newsbites from london eating - it's toothsome stuff
Tittle tattle, rumour, deals and PR puff to digest as best you can
Stuff gets sent into us and we read it (mostly) so here are things straight from the horse's mouth without any comment from us. well maybe a bit!
Celebrate Seafood Fortnight in Style at Tamarind
To celebrate National Seafood Fortnight 2008, a series of seafood
specials are available from 5 to 21 September at Tamarind – the
Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair.
Internationally-acclaimed executive chef Alfred Prasad has devised a
series of innovative dishes that combine the fantastic health benefits
of marine
cuisine with some of India’s most fragrant spices. These include:
Jhinga
Amritsari
Tiger prawns fried in a batter of gram flour with paprika, crushed curry
leaves, ginger, rice flour and ajwain (an uncommon spice from central Asia
that is
made from the fruit of the Bishop’s Weed plant)
Seafood Moilee
Scallops, squid, green-lip mussels and prawns simmered in coconut milk
with shallots, ginger, green chillies, turmeric and tomatoes
Crayfish Chettin_ad
Chunks of crayfish tossed with cumin, red onions, curry leaves, tomatoes
and a blend of spices from Chettin_ad, a district of southern Tamil Nadu
state
Alfred Prasad says: “Most British-Indian restaurants only include
the odd prawn curry on their menus in terms of seafood. And yet, of all
world cuisines India’s probably offers the greatest variety in terms
of fish and shellfish dishes. The Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian
Ocean offer rich bounties of fish and shellfish and a rich heritage of
cuisine has grown up around them.
“
These new dishes are based on traditional dishes from the subcontinent’s
coastal tip, where I originally come from, but with an elegant contemporary
touch.”
The Landau worships THE SUNDAY ROAST..
..and celebrates the 2008 Regent Street Festival: A Great British Experience – on Sunday 7 September.
What could be more British than roast sirloin of beef,
roast loin of pork - served with lashings of apple sauce, mountains of
roast
potatoes, masses of home-made Yorkshire Pudding, plenty of English mustard
and puddings galore?
All of these and more appear on Chef Andrew Turner’s new Sunday lunch menu - appropriately named THE SUNDAY ROAST - at The Landau restaurant , at The Langham, London, launching on Sunday 7 September.
Andrew Tuner, Head Chef of The Landau said: “Sunday lunch is the one meal when where everyone can take the time to enjoy eating, talking and being with friends and family. With THE SUNDAY ROAST, the idea was to showcase the best of British - roasts, stews, casseroles and puddings - and help guests celebrate the end of the week.
As an extra dimension to the traditional Sunday lunch, wine connoisseurs
will enjoy browsing
The Landau’s atmospherically lit vaulted wine corridor, then perusing
the knowledgeably compiled, regionally based wine list created by John Atkinson,
MW. And Head Sommelier Zack Saghir (formerly with The Savoy and Browns Hotel
in Mayfair) is always on hand to share his exceptional knowledge on trends
and wine pairing - and to encourage guests to try new wines. For more information,
visit www.thelandau.com
HAWKSMOOR INTRODUCES NEW MENU, WINE LIST, CHEF AND MIXOLOGIST
Hawksmoor, one of London’s best loved steakhouses, has announced the arrival of new Head Chef Jason Wallace and drinks expert Nick Strangeway. Wallace previously worked at The Hurlingham Club, The Great Eastern Hotel and The Assembly; while Strangeway was recently voted World Mixologist of the Year at the Tales of the Cocktail awards in New Orleans. His cocktail list at the Hawksmoor has won numerous awards and he hopes to achieve similar success with the new wine list.
The new list has a Manager’s Choice section featuring wines from smaller wineries as well as star estates and unusual blends from both Old and New World. Some of the producers and their recommended wines include: Vega Sicilia (Bodegas Alion 2003, Vega Sicilia Valbuena 2002), Domaine Meo-Camuzet (Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots 2004, Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2004). A selection of wines by the glass as well as a number of reserve wines, bin ends and magnums also feature.
