Restaurants | Food and Drink

Celebrate Thanksgiving at the new Planet Hollywood in Haymarket

The world-famous Planet Hollywood has opened a new restaurant and bar on the Haymarket, giving Londoners the perfect venue to celebrate Thanksgiving in true US style.

Taman Gang opens for lunch

This month Park Lane restaurant Taman Gang will open for lunch for the first time. Already a hugely popular dinner destination, this glamorous Pan-Asian restaurant should prove a huge hit with West End shoppers and workers alike for lunch.

Delve into divine desserts and smooth cocktails

Enjoy a piece of chocolate lover’s heaven at the restaurant at The Rutland during National Chocolate Week from 12 to 18 October. For one night only, head chef David Haetzman and his team will serve an extravagant taster menu consisting entirely of desserts on Wednesday, 14 October.

The Ebury – One of London’s best neighbourhood finds

Located just a minute’s walk from Sloane Square is chic bar and brasserie ‘The Ebury’. The menu offers a diverse range of modern European food complemented with a cultured selection of wines.

Royal Leamington Spa is hungry for Dine

A new national restaurant initiative is set to come to Royal Leamington Spa from 12 - 18 October.

A feast for the senses at The Brickhouse

The Brickhouse restaurant and supper club has just launched an extremely good value five-course menu for a mere £25. Book in for supper and enjoy live performances from a whole host of acts, from cabaret performers to aerial acrobats, and sample delicious cuisine by talented Head Chef, Matthew Reuther.

Michelin announces Pub of the Year 2010

The Masons Arms in Knowstone, Devon has been named as Pub of the Year 2010 in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs guide, which launched this week.

Scottish seafood restaurant wins MSC certification

An award-winning Scottish seafood restaurant is scaling the heights in its championing of sustainable fishing.

Prezzo named ‘UK’s Best Pizza Chain’

Prezzo is the UK’s best pizza chain – beating rivals Pizza Express, Strada and Zizzi to the top spot for value and taste – according to an undercover taste test by BBC olive magazine.

Barford pub shortlisted for prestigious award

For the third year running The Granville @ Barford has found another reason to celebrate at this year’s Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink Awards. The award-winning dining pub has been shortlisted in the highly competitive ‘Best Dining Pub/Inn’ category.

Take a roll of the dice at Gilgamesh

Acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh has been delighting diners for almost three years and to celebrate their birthday they would like to offer lucky diners the chance to win a signature birthday cocktail to toast their good health and ongoing success.

Top Edinburgh chef launches culinary blog

One of Edinburgh’s finest chefs, Michel Bouyer, has launched his very own culinary blog on The Bonham’s website. The new blog allows Michel to share his experiences of working in the Restaurant at The Bonham kitchen and also some of his delicious recipes.

Harry Morgan deli launches new menu

Harry Morgan, the most famous New York Style Deli Restaurant in London, will celebrate its new menu and refurbishment with an amazing 50% off discount offer*. The offer runs at the St John’s Wood High Street restaurant from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th July.

Celebrate Independence Day at Planet Hollywood

The world-famous Planet Hollywood has opened a new restaurant and bar on the Haymarket, giving Londoners the perfect venue to celebrate Independence Day in true US style.

A day in the life of the flying chef

Chef’s have many tools at their fingertips as they go about the daily grind – but very few boast a Honda ST 1100 Pan European motor-cycle up there with the ballers, corers and zesters. But not so Paulo Barone, executive chef of the Locale group of modern Italian restaurants which opens its sixth outlet in Balham, south-west London, this month.

Wagamama gets fresh for summer

Wagamama has announced its new summer menu, packed with exotic ingredients, mouth-watering dressings and wagamama goodness, the new range of pan-asian inspired salads are sure to tickle your taste buds.

Planet Hollywood lands on Haymarket

The world-famous Planet Hollywood has opened a new £5 million restaurant and bar on the Haymarket, London SW1. The new restaurant and bar will have a modern contemporary design, masterminded by Jonathan Manser of The Manser Practise whose past work includes Sketch, the newly revamped Waldorf Hotel and the W Hotel Group.

UK’s favourite restaurants awarded

Ten top UK restaurants have today beaten off strong competition from rival establishments to become regional winners of The Good Food Guide readers’ favourite restaurant.

A taste of the Med in South London

Nar, Vauxhall’s newest restaurant and bar opens to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to South London. Located beneath the railway arches of Albert Embankment, Nar Restaurant and Bar is a surprising and welcome addition to the restaurant scene in this corner of South London.

Wrap it up at Nando’s

The wraps are off – well actually they’re on – as Peri-Peri chicken pioneers Nando’s officially launch their new Wraps in restaurants nationwide.

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb

The first young, pink and tender stems of early rhubarb have been available for a few weeks and John Topham, celebrated owner/chef at the noted General Tarleton Inn at Ferrensby, close to both York and Harrogate, is busy devising new and original recipes using this lovely fruit for his restaurant and bar menus that change daily to reflect the pick of the catch or crop that day.

Body painted beauty reveals her five-a-day

tibits celebrated the launch of National Vegetarian Week in style, 18th – 24th May at tibits Heddon Street W1, with a spectacular piece of living art that looked good enough to eat. A body painted beauty revealed her five-a-day at the fantastic vegetarian restaurant - a real feast for the eyes.

Learn the art of Sushi at Chino Latino

Following the introduction of its new menu, the award-winning Pan Asian restaurant Chino Latino in Nottingham is offering a sushi masterclass.

West-end style Indian cuisine hits Surrey

Anyone who thought that the suburban enclave of Kingston, Surrey, was nothing but a culinary desert, had better think again. The launch of Roz ana, a modern 70-seater Indian restaurant, brasserie and lounge bar, has got everyone talking about its quality cooking and buzzing ambience.

Planet Hollywood launches in Haymarket

The world-famous Planet Hollywood is opening a new £5 million restaurant and bar on the Haymarket, London SW1 with a star-studded launch party in June 2009.

Hairy Bikers head to Stathern local

The Red Lion Inn at Stathern saw a slice of real live TV action last week on Friday, 1st May, when the roar of the Hairy Bikers’ motorbikes echoed through the quiet country village in deepest Leicestershire for a whole day’s filming with the Michelin-starred owner/chef, Sean Hope, for their new BBC2 TV series to be transmitted nationwide this coming Autumn.

A taste of The Rutland

Fresh Orkney crab and Invergowrie raspberries are set to make the Restaurant at The Rutland’s first time at Taste of Edinburgh an instant hit.

Aldo Zilli launches menu in aid of Abruzzo earthquake

Acclaimed Italian Chef Aldo Zilli was shocked to the core by last month’s tragic earthquake in his native region, Abruzzo and has announced that he is to launch a menu at his flagship restaurant Signor Zilli, where a portion of the proceeds go directly to the Abruzzo Earthquake Fund.

Cooking Up A Storm In Cheshire

Robert Kisby, a top north-west chef, has joined the 400-year old Cock O Barton pub in Barton, Cheshire. One of his first challenges is to create a signature dish using locally-sourced products which captures the ‘taste of Cheshire’.

London Restaurants Offer Pancakes With Panache

This Pancake Day, Tuesday 20th February, join Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur for delicious Vermeer pancakes at My Old Dutch restaurants across London.

New Chef And Menu At Lanes Restaurant & Bar

James Robertson and Hamish Smith, owners of Lanes Restaurant & Bar, London E1, are delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Cooper as their new head chef, and the restaurant is now serving his new menu. This is Liam’s first head chef role. He was previously Sous Chef at Lanes, and prior to that, he worked as Senior Pastry Chef at Gordon Ramsay, Royal Hospital Road and Pétrus.

ERIKI Indian Restaurant Opens Second Location

Renowned for its exquisite and tantalizing cuisine, ERIKI Indian Restaurant has recently opened a second location on Boundary Rd in St Johns Wood. The new ERIKI location is a boutique version of the flagship establishment in Swiss Cottage and offers a selection of the most popular dishes.

Catwalk Action To Screen In Harvey Nichols Cafés

During this February’s London Fashion Week (12-16 February 2007), Harvey Nichols and vogue.com will give fashion fanatics in London, Dublin, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham the opportunity to see the Autumn/Winter 2007 collections being unveiled on the catwalk.

Master Sushi Chef Opens London Restaurant

Located just off Chancery Lane in the heart of London’s legal district, Shimo Restaurant & Bar is a welcome addition to the City’s diverse choice of restaurants. The name Shimo is the Japanese abbreviation for November, the month most eagerly awaited by sushi lovers, as it is when fish, with its oily flesh, becomes its most delicious, and also marks the beginning of the crab season.

New Fine Dining Destination For Surrey

Limpsfield is a picturesque village nestling just outside Oxted, Surrey. For a while now, it has been an area bereft of a fine dining experience that many of the local residents have sampled in the capital, but not closer to home. Alexander’s Restaurant & Brasserie has undoubtedly addressed this issue.

Exceptional New Gastro Pub Opens In West London

A stunning new gastro pub opens in Baron’s Court this month, creating a stir in the West London restaurant market and representing an exciting social and culinary opportunity for local businesses and residents in the Hammersmith, Fulham and Earl’s Court district.

