Test Drives

Test Driving Bababoom - an Islington kebab restaurant worth hitting up on Upper Street

Information: 30 August 2018

A commitment to sourcing well and cooking everything - even the condiments - from scratch makes this new Islington kebab restaurant stand out from the crowd.

Test Driving ROVI - Ottolenghi's waste-conscious, fire and fermentation restaurant

Information: 28 August 2018

Yotam Ottolenghi's latest restaurant is here - with fire, fermentation and waste consciousness on the menu. As well as spectacular corn. We pop down for a look.

Test Driving Gunpowder Tower Bridge - Indian small plates make an impression south of the river

Information: 21 August 2018

The latest addition to the growing number of interesting restaurants at Tower Bridge is the second Gunpowder, serving up Indian small plates. We head down for a look.

The Beaumont afternoon tea has a cake trolley to die for

Information: 17 August 2018

It wouldn't be right to end National Afternoon Tea Week without at least trying something served on china and accompanied by a lovely pot of Darjeeling. So Hot Dinners headed off to The Beaumont yesterday to check out their latest wheeze. As you might expect from anywhere run by Messrs Corbin & King, attention to detail is all. And the new cake...

Test Driving Beef and Brew's new East London restaurant

Information: 14 August 2018

East London has a hot new steakhouse where the steaks don't cost a fortune and the beer is on point - we check out the new Beef & Brew in De Beauvoir.

Test Driving Vins in Canonbury - the neighbourhood's wine bar

Information: 09 August 2018

Tucked away in the heart of Canonbury, Vins is a neighbourhood wine bar with an interesting, ever-evolving menu. We pop by for a look.

Test Driving Bancone - a fresh pasta bar for Covent Garden

Information: 07 August 2018

Bancone is the latest fresh pasta bar to hit London, this time with a Giorgio Locatelli alumnus. We head along for a look.

The summer edition of Cocktails in the City – here’s what you should sip

Information: 04 August 2018

Cocktails in the City are back again for their summer edition, bringing together 24 of London’s finest cocktail bars and bartenders for their two day festival in Bedford Square Gardens.

Test Driving Kyseri in Fitzrovia - another Turkish winner from the people behind Oklava

Information: 26 July 2018

Laura Christie and Selin Kiazim already have success in Shoreditch with Oklava - and now they've brought their take on Turkish cuisine to Fitzrovia with Kyseri. We went down to try it out.

Test Driving Gazelle Mayfair - Tony Conigliaro's bar and restaurant that's like a private members' club open to all

Information: 24 July 2018

Tony Conigliaro has opened a bar and restaurant in Mayfair that's an evolution of the food and drink at Dalston's Untitled, but in a far swankier setting. We head down for a look.

Beef and Champagne - we test drive Charles Heidsieck's new summer pairing at Great Fosters

Information: 20 July 2018

Charles Heidseick champagne has joined forces with Surrey hotel Great Fosters for the perfect summer dish paired with their Champagne.

Test Driving Sambal Shiok - a laksa bar and much more on Holloway Road

Information: 19 July 2018

Mandy Yin's popular pop-up has finally settled down in permanent digs on Holloway Road. We went to see why everyone's raving about her laksas.

Test Driving BOB's Lobster - the lobster roll van finds a parking spot at London Bridge

Information: 16 July 2018

BOB's Lobster, best known for their excellent lobster rolls, have parked their street food van right in the middle of their new restaurant. We head along to see what else is on the menu.

Sustainable restaurant CUB goes alfresco for a summer supperclub series

Information: 12 July 2018

If, like us, you consider al fresco dining to be the pinnacle of a London summer, then Cub’s series of Secret Garden Supper clubs are an event you won’t want to miss. Scheduled for dates in July and August, the sustainability-focused restaurant is taking their experience outdoors with a series of Sunday supper club events held in community...

Test Driving Llerena - a slice of Extremadura on Islington's Upper Street

Information: 10 July 2018

Sourcing their food direct from their own farms in Extremadura, the family behind new Islington tapas spot Llerena can be quietly confident their food is worth crossing town for.

Test Driving St Leonards - Jackson Boxer and Andrew Clarke bring their Brunswick House magic to Shoreditch

Information: 03 July 2018

There's been a huge amount of buzz, wondering what Jackson Boxer and Andrew Clarke have planned for their second project together after Brunswick House. We went along to check their new Shoreditch restaurant out.

Test Driving Lina Stores - the 75 year-old deli opens a restaurant

Information: 26 June 2018

Lina Stores have been in Soho for over 75 years - and only now have they opened a restaurant. We head down to Greek Street to see what the pasta masters are cooking up.