Go Out - when staying in is not an option

Harvey Nichol's Fifth Floor (SW1X)

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:06:23 +0000

Sitting atop Harvey Nichols, The Fifth Floor Restaurant is an open, modern space filled with rounded corners and unusual vertical lighting that casts an inviting glow across the dining area. Recently appointed head chef Jonas Karlsson has put together a menu featuring fresh produce from the adjacent food hall.

EAT vs. Pret

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:29:00 +0000

Your lunch break is the brief portion of the day over which you have complete control (unless you have to get drunk with clients), so it is worth examining (subjectively) which High Street vendor is most worth your patronage.

Smokers, You Are Welcome Here

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:02:11 +0000

We love the smoking ban, but accept that some of you may not. For those (few) of you who aren't letting that butt simply burn out, this website reviews bars and pubs from the smoker's perspective.

Ice, Ice (Skating) Baby

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:25:28 +0000

I never knew that ice skating was hip until my hip banker boyfriend took me skating with a group of his hip banker friends. And then my uber-hip members club invited me to their birthday party (on ice) at Somerset House.

St John Bar & Restaurant (EC1M)

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:33:32 +0000

There are more things to eat between the nose and the tail of a pig than are dreamt of in our philosophy. HITCitizen Billy No Box (not Hamlet) ventured to Smithfield and expanded his culinary vocabulary. Pig time.

The Patron Saint of Banking

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:29:16 +0000

On this, All Saints Day, a few questions. Is it a coincidence that Halloween is followed by All Saints Day? What does punk rock have to do with it? And who, pray tell, is the patron saint of banking?

Halloween Fun for You & Your Fiends

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:21:40 +0000

Today is Halloween! What, you have no plans to celebrate? Don't be ghoul. Let us help you find a way to mark the day, lest you be marked as anything less than fun.

A Drinking Revolution in Leadenhall

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:59:32 +0000

Ask any student (or ex-student) in Manchester or Leeds about Revolution and they'll most likely have fond memories. The franchise, known best for its novelty flavoured Vodkas (toffee, chocolate, rhubarb, custard, etc.) have branches in most big towns including, now, London.

Groups of Mates on the Boozy Prowl

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:10:19 +0000

I'm a regular at the ClickTonight.com parties and as usual, I'd put on my best frock in anticipation of what is always a busy, late, boozy night packed with well-dressed City types.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:05:16 +0000

Kate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush reprise their BAFTA-winning roles as Elizabeth and Sir Francis Walsingham, with director Shekhar Kapur, in the story of her relationship with Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), and the Spanish Armada.

Lucha Libre Nightclub Fight Club

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:47:47 +0100

We couldn't write this better ourselves, so let us simply report the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why, of course). But not how. No, that's for you to find out.

Stardust, A Fantasy Fairy Tale

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:59:15 +0100

Departing from his previous British underworld themes, (Layer Cake and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels), Director Matthew Vaughan has lavishly adapted Neil Gaiman's fantasy fairy tale Stardust.

Cracking Art, Tate Modern!

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:30:30 +0100

Every autumn, Tate Modern commissions an artist to fill the Turbine Hall. Over the last seven years, we've seen a giant spider, gleaming sunlight, and slides. As it's October again, HITC sent a reader-writer to see what we get this time: A crack!

The Time Out Eating & Drinking Award Winners

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 19:30:58 +0100

The Time Out Eating & Drinking Awards are in. We list the winners to help inspire your next meal out.

900 Minutes of Modern Dance on Liverpool Street

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:14:22 +0100

Those of you working around Liverpool Street have no excuse - even if you're not contemporary dance fans. For 30 minutes over 30 consecutive days, Paul-Andre Fortier will be outside the station dancing as part of Solo 30x30.

Pregnant Women Can Now Have 1.5 Units a Day

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:10:49 +0100

A currency trading friend of mine is 20 weeks pregnant. We met for dinner a few months ago, and she said gleefully, "I'm allowed to have 1-2 drinks a week!" My God, I thought. How do I get that doctor?

