Test Drives

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. 

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. 

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

  Adam Smith has taken his restaurant in Ascot's Coworth Park to a whole new level. We take a look at the plush surroundings before checking out the brand-new Woven. 

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.  

La Rampa brings a Cuban flavour to Oxford Circus with their unique take on Cuban food classics and cocktails - plus lots of rum... 

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

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.

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

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.

Celeb haunt Scott's has arrived in Richmond and hasn't spared any expense, from the look of it. We head down for a riverside lunch to see how the locals have taken to it.  

The team behind Da Terra have taken over the other restaurant at the Town Hall Hotel for a more casual affair. We headed east for a look. 

Mount St. Restaurant has arrived in Mayfair, attracting a flurry of high-profile guests. We went along to take a look at this restaurant which also happens to double as an informal art gallery. 

From the team who brought us Jamavar and Mimi Mei Fair comes this hot new Japanese spot that's already causing a stir. We went down to try this restaurant of two halves.

We head for a dinner at The English Grill at Rubens at the Palace of British dishes with a modern twist - and a lot of tableside theatre.

The latest addition to Mayfair's pub dining scene has arrived with a very clubby dining room and plenty of theatrical flourishes.

It turns out that Sunday roasts are just one more thing this Peckham restaurant does brilliantly.

  Milk Beach has been a success in Queen's Park, and now it's brought its Australian cuisine to a prime new Soho space. We went down for a look.  

Just around the corner from Borough Market, you'll find the latest Barrafina, and this one is particularly good if you're dining as a group. We took a stool up at the marble counter to give their specials a go.