Food and Drink

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food “Would you like me to pair some Wine with your chosen courses, monsieur?” our zealously competent sommelier asks of us upon ordering our meals. And although having already partaken in a few pre-dinner drinks at next door’s rather luxurious Polo Bar that’s situated within The Westbury Hotel, in the spirit of eating out, the sommelier’s offer does seem hard (and slightly rude) to refuse. Yet as is – thankfully - proven during our visit...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food French-born Sebastien Guesdon has made quite a name for himself over the past two decades. Having worked for acclaimed bars such as The Ritz hotel’s Rivoli Bar, Galvin at Windows, and the bar at roast, the qualified mixologist now serves as the general manager of The Lucky Pig and head barman at The Lucky Pig’s new Fulham venue. So in celebration of the opening, Guesdon has shared a recipe for Jimmy Barrat’s original ‘Tomatini’...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food With over 30 awards to its name, as well as having retained its prestigious Michelin Star every year since 2009, our expectations of Galvin at Windows were already sky high, before even arriving at Park Lane’s Hilton Hotel. Opening back in 2006 (9 years to the day, on our recent visit), after ascending to the hotel’s 28th floor, the sweeping panoramic views are the first experience that’s on offer from the restaurant. However, although...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Since opening way back in 1982, Bombay Brasserie’s mission has always been to present London with the authentic food of Bombay in all its ethnic variety. And having dined at the recently refurbished restaurant last week, it’s safe to say that the restaurant manages to deliver that promise, as well as much more. In recent years, there’s been a huge increase in competition when it comes to fine Indian cuisine within the city, however,...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Nestled along Kingsway a few moments from High Holborn tube lies this well-kept secret. Rocket is a chain of high end and trendy restaurants with sites across the City, Docklands, the Holborn site of course and even one venue in Nottingham. The restaurant is down a flight of stairs and the feel is sleek but also had a relaxed feel. For a Wednesday night it was pretty busy and we took a table towards the...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  National Vegetarian Week kicks off today, but the majority of men admit they would rather give up booze, cancel their Sky Sports subscription and even give up sex rather than become a vegetarian, a study from Peperami has found. Researchers found 62 per cent of men would never even consider giving up meat, with many saying they would prefer to give up chocolate, the internet or coffee before saying goodbye to their meat-filled diet. Men...

There's more to the French town than the film festival. All year round, its sunny climes and array of luxury amenities attract the world's great and good, the movers and shakers. The high standards mean the bar is raised when it comes to its dining experiences, making it a mecca for visiting gourmands as much as the film industry. When the two combine? A veritable feast of creativity. Here are our top 10 restaurant picks for this year's Cannes Film...

By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food Just around the corner from Whitechapel Road, the East Dispensary Hospital was erected in 1782, founded by a selection of doctors with help from the Duke of Wellington. Originally set up as an attempt to provide medical treatment to the poor citizens of the area back in the late 18th century, the venue now acts as a pub/dining room that boasts an interesting mix of hearty pub food and elegant A La Carte treats....

By David de Winter, Sports Editor, @davidjdewinter  @TLE_Sport I have an intense dislike of the Westfield Shopping Centres in London.  In fact, make that any shopping centre in the world. With their fancy stores placed side by side, imploring the general public to buy, buy, buy, they embody everything that is wrong with the modern world. It is mass consumerism at its most acute. Ah but of course, I almost forgot; the more things I buy the happier I am. Everyone...