Posh London Nosh At A Fraction Of The Cost

For the first time ever Londoners can experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost as lastminute.com launches London Restaurant Week in association with MasterCard. Based on the very successful New York Restaurant Week, this will be a first of its kind as the elite of the London restaurant scene come together to celebrate accessible fine dining.

Devon Pub Voted “Best Pub In Britain”

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) today announced the Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton, Devon, as its National Pub of the Year 2006. Pub of the Year judges were bowled over by the warm welcome, fantastic service, wonderful home-cooked food and high quality real ale to be found at the Tom Cobley Tavern. This 16th century village inn has been run by Roger and Carol Cudlip for the last four years.

Al-Fresco Dining With Locale Restaurants

Locale restaurants and cocktail lounges in County Hall and Fulham offer great locations to dine on delicious Italian dishes al-fresco style. With space for up to 40 people, the terrace at Locale County Hall looks over the courtyard, central to County Hall. Whether diners are taking a break from the local attractions or enjoying the spring and summer whether after work, Locale County Hall offers authentic Italian dishes in the fresh air.

Restaurant Quality At Pub Prices

Charlie McVeigh and Adam Simmons are proud to announce the opening of The Westbridge Public House & Dining Rooms. Just south of Battersea Bridge, The Westbridge is an old-fashioned public house where all are welcome.

New Head Chef For Acclaimed Somerset Restaurant

Embracing the trend for using organic, local produce in the acclaimed restaurant of his Charlton House Hotel, Roger Saul searched high and low to find a head chef who is as passionate about organic produce as he is. Elisha Carter was the man who fitted the bill.

Jack & Lulu’s Opens In Hampstead

Jack & Lulu’s is officially launching on March 12th at the landmark site, Jack Straws Castle, at the top of Hampstead Village, North End Way, London NW3 providing an exciting and original concept offering families a stylish new venue in which to eat, play, party and explore.

The Westerly - A New Gem For Reigate

Restaurateurs Jon and Cynthia Coomb are pleased to announce the opening of their new venture, The Westerly, in the ancient Surrey market town of Reigate. Previously proprietors of the Michelin rated Stephan Langton near Dorking, Jon and Cynthia aim to serve good food away from a more formal fine dining setting. Indeed, as Jon himself says “The Westerly is smart yet informal. We use quality ingredients for dishes that are well executed with wine to match, all at affordable prices with no hidden extra costs.”

Convenience Food – But Not As You Know It

Everyone loves a juicy burger – but finding a stylish restaurant in London that serves delicious and nutritious fast food in a child-friendly environment is like looking for a needle in the proverbial haystack. But now there is just such a haven – The Natural Burger Company and Grill, which opened its doors on March 1st in St John’s Wood.

Renowned Brighton Restaurant Offered For Sale

Casalingo, which is the only Italian restaurant in Preston Street, Brighton, East Sussex, has been placed on the market with the Maidstone office of leading restaurant agents, Christie & Co. Proprietor Angelo Martinoli has owned and run Casalingo as a family business for 19 successful years.

UK Pub Group Promotes Healthy Eating

With an estimated 80 million Easter eggs sold in Britain last year and similarly huge sales expected this year, it’s not easy for parents to curb their children’s appetite for chocolate. But for families concerned about maintaining the good health of their youngsters, while still giving them treats and fun over the holidays, one pub company has got Easter cracked.

Summer Dining At Masala Zone Islington

The first rays of sunshine have shone in 2007 and thoughts turn to the summer. Not only are we thinking of short sleeves and summer walks but also where to eat al-fresco. Masala Zone has the perfect spot with a terrace on Upper Street in Islington.

Canteen Opens At The Royal Festival Hall

Canteen, the award winning high-street restaurant serving modern British food, will be opening their new restaurant at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall in June 2007. Canteen faces directly onto the re-landscaped Southbank Centre Square acting as a focal point for the regenerated area.

New Spring Menu For Locale Restaurants

Locale restaurants in Fulham and Blackheath have launched their spring menu in conjunction with the launch of their new restaurant at County Hall. The Italian eateries pride themselves on serving delicious authentic dishes and as the warmer months approach the restaurant group’s Italian chefs have created a range of new fresh tasting recipes.

Heady Summer Barbecues On The Terrace!

Babylon, The Roof Gardens’ vista restaurant, is changing into its shorts and sandals! From May, diners can enjoy barbecues on one of London’s most coveted south facing outdoor terraces. Sun worshipers will be elated to learn that Babylon’s terrace caters for up to 35 diners across tables of two or four and offers panoramic views over the beautiful gardens and the rooftops of London.

Choose Locale For Business Dining

Locale restaurant and cocktail lounge has launched in County Hall – a perfect location for business dining, and only moments from Waterloo station. The Italian eatery is located in the central courtyard of County Hall and boasts a spacious dining area, cocktail lounge and outside terrace.

Carlton Riverside – A Luxury Gourmet Restaurant

Alan and Mary Ann Gilchrist have opened their new restaurant with rooms, Carlton Riverside in Llanwrtyd Wells. The small Welsh town is where Mary Ann was awarded a Michelin Star for her cooking at Carlton House and was winner of four True Taste Restaurant Awards. Consistently her cooking has won high acclaim as one of the leading restaurants in Britain in The Which? Good Food Guide. She was also the first chef to win the crown of Mid Wales Chef of the Year.

Feast For A Tenner At Rainbow Cafe

Enjoy a feast of flavours for just £10.00 at the award-winning Rainbow Café in Cambridge during National Vegetarian Week. The Vegetarian Society’s “Café of the Year ” is joining the celebrations by offering a special “Feast for a Tenner” from Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 May 2007. Under the bargain offer, diners can choose any soup, main course and dessert from the restaurant’s extensive, mouth-watering menu or specials board.

Claridge’s Goes Organic

Claridge’s is used to the best. It’s used to being the best, to serving the best and to welcoming the best into the hotel. For some years, Executive Chef, Martyn Nail has taken pride in serving the best modern British cooking, using the freshest of seasonal ingredients, locally sourced. Provenance, sustainability and free range are words much used in Claridge’s kitchens and now there is another one – Organic.

Award Winning Gastro-Pub Offers Exclusive Champagne

Tucked away in the heart of a Leicestershire village that boasts a colourful history littered with Anglo-Saxon Kings, monasteries and invasions from our Nordic cousins, lies an old Farriers. Long since turned into a public house – not only the heart of this small community – but now an award winning gastro-pub with rustic British food that is of a quality that far outshines the offerings of some top city restaurants.

TGI Friday’s Recipe For The Perfect Night Out

If music be the food of love, T.G.I. Friday’s is the food for fun. The experts at T.G.I. Friday’s have uncovered the formula for what makes a truly enjoyable dining experience. With more than 20 years of expertise of making guests happy, T.G.I. Friday’s has pulled together its knowledge and understanding of a great night or day out and is offering guests a few suggestions on how to make an everyday occasion truly memorable.

Summer Arrives At Natural History Museum

Summer, a new alfresco bar and restaurant, will be open in the gardens in front of the Natural History Museum from mid-May to the end of August. The stylish venue offers light, summer-inspired, quality food and drinks in an exquisite area of leafy South Kensington, London.

The Lighter Way To Enjoy Indian Cuisine

Kasturi restaurant (57 Aldgate High Street, London) has built a reputation for excellent, healthy Indian cuisine in the City of London. This year the eatery has launched a summer menu of Indian dishes perfectly suited to the warmer months.

Jazz Brunch At The Deville Restaurant

Sundays should be a day of rest and relaxation so what better way to unwind than with a jazz infused brunch at the deVille Restaurant. The Mandeville Hotel is thrilled to present a series of class jazz acts to perform at brunches throughout the summer.

Soirée De Sabrage At Le Vacherin

Le Vacherin restaurant in Chiswick has built its great reputation on serving delicious classic French dishes in a bistro style setting. The eatery’s third anniversary will be celebrated on Monday 11th June with the annual Sabrage Dinner.

Cocktails & Casual Dining In A Room With A View

For London’s literary circles, foodies and West End shoppers, there is a relatively unknown room with a view to which they can retreat and put up their feet. Drinking and dining with a book in your hand is part of the social attraction of the 5th View at Waterstone’s Piccadilly, London W1 – Europe’s largest book store.

Award Winning Chai Pani Offers Contemporary Tastes

Rajasthan, the land of kings, is arguably India’s most colourful state. Many restaurants have tried to reflect this in Rajasthani Festivals but none have concentrated purely on the unique cuisine of this historic state – that is until 2003, when sisters Jyoti and Sandhya Goenka opened Chai Pani in London’s Seymour Street.

A Taste Of Italy At Selfridge’s Obika Restaurant

Obika, the sophisticated mozzarella bar and restaurant on the second floor of Selfridges is now serving real Aperitivo Italiano - a wide range of freshly made canapés, finger food, snacks and bruschette which will be available between 6pm and 9pm every Thursday, included in the price of the first drink (£7 for a glass of wine or soft drink, and £9 for an alcoholic cocktail).

Celebrate the best of British cuisine

Award-winning MU Restaurant introduces its new “Best of British” à la carte menu. Devised by Chef David Brett the idea is to offer a selection of some of the best traditional dishes from all corners of Britain.

