almost Christmassy’ spiced white polenta was ‘flawlessly cooked’, pork belly was a ‘cheap cut’, and puddings were ‘a bit weak’, including ‘under-lemoned’ lemon tart and ‘dull’ apple mille-feuille. 3 stars out of 5.

Lizzie, Hollow Legs

Lizzie visits Michael Nadra, ‘on a leafy suburban street dotted with Mercedes and BMWs’, in Chiswick, where ‘the ambience’ ‘seems geared heavily towards dating couples’.

A risotto with lobster and rocket was ‘silky smooth’ and ‘perfectly balanced between comforting and luxurious’, ‘impeccably cooked’ roast cod with summer veg, king prawn veloute and roasted garlic was ‘a beautiful plate’ but ‘somehow it didn’t gel properly’, and the Greek yoghurt sorbet was ‘stand-out’, ‘creamy and without the tang you usually get from frozen yoghurt’. No rating given.

To make a reservation, please contact Bon Vivant on 0207 278 0642 or please visit http://www.bonvivant.co.uk