Monthly Archives: June 2012

Cointreau Rendez-Vous Events

Posted by Bon Vivant

French liqueur Cointreau will host a series of exclusive Cointreau Rendez-Vous events across the UK this summer. Inspired by brand ambassador Dita Von Teese, Cointreau will be taking over ninetyeight Bar and Lounge in London, Tigerlilly in Edinburgh and Epernay in Manchester.

A range of Cointreau cocktails will be available throughout the evening along with cocktail masterclasses and manicures, while fashion advisors from Wish Want Wear will be on hand with fashion advice.

If you’d like to attend, you can register on the Cointreau Rendez-Vous Facebook tab at www.facebook.com/Cointreau

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Portal Restaurant, Clerkenwell

Posted by Frances

Portal Restaurant is a modern Portuguese restaurant and bar in the foodie haven of St John Street. The wine bar welcomes guests in with a golden glow, and sets the tone for a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

It’s here that you can nibble on very good ‘petiscos’ (a kind of Latin inspired tapas selection) and enjoy a selection of great Sherries.

Architecturally, the dining room is stunning: a glass conservatory set in amongst a listed brick courtyard with atmospheric and beautiful up-lighting creating a dramatic backdrop.

Food at Portal restaurant is mainly Iberian-inspired and although not inexpensive, the quality of ingredients remains high throughout the menu and worth the price. Starters were delicious and we opted for a plate of unctuous Pata Negra cured ham offered in 50, 80 and 100g portions, and some lightly cooked scallops on a tomato brioche.

Mains were split into generous choices of meat, fish and vegetarian options. We opted for the very rich braised Bisaro (a breed of pig from central and northern Portugal) with a side of esparregado, which is a turnip dish and proved a versatile accompaniment. Fillet mignon was served smartly with handmade crisps and steamed baby vegetable as a side.

Service wasn’t always as friendly as the initial setting would have you hope, but staff were prompt, well versed in ingredients and origins. The wine list at Portal Restaurant is very heavily Portuguese and there are some great grapes showcased here as well as a vast selection of Madeiras and Ports.

A private dining room in the wine bar looks perfect for laid-back, chic celebrations, and the bar itself is definitely one to try with friends when you’re in area. For dinner, make sure you’re in the main conservatory and I’d recommend trying for an outside table if the weather permits – the courtyard is a really spectacular setting.

The restaurant is delighted to offer Bon Vivant members two complimentary private tasting experiences when you next dine with Portal. You will start with the ‘Flight to Madeira’ on the restaurant’s courtyard or in the beautiful tapas rooms, ending your lunch or dinner with a vintage port tasting. Contact Bon Vivant to enquire about membership.

Address: Portal Restaurant, 88 St John Street, London, EC1M 4EH
Phone +44 20 7253 6950

Quilon Restaurant Review

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Michelin-starred Quilon, which is based on Buckingham Palace Road near Victoria, was as famed for its terrible décor as it was for its superb south-west Indian cuisine.

Having closed at the beginning of January, Quilon London re-launched in March following an extensive refurbishment from designLSM. With a stylish, slick interior to match the quality of the food, Quilon should be high up on your restaurant hit list, as Emyr Thomas recently discovered.

Seafood is central to the menu at Quilon London, with plenty of meat and vegetarian options on the a la carte menu as well, but Chef Sriram Aylur regularly offers diners their own tasting menu of a selection of starters and mains, so we left our choices in the hands of the experts.

We started with a selection of mini pappadams with fresh chutneys (coconut and coriander and a tomato chutney), which was a delicate start to the evening, but somewhat lacking in real flavour.

From the starters, we were offered crispy fried cauliflower tossed with yogurt, green chilli and curry leaves, coconut cream chicken (marinated chicken fillets with ground coconut, chilli and cumin, cooked over a griddle) and char-grilled scallop with mango chilli relish.

The starters were the real highlight of the evening and the selection was an excellent demonstration of the kitchen’s skill with a wide variety of ingredients. I often find scallops to be rather dull, but these scallops were simple yet exquisitely prepared with a mango chilli relish.

Cauliflower as its own dish would not normally appeal to many, but this is a dish I would certainly order again – the batter was light and crisp, the delicate spicing just right and the yogurt a perfect complement.

