Test Drive

• 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.  

• Test Driving Maresco - a hot date between Scotland and Spain in Soho

  

  This new Soho tapas spot brings in the freshest Scottish seafood and uses them in Spanish tapas classics.

• Test Driving Bouchon Racine - Henry Harris's triumphant return to the kitchen

  

  Henry Harris has returned to the stoves with his revival of Racine as a bouchon in Farringdon. We went to see if the magic was still there. 

• Test Driving Notto - Phil Howard does pasta on Piccadilly

   

  Top chef Phil Howard has entered the fresh pasta game with Notto. We went down to Piccadilly to see how it shapes up against London's already pretty great fresh pasta restaurants.   

• Test Driving Studio Frantzen - a Swedish makeover for Harrods

  

  Top chef Bjorn Frantzen has arrived in Harrods with a huge restaurant devoted to his Nordic/Asian cuisine - and a new rooftop to boot. We went down to Knightsbridge to check it out. 

• Test Driving Cycene - a culinary journey in Shoreditch

  

  Cycene sees chef Theo Clench take over at Shoreditch's Blue Mountain School with an inventive tasting menu and a whole new look for the space. We head down to try it out. 

• Test Driving Saltie Girl - the Boston seafood import hits Mayfair

  

  All the way from Boston, this US import is hoping to make itself an indispensable seafood spot for anyone shopping on Oxford Street. 

• Test Driving The Berkeley's new pop-up pub - The Bishop

  

  The Berkeley has launched a new wintry pop-up - and this one is based on a classic pub. We went along for beer, scotch eggs and to see how they've managed to evoke a proper British pub in the heart of Knightsbridge.  

• Test Driving Velvet - the Corinthia London's louche new cocktail bar

  

  This new bar at this Whitehall hotel showcases the many talents of top mixologist Salvatore Calabrese. We popped in for a tipple or two.

• Test Driving 56 West Smithfield - a groundbreaking wine bar in the City

  

  Given the current cost of living crisis we're all for a new wine bar that's bringing down the cost of drinking good wine.

• Test Driving The Holland - Kensington's lovely new neighbourhood pub

  

  Kensington locals' pub options just got more interesting with the arrival of The Holland. We went to check it out. 

• Test Driving Restaurant St. Barts - a modernist dream in the old heart of London

  

  This new Smithfield restaurant wants to give London diners a real experience for their money. We went to see how that plays out in reality.