Summertime ‘Sundowner’ At The Royal Garden Hotel

What a combination - a bottle of Canard Duchêne champagne for £23.75, or a glass for £4.75, an uninterrupted panoramic view of Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and the capital’s unique skyline, all served up with the legendary courtesy of London’s favourite five star hotel.

Beach Blanket Babylon To Open In Shoreditch

A brand new venue that will house a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar, roof terrace, contemporary art gallery, private members lounge and outdoor cinema is opening in Shoreditch this coming summer.

Fairyhill’s Ten Mile Gower Menu – A Panoply Of Local Produce

Paul Davies, chef/partner at Fairyhill in Gower, together with his enthusiastic young kitchen team have designed a specially focussed menu to highlight their use of ingredients that they have long sourced from within a ten mile radius of the hotel.

“Neighbourhood” Restaurant To Open In Notting Hill Gate

Opening in July 2007 and occupying a site that was once a Victorian butcher’s shop, Hereford Road will offer simple yet innovative British cooking. Tom Pemberton, formerly head chef of St. John Bread and Wine, will use the best nationally sourced, seasonal produce, placing the provenance of meat, fish and vegetables at the centre of the endeavour.

Celebrate English Wine Week At Addendum

Addendum restaurant, at The Apex City of London Hotel, 1 Seething Lane, London EC3, will be celebrating English Wine Week (26th May – 3rd June 2007) with a special three course menu, paired with glasses of fine English wines. The menu will be served at lunch and dinner throughout English Wine Week, and costs £45 per person.

Giant Alaskan Crab Served At FishWorks

A giant Alaskan crab has just landed on UK soil and is being served through FishWorks 12 sites. With each monster leg weighing in at 140g and the whole crab at 2.02 kilo's it's a scary prospect to tackle! Growing up to around 6 foot, these dinosaurs of the deep require a human with a hearty appetite!

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar Celebrates 15 Years With Brand New Look

Marking its 15th year as the fashionable watering hole of Knightsbridge, Harvey Nichols iconic Fifth Floor Bar, situated on the top floor of the flagship store, will be re-launching in Autumn 2007 with a completely new look inspired by the constructivist art of the early 20th century.

Food & Tennis - The Perfect Match At Queens

The 2007 Artois Championships return to the prestigious Queen's Club in West London this June. The West Kensington based Club has hosted the acclaimed grass court championships tournament since 1979 for 28 consecutive years, and the 2007 fixture looks set to be more competitive than ever.

French Summer Cuisine At Le Vacherin In Chiswick

Le Vacherin restaurant in Chiswick has once again created a delicious set menu for its diners – A Taste of Summer. This summer, customers can enjoy three sumptuous courses and a Strawberry Bellini for just £15.95. Serving classic French dishes, Le Vacherin has built a reputation for excellent cuisine in a bistro style setting and is keen to dispel assumptions that French cooking is more suitable for the winter months.

Fish Restaurant Encourages Customers To Try Alternative Dishes

Loch Fyne Restaurants is launching a new campaign to encourage consumers to try “alternative” fish in order to ease pressure off stocks of the more popular fish, such as Haddock or Cod.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen Opens In Manchester

The new Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) restaurant in Spinningfields, Manchester is proof that burgers can be sophisticated, exotic and deliciously tasty and, when served in a stunningly modern interior, create an indulgent and fun dining experience.

Food & Drink Award For The Priory Inn, Tetbury

For the second year running, The Priory Inn, Tetbury - the family friendly gastro-inn in the heart of the Cotswolds - has received the prestigious Cotswold Life Food and Drink Award for “Most Distinctive Local Menu” voted for by the restaurant-going public.

Design Triumph For Italian Restaurant In Birmingham

The newly opened Don Salvo restaurant in central Birmingham stands as testament to the committed design and build team that carefully managed this challenging project every step of the way.

Harrods Announces Plans For Restaurant Portfolio

With a choice of 28 restaurants over 7 floors offering anything from a freshly made cream cake or a pint of ale and hearty British fare right through to fresh oysters and Champagne or a sit-down à la carte meal in opulent surroundings, food is truly at the heart of the Harrods store.

Say Hello To Hi Sushi Salsa

Hi sushi salsa, part of the Hi Sushi Group, has opened a new intimate restaurant and bar, with outdoor waterfront seating in the heart of Camden Lock. Capturing the taste of Japan with more than a hint of Latino, the fusion is reflected in the food, cocktails and music. Hi sushi salsa is a welcome addition to Camden’s fashionable eating and drinking scene.

“Thoughts For Food” At Trinity Restaurant

Trinity Restaurant is situated in the heart of Clapham Old Town and adjacent to Clapham Common. Trinity opened in November 06 and sees Adam Byatt returning to his roots in Clapham, the area that saw his rise to critical acclaim and public success with his first owned restaurant Thyme.

Award-Winning Edinburgh Restaurant Moves Home

Award-winning restaurant Roti will triple in size at a new location on Morrison Street, just off Edinburgh city centre's Lothian Road from Saturday 28th July. Independently owned by award-winning chef Tony Singh, Roti is the sister restaurant of the highly acclaimed Oloroso.

New Start For Not-So-Troubled House

Among the locals, royal neighbours and occasional ghost, there are two very new faces to be seen at Michelin starred Cotswold Pub, The Trouble House. From August, Martin Caws will become the new head chef and proprietor at the popular 17th Century, stone-built pub in Tetbury, continuing in the legacy of Michelin star chef Michael Bedford, with whom he has formerly worked during an equally illustrious career.

Gastronomes Do The Truffle Shuffle To Jermyn Street

Of all the most indulgent gastronomic pleasures, the white truffle is pre-eminent. As truffle prices command an ever-increasing premium, Chef Paolo Parlantti and General Manager Jason Phillips of Franco’s Italian Restaurant on Mayfair’s Jermyn Street, are offering ‘truffle-by-the-gram’ for the brief September truffle season.

Forget Tradition – Go Vegetarian This Christmas

Be bold, be innovative, be different this Christmas. Do you dare? That's the challenge set by Sharon Meijland, Chef and Owner of the award-winning Rainbow Café in Cambridge. In her quest to prove how delicious, varied and healthy vegetarian food can be, Sharon has devised the following meat-free Christmas menu.

Restaurant Openings Surge To All-Time Record

More restaurants have opened in London in the past 12 months than ever before according to the new (17th) edition of Harden’s London Restaurants, to be published on 28 August. The guide records 158 openings of note in the past 12 months – some 13 per cent higher than the August 2006 figure (136), and smashing the former record of 142 noted in 2005.

Haringey Businesses Join Forces For The Environment

Two local businesses are setting an example to others by launching an initiative to reduce litter and make their corner of Haringey a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors.

New Restaurant Offers Honest Food In The Heart Of Padstow

A fresh new restaurant has opened in the heart of Padstow. Custard, a brand new diner, hosts 65 in a relaxed retro lounge style atmosphere. With Padstow’s eclectic mix of fish restaurants, pubs and a smattering of meditteranean cuisine, Custard offers a unique take on British dining.

Prism Restaurant & Bar To Host Exclusive Wine Dinner

On Thursday 13 September, Prism Restaurant & Bar will host a very special wine maker dinner in association with Wine Australia, hosted by celebrated wine maker David Hohnen. Needing little introduction, David is widely recognised as the man who brought New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to the world’s wine stage.

After Eleven Years Unchallenged, Is Ramsay Teetering?

An upheaval at the top end of the London restaurant world, revealed today, sees Gordon Ramsay’s unchallenged dominance shaken for the first time since 1997. This emerges in the survey conducted for today’s publication of Harden’s London Restaurants.

London Chef Takes Self-Sufficiency To The Coast

Dave Flynn, an allotment owner and resident from Twickenham, South West London and professional chef of over 30 years having worked in London and Australia, is seeing his ideas for a self-sufficient restaurant become a reality by opening up his first-ever establishment, “The Allotment”, in the South East Kent coastal town of Dover.

Restaurants Encouraged To Welcome Guide Dog Owners

Restaurants are being encouraged to welcome guide dog owners and adapt their services for blind and partially-sighted people, as advised in a new information leaflet published by Guide Dogs.

Local Food Is Favourite Fare In UK’s Smallest Town

Mary Ann Gilchrist the chef patron of Carlton Riverside with husband Alan has put Llanwrtyd Wells on the culinary map with the fine cuisine in their new boutique restaurant with rooms. It has been awarded four gold stars by the AA Hotel and Restaurant Guide for its excellence of food, service and accommodation. The new 2008 Good Food Guide gives it the second highest rating in Wales with the score of 6, which she has maintained for a decade.

Olive Branch Pub Named ‘Michelin Pub Of The Year 2008’

The Olive Branch & Beech House in Clipsham has been selected as the Michelin Pub of the Year 2008 in Michelin’s Eating Out in Pubs guide which is launched today 5 September 2007.

Leeds’ Famous Fab Cafe Reopens To The Public

Fab Cafe is one of the most famous bars in Leeds, with a cult following of thousands every week, and now it reopens following a complete refurbishment on Thursday 30th August 2007.

