Test Drive

• Test Driving Lasdun - the Marksman goes to the theatre

   

  The team behind The Marksman have opened something very different for their second restaurant, taking over a big space inside The National Theatre. We went down to check out Lasdun. 

• Test Driving Hyde Park Garden - the new summer terrace at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

  

  The terrace outside Dinner by Heston has been transformed into a restaurant and bar celebrating the English countryside. We popped along for some English fizz and seasonal dishes at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. 

• Test Driving Carlotta - Big Mamma's Marylebone home continues their winning streak

  

  Billed as a more "intimate" Big Mamma restaurant, Carlotta has arrived on Marylebone High Street. We went down to discover exactly what Big Mamma considers intimate... 

• Test Driving Chungdam with its Pyeonbaek steam boxes and Korean BBQ

  

  Soho has a hot new Korean restaurant that's offering something a bit different with its Pyeonbaek steam boxes. We went to try it out. 

• Test Driving Ploussard - a great neighbourhood restaurant arrives in Battersea

  

  The team behind Other Side Fried are trying something very different for their latest opening - a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar in Battersea. We went down to try it out.  

• Test Driving Gouqi - chef Tong Chee Hwee is back in London

  

  He headed up the food at Hakkasan for 18 years and now chef Tong Chee Hwee is back with high-end Chinese restaurant Gouqi just off Trafalgar Square. We went to check it out. 

• Test Driving Noble Rot Mayfair - cheerful loucheness done to perfection

  

  The latest addition to the bijoux Noble Rot empire is nestling on the corner of Shepherd Market. It turns out to be the perfect place for great food and fine wines. 

• Test Driving London Shell Co in Highgate - a cosy neighbourhood fishmonger and seafood bar

  

  Just off Hampstead Heath you'll find this new fishmonger and seafood bar. We went to check it out.

• Test Driving The Parakeet - an open-fire fuelled marvel of a pub in Kentish Town

  

  The Parakeet sees Kentish Town getting a pub with an ex-Brat chef that's worth crossing town for. We went down to try it out. 

• Test Driving Nessa - a Soho bistro takes on British classics

  

  Nessa sees chef Tom Cenci opening a neighbourhood bistro in Soho that takes a new approach to British classics. We went in to try it out.  

• Test Driving The Ritz Restaurant - one of London's truly special restaurants

  

  It's a restaurant that can accuratly be called iconic, and is blessed with a spectacular menu from John Williams and amazing service. Almost a decade since our last visit, we went back to give it a new look.

• Test Driving Papi - bringing the party to London Fields

  

  What happens when a supper club chef settles down with a wine importer to open a party place in London Fields? We went to find out.

• Test Driving Mayha's The Bar Downstairs - omakase with cocktail pairing

  

  Underneath this Japanese restaurant on Chiltern Street there's a tiny bar serving up an omakase menu of sushi paired with cocktails. We went to try it out. 

• Test Driving Joia - Portuguese food with a very London view

  

  Right beside Battersea Power Station, Joia matches Portuguese food from a Michelin-starred chef with some pretty spectacular views. We head over on the riverboat to try it out. 

• Test Driving Quo Vadis - a Soho classic sees a return to its former glory

  

  One of London's great restaurants, Quo Vadis has had something of a big revamp. Now fitting in twice as many diners, we went down to take in the new look - and to have a pie and eel sandwich, of course.