Make It So, Macbeth!

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:30:31 +0100

So you think not getting paid this year is a tragedy? Just imagine you come home from work, bump into three witches who promise that you will become king, and tell your wife - who immediately starts sharpening the daggers for your next big career move.

Shocker: Office Drinking Can Lead to Office S.x

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:24:14 +0100

Perhaps you only suspected this before, but it's official now. An Australian paper asked readers to share the worst things they'd done at office drinks. And so they did.

The Royal Gala Concert at Royal Festival Hall

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:34:06 +0100

Thanks to JP Morgan (and a few others), last night saw the official reopening of Royal Festival Hall with the Royal Gala Concert featuring The London Philharmonic, a 600-strong chorus and yes you guessed it, Her Majesty The Queen.

Le Boudin Blanc (W1J)

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:43:35 +0100

As a genuine authentic French restaurant, Le Boudin Blanc has a USP that is highly unusual. It's friendly, it's laid-back and the waiters (nearly all French) are polite and smile at you. Sacrè Blue. Whatever next? A British restaurant serving decent coffee?

The Art Fair You Can Afford

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:34:37 +0100

This weekend is starts London's fortnight of art. First, Frieze moves into Regent's Park, then The Affordable Art Fair takes over Battersea Park. And we've got a(n affordable) ticket offer just for you.

Crazy Homies vs. Mexicali

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:27:33 +0100

It's almost boring, complaints about the lack of Mexican food in London. We know already! But it has so greatly improved in the past four years that we're almost feeling spiced up. Here we consider two more options.

Does Your Secretary Have a Secret Identity?

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:28:55 +0100

By day, Maria Trevis works as a secretary at Dresdner Kleinwort. But by night she's a sassy sexpot cabaret singer performing as part of a duo called GERMANIAXX. The 12th of October sees their next London show.

The Electric Proms Rock

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:20:49 +0100

It's only fair that the rock 'n roll set get Proms too, and it's particularly appropriate the events are held in Camden, London's rock 'n roll heart. HITC's Rock Department presents the definitive mini-guide to the second BBC Electric Proms.

Ping Pong vs. Royal China (No Contest)

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:43:33 +0100

I've eaten at Ping Pong since the very beginning, when my friend called and said, "There's a new restaurant opening on Great Marlborough Street that serves little steamed parcels of deliciousness!" And I thought it was great, until I went to Royal China.

London Design Week

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:02:43 +0100

We're in the middle of the fifth annual London Design Festival. Like the idea but not sure how to take part? There are more than 200 events all over town, so we put forward a few near you.

Atonement Not Found

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:17:06 +0100

Based on the Ian McEwan novel, Christopher Hampton's (Oscar Winner for Dangerous Liasons) screenplay explores the notion of consequences and the responsibility an individual has for a mistake they make as a child.

The Garrison (SE1 3XB)

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:29:33 +0100

Not far from London Bridge is one of the greatest local g-pubs, which admittedly is so restaurant-like you'd be lucky if you could go just for a drink. But the food is consistent, the shabby-chic interior is welcoming, and the service is not bad at all.

When Munich is Too Far (in October)

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:30:13 +0100

You don't have to be German - or even work at Deutsche - to appreciate Oktoberfest. But don't worry if you can't get to Munich. London provides it all.

Sometimes Models Trip Too

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:06:58 +0100

In honour of New York fashion week, which ends tomorrow, we bring you New York Magazine's Top Five Runway Falls. Sadly, there are only videos available for two of them, but one includes some American TV anchors laughing hysterically. Also quite funny.

SOS - Top Floor (EC1M)

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:46:31 +0100

Now that you've outgrown Fabric, what to do on Charterhouse Street? Visit 'Smiths' of Smithfield, where there's something for everyone (and something even better on the Top Floor).