Marco Pierre White Reveals His Favourite

World-famous chef Marco Pierre White named the Box Tree restaurant in Yorkshire as his ‘favourite restaurant in Britain’ during a recent visit to the kitchen where he learnt his trade.

Major prize for New Forest restaurant with rooms

The Nurse’s Cottage Restaurant with Rooms, in the New Forest, is the South-East England regional winner of the Edge Awards 2007, with a prize of £5,000 for further investment into training and development of young people. The restaurant battled it out to win the small business category and will now go through to the national finals to be held in November.

Gastro chic in South East London

Successful restaurant and bar operators Robbie O’Neill and Shaun Wilson are bringing a chic gastro experience to deepest South East London. Opened in August 2007, The Perry Hill is the newest venture for the duo. Straddling the borders of Forest Hill, Sydenham and Catford, The Perry Hill is a foray into uncharted culinary waters.

Good judgement for your Christmas party

Already the tough decision of where to host your Christmas party has to be made, and Browns Bar & Brasserie Covent Garden, has the perfect venues for festive fun - their Courtrooms! Browns Bar & Brasserie, St Martins Lane (formerly Westminster Crown Court) boasts four original courtrooms that date back to 1908 featuring chandeliered ceilings and judges’ benches.

Fizzing Festive Fun This Christmas

There’s a huge range of fun and festive treats in store for you at the General Tarleton Inn, at Ferrensby, North Yorkshire this year. In fact, there’s so much going on over this year’s festive period, you’ll have to try hard to find an excuse not to go along to one or more of the fun treats on offer. This is the place where GT not only stands for General Tarleton, but also ‘Good Time’.

Curtain Up For Zucca Café & Restaurant

It’s show time for Zucca, a new contemporary Italian restaurant which has opened at the famous Royal Lyceum Theatre, on Grindlay Street, Edinburgh. One of Edinburgh’s most accomplished chefs Richard Glennie fought off stiff competition to win the contract for the 45-cover Lyceum restaurant which occupies the mezzanine floor and the café on the ground floor of the Victorian building.

The Restaurant Bar & Grill launches in Glasgow

Individual Restaurant Company, one of the UK’s most dynamic and established restaurant operators, officially opened its first Scottish The Restaurant Bar & Grill in Glasgow on Friday 14th September.

Burlesque event at belowzero

belowzero restaurant and lounge is presenting an evening of Burlesque with Gwendoline Lamour on Wednesday 26th September. Gwendoline Lamour has been performing enchanting burlesque shows for seven glamorous years for clients such as Elton John, Cirque du Soleil for Naomi Campbell’s birthday party and Jasper Conran, among others.

Marco – the new Chelsea restaurant from Marco Pierre White

On 1st October, Marco Pierre White will open his new restaurant Marco located at Chelsea Football Club’s home, Stamford Bridge. The collaboration with Chelsea FC is a significant departure from previous ventures at one of London’s famous destination venues.

No jacket required at award winning restaurants

The increase in top restaurants offering informal, moderately priced dining means that this year’s new-look Good Food Guide 2008 has ditched all mention of dress codes and handed out a raft of awards* to restaurants that have a distinctly relaxed style.

Biazo brings a taste of Nigeria to London

A brand new Nigerian restaurant has opened in London with a promise of great food at reasonable prices. Biazo, in Hale Lane Edgware, has opened shop in time for Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1 intent on filling the gap in the market for quality Nigerian restaurants.

A fresh new hangout for London's glitterati

A recent addition to the map of London’s hippest landmarks for elegant dining and drinking, Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar opened its doors in 2003 and has rapidly taken lead in the race for the city’s top Indian restaurant.

Oldfields is flavour of the month at tourism awards

Oldfields Restaurants have picked up a prestigious accolade at the North East England Tourism Awards 2007. The restaurants were presented with the Taste of North East England Award at the ceremony held at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland on September 19.

Marco Pierre White praises Box Tree restaurant

Waitrose Food Illustrated’s toughest food critic Marco Pierre White dished out uncharacteristic praise in the publication this week when he visited the Box Tree restaurant in Ilkley, Yorkshire. The rave review saw Marco award the Box Tree an impressive 19 out of 20, leaving the restaurant as Marco Pierre White’s highest recommendation since he began his monthly reviews in January this year.

Cheshire Life success for Harvey Nichols

Widely renowned as one of the most glittering dates in the North West’s culinary calendar, Cheshire Life Magazine hosted its annual hospitality awards on Tuesday 2 October celebrating the highest standards in the region, awarding Restaurant of the Year to Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant.

Royal Court Theatre launches new Café Bar

The Royal Court Theatre Café Bar, which has been under new management since Summer 2006, is re-launching this month. Since the Royal Court Theatre opened in 1956, its bar has always been a lively meeting place for audiences, writers, directors and actors.

Masters get a makeover at historic Hampstead Pub

A pub featuring a rare collection of art by the Belgian master Jan Van Beers has undergone an extensive restoration programme. The Flask pub in Hampstead – a Grade II listed building, which dates back to 1874 – has been lovingly restored to its former glory thanks to a major investment by Young’s.

Chinese cooking without additives

Owners of Xanadu Chinese Restaurant in Edinburgh will be giving a unique opportunity on the 2nd of October 2007 to show that Chinese cookery is not just about bright colours and monosodium glutamate and more about the original use of ingredients. Join Irene and Colin Chui to experience how a delicious traditional Chinese dish can be prepared from scratch without the additives commonly found in many Chinese dishes.

Edinburgh restaurant helps fundraising appeal

The owner of a popular Indian and Bengali Restaurant located on Edinburgh’s Southside has pledged to donate 100% of income from a set menu to the relief effort currently in operation following the severe flooding in Bangladesh. A fundraising evening will be held on Tuesday 16th October 2007.*

Lunch at Tamarai

Tamarai, one of London’s most stylish and vibrant venues will, this winter open its doors to the public at lunchtime with an exciting new menu available from Monday through to Friday. Head Chef Manish Mehrotra and his team of expert chefs have devised an exciting range of lunch dishes: mouth-watering dim sum, a selection of succulent meat and fish skewers, regional Asian curries and some perfectly balanced fragrant salads.

Michelin-starred restaurant launches new website

The Michelin-starred team at Ilkley’s Box Tree restaurant has today announced its new look Box Tree restaurant website, as well as the arrival of a brand new site for Box Tree Events – Yorkshire’s Premier Outside Caterer.

Argentine indulgence

Gaucho Piccadilly will be celebrating Chocolate Week (15th to 21st October) with an exclusive dessert offering of one 50ml glass of Argentina’s famous ‘Malamado’ pudding wine from Familia Zuccardi, served with a beatific trio of chocolate desserts specially made by the chefs of this Swallow Street, Argentine restaurant - for one week only.

Sumptuous new look for Shoreditch Vietnamese

On a street famous for Vietnamese food there is one restaurant that really stands out, the highly popular Viet Grill, and now it’s gone one step further, boasting an elegant new look.

There’s water water everywhere at Claridge’s

Claridge’s is delighted to announce the launch of its new Water Menu. With a growing international guest list the hotel has become increasingly aware of requests for different kinds of water – everybody has a favourite.

Chor Bizarre celebrates 10 years

Mayfair favourite, Chor Bizarre, celebrates 10 year and to celebrate this landmark anniversary, the restaurant is undergoing a series of changes. These include a new interior, new menu and Charles Metcalfe’s new wine list.

Mango Tree Restaurant - Proud to be Thai

Mango Tree, London's highly regarded fine dining Thai restaurant, is delighted to have been awarded its first AA Rosette for culinary excellence - one of the most highly regarded accolades a restaurant can receive.

Fondue is back

Popular Soho brasserie The Club Bar & Dining is proud to announce the launch of ‘Fondue Mondays’ from 5th November. Chef and ‘Fondue Guru’, Rasheed Grant has created a stylish and contemporary take on this formerly seventies dish, taking it out of the ski resorts and into the 21st Century.

Gaucho Restaurants to open at London’s O2 Arena

Zeev Godik founder of the hugely successful Gaucho group of restaurants is delighted to announce that Gaucho will be opening (arguably their most exciting venture to date) at the 02 Arena.

Thanksgiving at Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Cafe

In homage to friends across the pond, the Fifth Floor Café will be serving a special traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thursday 29 November 2007. The original Thanksgiving meal apparently went on for three days. The Fifth Floor Café’s menu is slightly more reserved having managed to fit the spirit of celebration and indulgence into three courses.

The Slug And Lettuce raise the food bar

The Slug and Lettuce is set to launch a mouth watering new menu on the 30 October 2007, perfect for the gastronomes out there! The Slug and Lettuce continues to offer high quality, great tasting food and the new menu ticks all of the boxes associated with a restaurant awarded a Michelin star, rather than the high street bar that it is.

Marlborough Tavern wins national food award

The Marlborough Tavern in Bath has been named Newcomer of the Year at the prestigious national Pub Food Awards 2007. At a lavish awards ceremony on Wednesday 7th November in London’s Hurlingham Club, The Marlborough Tavern fought off fierce competition from hundreds of other UK entries plus three other shortlisted finalists on the night to pick up the accolade.

