Food and Drink

Have you ever been to a restaurant so frightfully chic that it manages to justify dropping crucial vowels from its name, as well as charging double-figures for bowls of pulverised avocado? Sandwiched between a superfluous designer clothes shop and an Aston Martin “brand experience boutique”, MNKY HSE stands out on Dover Street - resembling a seedy nightclub owned by Peter Stringfellow, from outside. Blacked-out windows are placated with a brass monkey-shaped door knocker, plus a sounder of clip-board wielding security...

Although it's hard to know exactly how many restaurants are currently operating in London, taking a pick of the best among the tens of thousands that do exist is a daunting challenge. According to some estimates there are well over 30,000 "food serving establishments" in the capital, although that includes the various "gastrocaffs", dinnerclub venues and some 205 McDonald's that lie across the city. A better guide might be statistics from the Mayor of London’s office which estimated the number to be...

Ever wondered how much of an impact veganism really has on the environment? A leading vegan charity calculated the total savings by the 10,000 people who ate vegan for a week after signing up to its seven-day challenge, and the results are astonishing. Participants in The Vegan Society’s environmental campaign Plate Up for the Planet included Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas MP and collectively saved 147,000 kg CO2e, equivalent to the carbon footprint of flying to the moon and back....

There’s more to life than food, but not much more. Service is all-too-often overlooked. Truth is, service – alongside a number of other seemingly menial factors – can make or break an entire restaurant experience. No matter how outlandishly serene the food served by the latest highly-lauded chef on the block may be, the whole meal can be (and often is) ruined by zealously brusque, or just plain ignorant, waiting staff. Moreover, service that’s truly magnificent can make even the...

In the heart of the Square Mile, Farmer J adheres to growing demand for convenient, wholesome and affordable food. Providing ‘build your own field trays’, all produce is sourced from high welfare farms, predominately in the UK, with all food prepared each morning. Customers are provided with a field tray, each containing a grain, main, two sides and a sauce. These may include charred flank steak, roasted salmon fillets, or spicy harissa chicken that’s quick and easy to make at...

Home to London’s most outlandishly eccentric two Michelin star restaurant, the city’s pinkest dining room, and recently refurbished The Glade – in all of its enchanted forest glory – sketch has become a dining institution since opening in 2003. In the heart of Mayfair, homed within a split-level premise on Conduit Street, sketch’s various restaurants each offer something different, while The Glade and Parlour each serve a sumptuous, luxurious brunch offering. The brunch menu features dishes such as coddled eggs...

Contrary to little Britain’s modern-day shortcomings, London’s restaurant scene is something to be genuinely proud of. Forget Paris, forget Hong Kong, forget New York, even: it’s undeniable that our countless restaurants aren’t merely amongst some of the world’s most diverse, there’s genuinely something for everybody. Persistently seeking something new and exciting, the notion of generalised Chinese food, for instance, has become almost extinct amongst the city’s most food-obsessed. With so much focus on complexities and sincere authenticity, the whole prospect...

Strength: 5% ABV Brewed: Woolwich, London Born in a unit at Woolwich’s Royal Arsenal in 2013, Hop Stuff Brewery has since become one of the fastest growing craft breweries in London. Now with a team of 22 brewers and over 600 investors, Hop Stuff produce over 400 kegs of beer each week, available from the brewery’s own Taproom, as well as a number of bars and bottle shops. Aiming to ‘provide the perfect access point for those looking to explore the craft beer world’, the brewery...

Of all London’s most accessible escapes - ‘daycations’, if you will - none are quite like Brighton. Less than two hours from St. Pancras (quicker by car), the illustrious seaside resort is as far-cry from so many of the UK’s dilapidated coastal towns best forgotten. It’s ‘Soho on Sea’, but with considerably less scooter-riding muggers. A creature of habit, I usually find myself eating at La Choza, a cozy Mexican restaurant, when in Brighton - or MEATliquor if I’m feeling...