Sotheby's Café (W1A)

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:04:06 +0100

There are five words that fill me with horror. No, not 'Bin Laden is next door' or 'the cat's been sick again'. Nothing comes close to the gloom that comes from these five words: 'I need to go shopping'. Meaning we need to go shopping.

Wahaca (WC2N)

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:37:59 +0100

London's lack of good Mexican food is a well known issue. And while Wahaca isn't perfect, it's by far the best in W1. Eight Americans (and one German) - all experts on Mexican food - dish their opinions.

Knocked Up

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:03:08 +0100

It seems that somewhere in Hollywood somebody must have had an epiphany of some sorts: Political Correctness, whilst having its merits when applying for a job, is not suited to amuse us. HITCitizen Billy No Box elaborates.

Review: A New Prince in Town

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:58:27 +0100

Derivatives by day, Prince by night. These days HITCitizen Billy No Box is glad to have a distraction in the form of the super funky purple one. With identical twin dancers, natch.

The Bourne Ultimatum

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:45:09 +0100

HITCitizen Martin Gallagher made his way to Wednesday's UK premiere to deliver us the goods. "And what of the film," we ask. "Does it, too, deliver?" Absolutely, he replies.

See The Simpsons in Haute Couture

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:33:22 +0100

Three weeks after release and The Simpsons Movie is still at Number Two at the UK Box Office. Finally, America's family gets the clothing they deserve, thanks to Harper's Bazaar.

San Lorenzo (SW3)

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:02:08 +0100

It had been a couple of years since I had been to San Lorenzo and friends had said that standards had fallen and that it had lost a lot of its magic. Not true, as discovered on a recent trip.

Borough's Royal Oak Pub

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:51:42 +0100

The Borough may not be the new Hoxton (a dubious accolade that is currently bestowed on New Cross) but it does have some outstanding pubs. The Royal Oak serves as a template for what a proper pub should be like.

A Festival for Beginners & Grown-ups

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:06:18 +0100

Not all festivals are big and scary (although we have always wanted to go to Burning Man). This weekend's Summer Sundae Weekender offers a tame version with (almost) the same bells & whistles. And then there's Bestival.

Petersham Nurseries (TW10)

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:33:56 +0100

For the past 30 years, Petersham Nurseries has flourished outside of Richmond, filled with lush things that grow. And for the past four years, it's also been serving lush lunch and tea to the lush residents of Southwest London.

Evan Almighty

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:24:06 +0100

Steve Carrell - check. Steve Carrell in Bruce Almighty - check. John Goodman - check. Morgan Freeman in anything, anytime - check. So what went wrong here?

Pitcher This

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:22:57 +0100

As we enter the last month of summer, it's time to think about (then make and drink) Sangria while we still can. The Spanish drink it at home - why shouldn't we?

Panic Attack! Art in the Punk Years

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:33:34 +0100

It's almost impossible to get rid of the music of our youth, be it metal, pop, classical or rap. But few have - and had - such an strong affect on art as good old punk rock.

L'Autre (W1J)

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:44:34 +0100

I have known about L'Autre for at least a year, but I could never bring myself to go. I mean, what do you do with a bistro that serves Polish and Mexican food?

The Simpsons Movie

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:51:02 +0100

What can be said about this work of art? The Simpsons are funny and we pretty much never tire of their predictable humour.

SherryBaby

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:44:15 +0100

Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of our favourites (especially in The Secretary - who knew it would have such a sweet ending)? We're pretty sure this film will warm our hearts too.

In Pursuit of the Proper Pub

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:10:47 +0100

I'm on a search for real pubs, not bars or gastropubs, although the latter do serve a useful purpose insofar as they keep proper pubs free of undesirables.

Tightrope in Stilettos?

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:55:03 +0100

Now that Cirque de Soliel has become such big, glitzy business, there's room for a new breed of stylish, grown-up circus troops. This ensemble, from Wales, brings their craft to The Roundhouse.

