Andrew Wong's Victoria tips + best of Margate, The Unruly Pig Test Drive, most-read stories, events & more...

EDITOR'S LETTER

We couldn't be happier to have the lovely Andrew Wong giving us his tips this week on the best food and drink spots around Victoria and Pimlico. Looking for a good central London fishmongers stall or a perfect caffè al pistacchio - then you're in luck.

And if you're spending this weekend in town but maybe wish you weren't, the news that next week is the inaugural Margate Restaurant Week gives you time to book your train tickets after checking out our guide first.

Catherine Hanly - Editor, Hot Dinners

MY MANOR

My Manor, Andrew Wong's guide to Victoria and Pimlico

Andrew is the founder of A Wong in Victoria which currently holds two Michelin stars. The restaurant was founded by his parents in the 1980s so he's a great person to talk about the best food and drink spots in and around Victoria and Pimlico.

Andrew Wong's Victoria tips

MARGATE GUIDE

Where to eat and drink in Margate

Next week is Margate's first ever Restaurant Week (3-7 February) with loads of restaurants there offering special set price menus. If you're thinking of taking the train down and making the most of it, check out our guide on where to go.  

Best of Margate

MOST READ

The most-read stories on Hot Dinners this week.

1. The Top 50 Gastropubs were announced, with The Unruly Pig retaining the top slot and The Devonshire straight in at no. 2.

2. We took that as an opportunity to update our own guide to the very best gastropubs in London.

3. It's the first day of February, so time for our round up of the big restaurants that are opening this month.

4. We revealed more details about just what Restoration Hardware are planning in Mayfair with RH London.

5. And finally, our rundown of the best things we ate in January featured everything from veal and anchovy lasagne to an excellent new burger.

LONDON DEALS

BEST GASTROPUB

Test Driving The Unruly Pig - the UK's No 1 gastropub

Last year, we visited The Unruly Pig in Suffolk and just this week it kept its title of the UK's best gastropub. If you want to know what all the fuss is about, check out our Test Drive.

All about The Unruly Pig

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

6 February - Cookbook author and music artist Denai Moore, founder of Dee’s Table, is teaming up with Rishim Sachdeva of Tendril for a dinner that blends Denai’s British-Jamaican heritage with Rishim’s plant-based cooking. Tickets are £55.

6 February - Roketsu is hosting a special winemaker night with Mr Kasugai, from the leading Japanese winery Château Mercian. He'll be presenting all seven of their wines currently available in the UK including Japan’s native grape variety Koshu and a high-altitude Syrah. Tickets are £250 for a six course menu with wine pairing and an aperitif.

23 February - Viajante 87 in Notting Hill is bringing over two of Beunos Aires' best bars, Tes res Monos (7 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024) and Niño Gordo (18 in North America's 50 Best), for a four course menu paired with a selection of Patron Tequila cocktails. Tickets are £80.

27 February - Gaucho Piccadilly is having the first of a spirit-focused dinners called Pour Decisions. They're teaming up with Patron tequila for the launch with a series of dishes paired with tequila cocktails. Tickets are £80 for an evening which ends with a shot of Patrón XO Cafe.

And book ahead for...

27 March - Chef's Table UK '25 at the QEII Centre is hosting a special dinner for Hospitality Action. Hosted by Sabrina Ghayour, various tables will be up for grabs with chefs in charge including Atul Kochhar, Tom Kerridge, Tom Booton, Bryn Williams, Ollie Dabbous, Brett Graham, Sally Abe, Mark Birchall and more. Get tickets here.

For more events going on around London, including things to do this weekend, check out our events diary here.

NEW AND COMING SOON

CONTACT US

Spotted a new restaurant or bar opening we should know about?

Have you noticed somewhere new about to open in your neighbourhood? Heard a piece of restaurant gossip you feel you need to pass on to us? Maybe you're opening your own place? We want to hear from you.

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