Test Drives

Checking into Castlemartyr resort in Cork - a five star foodie stay

Information: 08 December 2022

Barely an hour's flight from London you'll find this five star Irish resort hotel complete with stunning new restaurant and plenty to keep you busy for a short break.

Test Driving Terre - a next level experience of fine French and Irish dining

Information: 08 December 2022

An extraordinary new restaurant has opened, just across the Irish sea. We went to check out the hugely ambitious Terre at Castlemartyr resort in County Cork.

Test Driving Studio Frantzen - a Swedish makeover for Harrods

Information: 06 December 2022

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.

Test Driving Cycene - a culinary journey in Shoreditch

Information: 01 December 2022

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.

Test Driving Saltie Girl - the Boston seafood import hits Mayfair

Information: 29 November 2022

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

Test Driving Woven by Adam Smith in a trip to Coworth Park

Information: 24 November 2022

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.

Test Driving The Berkeley's new pop-up pub - The Bishop

Information: 22 November 2022

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.

Cuban feasting and cocktails by Oxford Circus with La Rampa

Information: 17 November 2022

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

Test Driving Velvet - the Corinthia London's louche new cocktail bar

Information: 17 November 2022

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

Test Driving 56 West Smithfield - a groundbreaking wine bar in the City

Information: 17 November 2022

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.

Test Driving The Holland - Kensington's lovely new neighbourhood pub

Information: 15 November 2022

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

Test Driving Restaurant St. Barts - a modernist dream in the old heart of London

Information: 10 November 2022

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.

Test driving Scott's - Mayfair's glamorous seafood spot lands on the riverside at Richmond

Information: 08 November 2022

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.

Test Driving Elis - Brazilian/Italian fusion at Bethnal Green's Town Hall Hotel

Information: 01 November 2022

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.

Test Driving Mount St. Restaurant - art, food and celebs mix in this Mayfair hit

Information: 27 October 2022

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.

Test Driving Koyn - fire in the kitchen at this Mayfair Japanese restaurant

Information: 25 October 2022

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.