News & reviews

Firmdale hotels opens English brasserie the Potting Shed at Dorset Square Hotel

Information: 12 June 2012

Firmdale Hotels is behind some of the nicest boutique hotels in London, their most famous probably being the Charlotte Street Hotel (and we're also fans of New York's Crosby Street hotel too). Now...

Basque tapas in Marylebone - we try Donostia

Information: 12 June 2012

Marylebone's Seymour Place turns into a fully-fledged gastro-destination with the opening of new tapas restaurant Donostia.

Dach & Sons and a second Purl bar come to Hampstead

Information: 11 June 2012

Fluid Movement are the people behind hit bars Purl and the Worship Street Whistling Shop and they're about to expand their empire with a move further north to Hampstead with a brand new venture...

Where to celebrate World Gin Day in London

Information: 09 June 2012

It's the rather wonderfully-named World Gin Day today - so here are some quick suggestions of where to celebrate it in London. Oxford CircusWe'll be writing up our full story on Head Barman Alex...

The Parcel Yard is a haven in King's Cross

Information: 07 June 2012

We pop along to a pub right in the middle of King's Cross that's taken over a Grade 1 building.

Caravan takes over the restored Granary Building in King's Cross

Information: 07 June 2012

There's been a gradual improvement over the past few years, but recently the regeneration of King's Cross has been increasing in pace. We've had the opening of King's Cross Central, the arrival of...

Chrysan Japanese restaurant opens in Broadgate West

Information: 06 June 2012

Way back in March we reported that top Kyoto chef Yoshihiro Murata was headed to London to open a restaurant called Chrysan in the City. Since then we've had loads of readers wanting to know more -...

New York's STK steakhouse to open at the Me by Melia London

Information: 01 June 2012

One lasting gift of the Olympics will be the huge amount of big new hotels opening up in London this year. And of them, one of the more interesting is ME by Melia, opening up in the old BBC Marconi...

Galvin at Windows new look bar opens for business

Information: 01 June 2012

Hot Dinners popped along to the top floor of the Park Lane Hilton this week to check out the new-look Galvin at Windows bar. The bar (and restaurant) are renowned for both their spectacular views...

My Hot Dinners - Jay Rayner picks his favourite restaurants right now

Information: 01 June 2012

The Observer's restaurant critic Jay Rayner has just published a Penguin Shorts ebook on his worst meals out. To help excise the memory of those 20 tragically bad meals, we asked him to share with...

David Chang to cook at St John Hotel in London this summer

Information: 31 May 2012

We knew he was going to be in town for Taste of London, but the hottest of hot news today is that David Chang will be doing a series of dinners at St John Hotel this summer. "I'm delighted to say...

Food scribes celebrate at the Guild of Food Writers awards

Information: 31 May 2012

We've been covering awards for the young and upcoming recently but last night was a chance for the more seasoned members of food world to get glammed up and give each other gongs. The Guild of Food...

The Calf pub pops-up in Stratford Westfield for the Olympics

Information: 30 May 2012

Just in time for the Olympics, Geronimo Inns is opening a pop-up pub inside Westfield Stratford. They already have The Cow which overlooks the Olympic site, but The Calf (geddit?) will be inside the...

YBF Awards name Britain's rising stars of the food world

Information: 30 May 2012

For the second time in a week, Hot Dinners found themselves in a room of gilded youth all connected with the food industry. Last week it was Zagat's 30 under 30, this week we were celebrating the...

Polpo Smithfield incoming - Russell Norman to open latest restaurant in July

Information: 29 May 2012

[Updated - for the opening preview deal details - click here] A bit like James Goldsmith's saying about mistresses, whenever Russell Norman opens a restaurant he creates a vacuum for London foodies...

South Bank steak - Test Driving Gillray's at County Hall

Information: 29 May 2012

We head along to the South Bank to try a 1kg steak at Gillray's. the revamped bar and restaurant at the Marriott County Hall.

Dehesa in Soho extend terrace and introduce weekly barbecues

Information: 28 May 2012

While the weather holds, you should think about popping down for the first Basque-style barbecue from Salt Yard Group's Dehesa on Ganton Street, just off Carnaby Street, tonight. They've just...

Zagat unveils 30 under 30 foodie list

Information: 25 May 2012

It's all about the young uns at the moment. Next week we have the announcement of the Young British Foodies and last night was the reveal of Zagat's 30 under 30. It's a list they've done regularly...

Piccadilly to close for Jubilee street party

Information: 24 May 2012

[Updated 24/5/12 with more picnic food details] The whole of Piccadilly from Piccadilly Circus to St James will close on Sunday 3rd June 2012 for the one of the biggest street parties of the Jubilee...

Free beer and pizza masterclasses in Islington, Bloomsbury and Tower Bridge

Information: 24 May 2012

We thought that headline might grab your attention. It's always pleasing when the adage 'There's no such thing as a free lunch' turns out to be utter bunkum. Thanks to the generous souls at Birra...

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