The new menu continues to focus on top quality British meat simply cooked on a real charcoal grill. All the steaks on offer come from Longhorn cattle loving reared in North Yorkshire and hung for at least 28 days. Choose from bone-in sirloin, rib eye, rump and fillet; or give 48 hours notice for Cote de Beouf, T Bone and Chateaubriand. Steaks come with béarnaise and peppercorn sauces, homemade ketchup and sides like macaroni cheese, triple cooked chips, and creamed or steamed spinach.
Other dishes include Barnsley lamb chop with hot mint jelly; marinated Tamworth pork ribs; and a new Surf and Turf dish in the form of a 300g fillet steak with half a grilled lobster. If you have room, finish off with old-school British pudding like gooseberry and elderflower fool; jelly and ice-cream; and summer berries with clotted cream.
PIG OUT ON WILD BOAR CHORIZO AT THE GREEN DOOR
Not content with offering its customers the finest steak this side of the Argentinean Estancias, The Green Door Bar & Grill also serves up some pretty superior bar snacks.
The new favourite at the former banking hall is wild boar chorizo with red wine. Infused with paprika, this exclusive dish comes from the renowned Real Boar Company in the Cotswolds where it can be traced all the way back to one stud boar.
Naturally high in protein and low in cholesterol and fat, the meat is testament to the healthy life these animals lead. Gaskell’s boars are ethically farmed in 20 acres of woodland and rotated on to fresh ground throughout the year to forage for the acorns, fungi, cherries and other natural treats that contribute to the unique ‘Real Boar’ flavour.
Delicate in taste and delightful in texture, the wild boar chorizo is best accompanied by one of the wines on offer at The Green Door.
THE EMBASSY LAUNChES EXPRESS LUNCH MENU FOR BUSY DINERS
The Embassy in Mayfair launches the Embassy Express – a new menu aimed at busy London diners who don’t have time to linger over lunch. Those who are short of time now have the opportunity to have a gourmet meal during the working day, while those with time to spare can still enjoy the full menu.
Owner Mark Fuller explains, “In the current economic climate, few business people have the luxury of a long lunch, but neither do they want to have a sandwich at their desk every day. For that reason, we have chosen a selection of dishes that we can expedite quickly but still with the top quality that our customers expect.”
Prepared under the supervision of three times Michelin starred chef Garry Hollihead, the menu includes dishes like lobster tagliatelle with a delicate sauce Americaine; chicken liver parfait with pear chutney and toasted brioche; and wild cepe risotto – all favourites taken from the regular a la carte menu. The longer lunch menu includes roast rump of lamb with smoked aubergine, and Aberdeen angus beef with slow-roasted tomatoes and Béarnaise sauce.
Lunch service runs from 12pm until 3pm and diners can eat in the restaurant or the al fresco terrace.
The Garden at Grafton - the sun has got his hat on
- The now completed garden at Grafton House in Clapham gives the restaurant an additional 28 al-fresco covers serving their new a la carte menu which created by new executive chef David Thackery. Diners can receive full restaurant service with classic seasonal dishes such as a starter of fresh green asparagus spears with hollandaise and main courses including seared swordfish with crushed roast new potatoes, cherry tomatoes and salsa verde; also camembert and herb stuffed supreme of chicken with crisp grilled pancetta. The rest of the garden, which will seat up to an additional 80 people, will offer patrons the chance to bask in the summer sun whilst sipping on some of Grafton House’s cocktails.
- The raised decked area is covered by a 9 x 5 metre parasol with attached heaters making the garden suitable for use all year round and it will be open from 12 – 9:30pm Monday to Friday and 11:00am – 9.30pm Saturday and Sunday
-
PLATEAU BRINGS THE BEST OF MOROCCO TO CANARY WHARF
Throughout August and the first two weeks of September, the outdoor terrace at Plateau in Canada Square will be transformed into a Moroccan lounge complete with lanterns, luxurious cushions and fragrant incense. Guests who arrive early can enjoy the impressive views of Canary Wharf and a complimentary Cabana Cachaca cocktail as the sun sets.
