For perhaps a lighter choice of restaurant food it is hard to beat the more flavoursome take on French style Galettes and Crepes and L’Ami Malo in Artillery Passage, close to Liverpool Street Station, does these really well. It offers a good choice of savoury galettes and sweet crepes to whet one’s appetite and these are filling enough to more than satisfy the discerning diner. Indeed the range of flavours on offer makes this small, very French, restaurant down a tiny narrow street, packed with bars and restaurants, a great choice for something a little different from your average restaurant … [Read more...]
Bowling Bird latest restaurant to join discount scheme
May 16, 2018 by
The latest restaurant to join the Barbican Association Discount Scheme is the relatively new Bowling Bird on Cloth Fair, located in John Betjeman’s old house – No. 44 - and opposite the St. Bartholomew the Great churchyard. Bowling Bird describes itself as a contemporary neighbourhood restaurant offering fresh, seasonal food and a select choice of fine wines and spirits. It claims its relaxed service and enlightened hospitality, set amongst an eclectic mix of furnishings in one of London’s most historic areas, makes it a vital addition to the local community. It generates almost … [Read more...]
Coin Laundry: Refurb and new food and drink menus
May 11, 2018 by
Neighbourhood bar/restaurant, Coin Laundry, on Exmouth Market, has relaunched with a new menu that celebrates British producers and lets seasonal ingredients sing. The reimagined Coin Laundry is open for everyday drinks, as well as working lunches and weekday suppers, bottomless weekend brunch and Sunday roasts. Group Bar Manager Alessandro Paludet’s new drinks menu foregrounds home-brewed beer, classic and more offbeat wines, as well as punchy cocktails. Paludet’s wine list also balances the familiar with the unpredictable; recognisable wines, such as a New ZealandSauvignon Blanc … [Read more...]
Mid-range French fare at Brasserie Blanc
May 7, 2018 by
Mid-range French fare at Brasserie Blanc Heading down Moorgate towards Bank, turn left behind the Bank of England, and a couple of roads on, you reach Brasserie Blanc Threadneedle Street which is another venture from the world-renowned chef Raymond Blanc as part of a chain of similarly-named mid-priced eating establishments in the French brasserie-style. There is certainly competition in this style of restaurant with the Cote Brasserie and Café Rouge chains both offering something similar in style and pricing. However we would rate the Threadneedle Street Brasserie Blanc highly among … [Read more...]
Smiths refurb now complete
May 7, 2018 by
The iconic Smiths of Smithfield on Charterhouse Street and opposite the north side of the meat market has been undergoing a major refurbishment programme. It has now re-opened its four floors of restaurants and bars – ranging from the casual ground floor Café and Bar to the more formal top floor gourmet restaurant and terrace. Smiths describes itself as a stunning example of a Grade II listed building that, over the years has evolved to its present-day design of four floors, each offering a unique dining and drinking experience. Because of its location only a short walk from the … [Read more...]
Update: A Dinner at the Devonshire
April 28, 2018 by
Article updated with details of the newly appointed Executive Chef and the new menu. The Devonshire Club is a high-end members establishment which recently opened in one of the old East India Company warehouses and a Georgian townhouse in Devonshire Square. It is also a great 68-room hotel with high quality guest rooms available to members and non-members alike and with its very convenient location is ideal as an overnight, and luxurious, venue for people with business in the City – or anywhere else in London given its proximity to Liverpool Street mainline and underground stations. This … [Read more...]
Afternoon tea French style in Tower 42
April 22, 2018 by
What a treat! That was my companion’s comment after visiting the Tower 42 venue for le Restaurant de PAUL in Tower 42 in the City for a decidedly French take on the English afternoon tea ritual. Indeed it was sans the traditional British pot of tea which might disappoint the purists, but in tea’s place were unlimited glasses of the restaurant’s house sparkling wine from Gaillac - Ky Procco - to wash down a three-tier serving of sandwiches and pastries – all French style. Le Restaurant de PAUL is through the Tower 42 main entrance on Old Broad Street Indeed afternoon tea options … [Read more...]
London Oyster Week feature events confirmed
April 9, 2018 by
Oysters for breakfast - The editor of Barbican Life was more than happy to attend the launch party for London Oyster Week (April 21-29) at Bentley's Seafood Restaurant off Piccadilly as it gave him the opportunity to indulge in the produce of four different Oyster farms from points around the UK and Ireland, as well as sample some of the drinks offered by the week's sponsors. Oysters for breakfast is definitely a great indulgence. And now the first round of feature events for London’s inaugural week-long celebration of oysters has been confirmed. London Oyster Week will see more … [Read more...]
Inaugural London Oyster Week – 21-29 April
March 19, 2018 by
The first city-wide celebration of oysters will take place in London from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 April 2018. London Oyster Week will see venues across the capital joining together to demystify oysters and raise awareness of the benefits of eating them, as well as raise funds for oyster education and restoration. Over 25 restaurants, bars and pubs – including Bentley’s, Wright Brothers, Noble Rot, Northbank, and the Hawksmoor group – will develop featured oyster dishes and serve special oyster-matched drinks and cocktails, designed with event sponsors, to encourage customers to try … [Read more...]
Mark Hix in praise of oysters
March 17, 2018 by
Time flies when you’re having fun and this April it’s the HIX Oyster & Chop House 10th anniversary. When I broke away from the Caprice group after 18 years of second-to-none experience and working with some great people in the industry some of which are still there now including Tim Hughes and Jesus Adorno-s. The Oyster & Chop House was a small restaurant compared to Scott’s, J Sheekey, The Ivy and Le Caprice, but for your first site on your own it fitted perfectly in the heart of Smithfield. We opened in times when serving meat on the bone was a tad controversial with BSE - and … [Read more...]
