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Food Reviews

COLOMBIAN POPUP
Intercontinental 

I’ve enjoyed a very chic afternoon tea at the Intercontinental on many occasions. But, when I was invited to sample their Colombian pop up, I was intrigued...
by FIONA MACLEAN

Although the London food scene is full of Peruvian and Argentinian restaurants, Colombia is one part of South America that seems to have been overlooked.

And then, The Intercontinental invited one of South America’s most celebrated chefs, Harry Sasson, to take over Cookbook Cafe from 17th to 25th of May and showcase the best of his modern Colombian cuisine.

Harry now has five restaurants in Bogota, but before he opened his first, he spent a year travelling through Colombia looking for the best local dishes that he could serve.

Red LineHis aim to take diners through a culinary journey, exploring the history and culture of Colombia seems to have paid off.

We started with ceviche – which was so good I went back for a second helping. My first dish was a mixed seafood - classic ceviche. But the second bowlful was a tuna ceviche marinaded in coconut and chili.

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Food Reviews

5cc COCKTAIL BAR
Islington

Hidden away up the stairs of the Exmouth Arms pub in Exmouth Market, the 5cc offers vintage-inspired cocktails in a cosy space. by NICOLA ROTHERY

The cocktail bar’s menu and décor attribute to the old fashioned speakeasy atmosphere.

Unless you know about 5cc above the Exmouth Arms, you would literally walk past its normal, unbecoming door. But inside is a different story. Comfortable sofas around small dark wooden tables with candles create a low-lit ambiance juxtaposed with the quirky artwork that lines the walls.

The menu is quite concise in offering gin, rum, and a few whisky based cocktails—all with a vintage feel.

Red Line"5cc at Exmouth Arms is the ideal location for catching up with friends mid-week or pre-dinner drinks on a first date."

Behind the bar there is a beautiful apothecary cabinet that houses vintage bottles of self-pour bespoke mixes from 5cc’s “Forgotten Range.”.

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Smiths-of-Smithfield-Food-Review-Intro

Food Reviews

SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD
The City

Opened some fourteen years ago, much of Smiths of Smithfields has remained just as it was.
by FIONA MACLEAN

A Grade II listed Victorian building, it houses four floors of dining, with a café on the ground floor, cocktail bar on the floor above, casual dining on the second floor and formal dining on the top floor. Each level has a unique feel, and yet there’s a sense of consistency about what might otherwise be a rather vacuous space.

At the time Smiths of Smithfields opened, the New York Warehouse styling was unusual in London.

Much copied over the years, Smiths of Smithfield now has a timeless, comfortable feel to it.

Red Line"I went along recently to try the newly refurbished first floor cocktail bar. It’s comfier, cosier and an easier space than the original, but still very much part of the same family."

And if what you are looking for is to relax with excellent bar snacks and a few cocktails in the comfort of distressed leather armchairs, it’s a great place to be.

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Churchill-Bar-London-Intro

Food Reviews

THE CHURCHILL BAR & TERRACE
Marylebone

Offering a range of exquisite British and Winston Churchill inspired cocktails and a cozy private terrace, the Churchill Bar & Terrace at Hyatt Regency London should be next on your chic list! by NICOLA ROTHERY

From the menu to the décor, the bar seamlessly incorporates symbols of a young Winston Churchill. The bar’s design was created by Brigitta Spinocchia from Bespoke London. Bespoke successfully combines the legacy of Churchill with a refreshing modern twist that is ideal for young professionals grabbing a drink after work or a couple on a first date.

Among the bookcases that line the yacht-inspired walls there are hand-knitted animals representing one of Churchill’s personality quirks of using his children’s toys as book markers.

Red Line"Officially opening in May, the terrace adds to the unique feel of the Churchill Bar as few bars in Marylebone or West London offer outside seating."

On the terrace, a life-size bronze statue of Churchill, “In Conversation” by Lawrence Holofcener, sits on a chair among guests.

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One-Aldwych-Afternoon-Tea

Food Reviews

ONE ALDWYCH
Covent Garden

Afternoon tea is the very essence of all that is Best of British, but is it really chic? by FIONA MACLEAN

Of course a glass of Lallier Reserve champagne helps. Or, in the case of my companion a Floral Martini.

I’m not normally a great Martini fan, but this was a delicate, sweet drink, perfect for spring. And comfortable but elegant seating with fabulous picture windows out onto The Aldwych make for a good start.

The Lobby at One Aldwych, with high ceilings and modern art, has a contemporary feel and you couldn’t imagine lace doilies on the tea stand.

