Latest news

London restaurants defy recession - or do they..?

Information: 23 August 2009

The biggest news this week is that, according to a report released by Harden's, London restaurants are currently defying the recession as restaurant closures are at their lowest rate since 2000...

Time Out Restaurant Awards 2009 Shortlist Announced

Information: 20 August 2009

The credit crunch's effect has widened to include this year's Time Out magazine Restaurant Awards, resulting in the creation of two new categories to please its sponsors - the Spanish Tourist Board...

Fat Duck scores perfect 10 in 2010 Good Food Guide

Information: 18 August 2009

Heston gets a perfect 10Heston Blumenthal has made up for all the bad news earlier this year with a slew of positive stories, the latest of which is that, for the second year running, The Fat Duck...

Could this be the best value dinner in Mayfair?

Information: 17 August 2009

Hot Dinners was invited to test the wares, as it were, at the May Fair Bar on Berkeley Street. Hailing from the northern parts of the city, and not having a trust fund to interest the merchants of...

Fay Maschler reveals how to get a free meal out

Information: 11 August 2009

There could be such a thing as a free dinner...Fay Maschler reveals more information about the upcoming London Restaurant Festival in today’s Evening Standard, including the particularly cheering...

Eric Chavot and Ambassade de L'Ile take their leave...

Information: 05 August 2009

A couple of departures from the London restaurant scene were revealed this week. First off - Eric Chavot is to leave the The Capital restaurant. After ten years and two Michelin stars, he's looking to...

Wareing admits fault in legendary Ramsay bust-up

Information: 03 August 2009

It's fair to say that Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay weren't on each other's Christmas card list last year. About a year ago, with an acrimonious split at Petrus in the offing, Wareing hit out at...

Heston, Angela and Fergus cosy up for charity

Information: 28 July 2009

Lucky, lucky bankers. Not only are they already back earning squillions with their big bonuses, but they’re also the intended guests at a seriously high-end charity banquet where top chefs will cook...

Phil Vickery really doesn't want to open a restaurant

Information: 19 July 2009

Hot Dinners bumped into TV chef Phil Vickery this week doing, of all things, a promotion for Aldi’s range of Christmas food. We couldn’t help asking him whether he’d ever think of opening his own...

First London restaurant festival launches...

Information: 13 July 2009

We first reported the plans back in May, and now the London Restaurant Festival has been officially launched today by Boris, and will be chaired by Evening Standard food critic Fay Maschler and...

Interview with Michael Caines

Information: 12 July 2009

Hot Dinners talks Michelin stars and business savvy with Gidleigh Park's chef Michael Caines and finds out where a two-Michelin-starred chef eats out when he's in London

Stavros Flatley to perform at the Real Greek

Information: 12 July 2009

Now we were going to lead this week’s news with the entirely proper and grown-up news item about Angela Hartnett’s big award. But then we read this story about Britain’s Got Talent star Stavros...

Heston's London venture to be "upmarket bistro"

Information: 07 July 2009

Richard Vines at Bloomberg has managed to get some more information about Heston Blumenthal's new venture at the Mandarin Oriental from the man himself. In a new interview, Heston tells him that the...

Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental exclusive and more...

Information: 03 July 2009

Heston’s London-bound in as Foliage closes As first reported by Hot Dinners back in April, Heston Blumenthal officially confirmed this week that he'll be opening a restaurant at the Mandarin...

Conran and Jo Wood head up summer openings

Information: 22 June 2009

Hot Dinners exclusive To Taste of London (reviewed here) this week, where Hot Dinners happened upon a pair of top chefs with a lot of good things to say about London diners. First up was Gary Rhodes who...

Father's Day - the missed opportunity for London restaurants

Information: 15 June 2009

We’re only in the business of writing about restaurants, rather than running them, but having spent a largely fruitless hour or two searching London’s restaurants for special Father’s Day lunch...

Why top chefs can be a force for good in the world

Information: 14 June 2009

A really interesting article in the FT this weekend looked into the trickle-down effect restaurant chefs can have on what we culinary footsoldiers find to buy in our butchers, farmers markets and...

Every London tube strike has a silver lining

Information: 10 June 2009

If you were one of the foolish/unlucky wage slaves to have to battle the forces of evil to get to your office this morning rather than working (relaxing) at home, you'll be glad to hear that there...

Apprentice Final boosts restaurant bookings

Information: 09 June 2009

If you really want to ensure a packed restaurant night after night, the solution is clear, get your owner onto a reality TV show, pronto. Hot Dinners spoke today to Alex, restaurant manager at The...

We talk to restaurateur Sam Hart

Information: 08 June 2009

Hot Dinners finds out from Fino owner Sam Hart why now is a brilliant time to open a new restaurant in London

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