Test Drives

Forrest Gump comes ashore on Leicester Square - we Test Drive Bubba Gump

Information: 14 October 2014

The very, very popular (although not with everyone) Bubba Gump Shrimp Company has landed in London near Leicester Square. We pop along to see if a restaurant based on Forrest Gump can also dish up a good meal.

"Press for weekend champagne" - we Test Drive an old fave, Bob Bob Ricard

Information: 10 October 2014

Bob Bob Ricard has long been one of Hot Dinners' favourite restaurants in town, starting with a vodka-fuelled night parts of which we still remember vividly almost five years later. We've also often used the downstairs bar as a really handy mid-Soho pitstop on many a night out (more of that later). So naturally we were very pleased indeed to be...

Soho House hits Holborn - we Test Drive Hubbard & Bell

Information: 07 October 2014

The restaurant at the Hoxton Holborn hotel brings a new vibe to this part of midtown.

Bill Granger in Clerkenwell - we Test Drive Granger & Co

Information: 07 October 2014

We head over to Farringdon to try out Bill Granger's restaurant - the second Granger and Co the Australian chef has launched in London

Ducasse's taste of Tropez in London - we Test Drive Rivea

Information: 30 September 2014

The Bulgari hotel's restaurant aims to bring informality into Knightsbridge dining

A little bit of easygoing luxe - we Test Drive brunch at The Beaumont's Colony Grill Room

Information: 23 September 2014

Jeremy King and Chris Corbin preside over a comfortable grill room in their first hotel, The Beaumont.

Marcus Wareing & Co successfully mix British and global cuisine - we Test Drive Tredwell's

Information: 23 September 2014

Marcus Wareing takes a back seat at his group's latest restaurant Tredwell's, so we find out what to expect from this addition to theatreland.

Giorgio Locatelli's popup - we Test Drive Pizza Locadeli

Information: 19 September 2014

Hot Dinners was over in Marylebone last night to try out the three week pizza popup from Giorgio Locatelli. Pizza Locadeli is the first pop up to take over the Carousel space on Blandford Street and is being run by Locatelli and his wife Plaxy while Locanda Locatelli is being renovated. Over the next five years this site will play host to all...

A taste of California in Bethnal Green - we Test Drive Mission

Information: 16 September 2014

Charlotte Wilde and Michael Sager show that they're not a one-hit-wonder with their new restaurant and wine bar in Bethnal Green, Mission.

Information: 02 September 2014

The Peruvian food revolution continues to hit heights in London and this latest addition to the Lima family is no exception. We head to Lima Floral in Covent Garden to try it out.

Silk & Grain brings aged cocktails to the Square Mile

Information: 19 August 2014

It's no secret that here at Hot Dinners we're definitely partial to a cocktail or two on a night out. Thus the arrival of Silk & Grain, a new cocktail bar and restaurant in the Square Mile is right up our street. Situated on Cornhill near Bank station, this City bar and restaurant is also not far from Jason Atherton’s recent opening, City Social. Silk...

Clotted cream and salted caramel scones - we try out Paul A Young's new afternoon tea

Information: 18 August 2014

Is there much better than scones and clotted cream? Maybe scones, clotted cream and a massive dollop of salted caramel. That's the thinking behind master chocolatier Paul A Young's new cream tea - now available daily at his flagship shop in Heal's, on Tottenham Court Road. We popped along to take a look. The scones, Paul explains, are made to a...

We Test Drive Thomasina Miers' Mexican diner DF Tacos

Information: 12 August 2014

DF/Mexico is the latest from Wahaca's Thomasina Miers - a Mexican diner on Brick Lane. We went along to check it out.

The Oxford Street John Lewis gets a burger bar. We try Ham Holy Burger

Information: 06 August 2014

As we never seem be able to avoid writing about it - the burger scene in London is showing no signs of getting quiet. In the past week alone, two brand new burger bars have opened. We popped along to the one that's been launched by the same people behind pizza restaurant Rossopommodoro, Ham Holy Burger. It's nestled at the back of the third floor of...

Food with flair in Bethnal Green - we Test Drive Typing Room

Information: 05 August 2014

Backed by Jason Atherton, but very much a creation of Head Chef Lee Westcott, Typing Room over in Bethnal Green is well worth the journey.

Nettle cider at Smithfields - we Test Drive St Bart's Brewery

Information: 05 August 2014

A new central London bar and restaurant from the people behind Hush Heath wines has landed in Smithfields. We went along to check it out.

Trying out the bourbon & ribs at Barbecoa

Information: 31 July 2014

Carnivorous American whiskey fans will be pleased to hear of a new monthly ‘Bourbon & Ribs’ night, which has just launched at Barbecoa, Jamie Oliver’s BBQ steakhouse near St. Paul’s. Running on the third Monday of every month, the special menu pairs all manner of meaty ribs with matched bourbons from the restaurant’s huge collection of small...

Great wine and dirty hummus - we Test Drive Arabica Bar and Kitchen

Information: 22 July 2014

Arabica has been a part of Borough Market for years and now they've just opened their first restaurant there. We head along to find out what you can expect.

Tom Kerridge on the rails - our trip on The Belmond British Pullman's culinary journeys

Information: 22 July 2014

Bringing together some of Britain's great chefs with the days-gone-by luxury of a train journey is an inspired pairing. We took to the British sister train of the Orient Express to enjoy an evening with Tom Kerridge.