As a palate cleanser after the starters, we were served a hot, slightly spiced tomato consommé in a glass, which was full of flavour and refreshing.

While the mains didn’t quite reach the standard set by the starters, each one demonstrated how mild spicing, light sauces and subtle, clean flavours can create masterful Indian dishes. The standout main course was the Quilon fish curry, which featured cubes of halibut simmered in coconut, chilli, and raw mango sauce – a delight.

London seems to do high-end Indian restaurants very well, and Quilon is up there with the best of them.

As part of the relaunch, Quilon also unveiled the stylish new Q Bar with a bar canapé menu to accompany the cocktail list. There is also a new private dining room, with a separate entrance, bar and kitchen.

Address: 41 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF
Phone: +44 20 7821 1899

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The Best Beer Gardens in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best beer gardens in London, along with a few of the best bar terraces.

The Gun, Docklands

With a beautiful riverside setting and a large decked terrace to embrace the British summer, The Gun is one of the best dining experience in the Docklands offering a great British pub menu.

In the summer, be sure to visit A Grelha at The Gun, an al fresco Portuguese BBQ of fresh fish and meats on the decked terrace, making this one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Albion, Islington

The Albion is a traditional English country pub in the heart of London, with the main attraction being its garden, one of the best beer gardens in London.

The French windows in the restaurant area open onto a terrace of over 450 sq metres, which can seat over 120 people for dining and drinking surrounded by herb beds, fruit trees and an original Georgian walled garden.

In the summer months, the outdoor barbeque is a real draw, as well as the whole roast suckling pig for 10 to share, making this one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Avalon, Clapham

The Avalon has 3 impressive outdoor spaces, including a front terrace, a side garden and a beautifully landscaped rear garden, which features an al fresco Mediterranean menu complete with charcoal barbecue and rotisserie.

With plenty of space for diners and drinkers, The Avalon the pub of choice for South Londoners with one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Engineer, Primrose Hill

Despite the ample dining space, the bar area is on the small side, but there is respite in the form of a back garden, which is an ideal spot for long summer lunches. The Engineer has one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Ship, Wandsworth

Housed on the banks of the Thames by Wandsworth Bridge since 1786, with a quiet and relaxing front bar, a large conservatory and an excellent garden overlooking Wandsworth Bridge, The Ship is a lively and sociable spot for summer drinking, making it one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Ship Wandsworth also serves excellent food, much better than your average pub food.

The Windsor Castle, Notting Hill

Covered with beautiful wooden floors and panels, with its labyrinth of connected rooms, the Windsor Castle is an authentic, historic British pub. The relaxed and friendly feel extends to the rear garden with its ivy-clad walls, which is always bustling in the summer.

The Stag, Hampstead

Situated on the Hampstead / Belsize Park border, a short stroll from Hampstead Heath, The Stag’s main selling point is its spacious garden, which is ideal for the summer and also when it becomes a little cooler, as some of the cabanas come with their own heaters.

The stag is known for its decent ales and classic British menu, which also features a barbeque in the garden in the summer.

Drapers Arms, Islington

While the upstairs dining room can feel a little cold, downstairs it is bustling and welcoming with excellent quality cooking, resulting in The Drapers Arms being awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2010 Michelin Guide.

The terrace at the back of the pub is a much coveted spot when the sun shines making it one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Crabtree, Hammersmith

The Crabtree is a newly refurbished Victorian pub set on the river between Hammersmith and Putney, which has stunning views of the Thames. Although they serve classic gastropub food, the main attraction is the lovely and extensive beer garden, right on the edge of the Thames.

The House, Islington

Nestled on a leafy street, just moments from Upper Street, The House is a pub with higher ambitions in the kitchen. Along with a cosy and intimate interior, there’s a fairly spacious front terrace from which to enjoy a beer in the sun.

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If you liked this top 10 feature, why not read our guide to the best gastropubs in London, the best brunch in London, the most romantic restaurants in London or the best alfresco restaurants in London?

Duck and Waffle at The Heron Tower

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Duck and Waffle restaurant is located on the 40th floor of Heron Tower in the City. The restaurant serves European and British influenced cuisine 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late night menus.