Start your day with an authentic Spanish breakfast

Say adios to queues for a bland coffee chain breakfasts and hola to a fresh, friendly and speedy Spanish breakfast at Camino, King’s Cross. Breakfasts in Spain are unfussy yet delicious – a bikini (honey roasted ham and cheese toastie) and a café con leche (espresso with hot milk).

An evening with Michael Caines at Fifteen Cornwall

For one night only, the two Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines will be cooking up a storm in the Fifteen Cornwall kitchen for a special evening that will bring together French and Italian inspired dishes, into a single menu with a distinctive Cornish twist.

Acclaimed Shoreditch Vietnamese wins a 'Terry'

Acclaimed Shoreditch Vietnamese restaurant, Viet Grill, has won 'best value' category of the Independent on Sunday restaurant critic Terry Duracks' annual restaurant awards, 'The Terrys'.

The Westerly wins Rémy Martin’s ‘Restaurant Excellence Award’

Jon amd Cynthia Coomb, proprietors of The Westerly in Reigate, have announced that the restaurant has been selected as the winner of the Rémy Martin ‘Restaurant Excellence Award 2008’ in conjunction with Harden’s UK Restaurant Guide. Over 8,000 people contributed to Harden’s UK Restaurant Guide 2008 submitting more than 100,000 reviews. From these a shortlist of restaurants was drawn up for the Rémy Martin Excellence Award.

A taste of luxury at Harrods

The famous Fish Hall will be offering a complete taste of the sea at the revamped Oyster bar in Harrods. In association with Caviar House and Prunier, the new bar will offer a gourmand’s selection of the finest seasonal oysters available, as well as a selection of seafood platters and caviar.

New Caviar and Seafood Bar opens at Harrods

The latest restaurant in Harrods celebrates the bounty available from the sea. In association with Caviar House and Prunier, the new bar will offer eleven different caviars, ranging from the ‘Traditional’ caviar, with firm dark eggs and a full flavour, to ‘Beluga’ caviar, sourced from the largest sturgeon, with large grey coloured grains and a distinctive creamy aftertaste.

Chef & brewer wins national pub food award

Consistent innovation and a commitment to dishing up first class food has helped Burton pub company the Spirit Group scoop a national industry award. Spirit won Retail Concept of the Year at the annual Publican Pub Food Awards for its Chef and Brewer pubs, which offer customers high quality food with great service in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere.

Introducing Waterloo Brasserie

Waterloo Brasserie (119 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL) launches on Monday 3 December and is the second restaurant from the team behind the Cheyne Walk Brasserie in Chelsea. Waterloo Brasserie will offer an all day dining experience serving classic brasserie-style dishes from breakfast through to dinner.

PIADA - Italian slow food, fast and fresh

PIADA, located at 12-14 St John Street, London, opened in Smithfield Market in September 2006, with a second restaurant just opened in Soho’s Frith Street. Piade - or piadine as they are also known – are a unique Italian flatbread hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region of northeast Italy and considered by many to be one of the country’s most delicious forms of street food.

Christmas cabaret arrives at Hi Sushi Salsa

Hi sushi salsa, the Japanese restaurant offering a touch of Latino cuisine, is proud to announce the launch of its boutique cabaret nights. On Thursday 6th December and 13th December unique live performances will take place in the intimate restaurant and bar.

Yates’ offer free children’s meals

Yates’s, the high street bar owned and operated by The Laurel Pub Company is offering an early Christmas present to those families with children under 10 years of age. If you order a main course from the Yates’s menu, children under 10 can have a meal from the children’s menu, which also includes a fruit drink absolutely free.

Anchor & Hope - The UK’s top Gastropub

The Anchor & Hope in Southwark, London, has been voted the UK’s top gastropub in a prestigious industry poll. The Top 30 Gastropub Awards is organised by PubChef magazine, the food magazine of leading pub trade newspaper the Morning Advertiser.

Xin: A new dining concept at Harrods

With grazing being all the rage, Londoners are embracing the concept of sharing several dishes, rather than ordering a traditional three course meal. Harrods’ latest restaurant, Xin, will focus on a Chinese practice that is perfect for this style of eating: Dim Sum.

Get the full Enchilada at The Printworks

A South American heat wave has hit The Printworks as Mexican bar and grill, Chiquito, opens its doors to Manchester. Famous for its lively Latin American atmosphere and delicious Mexican food, Chiquito offers diners of Manchester an alternative to the usual restaurants found in the city centre.

January detox at Tamarai

What better way to kick start the new year, sticking to all those resolutions made just after midnight to get back into shape after the excess of Christmas than by sampling a range of healthy pan Asian dishes and a selection of detox cocktails at Tamarai in Covent Garden.

New Town restaurant gets brand new look

An award winning New Town restaurant has unveiled a brand new look in time for Christmas. Haldanes Restaurant, located on Dundas Street, has created a chic upstairs bistro and an intimate lounge area downstairs to compliment the main dining area.

50% off at award winning celebrity favourite - Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar

With the festive period long embedded into the memory banks of food and cocktail aficionados alike, Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar welcomes diners into the New Year with their award winning modern Indian cuisine and guarantees to take food revellers through an ever exotic gastronomic tour of India in 2008.

A recipe for success in Pickering

Head Chef, Darren Clemmit, at the noted White Swan Inn, Pickering, North Yorkshire, has a foolproof way of making the perfect risotto that ensures a wonderful result with just an investment of good ingredients and a little time.

Bohemia introduces the ultimate dining experience

In February 2008 Bohemia Bar & Restaurant is set to transform Jersey dining again with the introduction of a wonderful Chefs Table for six people in the heart of the kitchen and two new leather-walled private dining rooms.

lastminute.com to hold London Restaurant Week

Online travel and leisure retailer lastminute.com will launch its second London Restaurant Week on 14 April. Following last year’s success, the event will run for two weeks.

New Year, new restaurant for Bond Street

Take a fresh look at the new Spaghetti House opening just in time for the New Year at 12 Woodstock Street, W1. Part of one of the most successful and time-honoured Italian restaurant groups in London, this 60-seater ‘ristorantino’ nestled between Bond Street and Oxford Street, breathes originality into the original concept.

Fifteen Cornwall reaps Eden coffee bean harvest

Fifteen Cornwall has taken it’s pursuit of finding the freshest and tastiest local ingredients one step further by harvesting coffee grown in Eden’s Rainforest Biome, in their bid to make what is believed to be one of the first cups of coffee made from beans grown in the UK.

Add some California sunshine to your lunchtime

Pure California eateries are offering a taste of sunshine on these dull winter days and a great New Year’s solution to anyone wanting to feel fit, healthy and trim but still keen to enjoy a variety of great-tasting grub.

Ladies luncheon at Artisan

This January, the Westbury Hotel is proud to offer their new ladies lunch menu (available for all but tailored particularly to ladies who lunch) and what better way to recuperate from the madness of the January sales that in the calm surroundings of Artisan, The Westbury's elegant restaurant, situated on Bond Street.

New restaurant brings a touch of finesse to traditional Polish cooking

The Knaypa Restaurant, an idea conceived by owner Monika Milcarz, is suitably located in Hammersmith, London, home to the UK’s largest Polish community. The restaurant is a result of Monika’s penchant for the London restaurant scene and her pang for good quality home cooked Polish food.

Valentine's Day - Oysters are the food of love

For the ultimate seduction package for Valentine’s Day, Matthew Harris, head chef of Bibendum, shares his secrets of opening and preparing oysters – and there’s something truly sexy about a man who can competently open a dozen oysters. If you’re not up to the challenge at home, consider Bibendum’s Oyster Bar as a truly romantic venue for the 14th February.

Whitby restaurant serves up pioneering website

Award winning restaurant, Green’s of Whitby, North Yorkshire, is just a seagull’s cry away from the harbour of this important fishing Port, where each morning Rob Green - chef/owner - selects his ‘catch of the day’ from the trawlers.

Good Food Guide targets London

After 56 years as Britain’s leading restaurant review, The Good Food Guide is taking the best elements of the UK Guide to champion the London restaurant scene. The Good Food Guide London explores the full diversity of London eateries, from Brick Lane curry houses to world-renowned hotel restaurants.

Romantic revellers should head to The Club Bar & Dining

The Club Bar & Dining is offering a delicious Valentines Menu this February 14th for romantic revellers. Opened in August 2006, The Club Bar & Dining is a restaurant and bar located on Warwick Street, W1.

Enjoy the best of Scottish at Prism Restaurant & Bar

Prism Restaurant and Bar, in the heart of the City of London, will be celebrating the best of Scottish produce and entertainment this January with a selection of celebratory events taking place in the run up to Burn’s Night on Friday 25 January.

The Regent launches the ‘retox burger’

Tucked away just behind the main drag of Kensal Green, The Regent has quickly established itself as a firm neighbourhood favourite since its launch in March 2007.

Do your dream of running your own restaurant?

BBC Two's The Restaurant is set to return for a second series later this year. In the show, world-renowned chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc offers one couple the opportunity of a lifetime – to go into business with him, opening their own restaurant.

New Head Chef for prestigious Aldwark Manor

The prestigious four-star Aldwark Manor hotel, near York, part of the Q Hotels Group, has welcomed back Bruce McDowell as its new Head Chef. Bruce spent three successful years at Aldwark Manor as Senior Sous Chef and has now returned to manage all aspects of the hotel’s catering operations, including its award-winning two AA rosette restaurant.

New Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2008

The new Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2008 is launched on Friday 25 January priced at £15.99 (€23.20 in Ireland).

Romance is on the menu at Wyboston Lakes

Wyboston Lakes is setting the pace for starry-eyed lovers in Bedfordshire and its borders this St Valentine’s Day. Discreetly nestled amongst Wyboston Lakes 350 acres of parkland, The Waterfront Brasserie will be embracing the spirit of romance with a menu specially designed for the most amorous of days.

La Parmigiana announced as Best Italian in Scotland

La Parmigiana, one of Glasgow’s oldest Italian restaurants, has been recognised as the Best Italian in Scotland at the Scottish Restaurant Awards 2008.

Jazz supernova to sing at Octave on Valentine's

Want to make an impressive gesture for your loved one this Valentine's Day? Then Octave, Covent Garden's luxurious live music supper club, has the answer; it's the only place in the Capital combining a world-class jazz band, a tempting menu and vibrant environment. Their special Valentine evening is guaranteed to set hearts aflutter.

Truffles top off new Croma pizza

Leeds based Gourmet Pizza Restaurant ‘Croma’ is celebrating a successful launch of their delectable Truffle Pizza.

Dinner dating secrets revealed

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, toptable.co.uk surveyed their diners to reveal some surprising secrets behind Britain’s dinner dates.

Spanish ambience and award winning wine

Barcelona Tapas Y Restaurante – the home of warm Spanish ambience, delicious tapas and award-winning wine provides Londoners with an authentic taste of Spain in the middle of The City.

Garlic breath – No longer a sin

Garlic has always been thought of a sure fire way to end your date early, but today nearly nine tenths (88%) of Brits say they no longer mind their love interest eating garlic.

New eateries to dine for

As part of the ongoing development of HARRODS102, three new concepts will be opening, which will cement the store as a dedicated destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Thai House toasts to Moet partnership

Cardiff diners can now combine award-winning cuisine with a range of exclusive wines and champagnes, thanks to a partnership struck between a city restaurant and one of the world’s leading luxury drinks companies – Moet-Hennessy.

SenSpa – The hottest place in Hampshire

Get ‘Hot and Spicy’ at SenSpa on March 31st with an Indian Keralese Cooking demonstration, followed by a luxurious sit down dinner. Join husband and wife team Sunil and Sunitha Kanjanghat, as they demonstrate how to make their region’s most popular dishes.

Young Chefs on the rise in the Michelin Guide France 2008

Featuring more than 600 new addresses, the 2008 edition of the Michelin Guide France attests to the growing stature of a new wave of young chefs who emphasise product quality while expressing their own personalities through the dishes they serve.

June roses and rosé

For the month of June 2008, Jeremy’s Restaurant in the heart of the West Sussex countryside, will be realising the cooking potential of flowers, namely roses, to coincide with Borde Hill Garden’s Rose Month in June.

Buckinghamshire restaurant launches mobile menu

Award winning restaurant, The Plough in Wavendon, Buckinghamshire is extending its offering with a unique mobile phone tool designed to give customers an unsurpassed level of service ‘in their pocket’. Already The Plough has received praise for its excellence of service, culinary creativity and not to mention a national award for the restaurant’s garden and landscaping.

Lyon chefs serve up a first for the UK

Marketing Birmingham is working with the city’s top restaurants an Birmingham City Council on a new Europe-wide culinary network called Delice, the Good Food Cities of the World.

Chocolate heaven at Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Café

Throughout the month of March, Harvey Nichols will be celebrating the extravagance of chocolate with a series of exclusive promotions and product launches in London. Chocoholics will be pleased to hear that Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café will be serving an inspired chocolate laced dinner menu for a limited period of time from 17-31 March, with each dish featuring everyone’s favourite indulgence.

Locale announce new venue in East Dulwich

Locale, a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, has announced the opening of their fourth restaurant in East Dulwich, London in late April 2008. Locale’s winning combination of excellent Italian cuisine, intimate, comfortable atmosphere, friendly service as well as value for money has meant that their restaurants have become a firm favourite with diners in their existing restaurants in Blackheath, County Hall and Fulham.

Discreet dining at The Commonwealth Club

The Commonwealth Club’s Head Chef Mark Page is devising bespoke seasonal menus that feature a number of growing dining trends. Set in the heart of England’s establishment, the Commonwealth Club is home to the Royal Commonwealth Society. Its central location and exclusivity make it the perfect location for private, discreet dinners, to upscale social sit-downs for up to 220 people.

A new chapter for Brunello Restaurant

This Spring sees the launch of a new chapter at Brunello Restaurant in the five star Baglioni Hotel, London. From the 10th of March 2008, Brunello introduces newly appointed Head Chef Andrea Vercelli, alongside a stunning new Back to Basics menu that features a simplified range of comforting Italian classics.

London posh nosh for less dosh

Swanky London restaurants aren’t out of your price range – take advantage of their bargain set lunch menus, says The Good Food Guide London. Some highly regarded restaurants offer excellent three-course set lunch deals, often for less than a meal in a standard gastropub. Eating at these top-end establishments in the evening could cost £100 or more, so lunch for less than £20 is a steal.

Brighton restaurants hit the UK top 10

OpenTable, the leading provider of free, online restaurant reservations for diners as well as guest and table management systems for restaurants, is pleased to announce that Brighton’s Momma Cherri restaurant has made it into their Top 10 Booked Restaurant List.

Harvey Nichols to host wine dinner with Lebanese Winery

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant will host a special wine dinner on Wednesday 23 April with boutique Lebanese Winery Massaya. Massaya’s three reds, two whites and rosé wines will be matched to a three course tasting dinner exclusively created by Executive Chef Jonas Karlsson. Priced at £40 per person, customers will also have the chance to meet acclaimed winemaker, Sami Ghosn on the evening.

Gaucho launches summer menu

Gaucho Restaurants are launching their new Summer Menus on April the 14th, which will include a mouth-watering range of seasonal Argentine food specialities rarely seen in the UK. Famed for their Argentine gastronomy and for the UK’s largest collection of Argentine wine, the Gaucho Restaurants’ summer menu will focus on Argentina’s indigenous foods, with a special emphasis on Patagonia in the south.

A new pearl in an old shell

Now in its ninetieth year, Bentley’s first opened its doors in 1916 in the same beautiful old Victorian building it occupies today on the borders of Soho and Mayfair. Bentley’s combines a relaxed oyster bar with a more formal Grill restaurant, plus three private rooms, arranged over three floors.

Saki launches London’s first Shojin Kaiseki tasting menu

Saki Bar and Food Emporium, the contemporary and authentic Japanese restaurant in Smithfield will launch London’s first Shojin Kaiseki menu on 19th May. Shojin Kaiseki is an integral part of Japanese cuisine that features strictly vegetarian Ingredients in its many refined dishes, all of which are steeped in tradition and history, dating back to the introduction of Buddhism in Japan back in the 6th Century.

Chef opens England’s highest restaurant

A restaurant will open for business on top of one of England’s highest mountains on Wednesday 14th May. Local celebrity chef Peter Sidwell will be serving three course lunches on top of Skiddaw in the Lake District on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th of May as part of the Cumberland Ale Keswick Mountain Festival.

Food to touch your heart in Wembley

Alisan Restaurant, whose unique Golden Dumpling dim sum was recently feted by Restaurant Magazine’s ‘Best Dishes’ Awards, has introduced a new dim sum menu. Lunchtime diners at much-acclaimed modern Cantonese restaurant opposite Wembley Stadium, have a selection of more than 140 dim sum dishes from which to choose.

Internationally acclaimed chef to create new restaurant

Ronnie Ben-Zur, owner of the new La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa, has reached an agreement with one of the world’s most acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs to create a signature, fine-dining restaurant on the grounds of the Lake Conroe retreat.

Culinary couple’s national coup

A culinary couple from Artisan Restaurant, in Hessle, East Yorkshire has been short-listed alongside some of the Country’s most famous chefs in a major National Restaurant Award.

A taste of the lakes in the heart of Knightsbridge

This September, during British Food Fortnight, diners at Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant will have the opportunity to experience the charm and cuisine of Michelin-starred Sharrow Bay hotel, in the heart of Knightsbridge. For one week only customers will forgo their green wellies, Barbour jackets and travel to the Lake District to enjoy Sharrow Bay’s acclaimed menus, as their chef’s move into the Harvey Nichols kitchens in the heart of London.

Game, set and match at Megaro

The new Megaro Bar, situated moments from St. Pancras station is offering complimentary strawberries and cream with any champagne or cocktail purchase. “Champagne and strawberries are a great British tradition at Wimbledon and what better way to kick start the Championships than great British strawberries & cream with an ice cold glass of Champagne, Pimms or your favourite cocktail” said General Manager, Francisco Ventura.

