I know some people expected more from Alan Yau of Wagamama fame, and it seems Cha Cha has reverted to a slow waltz since he stopped being in charge day to day. Even so, it’s cheap and it’s cheerful and, unlike some of Chinatown’s finest, you don’t get the feeling you’re a nuisance to the staff. For a fast feed, everyone can comfortably still keep going to the Moon.
Turning Leaf Zinfandel California 2010
Named after a town in California, Zinfandel is a characteristic grape variety of the U.S.A with its early ripening fruit producing a juice with relatively high sugar levels. This means that the resulting red wines are rich and powerful and ones that will appeal strongly to all those with a taste for the New World.
Maria Elia Full of Flavour Book Launch
Full of Flavour is a lovely book. With a simple, easy to read layout and photo after glorious photo of Elia’s meals, this is one of those books you like to look at as much as you like to actually use it.
The Hot Toddy. The Perfect Winter Warmer
The first cocktail book ever written contains hot punch, hot buttered rums, blazers and toddies by the dozen. You couldn’t nip out for a bag of ice or make it easily at home, so cooling drinks was an expensive practice. Setting fire to liquid soon became a phenomenon, and as taverns reopened as upmarket hotel bars, bar men honed their skills, and so, out of the heated punch the much loved toddy was born.
What the Dickens! The Return of the Courvoisier Dickens Punch Tour
Building on the success of the tour in 2010, The Courvoisier Dickens Punch Tour this year returns on a larger scale with even more to satisfy your Christmas spirits; Running for two weeks from 23 November, guests will be taken on an interactive hour long walking tour of Dickensian London. Foodepedia was lucky enough to get a sneak preview recently, which is how I found myself outside Bow Street Magistrates Court, pulling my coat tighter against the cold.
Morgan M opens new resturant near the Barbican
Building on the success of his award-winning restaurant in Islington, Morgan Meunier is opening on Long Lane in Barbican. Morgan M Barbican, a new two-storey restaurant, has seasonally focused menu that includes small plates and tasting menus.
A taste of Germany in Soho
The burger is dead and the hot dog is king. Its campaign for fast food dominance continues apace with the opening of The Bratwurst in Soho, a German sausage joint.
Cappuccino just got easier
Nespresso have launched Latissima + a new ‘one touch milk solution’ machine making that early morning cup of coffee that much simpler.
Roux at The Landau, London
With a selection of fine cheeses, or if you prefer a wonderfully wobbly Amaretto Panacotta with pear ice cream and salted almonds, the Landau rounds off set lunch with light love. It’s a pleasure to eat such unshowy, unpretentious but finely judged cooking. And of course, once you’ve eaten the prix fixe, you’ll be back to try the impossibly good looking a la carte in the evening. Lunch is just for starters, after all
Avant Noël, the Christmas cocktail from Malmaison, London
To celebrate the new Christmas Celebration Menu launching at the beginning of December at Malmaison, London, the hotel has created a Christmassy cocktail. You can enjoy Avant Noel at the bar or try to recreate using the recipe they shared with us…