The menu changes monthly but always features the signature dish, Duck and Waffle, which consists of confit duck with fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup. Other items that feature regularly include the bbq-spiced crispy pig ears, bacon wrapped dates and spicy ox cheek doughnut.

Highlights on a recent visit to Duck and Waffle include heritage winter tomatoes with baby herbs and aged balsamic; pollock meatballs with lobster cream and parmesan; and whole roasted honey glazed ham hock with roasted turnips and heritage carrots. The bread at Duck and Waffle is excellent, so make sure to order several portions!

The all-day menu is served from 11am to 2am, from 2am until 6am the restaurant offers a separate late night menu, and breakfast is served from 6am to 11am with dishes such as the Foie Gras ‘All Day Breakfast’.

Dick and Waffle has a capacity of 98 with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen, a 24-seat chef bar and a private dining room.

The head chef at Duck and Waffle is Daniel Doherty, who was previously at The Old Brewery at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, The Empress in Victoria Park, and The Ambassador on Exmouth Market.

Duck and Waffle is owned by Samba Brands Management, which also operates Sushisamba London on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower.

Address: The Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Phone: 020 3640 7310 (active from 22 June)

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South Place Hotel from D&D London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Restaurant group D&D London has launched its first hotel, the South Place Hotel, in September 2012, located between Moorgate and Liverpool Street in the City of London.

South Place Hotel aims to be ‘more meet than sleep’ drawing on D&D’s focus on restaurants, with interiors designed by Conran with specially commissioned work by contemporary London artists throughout the hotel.

South Place Hotel has 80 bedrooms, two restaurants and three bars, including a rooftop terrace and a ‘secret’ garden that is well worth finding on a mild London evening.

The Angler restaurant on the seventh floor of the South Place Hotel with views of London’s skyline is a British seafood restaurant overseen by Tony Fleming, previously Executive Chef at One Aldwych.

On the ground floor, 3 South Place is a relaxed, informal, all-day restaurant with a bar next door with a late licence.

On our visit to 3 South Place, there was a nice buzz in the restaurant, which benefited from the lively bar. A menu of classics with a nod to comfort food, the Lobster Mac was indulgent and satisfying, with the smaller portion making a hearty starter portion.

The all day menu has headings of ‘Seafood’, ‘Pies, Offal and Braised’, ‘Classics’ and ‘Meat’, which is designed to suit the crowd and its location, which it does well.

Our mains of Hereford fillet steaks were well cooked as ordered, but lacked a real depth of flavour and could have benefited from more of the accompanying peppercorn sauce on the side. Service was efficient and friendly and the restaurant is definitely a nice addition to the area.

A member of Design Hotels, South Place Hotel hopes to bring a bit of lively ‘edginess’ to the City hotel scene.

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The Fox and Anchor, Smithfield

Posted by Frances

Frances Cottrell visits the Fox and Anchor in Clerkenwell.

On a rare sunny afternoon in London, Smithfield Market isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but a first glance at the Fox and Anchor opposite the meat market instantly makes you fall in love with the area.

The ground floor itself is nothing to write home about, but a glance above at the impressive façade covered in patterned tiles, gargoyle style foxes, leaded windows and a higgledy array of features and it’s easy to see why it’s something of a shrine to architecture fans in London and even further afield.

The Fox and Anchor itself is on the shabby side of shabby chic but looks familiar and inviting with Victorian features such as mahogany doors, etched glass and an ample helping of brass; but could do with a little tlc to support the stature of the exterior.

Inside the pub there’s an impressive selection of ales on tap that the pub serves daily from 7:00am (due to their licence) which are delivered in tankards to add to the sense of antiquity. Dinner was served to us in one of the “snugs” which adds to the cosy atmosphere but getting attention from your waiter can prove a bit of a challenge.

The meal was what you’d expect from a good pub in the city and offered a selection of old London favourites like a pint of prawns and hot, freshly baked pork pies, as well as the usual steaks and burgers on any pub menu across the country.

The rooms, however, were not at all what one would expect from this pub. The entrance is a narrow staircase, totally neglected by the interior design which is wonderful in the rooms themselves, so persist if it initially looks daunting!

We stayed in The Fox and Anchor’s Market Suite which is beautifully decorated and impressively spacious with a bedroom complete with a king size bed and large sitting area with desk and a galley-style bathroom.