TV’s Ben Miller to host fund raising event at Fifteen Cornwall

Acclaimed actor and comedian Ben Miller will host a special fund-raising dinner and auction at Fifteen Cornwall as part of the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival. The restaurant’s Executive Chef Neil Haydock has devised a six-course tasting menu for the Friday 25 July event, where Ben Miller will compere an auction to benefit the charities Surf Relief UK and the Cornwall Foundation of Promise. Ben Miller stayed at Watergate Bay last summer while filming ITV’s Moving Wallpaper, the partner show to Echo Beach. He also stars in the BBC1 comedy series The Armstrong and Miller Show.

A hidden treasure brings a glimpse of Morocco to W1

Nestled on an inconspicuous street corner equidistant to trendy Marylebone High Street and bustling Edgware Road, Occo Restaurant and Bar is a stunning venue that successfully transports the style, flavours and culture of native Morocco to London. Sam Ahmimed, the establishment’s proprietor, hails from the city of Tangier, a place renowned for it’s international connections and colourful past.

Aldo Zilli opens new restaurant

Charismatic chef Aldo Zilli has recently opened his newest restaurant, Zilli Brasserie, to coincide with the official launch of myhotel Brighton. Walking into the 120 seat al fresco space through the open expanse of Jubilee Square, Zilli’s diners are greeted by beautifully flowing design accented with graceful curves and sparkling crystals.

‘Rasoi’ celebrates successful first year in business

The owners of one of Leamington’s most popular Indian restaurants “Rasoi” have just celebrated their first year in business. Ranjeev and Sharan Atwal, from Leamington Spa, took over the lease of the former Lloyds TSB bank in October 2006. After an extensive refurbishment programme costing tens of thousands of pounds, Rasoi opened at the end of May 2007.

London’s hardest-working Indian restaurant celebrates 23 years

Babur, London’s hardest-working Indian restaurant, is about to celebrate its 23rd anniversary with a tasting menu made to match five exceptional wines. The 23rd baburthday celebration begins 17 July and runs until 31 August.

A corner of Lyon in South Kensington

Ambassade de l’Ile is the London debut of two Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex, which opens its doors to the public at the beginning of July. This former personal chef to Christina Onassis is, as yet, relatively unknown outside the gastronomic city of Lyon.

Zilli Fish introduces all day set menu

Aldo Zilli’s flagship Soho restaurant, Zilli Fish is proud to unveil a delicious and authentic Italian menu for theatre lovers and food lovers alike. Zilli Fish is the perfect location for diners wishing to dine before and after a show, being situated right at the heart of London’s theatreland.

Tamarai introduces a new take on vegetarian cuisine

Tamarai, Covent Gardens best loved restaurant and late night bar launches a stunning new selection of healthy vegetarian dishes. These sublime new creations can be accompanied by a selection of refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails and smoothies, perfect for the heat of the hot mid summer days and balmy nights. Tamarai recently celebrated winning the Theme Award for the Best Late Night Bar in the UK, another reason to visit this dynamically vibrant venue.

Swedish Crayfish season kicks off at Fifth Floor Café

The official Swedish crayfish season kicks off every year in the second week of August and runs to the end of the month. The Fifth Floor Restaurant and Café’s Swedish Executive Chef Jonas Karlsson, like most of his countrymen, is a lover of this native treat and pays homage to his heritage by introducing a brand new sharing dish to the menu at The Fifth Floor Café during this short but very sweet season.

A truly Indian summer

Acclaimed food writer and broadcaster Mridula Baljekar has devised a fabulous summer menu for London’s Atithi restaurant. An Indian summer conjures up images of blue skies, long lazy sunny days, the hauntingly delicate scent of fresh flowers, market stalls with their colourful displays …and spicy food with cooling accompaniments!

The Great Inns of Britain celebrate the ‘Best Of British’

As winter approaches, this is the time of year when we look forward to wholesome and warming British comfort food. Exclusively in the months of October to November, The Great Inns of Britain (greatinns.co.uk) will be celebrating the return of winter by showcasing a fabulous array of dishes that use Great British Beers, Ales & Liqueurs on their menus. The chef at each Inn will choose an exclusive selection of dishes to reflect the regional specialities and produce in that area.

Game on at Fifteen Cornwall

Local game will be taking centre stage at Fifteen Cornwall this autumn with a special offer three-course ‘Game On!’ lunches for just £19.50 between 29th Sept - 24th October (Mondays to Fridays). Game On! is part of the Cornwall Celebration of Food festival; one of the biggest food events in the South West to promote Cornwall's fabulous local food scene.

Le Bouchon Breton launches in the heart of Spitalfields Market

Le Bouchon Breton will open in Spitalfields Market on Friday 3rd of October 2008. Breton, an impressive 200 cover brasserie, champagne and shellfish bar is the brainchild of restaurateur and ex money broker Ian Stoppani and culinary heavyweight Michel Roux Jr.

An exciting new restaurant concept in the heart of Kent

Celebrity TV Chef, Richard Phillips has joined forces with Chapel Down wines in Kent to launch a restaurant with a menu that perfectly fits with the best award winning English wines in the country. Richard who can be seen regularly on 'Ready Steady Cook', and ITV’s Daily Cooks, is looking forward to establishing ‘Richard Phillips@Chapel Down’ as one of the premiere eateries in the South East.

The restaurant industry’s hottest city addresses

Where does Heston Blumenthal go to make an impression; Jancis Robinson to abuse the wine list; and Anthony Bourdain for a no-expense spared blow-out? New restaurant guides from Hg2 (due to hit the shelves in November 2008), Eat London and Eat New York, have the answers.

Signor Zilli goes back to the Eighties

Signor Zilli will celebrate its twenty years as a Soho institution by offering an eighties style menu at eighties prices for one week only between 15th September - 20th September.

Michelin Pub of the Year 2009

The Punch Bowl Inn, Crosthwaite, Cumbria has been selected as the Michelin Pub of the Year 2009 in Michelin’s Eating Out in Pubs guide, which is launched on 3 September, priced at £14.99.

Festival fans needn’t go Hungry

Throughout August 2008, The Stockbridge Restaurant in Edinburgh is offering a special pre-theatre menu for festival fans. The restaurant’s head chef and Scottish City Chef of the Year, Jason Gallagher, will be serving up his trademark delicious dishes from 18.00 to 19.00 on weekdays at the tasty price of £16.95 for two courses and £19.95 for three courses.

Catch it, cook it, eat it!

Foodies from across the country are being invited to ‘catch’, cook and eat their dinner every Thursday between November and March at the two AA rosette Torridon Restaurant in Wester Ross.

Double award celebrations for The Granville at Barford

The Granville @ Barford is celebrating the fact that it has been nominated for two local prestigious food & drink awards. The Granville has been nominated for ‘Best Dining Pub/Inn’ in the highly coveted Coventry & Warwickshire Food & Drink Awards 2008. Last year The Granville beat tough competition to win both ‘Best Restaurant’ and ‘Champion of Local Produce’. The Granville will find out whether it has won for a second year on Tuesday 18 November at an awards ceremony at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Get fruity this Autumn at Occo

Nestled on an inconspicuous street corner equidistant to trendy Marylebone High Street and bustling Edgware Road, Occo Restaurant and Bar is a stunning venue that successfully transports the style, flavours and culture of native Morocco to London.

Make a pilgrimage to Belgo for Oktoberfeast

Legendary Moules & Frites establishment, Belgo (London), has recruited a “Beerologist” to unearth the best Belgian beers for its forthcoming “Oktoberfeast menu”. The Beerologist, Sam Hjelm, has made the pilgrimage to Belgium to track down the World’s most eclectic and delicious beers, which include Trappist brews, still made by Monks using traditional medieval recipes.

Pizza Hut changes its name

For the first time in the company’s 50 year history, Pizza Hut is changing its name. Pizza Hut has changed a lot over the past few years – with huge investment in its restaurants, significant nutritional changes and the launch of a delicious range of 12 Tuscani pastas. To mark the dawn of a new era for the company and because it is so confident in its new menu, Pizza Hut has decided to change its name to Pasta Hut.

A special pizza art

To commemorate Pizza Hut’s name change to ‘Pasta Hut’, food artist Prudence Emma Staite has put ‘penne to paper’ and created a modern twist on another Italian classic by reproducing ‘The Mona Lisagne.’ From October 7th, one of the world’s most well known and loved brands undergoes a change of identity. After 50 years as the nation’s leading pizza restaurant, Pizza Hut is renaming itself Pasta Hut.

French brasserie set to makes it mark on Spitalfields Market

Le Bouchon Breton will open on Wednesday 8th of October 2008 in Spitalfields Market. Breton, an impressive French brasserie, champagne and shellfish bar is the brainchild of restaurateur and ex money broker Ian Stoppani and culinary heavyweight Michel Roux Jr. Nicolas Laridan who has spent the last seven years as Head Chef at Le Gavroche is running the kitchen of Breton, with Francois Bertrand, Le Gavroche’s beloved ex sommelier, brought in to tackle both the extensive wine list of over 700 bins and the 40 cover Champagne bar, Bertrand is also the Restaurant Manager.

A distinctive local menu

The Granville @ Barford is once again celebrating after winning another prestigious food & drink award. The Granville won "Most Distinctive Local Menu" in the Warwickshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2008, which celebrate Warwickshire’s best producers, suppliers and restaurants. The Granville was one of three finalists in the category beating off competition from The Bluebell in Henley in Arden and The Bridge at Bidford.

