Test Drives

Buttermilk chicken and much more - we Test Drive the rebooted Rita's

Information: 11 December 2013

Rita's Bar and Dining returns to London in its new and permanent Hackney home. We pop down to check it out.

Smoking hot - we Test Drive Ember Yard in Soho

Information: 11 December 2013

The latest from Salt Yard has a particularly smoky theme - from the cocktails to the food. We went to Soho to check out Ember Yard.

A new pub blueprint for London - we test drive Ape & Bird

Information: 03 December 2013

Russell Norman's new Theatreland pub meets his brief of offering 'real British hospitality'. We predict a smash hit.

Hackney joins the ramen craze - we Test Drive Tonkotsu East

Information: 03 December 2013

After proving a huge hit in Soho and winning an Observer Food Monthly award, Tonkotsu heads east to Hackney for its next venture. We went along to check it out.

A restaurant with impeccable manners in Mayfair - we test drive Boulestin

Information: 26 November 2013

A timeless French restaurant returns to London - we head to Mayfair to try out the new incarnation of Boulestin.

Morning Glory - we test drive breakfast at Aqua Shard

Information: 26 November 2013

Start the day in London with a breakfast that serves up the whole of London as the view. With Aqua Shard being the first place at the Shard to do breakfast we went along to try it out.

A second coming from the Hawksmoor crowd - we Test Drive Foxlow

Information: 11 November 2013

Hawksmoor (but also not Hawksmoor) head to Farringdon for their next brand new restaurant. We check it out.

Curries and casseroles for lunch - we Test Drive Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London

Information: 11 November 2013

Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London is fast becoming one of the city's great new hotel bars. But did you know it serves up curries and casseroles at lunchtimes? We head along to take a look.

Angela Hartnett in Shoreditch - we Test Drive Merchants Tavern

Information: 05 November 2013

Going east, Angela Hartnett teams up with the people behind Canteen for this Shoreditch bar and restaurant. We head along to take a look.

Still classic after all these years - we Test Drive the Ritz

Information: 29 October 2013

Inspired by its turning up as a plot point on Downton Abbey, we get dressed up and head over to the Ritz for dinner.

Steak & more in Haymarket - we Test Drive Chop Shop

Information: 22 October 2013

London meets New York head on at Chop Shop on Haymarket.

Demetre at Tower 42 - we Test Drive the AD12 at T42 popup

Information: 16 October 2013

It's only there for 12 weeks, so we head for the 24th floor at Tower 42 to see if Anthony Demetre's pop-up is worth catching.

Modern Indian and cocktails in Mayfair - we Test Drive Gymkhana

Information: 09 October 2013

We head to Mayfair to try Michelin-starred Karam Sethi's (from Trishna) latest venture, Gymkhana.

Gordon Ramsay's Union Street Cafe: We test drive Southwark's new Italian

Information: 01 October 2013

With over 10,000 covers booked pre-opening, there's a lot riding on Gordon Ramsay's newest London restaurant. We headed down to Southwark to see whether it could stand up to the hype.

Cocktails under the Soho pavement - we Test Drive Coal Vaults in Soho

Information: 01 October 2013

We head to a restaurant built in a 19th century coal vault in the heart of Soho serving small plates and cocktails.

Berners Tavern - Jason Atherton's all day hotel restaurant

Information: 17 September 2013

For his third opening this year, Jason Atherton teams up with chef Phil Carmichael to open this glamorous all day restaurant at the London EDITION Hotel.

We take in an afternoon session at William Curley's dessert bar

Information: 10 September 2013

We go the master chocolatier William Curley's dessert bar in Belgravia to try the special tasting menu.

A bargain in Soho with Grillshack

Information: 10 September 2013

We head to the latest from Richard Caring - the man behind Dirty Burger and Chicken Shop - to see how he brings affordable grilled fast(ish) food to Soho.