Each night of the week will offer different entertainment, with henna tattooists on Tuesdays, snake charming on Wednesdays, and tarot readings on Thursdays. Belly dancers will bring exotic charm to Mondays and Fridays, while traditional shisha pipes are available on request every night.
If your budget doesn't stretch to a week in Marrakech this summer, a night at Plateau could be the next best thing.-
LEARN THE ART OF RAW GASTRONOMY AT SAF
London's veggies, vegans and health-food enthusiasts have been raving about Saf's creative cuisine since they opened earlier this year, and now they have the chance to learn how to recreate some of their favourite barely cooked dishes.
Executive chef Chad Sarno will be giving guests an introduction to raw gastronomy, with demonstrations of how to cook signature dishes like beetroot ravioli and dairy-free cheeses made from cashew nuts and almonds. On August 31st, he will be running an intensive day course in raw culinary arts to explain the philosophy behind the cuisine and presentation at Saf. Students will create a full menu in the restaurant's kitchen and sample everything they cook at the end of the day.
Sous chef and chocolatier Amy Levin will cater for students who have a sweet tooth with introductions to pastry and chocolate. She will be discussing the history of chocolate making and its nutritional value, with tastings of almond fudge, ganache fondue and truffles. On August 5th, guests will learn how to make strawberry and lavender gateau with cacao berry consomme and chocolate amaretto cake with vanilla-poached sour cherries and vanilla cream.
Places are limited so call 020 7613 0007 to reserve yours now.
-
A leaf off the old block.
- Mint Leaf announces the opening of its sister restaurant in the city Mint Leaf Lounge
-
The team that brought you the award winning Mint Leaf restaurant and bar, Haymarket, are p opening of Mint Leaf Lounge, August 2008 serving their famous modern Indian cuisine with a selection of classic and modern cocktails for which they are renowned
Ajay Chopra, the venue's Head Chef is cooking up a very special menu to compliment the existing range from the restaurant in Haymarket, focusing on modern, healthy Indian dishes interspersed with classics. The signature dishes at Mint Leaf Lounge are the Lobster tails seared with Goan spice char-grilled, Jumbo prawns marinated with roast garlic and chili yogurt and Baby rack of lamb marinated with saffron and vetivier root.
Mint Leaf is famous for creating some of Londons best cocktails. Experienced Mint Leaf Lounges bar manager Chris Walker and his team will be mixing up a collection of tasty cocktails such as the Espresso Martini, Indian Summer and Essence of Mint to name but a few. The 40 foot long bar is back lit that can accommodate up to 80 people. It is set behind two huge stone pillars which make for an inspiring sight.
The old city bankers space has been sympathetically redesigned with a private dining room, the mezzanine Champagne bar, set behind the original bankers clock, the open main restaurant area as well as the lounge area which has an art deco air to it. The entire venue has been designed and finished to the highest specification without losing the existing spaces charm. Natural stone and wood give the space an organic feel and Feng Shui experts have been consulted to make sure the venue is a happy one.
KP@KP - no it's not a free bag of peanuts
Running until October KP@KP (Kensington Place) pairs food and fine wines beginning with K and P at the KP bar For example Krug and Pistachios for £16.50 or Keta caviar and Prosecco for £6.50. KP has recently had a bit of a mini re-vamp by the original designer, Julyan Wickham with new tablecloths, new glassware, new menu and more importantly a new Head Chef, Henry Vigar who has really made his mark on the place and we talk to here. His menu is well worth trying as it uses simple ingredients to produce imaginative dishes such as Cornish crab lasagne with salsify, piment d’Espelette, almond and onion crust and black trompette risotto vacherin mont d’or, caramelised shallots and truffle
TAMARAI INTRODUCES NEW VEGETARIAN DISHES, COCKTAILS AND SMOOTHIES
Pan-Asian restaurant, Tamarai, in Covent Garden has launched a new range of healthy vegetarian dishes, non-alcoholic cocktails and fruity smoothies - ideal for warm summer days and balmy nights. Chef Manish Mehrotra has sourced some unique ingredients with medicinal properties like mango ginger, white tumeric and an unusual spice mix called Madras gunpowder.
