Test Drives

Test Driving The Plimsoll - Four Legs' Finsbury Park boozer with great food

Information: 14 December 2021

The Four Legs team have opened their own pub in Finsbury Park. Hot Dinners scored a hard-to-get seat and went to check it out.

Test Driving Porte Noire - Idris Elba's wine bar in King's Cross

Information: 09 December 2021

Idris Elba co-owns a wine bar in King's Cross. We went along to find out if it lived up to its star billing.

Test Driving Booking Office 1869 - a big makeover and a Patrick Powell menu at St Pancras

Information: 07 December 2021

Booking Office at St Pancras has transformed into Booking office 1869 with a whole new look and a new menu by Allegra's Patrick Powell. We take a look inside.

Test Driving Manteca as it finds a permanent home in Shoreditch

Information: 02 December 2021

Celebrating both British and Italian influences - we went to check out the peripatetic popup as it settles down in its new permanent home in Shoreditch.

Test Driving Oxeye, Sven Hanson Britt celebrates British produce in Nine Elms

Information: 30 November 2021

Chef Sven Hanson Britt has brought Oxeye to Nine Elms, with an ambitious, British-sourced tasting menu with a big focus on English wines. We went down to try it out.

Test Driving Fallow in its new St James home

Information: 25 November 2021

Having stormed to success in its Heddon Street residency, Fallow has moved up the road to St James. We went to check out their new digs.

First look - we check out The LaLee at The Cadogan

Information: 23 November 2021

Chelsea has a new neighbourhood dining spot. Newly opened at The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, on Sloane Street is The LaLee.

Test Driving Bar Crispin - illuminating wine and small plates in Carnaby

Information: 21 November 2021

Tucked down Kingly Street, this all day Carnaby spot comes into its own in the evening with interesting small plates and a great wine list.

Test Driving Cafe Cecilia - Max Rocha's winning Hackney restaurant

Information: 19 November 2021

We head to Hackney to try Max Rocha's Cafe Cecilia, a real hidden gem that's definitely worth crossing town for.

Test Driving Il Borro London - a Tuscan bistro Mayfair-style

Information: 16 November 2021

The Ferragamo family have brought their Tuscan bistro to the heart of Mayfair. We went along for cocktails and pasta.

Test Driving Bob Bob Ricard City - new look, new menu and Champagne at the press of a button

Information: 13 November 2021

Bob Bob Cité has transformed into Bob Bob Ricard City. We head down to see just what's changed and to press that Champagne button...

Test Driving Bisushima - sushi with stellar high rise views over London

Information: 11 November 2021

Boasting impressive views over Trafalgar Square, this high rise sushi restaurant mixes Japanese techniques with British produce. We took the lift up to the top floor to check it out.