Five Borough Facts

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:04:55 +0100

Any Top Five list of the best things in London would have to include Borough Market. The perfect day there is spent tasting, sharing, buying, tasting, buying, tasting, tasting and buying. Then drinking a glass of wine.

Spitalfields' Watering Holes

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:06:00 +0100

Spitalfields is an often-overlooked part of London, but not when it comes to the most endangered of all species - the traditional boozer.

Open Air Theatre

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:07:15 +0100

The 75th Anniversary Season of the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is in full swing, and tickets are still available. So the weather's been crap. Wait until that one good day, then rock up and get park, picnic and culture all at once.

The Banker

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:29:41 +0100

Could there be a better-named pub to kick off the City Life section on drinking? HITC thinks not, and hopes that you, banker, agree.

Get in the Moat

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:34:20 +0100

Tonight was the first "real" night of the Tower of London Festival, and under threatening gray skies the crowd partied on, dancing in the aisles. Get it before it's gone.

Welcome to the Neighbourhood

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:17:55 +0100

Avenue Q is a bit like the Jerry Springer Opera was. Wrong on so many levels, yet hilarious on (almost) all of them. Don't bring anyone easily offended.

Mala (E1W)

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:12:22 +0100

Mala in St. Katherine Docks offers amazing value for money. It should be packed all the time, especially at lunch.

London Tastes GOOD

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:10:10 +0100

There's not much that's more fun that Taste of London, especially for someone who would rather eat 10 small things than one main course, and wash it all down with a bottle of champagne.

The Flying Scotsman

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:06:29 +0100

In 1996, Jonny Lee Miller was Sick Boy in Trainspotting. And now he's playing a champion cyclist who inspired a nation. (We're pretty sure he did that in Trainspotting too.)

Shrek the Third

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:05:14 +0100

We loved the "adult" humour in Shrek 2 (and of course thought the first one was great). So what does the Third hold for us, other than a baby ogre?

Good Behaviour Gets Good Drinks

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:59:49 +0100

I had completely forgotten about Milk & Honey (and no, not because there isn't a sign on the door). But a friend considering joining made a reservation, and we ended up having the perfect time.

Moro (EC1R)

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:07:57 +0100

A chance table on a Friday evening at Moro led to a meeting with a Black Face lamb. And it was good (despite the extra information).

La Vie En Rose

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:26:21 +0100

Edith Piaf's music captures an era like nothing else, and conjures up images of smoky Parisian bars filled with romance and sorrow. Apparently that was also an image of her life.

Lucky You

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:24:08 +0100

When did we decide Eric Bana was the greatest? In Munich? Now he's in another city, but not faring quite as well (or faring better, depending).

Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:09:54 +0100

What is it about absinthe? Mystique, legend, or plain old forbidden fruit syndrome?

Tall, Cool Ones

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:53:05 +0100

Martini put up a tent in Hanover Square and served drinks. It was a very good idea.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:02:45 +0100

Yes, we love Jessica Alba too. And as fantastic as she is, the second Fantastic Four film is a bit less fantastic than expected.

Vacancy

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:59:09 +0100

At least this hotel slasher film relies more on suspense than blood, and is properly scary. Besides, who ever saw Luke Wilson in a horror film before? *

Oceans Thirteen

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:19:28 +0100

So what are the odds of getting even? With this bunch, probably pretty good.

Are We Done Yet?

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:15:20 +0100

For us, Ice Cube will always be one of the founders of gangsta rap with N.W.A. And though he is a family man (married, four kids), we'd rather not see him play one on TV.

The Night of the Sunflowers (La Noche De Los Girasoles)

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:22:36 +0100

Spain heaped accolades on this film, several of which recognised first-time director Jorge Sánchez-Cabezudo.

Goodbye Bafana

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:20:42 +0100

There is no question about the importance of Nelson Mandela on the world stage. But somehow this film did not win over that stage.

28 Weeks Later

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:17:48 +0100

The scenes of empty London in the first one got us. In this one it's Tower Bridge. Not for the faint-hearted.