Indulge yourself at the Wee Restaurant, Queensferry

Queensferry’s Wee Restaurant will be holding a wine and food tasting evening on the 10th November 2008 in conjunction with Wine Merchant - L'art Du Vin. Craig Wood, Chef and proprietor of The Wee Restaurant works closely with Philippe Larue of L'art Du Vin to match a selection of superb wines with a special four course dinner menu of Scottish seafood and shellfish.

Warm up this winter with British pub grub favourites

Think winter British pub food and you’ll no doubt have images of rich tender beef stew and dumplings and hot crumble with lashings of custard. Well, at Town and City’s pubs you’ll not be disappointed by the latest Autumn Winter menu.

Italian spirit hits Wokingham

Zizzi Ristorante has opened in Wokingham High Street offering diners a diverse range of Italian food and wine in a chic setting. The ristorante, ideally located a short walk from the town hall, boasts rustic wooden floors and a light and spacious conservatory area to welcome hungry shoppers. The delicious food, prepared with passion has been created by Italian chef, Angelo Garofalo and based on high-quality, fresh ingredients and explores both traditional and contemporary Italian food trends that will please the most discerning palate.

Burger King gives online users a tasty bite

The new-look burgerking.co.uk is aimed at encouraging burger lovers to head online and discover what makes Burger King the home of the best quality burger on the high street. The new site brings to life Burger King’s core value of ‘Have it Your Way’, including improved nutrition and allergen data for users to make informed choices about the products they’re ordering.

The Exhibition Rooms opens in Crystal Palace

The Exhibition Rooms, a brand new modern British restaurant and bar situated on Westlow Hill, in the heart of leafy Crystal Palace opens its doors to the public this week. This ultimate neighbourhood restaurant serving modern British Food and an eclectic range of cocktails in the opulent downstairs bar and snug is the brainchild of Nick Christodoulou, Wills Logue, David Massey and Geoff Ridgeon.

Restaurant prepares a 21-course extravaganza

A Lake District chef is preparing to serve up a massive 21-course meal to launch a new food festival. The Ultimate Cumbrian Taster Menu, thought to be the most courses ever served up in a North West restaurant, has been created to show the diversity and quality of Cumbrian produce.

A new menu for London’s Grand Union Bar Grill

The Grand Union Bar-Grill will launch its new menu this weekend across their 4 London sites (Camden, Twickenham, Islington, Highgate). The menu is an extension of the Gourmet Burger and Cocktail concept, with 14 new burgers and salads, and over double the cocktails and shots.

Zizzi Ristorante introduces Italian spirit to Finchley

Zizzi Ristorante has opened at the Finchley 02 shopping centre offering local diners a diverse range of Italian food and wine in a chic setting. The ristorante, located on the first floor of the revitalised Finchley 02 shopping centre, next to the Vue cinema, is ideally located for shoppers who are looking to take a break from retail therapy or want to enjoy dinner before a movie.

Gourmet Overnight at Tyddyn Llan

Tyddyn Llan the highly acclaimed Restaurant with Rooms, and winner of numerous accolades is offering an ultimate luxury gourmet experience for those looking for a purely relaxing few days. The Gourmet Overnight has been created so guests can enjoy the finest seasonal foods available, cooked by Chef Bryan Webb and served in the luxurious dining room at Tyddyn Llan.

Fifteen reasons to visit Fifteen Cornwall

Fifteen Cornwall offers an innovative menu of the best seasonal and local produce, a relaxed atmosphere, talented chefs – and an incredible view over a beautiful two-mile beach. There’s more to Fifteen Cornwall than fantastic food, though, and just in case you need an excuse to visit, here are fifteen reasons to visit.

The Captain’s Galley nets Best Fish Restaurant award

Scrabster seafood restaurant The Captain’s Galley is fast gathering gastronomic pace with its latest accolade: Best Fish Restaurant in the UK as voted by the Which? Good Food Guide 2009.

Celebrate Thanksgiving Day at The Brunel, Battersea

Give thanks at the Brunel next Thursday November 27, as the Battersea bar celebrates Thanksgiving Day with some special celebratory cocktails and some mighty fine pumpkin pie.

Top chef provides French style at Lake District food festival

One of the North West’s most renowned chefs will be taking charge of the kitchen for a special night of Classic French cuisine during the first Waterhead Food Festival in the Lake District next week.

Michelin starred Mauro Uliassi opens Domani in Hong Kong

Domani, opened on 7 November (Friday), with the ambition to be Hong Kong’s finest Italian dining establishment. With Mauro Uliassi, a Michelin star chef behind the menu, a contemporary and artistic glass gazebo to call home and a relaxed ambience of modern elegance, Domani is set to reignite Hong Kong’s dining scene.

East London brasserie launches stunning take-away menu

Le Bouchon Breton, East London's best loved super brasserie, situated in the heart of bustling Old Spitalfields Market launches a stunning new “Emporter” take away menu following the “Bouchon” tradition of superb, honest Gallic food, now available to eat where you like.

Christmas at Number Twelve

Executive Chef at Number Twelve restaurant, Santino Busciglio has selected the very highest quality Copas Turkeys to serve at his restaurant this Christmas. Described as; "succulent & packed with flavour - a king amongst turkeys" by the Mail on Sunday and as having "an intense flavour & moistness" by The Sunday Times, Copas Turkeys really are the very best.

Reclaim your lunch hour

Despite being legally entitled to a full hour lunch break each day, in reality most of us rarely indulge in anything beyond a rushed-sandwich-eaten-over-the-office-desk. With the doom and gloom of the credit crunch and the dark winter evenings drawing in, Cocoon, the pan-Asian restaurant on Regent Street, is urging Londoners to reclaim their lunch hour to have a good meal, de-stress, catch up with friends – and get away from those office desks.

Domani chef wins second Michelin Star

Mauro Uliassi, consultant chef and menu creator of Hong Kong’s spectacular new Italian restaurant, Domani in Pacific Place, has today been awarded his second Michelin star for his Uliassi Restaurant in Senigallia, Italy, joining a select group numbering less than 30 restaurants in 2007.

Gilgamesh introduces black rice menu

Acclaimed Head Chef Ian Pengelley has proudly unveiled an Asian black rice menu at Camden’s Gilgamesh restaurant this spring. Ian has created a menu of five eclectic dishes all incorporating black rice, and ranging from sushi to tempura.

Each day is Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day might be a week away, but why wait until then for an amorous dinner? The Good Food Guide names ten of the UK's most romantic restaurants on any day of the year.

Whatley Manor chef wins second Michelin Star

In the 2009 Michelin Star awards Martin Burge, Head Chef at Whatley Manor has won his 2nd Michelin Star. Burge, aged 37, achieved his first star in January 2005, 18 months after the exclusive 23 bedroomed hotel opened in July 2003, in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside.

Beaulieu restaurant celebrates first Michelin Star

The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu has gone all starry eyed as it has just announced that it has gained a Michelin star, for its fantastic oak panelled dining room, The Terrace.

Fifteen Cornwall to celebrate third birthday

This summer, Fifteen Cornwall reaches its third birthday and to help the restaurant celebrate, world-class celebrity chef, Michael Caines will be joining the Fifteen Cornwall kitchen team. With two Michelin stars to his name at Gidleigh Park, Michael will help create a sublime menu for one night only on Wednesday 20th May.

Café Fish opens its doors in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s latest restaurant, Café Fish, is set to open its doors today. Located on The Shore, Edinburgh’s well-known foodie quarter, Café Fish will be serving only the very best of local and Scottish produce in a relaxed atmosphere and at an excellent price.

The sweet taste of success

Chapters Hotel and Restaurant, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, has been enjoying the sweet taste of success, thanks to their Head Chef Sean Wilkinson.

Barford pub voted number one eatery

The Granville @ Barford has been voted the number one eatery by The Independent newspaper in their “50 Best Cheap Eats” feature. The feature included eateries from across the UK that served up the best breakfast, lunch and dinner on a budget.

A new era for The Grill at The Dorchester

The Dorchester, the iconic London flagship of the Dorchester Collection, has appointed Brian Hughson as Head Chef of The Grill to once again place it at the forefront of the London dining scene and to re-establish its credentials as one of the UK’s best restaurants showcasing classic British cuisine.

Sample the wonders of Pan-Asian cuisine

This summer critically acclaimed Pan-Asian restaurant Gilgamesh will open a food market. For Monday nights only, the glamorous Babylon Lounge will be transformed into a vibrant food market reminiscent of the authentic hawker markets found in so many Asian countries.

tibits celebrates National Vegetarian Week

This National Vegetarian Week, 18th – 24th May, London restaurant ‘tibits’ is the place to get your five-a-day, and you’ll be in good company - international singing sensation Leona Lewis, model Lisa Snowdon, comedian Dave Spikey, actress Gina McKee and TV presenter Alex Kramer have all had their five-a-day at tibits.

Brits expect encore and more from dinner dates

Cash-conscious diners aren’t quite singing for their suppers, but they are demanding opera with their hors d’oeuvres and divas serving dessert. Bel Canto Restaurant has seen a surge in customers for their famous opera dinners, where future stars of the opera world serve the food and also sing popular arias from Verdi, Puccini and Mozart.