The new range includes small plates like mango and green papaya salad and vegetarian dim sum, and features main courses like stuffed masala morels and crispy stir fried florets with shallots, ginger and chilli. For dessert, try coconut and palm sugar brulee, elderflower sorbert, or iced mango with goji berries and bitter chocolate mousse.
The non-alcoholic cocktails and smoothies are designed with good health in mind and contain plenty of vitamin boosting ingredients. The Hangover Buster combines ginger, cranberry, apple, strawberries and mint to create the perfect pick-me-up after a night out, while the Skin Tonic's blend of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and apple juice will do wonders for your complexion.
The new dishes and drinks are available until September and Tamarai are also offering their nine course tasting menu (normally £48) at a reduced price of £24 during the summer.
UP BOX NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST
UP Box, which stands for Urban Picnic, is a new eco-friendly take-out concept recently launched in Ludgate Circus. The well-balanced bento-style lunch options have proved a hit with locals looking for a change from the usual carb-heavy high street offerings.
Now UP Box is open for breakfast too, offering fair-trade coffee, yoghurts and fresh fruit compotes, muesli; croissants and pastries from The Bread Factory, and tea from The Rare Tea Company. Ingredients are sourced in Britain wherever possible to keep their carbon footprint low and all packing is biodegradable, so this is truly guilt-free choice.
If you miss breakfast, you can still try out their lunch range which features healthy food from twelve different countries, including Italy, France, Thailand and Morocco. Dishes like seared tuna with green mango salad; Lebanese stuffed peppers; and trout with courgette and lemon make a welcome change from the usual sandwiches.
The UP Box concept was developed by Nick and Ines Alfille, both committed foodies who also run catering company Up and Out. Having once worked as a partner in an international law firm in the City, Nick saw the opportunity to expand their business by providing something different at lunchtime for busy City workers to have at their desk or on the move. If you're in the area, why not give it a try?
SWEDISH CRAYFISH SEASON AT HARVEY NICHOLS
The official Swedish crayfish season kicks off every year in the second week of August and runs to the end of the month. To celebrate, The Fifth Floor Restaurant and Café's Swedish Chef Jonas Karlsson is introducing a new sharing dish to the menu at The Fifth Floor Café during this short but sweet season.
Diners can enjoy 12 boiled crayfish served in traditional Swedish style with dill mayonnaise and toasted rye bread. The sharing platter is priced at £15.95 for two people, or £19.95 with the addition of two shots of Schnapps. There is also a selection of chilled champagne and rosé wines that have been chosen to compliment the seasonal treat,
For those rare sunny days, the Fifth Floor Terrace is open for diners who want to enjoy their crayfish al fresco.
TEA WITH A TWIST AT BRUNELLO, MANGO TREE AND THE METROPOLITAN
Why not treat the chocoholic in your life to tea at Brunello at the Baglioni where everything is chocolate themed? The boutique hotel is serving dark chocolate scones topped with Italian chocolate spread; white and dark chocolate pastries; truffles; and chocolate dipped strawberries with hot chocolate and whipped cream. Sickly for some, but heaven for others.
If you’re counting calories, head for the Metropolitan on Park Lane to sample their new Afternoon De-Light. This is tea with the health-conscious in mind, with a menu offering olive oil muffins, sweet and savoury cupcakes, fruit scones and no-bread sandwiches. The menu is accompanied by selection of fruit infusions and an ‘Ultimate Iced Tea’ that can be served guilt-free or as a Martini cocktail. The Met is also introducing a seasonal selection of ‘Eco-Tini’s, made from ingredients sourced within the M25.
For tea with a Thai twist, head for Mango Tree on Grosvenor Place. Their recently launched Thai High Tea will set you back just £15 and offers an interesting variation on the traditional British experience.
Executive Chef Mark Read designed the exotic tea platters where sandwiches are replaced by aubergine cups, curry puffs and spring rolls; and scones with coconut caramel cake and mini Madeleines. The tea menu includes the usual Earl Grey and English Breakfast options, but also features jasmine, citrus mint, raspberry nectar and fragrant ginger. If you're bored of the usual hotel tearooms, this could be a great alternative.
