Drinking with Shakespeare
To drink, or not to drink, that is the question. Allow me to lead you in digesting tragedy with whisky until things look a little rosier (with apologies, in advance, to William Shakespeare)…
Browsing: The Foodie
Camélia, Paris
Camélia, the restaurant at France’s first Mandarin Oriental in Paris, is a cocoon from the commerce and costly shine alongside the hotel’s Saint-Honoré entrance. Douglas enjoys a memorable birthday lunch.
Afternoon Tea at La Galerie
It was time to give the cucumber sandwiches a break; we resolved to try the unique ‘thé complet à la française’, French-style afternoon tea, composed of savoury treats such as fois gras with apricot chutney…
Indian Seasoning
“Ghee-splattered jeans and starched, white cuffs that bear the deep, indelible stains of turmeric-laced mishaps. These are just the temporary scars that the uninhibited curry-lover has to bear.”
Hawksmoor Guildhall
You’ll hurt at Hawksmoor. If you don’t then you’ve failed. Aching, distressed, belly-burning protein poisoning. Covetous carnivores in their baggy shirts and lose-fitting trousers have declared Hawksmoor steaks the best in town.
Sicily Unpacked at Refettorio
Refettorio, 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB. Tel. 020 7438 8052.
The Brasserie at the London Mal
My mood could have been better. It was raining when I arrived at Malmaison in…
The Jackson Wines
In celebration of the Dorchester’s 80th birthday this year, Barbara Banke, from Jackson Family Wines, hosted a dinner in happy marriage with the launch of her new-to-market Vérité La Joie 2008.
Worship Street Whistling Shop
“If you haven’t yet experienced the Worship Street Whistling Shop, you should. And no, it’s not actually a shop, and you don’t need to be good at whistling. But you do need to like gin, which is where I come in.”
Tsuru
“I found Tsuru in its metallic City cave. A steady flow of suited zombies entered and ordered, their lunch neatly boxed in sushi selections and Bentos. We began where all good meals should: with green tea and a Scotch egg.”
The Brompton Bar & Grill
Coalescing into a trend at the V&A end of Old Brompton Road is the French brasserie-cum-bistro. There are three notable examples: Henry Harris’ excellent Racine, Marlon Abela’s Cassis and, last but certainly not least, the Brompton Bar & Grill.
JW Steakhouse
“You must have the cheesecake, it’s the house speciality,” said Chi Chi. Cheesecake? Not a light sorbet, not a fresh fruit salad, not even a delicate mousse – no, cheesecake, on top of steak. Was this a cruel joke?