Magicians

Fri, 18 May 2007 14:32:40 +0100

OK, we love Mitchell & Webb. Or maybe we love the Mac ad agency. Either way, something happened here that wasn't so magical.

The Belvedere (W8)

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:10:21 +0100

"The Belvedere is a very sophisticated place to eat and it's now my favourite restaurant" Not my words but straight out of the mouth of the Finnette, now fifteen (going on twenty).

Little Bay (Battersea)

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:03:16 +0000

Peter Ilic is a restaurateur who knows exactly what his diners want. It's not terribly clever, it's hardly a revolution, but he's one of the very few to have pulled it off.

Maggie Jones's (W8)

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:20:39 +0000

There are some restaurants that are best to visit in the summer or warmer months, and others that are very definitely 'winter' restaurants. For me Maggie Jones's falls into the latter category.

Lanes Restaurant & Bar (E1)

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:19:48 +0000

It's not easy to persuade the Finn to move away from her natural habitat of SW1, SW3 or SW7. Sometimes I'm successful and we have been known to venture into W14. But E1? Never!

Oslo Court Restaurant (NW8)

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:47:34 +0000

On the north side of Regents Park, hidden away amongst the rows of 'luxury' apartments that make up much of St John's Wood, is a landmark restaurant that has stood the test of time for thirty years. Welcome to the institution that is the time-warp world of the Oslo Court Restaurant.

Boxwood Café (SW1X)

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:29:06 +0000

On paper it must have seemed an excellent idea. Take an internationally acclaimed chef, a less-known but extremely talented chef and open smart restaurant in Knightsbridge serving quality food without a second-mortgage prices.

Huong Viet (N1)

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:19:08 +0000

I'm often asked what my favourite restaurant is and my answer is always the same. I don't have one. It's just not possible to compare different types of food and different levels of ambience and atmosphere. Rather like music, restaurants are either good or not good regardless of menu style. However, if you asked me what my favourite south-east Asian restaurant was I would have no hesitation in nominating Huong Viet.

Assaggi (W2)

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 08:26:28 +0100

It was the Finn's birthday and we decided that we wanted to go somewhere special for lunch. We didn't want not any of the usual Top 10 restaurants that regularly come up or the latest 'must-visit' restaurant, so often over-hyped and over-priced.

Six 13 (W1U)

Tue, 30 May 2006 11:59:43 +0100

Despite having one of the largest Jewish communities outside New York or Israel, London has very few kosher restaurants. And that's pretty surprising given almost every other cuisine is available here, and the capital is now rated as the food centre of the world.

Morgan M (N7)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:41:25 +0100

I first dined at Morgan M just after it opened in 2003 and remember saying to a friend that if there was any justice in the world, chef Morgan Meunier would receive a Michelin star or two for his truly inspirational food.

Alloro (W1S)

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:40:29 +0100

I had a problem a week or two ago. It was half-term and the Finn wanted to take her daughter (the Finnette, 13) out to lunch. Too sophisticated for all the normal spots to take young teenagers to, she plumped for Alloro.

Giardinetto (W1S)

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 10:08:42 +0100

Up until around 1960 if you wanted to eat ‘foreign’ in London you could choose from few upscale French establishments, one or two dodgy Chinese restaurants in Chinatown and in the East End, or an ‘American style’ burger bar.

Asia de Cuba (WC2N)

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:15:19 +0000

Up until about ten years ago most hotels in London served pretty average food in their restaurants or ‘fine dining’ rooms as they preferred to call them.

Embassy London (W1S)

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:12:15 +0000

Back in the 1980's, at a time when you could still park your car in Old Burlington Street without it being hauled away by an unsympathetic tow-truck driver dressed in lurid green overalls, the place to be seen was the Embassy Club.

La Porte des Indes (W1H)

Fri, 07 Oct 2005 11:26:44 +0100

Curry, or to be more precise, chicken tikka masala, long ago replaced fish and chips as Britain's national dish. Found in ten thousand restaurants up and down the land, it’s a peculiarly English dish you'd be hard pushed to find anywhere outside Britain.