Red LineOur tiered stand of sandwiches, savouries and sweet dishes was minimalist and light.

Jasmine smoked salmon bridge rolls were filled with home-made smoked salmon while chicken and wild garlic flower sandwiches were delicious, with well flavoured chicken breast complemented by a subtle garlic mayonnaise.

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Food News

THE FOOD LAB FESTIVAL
Tobacco Docks, Wapping

Calling all foodies! The creators of Taste of London bring you “The Lab,” a three night-long interactive food event taking place in one of London’s coolest venues, the Tobacco Docks. by NICOLA ROTHERY

The Lab experience begins 25 April 2013 and will feature TV chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine.

The event is unique in that aside from offering samples of delicious dishes, it also allows for guests to participate and learn about how to create different flavours.

Guests will be able to learn top techniques from industry professionals including Brazilian top chef, Alex Atala and Massimo Bottura.

Red LineAmong the world’s 50 best chefs, Heston Blumenthal’s Ashley Palmer-Watts and renowned forager Miles Irving will give live stage presentations.

In addition to top chefs, drinks creator Tony Conigliaro will ...

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the-spaniards-inn-front

Food Reviews

THE SPANIARDS INN
Hampstead

History, Hearty Food and Comfortable Chic at one of London’s oldest pubs.by FIONA MACLEAN

The Spaniards Inn, a perfect example of an English Pub was built in 1585. The charming clapboard building still sits opposite the toll house itself, at the point where the road across Hampstead Heath narrows to ensure that tolls could be collected. There’s a splendid beer garden and even a dog-wash to tidy up paws and fur grubbied from foraging on the Heath.

Red Line"A English pub with history, charm and a great way to have a relaxing meal with a pint!"

Inside a maze of cosy rooms with real fires, a large bar selling a wide range of draught and bottled beers and a slightly more formal panelled upstairs dining room.

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Moo-London-Food-Review

Food Reviews

MOO GRILL
Aldgate

The Moo Grill gives a hint into what this South American restaurant specialties are! The grill gives an exotic Spirit in the Cityby FIONA MACLEAN

Moo Grill is a lively Argentinian Steakhouse and cocktail bar behind a rather inauspicious frontage.

Hesitate when you enter at your peril, the cocktails are fabulous and management will rightly encourage you to try at least one, if not two.

Our choices were the Bloody Moo – a spicy version of a Bloody Mary made with chimichurri and a Moovidito of raspberry vodka, Chambord and raspberry jam which was pretty and refreshing.

Red Line"Fenwick is one of my favourite London Department Stores and Bond and Brook makes it a little more special…"

If you get tempted, then I’d recommend ordering pan and chimi and a pot of olives in chimichurri sauce to go with any drinks – a lot better than bar snacks of crisps and nuts.

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Kitchen-W8-Food-Review

Food Reviews

KITCHEN W8
Kensington

Chic and into gastronomy? Kitchen W8 should be in your Little Black Book by FIONA MCLEAN

Just off Kensington High Street, in a quiet side road, this is the younger sister of The Square.

Elegant, understated décor with modern art on the wall and muted paintwork complemented by comfortable seating and pristine white table linen, this place exudes class.

At lunch you may run into a yummy mummy or two but the restaurant layout is sufficiently flexible to accommodate all in comfort.

Red Line"Kitchen W8 restaurant is just off Kensington High Street and is more than a kitchen; it should be in everyone's good books! "

Our a la carte dishes were spotless and at times remarkable. My starter of barbecue glazed breast of quail came with a little rhubarb puree, some foie gras and puddles of gingerbread sauce.

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Bond-Brook-London-1

Food Reviews

BOND AND BROOKE
Bond Street

The light, white space in Fenwick’s Bond and Brooke restaurant gives a good opportunity to have comfortable and relaxed meal in this great Bond Street department store by FIONA MACLEAN

The second floor at Fenwick on Bond Street is home to the store’s Spa, their Designer Fashion Department and Bond and Brooke, a restaurant collaboration between Rhubarb the International food and drink group, Evening Standard restaurant critic Fay Maschler, and journalist and broadcaster Simon David. It’s a light, white space that feels immediately welcoming as you walk in with comfy lounge seating to the front of the bar with a more formal dining area behind the elegant silvered bar area.

Red Line"Fenwick is one of my favourite London Department Stores and Bond and Brook makes it a little more special…"

There are bookcases lined with fashion books and fashion artwork on the walls.

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