SPICE OF LIFE CHARITY DINNER AT THE CINNAMON CLUB
On Monday 29th September, the award-winning Cinnamon Club is hosting the Spice of Life Charity Dinner in conjunction with the NSPCC. After a champagne reception, guests will enjoy a three course signature meal created by Executive Chef Vivek Singh. Dishes include tandoori king prawns; green spiced breast of black leg chicken with Kadhai style baby corn and paneer; and banana and ginger toffee pudding.
Special guest Jeremy Vine (BBC News Reporter and Radio Host) will be make the after dinner speech and there will also be an auction offering a selection of highly sought after prizes. The event promises to be a fantastic night and will raise money to enable the NSPCC to answer even more calls to their helplines.
Tickets are priced at £100 per person and booking can be made via Viki Sait at Victoria-louise.sait@nspcc.org.uk
TOP MUMBAI RESTAURANT TO OPEN IN CENTRAL LONDON
This Autumn, Mumbai’s iconic seafood restaurant Trishna will open on Blandford Street in the heart of Marylebone. The Mumbai original is beloved among top food critics and is a favourite with Liz Hurley and her husband Arun Nayur.
Trishna London will showcase some of the Mumbai restaurant’s signature dishes including butter pepper garlic king crab; mussels and clams stir fried with roasted coconut and Mangalorean spices; and Hyderabadi monkfish cheek tikka. All seafood and crustacean will come from high quality, sustainable sources on the Cornish, Dorset and Scottish coats.
Head chef Ravi Deulkar, previously of Michelin-starred Rasoi Vineet Bhatia in Chelsea, has travelled the Indian coast extensively over the past year to gather local recipes and inspiration from fishing villages. In addition, he has spent several months working in the kitchens of Trishna Mumbai.
Proprietor Karam Sethi explains, ‘The food at Trishna will be delectable because of the emphasis on fresh ingredients and Ravi’s creativity and knowledge of old-age traditions. The cuisine will lend itself to sharing and diners will be encourage to ditch their cutlery and dig in with their hands.
JUST ST JAMES REOPENS AND INTRODUCES ALL DAY DINING
Following an extensive interior makeover, Just St James will reopen on September 2nd and offer all day dining in addition to their existing lunchtime and evening offerings.
Get your day off to a good start with one of their breakfast options – The Continental; The Healthy Start; or the much-loved Full English which includes Hertfordshire sausages, Berkshire back bacon and devilled kidneys. Those with smaller appetites can opt for individual dishes like organic smoked salmon with scrambled eggs on an English muffin, or Eggs Benedict.
After lunch, it’s time for afternoon tea. The Royal Afternoon Tea is a veritable feast including sandwiches, Cornish scones with clotted cream, and assorted cakes and pastries. Also on offer is a traditional Cream Tea, or the decadent Veuve Clicquot tea which includes the aforementioned spread and a glass of bubbly.
The Just St James lunch and dinner menu is available throughout August but will be served downstairs in the space normally occupied by Just Oriental.
CHILLI CRAB FESTIVAL RETURNS TO BRICK LANE
On August 30th and 31st, the Tiger Beer Chilli Crab Festival returns to Brick Lane to celebrate all things Singaporean. Last year, over 15,000 vistors descended on East London’s most famous street to enjoy the exotic flavours, fragrances and sounds of the Far East.
This year there is even more Singaporean cuisine to try, including some unique Asian desserts and the famous chilli crab cooked by the chefs from Kiasu in Bayswater. Celebrity chef Terry Tan will be running cookery demonstrations so you can learn how to recreate the dishes at home. Once you’ve eaten your fill, grab a Tiger Beer from the event’s sponsors and chill out in the tranquil Singaporean garden.
Visitors can browse the stalls offering food, clothing and crafts during the day; or watch the evening entertainment which includes martial arts displays, dragon dancing and live music from the School of Oriental and African Studies.
The festival starts at 11am and ends at 6pm, and entry is free.
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