Both rooms come with Plasma TVs and Bose sound systems and an additional perk of the private terrace the room has exclusive access to. Come the late afternoon it turns into a complete sun trap and a good tip would be to while away a couple of hours there looking out over the city.

The piece de résistance for The Market Suite is its very impressive bathroom with its immense free-standing copper bath, double copper sinks and a huge walk-in, drench shower. The standard of accommodation is very high, and this would definitely be a favourable city break for someone looking for quality but originality in the city.

Address: The Fox and Anchor, 115 Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6AA

Phone: +44 207 250 1300

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London’s New Restaurants, Hotels, and Bars

Posted by Emyr Thomas

By Emyr Thomas

Whilst the weather may not be doing us any favours, London’s restaurant scene is certainly warming up as we enter summer in London. Here’s Bon Vivant’s round up of the best new restaurants, hotels and bars to open in London over the recent and coming months.

Vinoteca Comes to Soho and Revamps at Farringdon and Marylebone

Vinoteca opened its original wine shop and restaurant in Farringdon in 2005, adding a Marylebone site in 2010 and now a new Soho site on Beak Street from May 2012.

Vinoteca is inspired by the wine bars of Spain and Italy, offering modern British and European seasonal food alongside a wine shop selling nearly 300 wines, which you can also enjoy at each restaurant.

An Expanding Empire for Hix

There seems to be no stopping Mark Hix at the moment, with his latest venture opening at the Tramshed building in Shoreditch. The 150-seat restaurant focuses on steak and chicken, with the option of either a whole chicken or a 200g sirloin steak as mains, with a changing selection of starters.

As with other Hix restaurants, there’s commissioned artwork from Damien Hirst featuring a cow and a cockerel taking centre stage.

Firmdale Hotels to Re-Open Dorset Square Hotel

In 1985 Tim and Kit Kemp opened their first property, the Dorset Square Hotel and introduced the Firmdale Hotels concept to the London hotel market. It was sold in 2002 but the hotel was reacquired last year and will re-open as part of the Firmdale collection on 18 June, adding to their other luxury boutique hotels including the Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Haymarket Hotel and Soho Hotel.

The Regency townhouse has 38 bedrooms, many of which look onto the private garden square which was originally the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground. The Potting Shed bar & restaurant will open all day, serving English brasserie style cuisine using locally sourced and seasonal produce.

Sushisamba at The Heron Tower

SUSHISAMBA, which has many locations throughout the US, will open its first European restaurant in London in July, on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower in The City.

SUSHISAMBA offers a mix of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, and with two outdoor terraces, it will surely also have a rather impressive view. The restaurant will be open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner, offering outdoor dining, a bar and lounge, and an event space.

SUSHISAMBA London will have a late licence, opening until 1am Monday to Wednesday, 2am on Thursday and 3am on Friday and Saturday. The owners of Sushisamba will also be opening another restaurant on the 40th floor, which will be announced in a few weeks.

Caravan to Move to a Second Location in King’s Cross

Caravan Restaurant on Exmouth Market is due to open a second site in King’s Cross in July.

Caravan King’s Cross will be located in the Grade II-listed Granary Building, located between King’s Cross Station and St Pancras International. The interiors will ‘reflect the area’s Victorian industrial heritage’, with a coffee roastery and large open kitchen with outside seating for 40 people on Granary Square.

The restaurant will have 80 covers and will serve a menu of ‘food well-travelled’, from breakfast and weekend brunch through to lunch and dinner. The original restaurant on Exmouth Market features in Bon Vivant’s guide to the best brunch in London.

A Sister Restaurant for The Wolseley

Following the success of The Delaunay, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King will launch Brasserie Zedel in Soho towards the end of June. Brasserie Zedel will be ‘a large, bustling Parisian brasserie transported to the heart of London’, which will be open throughout the day, offering ‘great value with remarkably low prices’.

The restaurant has been designed by David Collins Studio in the Art Deco tradition, and will also feature a ‘Bar Américain’ and ‘The Crazy Coqs’, a live music and cabaret venue. Brasserie Zédel will serve classic brasserie fare at affordable prices with starters from £2.95, main courses from £7.50 and desserts from £3.00.

