Food and Drink
The Weekly Cocktail Recipe – Balans Soho Society’s ‘A Slap on the Rum’
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Renowned just as much for their fun cocktails as for their food, Balans Soho Society now has five restaurants in London: one at each Westfield Shopping Centre, a branch in Kensington High Street a Soho Café and of course, the Soho original. While it would seem that their Porn Star Martini is often the most popular choice and recommendation, the bar team have provided a recipe for their simple ‘A Slap on the Rum’...
Restaurant Review – M, Victoria Street
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Just over a year ago, Martin Williams formerly of of Gaucho, opened his first solo venture ‘M’ within the heart of the city’s square mile on Threadneedle Street. Split into two concepts, both M Grill and M Raw, the single dining space offered two menus for diners to choose from, while a bar upstairs was on hand to provide drinks for the legions of city slickers that would pour into the restaurant after hours....
Beer of the Week – Hitachino Nest White Ale
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Strength: 5.5% ABV Brewed: Kounoso, Japan First established in 1823, it wasn’t until 1996 that the Kiuchi Brewery started to produce Hitachino Nest beer, formerly better known for its sake production. Located in the small Japanese village of Kounosu, the beer’s name is inspired by the Kounosu’s literal meaning – “nest” – and has become hugely acclaimed over the past 20 years for both its beer and the quirky owl logo that adorns every...
The Top 50 Gastropubs in Britain
The 2016 'Top 50 Gastropubs in Britain' have been announced today by the Publican's Morning Advertiser. The industry title ranked Stephen Harris’s Michelin-starred Kentish pub the Sportsman in top space. After coming second twice in 2013 and 2014, Harris claimed the top spot for the first time at the 2015 awards and has regained the title again this year. Yorkshire pubs fared well, with The Pipe and Glass of South Dalton and The Star at Harome of York claiming second and third spots...
How To Make The Perfect… Haggis Ravioli
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Planning on making the ultimate Burns Night supper this evening? Yes, haggis, tatties and neeps is a tried and tested classic - great for traditionalists - but why not attempt something a little different for this year using Scotland’s national dish? Macsween of Edinburgh, a third generation family company, has been at the forefront of haggis and black pudding making for 60 years, and now have also become renowned for their unique home recipes...
Waste Charity Launches First Surplus Bread to Beer Ale
Waste charity Feedback has launched the UK's first surplus bread to beer ale. Brewed in Hackney Brewery, Toast Ale uses fresh surplus bread, otherwise thrown away by bakeries, delis and sandwich makers with the aim of significantly reducing the scandalous 24 million slices of bread currently thrown away by UK households. Across the country we waste about 15 million tons of food with bread being the worst offender. Toast Ale not only aims to put surplus bread to good use but all profits go...
Food & Drink Guide To Burns Night In London 2016
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Taking place each year in celebration of Scottish poet and writer Robert Burns, around the time of his Birthday on January 25th, Burns Night – or more traditionally Burns Supper – is just around the corner. Falling on a Monday this year, many Burns Night events will be taking place across this weekend, although many of London’s restaurants and bars are embracing the original date, with plenty having arranged special events or having crafted...
The Van Causing a Stir in the Pie World
This is the van causing big stirs in the pie world. The Bedford CF vintage caravan is pumping out acclaimed pies on the streets of London and is now ranked number three on the 400+ Pierate’s Pie Rankings for their steak and ale pie. It is also ranked as London's number 1 steak and ale pie and London's number 1 chicken pie by the Pierateers. In 2014 MYPIE was crowned the UK Sausage roll champion and in 2015 it was...
Beer of the Week – BrewDog Vagabond Pale Ale
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Strength: 4.5% ABV Brewed: Ellon, Scotland Tired of a market dominated by industrially brewed lagers and ales, the team behind BrewDog set up the world’s first crowd-funded brewery in 2007. Now operating from a site in Ellon, just north of Aberdeen, a community of over 35000 investors own shares in the business, with shares still available. And what’s more, the brewery that’s made for the people, by the people is still constantly striving to...