The Wolseley (W1J)

Fri, 23 Sep 2005 09:19:52 +0100

I’ve got a confession to make. I’ve eaten in The Wolseley half a dozen times and I really don’t know whether I like it or not.

Black Boys Inn (Berkshire)

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 23:16:35 +0100

After a extremely pleasant day recently watching athletic chaps row up and down the Thames during the Henley Regatta, a couple of weeks later I decided to pop down the road to Hurley to check out a recommendation that had been made by my regatta host.

Bleeding Heart Tavern (EC1N)

Mon, 25 Jul 2005 14:30:49 +0100

Ok, so it's not very amusing but let's get them out of the way right now. The Bleeding Heart Tavern in Bleeding Heart Yard (together with the Bistro and the Restaurant) is bleeding hard to find, serves bleeding good food and is always bleeding busy.

Jason's (W9)

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 12:22:53 +0100

Just north of Paddington is a quiet and leafy area known Little Venice. It’s an enclave of grand houses, specialist shops and, at its extremities, one of the largest concentrations of local authority housing in London.

Aubaine (SW3)

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 09:08:05 +0100

Aubaine, a comfortable five-minute stroll from Harrods, does French rather well despite the faintly ridiculous and now rather pompous practice of a menu in French with English 'subtitles'.

The Gate (W6)

Thu, 07 Jul 2005 17:19:43 +0100

Mention the word vegetarian (or worse still, vegan) to a confirmed carnivore and the chances are they will run a mile from any invitation to lunch or dinner.

Langan's Brasserie (W1J)

Thu, 07 Jul 2005 08:57:18 +0100

Twenty-five years ago, when Peter Langan was in full swing and held court daily at the establishment that bore his name, dining at Langan’s Brasserie was a risky business.

Marbella Club Hotel, Spain

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 10:41:41 +0100

If Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe hadn't been such a hospitable fellow there would have been no Marbella Club and the chances are that the Costa del Sol might have ended up like so many other Spanish coasts ?" hot, dusty, noisy and not terribly nice. Built in 1946 as his private home in what was at the time no more than a sleepy fishing village, so many of Alfonso's friends fell in love with his house (and his legendary parties) he decided to extend the property and turn it into a private club. By the time the builders had left many years later (Spanish builders take their time) the Marbella Club had become the European destination of choice for many of the world's rich and famous.

The Cliff, Barbados

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 22:32:26 +0100

As most of us start to think about the summer hols (no, you’re not the only one not to have sorted out a break from the treadmill) this week and next we’re going to feature restaurants in two destinations that, like Hello magazine that nobody admits to reading, nobody admits to visiting in the summer.

The Ivy (WC2H)

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 17:28:18 +0100

First, let’s dump the hype. You don’t have to be a celebrity to get a booking at The Ivy, nor do you always have to book three months in advance.

River Café (W6)

Sat, 28 May 2005 15:29:10 +0100

A long time ago, before Jamie Oliver became Jamie Oliver, he was just another talented young chef who perfected his craft at the River Café under the watchful eyes of Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers.

Georgetown (SE1)

Sat, 28 May 2005 15:27:43 +0100

Despite its location close to Hays Galleria and the London Dungeon in the heart of the City, Georgetown is often overlooked by tourists. This is fine for City workers but a missed opportunity for everyone else.

Zuma & Other Hamburger Joints

Sat, 28 May 2005 15:25:43 +0100

No offence meant but let’s be honest. If ever the definitive history of food is written and the USA is asked to nominate one dish that truly represents the nation’s culinary expertise, it’s a pretty safe bet that the ubiquitous hamburger will win the Oscar for lifetime achievement.

Lemonia (NW1)

Sat, 28 May 2005 15:22:34 +0100

On almost any given day hordes of tourists can be seen trudging the streets of Notting Hill searching out the famous blue door that featured in the film of the same name.