Polpo to Expand to Clerkenwell

Polpo Smithfield is due to open near Smithfield Market on 30 July, seating 70 in the main dining room with space for 20 on the terrace outside. Polpo Smithfield is the latest restaurant from Russell Norman, whose first restaurant Polpo will now be renamed Polpo Soho, with the Covent Garden sister restaurant, da Polpo, becoming Polpo Covent Garden.

Libby Greenfield will be in charge of the kitchen, who has previously worked at Zucca and Russell Norman’s other acclaimed restaurant Polpetto. The new restaurant will feature the same core menu as the original Polpo along with daily specials and a new express lunch menu. Polpo Smithfield will also have a basement Negroni bar.

While reservations can be made for lunch, dinner will operate a no booking policy.

Champagne and Hot Dogs?

Bubbledogs will open in July on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, with James Knappett (previously of The Ledbury, Noma and Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, among others) as head chef and Sandia Chang (who has worked at The Berkeley, Noma and Per Se) as General Manager.

Bubbledogs will serve hot dogs and grower Champagne. Yes,that’s right. There will be a menu of ten hot dogs served on traditional steamed buns, including the BLT dog, wrapped in bacon and served with truffle mayo and caramelized lettuce; the Jose dog with guacamole, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos, and a regularly changing guest chef’s special.

The restaurant will also feature a separate ‘Kitchen Table’, which will seat a maximum of 19 guests, with three or five courses at lunch priced from £25, with evening menus priced from £50.

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Mint Leaf Restaurant

Posted by Frances

By Frances Cottrell

London leads the way in offering its demanding restaurant-goers high-end Indian establishments, and after my recent trip to Mint Leaf there’s another one to add to the list.

The underground bar and dining room has a distinctly dark, clubby feel to it, and even at 7pm on a wet Wednesday there was a great buzz about the place. Panelled walls, gorgeous dark wood furniture and moody, coloured lighting makes for a handsome room, and the dinner we enjoyed was certainly as smart as its home.

Cocktails to start were a little disappointing and uninspired, but served by a waiter so charming almost all was forgiven.

Starters were a step in a very tasty direction, with date-stuffed tandoor paneer a chunky, sweet and smokey version of one of my favourites. Garlic and thyme roasted chicken was creamy and succulent and the cucumber raita it was served with was delightful.

Mains were consistently good and again it was the paneer which shone. Swathed in a butter masala sauce it was a heavyweight dish which the robust cheese was perfect for.

Black Cod in the capital is often done incredibly well, and while I wouldn’t quite place this one amongst the best, it was still a generous hunk of flaky, lightly spiced fish.

Sides of a peshawari naan and stir fried okra with water chestnuts were welcome additions to the meal, the okra in particular punctuating the plate with some bite and crunch.

Classically Indian desserts don’t translate well in the West, but the pistachio kulfi was a gorgeous, nutty and cooling end to the rich meal. Served with a great 2009 Muscat, this wine list is certainly not amateurish. Indian food and wine matching is notoriously difficult, but the list and knowledge of the staff here mean it shouldn’t be too tricky to get spot on.

There was a mix of client dinners, parties and couples here making it one of the most varied dining rooms of this calibre I’ve seen in a long time. If authentic Indian food and a party atmosphere are what you’re looking for, Mint Leaf may just be right up your street.

Bon Vivant’s members will receive a complimentary glass of champagne when they dine in the Mint Leaf restaurant.

Address: Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar, Suffolk Place, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HX
Phone: 020 7930 9020

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Firmdale Hotels: Dorset Square Hotel

Posted by Bon Vivant

In 1985 Tim and Kit Kemp opened their first property, the Dorset Square Hotel and introduced the Firmdale Hotels concept to the London hotel market.

It was sold in 2002 but the hotel was reacquired last year and will reopen as part of the Firmdale collection on 18 June, adding to their other luxury boutique hotels including the Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Haymarket Hotel and Soho Hotel.

The Regency townhouse has 38 bedrooms, many of which look onto the private garden square which was originally the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground. The Dorset Square Hotel’s Potting Shed bar & restaurant will open all day, serving English brasserie style cuisine using locally sourced and seasonal produce.

Address: Dorset Square Hotel, Dorset Square

Reservations: 020 7723 7874 or reservations@dorsetsquarehotel.co.uk

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