Test Drives

Test Driving Claridge's Restaurant - a new era for the Mayfair hotel's dining scene

Information: 22 June 2023

After 18 months closure, Claridge's has a new restaurant called... Claridges Restaurant. We were first in the door to look at the new room and try the new menu.

Test Driving Story Cellar - a London spin on Parisian bistronomie

Information: 21 June 2023

With his new Covent Garden opening Story Cellar, Tom Sellers has given London the perfect Parisian bistro it didn't know it needed.

Test Driving The Grill by Tom Booton at The Dorchester - a restaurant that's so much more just a grill

Information: 13 June 2023

The Grill at The Dorchester has had a light rebrand to The Grill by Tom Booton, to showcase their star chef. We went down to see just what the grill is cooking up right now.

Test Driving the new Fallow breakfast - starting the day like royalty

Information: 06 June 2023

From viral pastries to sustainable takes on avo on toast, the new Fallow breakfast is worth seeking out.

Test Driving Lilienblum - Eyal Shani's first London follow-up to Miznon

Information: 01 June 2023

Miznon chef Eyal Shani has opened the latest restaurant in his burgeoning London empire. This is more about sharing plates that filled pitas - we went down to check it out.

Test Driving BAO Marylebone - a Taiwanese dumpling house off Oxford Street

Information: 30 May 2023

The BAO team branch out into dumplings with their latest branch, just off Oxford Street. We went to check it out.

Test Driving 20 Berkeley - high-end British food in a Mayfair townhouse

Information: 25 May 2023

20 Berkeley sees the team behind Sumi and Humo try their hand at "sophisticated British dining" in Mayfair. We went down to their townhouse to check it out.

Previewing Cantinetta Antinori - luxe yet cosy Italian in Knightsbridge

Information: 25 May 2023

Cantinetta Antinori arrives in Knightsbridge as a joint venture between a global restaurant group and a top Italian winemaker. We popped in to check it out in a recent preview dinner.

A preview visit to The Campaner at Chelsea Barracks

Information: 23 May 2023

We took in an early doors preview of this new SW1 restaurant, tucked away in the Chelsea Barracks.

Test Driving The Midland Grand Dining Room - a destination restaurant for King's Cross

Information: 18 May 2023

This glorious-looking hotel restaurant now has a new look to mark chef Patrick Powell's arrival - we took a trip to St Pancras to check it out.

Test Driving Lasdun - the Marksman goes to the theatre

Information: 16 May 2023

The team behind The Marksman have opened something very different for their second restaurant, taking over a big space inside The National Theatre. We went down to check out Lasdun.

Test Driving Hyde Park Garden - the new summer terrace at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Information: 11 May 2023

The terrace outside Dinner by Heston has been transformed into a restaurant and bar celebrating the English countryside. We popped along for some English fizz and seasonal dishes at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

Test Driving Carlotta - Big Mamma's Marylebone home continues their winning streak

Information: 09 May 2023

Billed as a more "intimate" Big Mamma restaurant, Carlotta has arrived on Marylebone High Street. We went down to discover exactly what Big Mamma considers intimate...

Test Driving Chungdam with its Pyeonbaek steam boxes and Korean BBQ

Information: 02 May 2023

Soho has a hot new Korean restaurant that's offering something a bit different with its Pyeonbaek steam boxes. We went to try it out.

Test Driving Ploussard - a great neighbourhood restaurant arrives in Battersea

Information: 27 April 2023

The team behind Other Side Fried are trying something very different for their latest opening - a neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar in Battersea. We went down to try it out.

Test Driving Gouqi - chef Tong Chee Hwee is back in London

Information: 25 April 2023

He headed up the food at Hakkasan for 18 years and now chef Tong Chee Hwee is back with high-end Chinese restaurant Gouqi just off Trafalgar Square. We went to check it out.

Test Driving Noble Rot Mayfair - cheerful loucheness done to perfection

Information: 13 April 2023

The latest addition to the bijoux Noble Rot empire is nestling on the corner of Shepherd Market. It turns out to be the perfect place for great food and fine wines.