Test Drive

• 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.

• Test Driving Zapote - modern Mexican in Shoreditch

  

  This modern mid-level Mexican has just opened in Shoreditch, with a large bar. We head down for tacos and more.

• Test Driving Dishoom Canary Wharf - the Bombay cafe serves up another winner

  

  Dishoom has brought its Bombay cafe to Canary Wharf. And, before you ask, the House Black Daal and Bacon Naan are definitely on the menu. We head down to take a look.

• Test Driving Socca - a love letter to the French Riviera in Mayfair

  

  Bosi's new Mayfair bistro aims to transport Londoners to the south of France. We left our passports at home and went to try it out.

• Test Driving Humo - culinary fireworks in Mayfair

  

  From the restaurant group that brought us Endo and Sumi comes this thrilling new cooking over fire restaurant. We pulled up a seat at the counter.

• Test Driving Akub - Fadi Kattan brings Palestinian food to Notting Hill

  

  Top Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan has opened a restaurant in Notting Hill - we went down to check it out. 

• Howl's Moving Castle comes to Selfridges - we have afternoon tea at Calcifer's Kitchen

  

  Selfridges have teamed up with Loewe, Studio Ghibli and Balboste for the immersive Howl's Moving Castle Cafe, Calcifer's Kitchen. We popped down to try out one of the hottest tickets in town. 

• Test Driving Humble Chicken 2.0 - an upgrade from yakitori to omakase for this Soho spot

  

  Angelo Sato's yakitori chicken spot in Soho has morphed into an ambitious omakase style restaurant. We went to see its latest incarnation.

• Trying out Sophie's Steakhouse Sunday lunch

  

  Sophie's Soho is serving up an impressive Sunday lunch, grilled over its huge firepit. We went down to try it out.  

• Test Driving Bar Kroketa - a hugely appealing slice of Spain in Carnaby

  

  Carnaby has an appealing new Spanish bar celebrating croquetas. We went to work our way through the list...

• Test Driving Jacuzzi - Big Mamma goes extra extra in Kensington

  

  The latest restaurant from Big Mamma has arrived in Kensington and we got in early for a preview. Here's what to expect from Jacuzzi.

• Test Driving Hicce Hart - the Hicce team's impressive neighbourhood Islington pub

  

  Following up on their success in King's Cross, Hicce's Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre have come to Islington with something quite different in Hicce Hart. We popped down to see how they've adapted this neighbourhood pub. 

• Bar hop - down in the basement at Nomad for some Common Decency

   

  You may already know about Side Hustle - but the NoMad London in Covent Garden now has another pretty big new lounge bar in the basement. We paid it a visit.  

• Test Driving Shiro - an easy-to-like sushi spot in Broadgate

  

  Suitable for ramen slurping lunches or sushi suppers this new Liverpool Street Japanese spot hits the mark.

• Test Driving Eline - sustainable, stylish and affordable. A Hackney three in one.

  

  Eline sees an ex-Pophams duo taking on their own venture in Hackney, featuring a stellar combination of seasonal cooking (with French roots) and a very accessible natural wine list. We headed down to try it out.