Californian winemakers Turning Leaf have recently launched their ‘Discover the Colour” campaign to present their portfolio of five wines as expressions of colour. To be precise, Turning Leaf’s oenologist Stephanie Edge has teamed up with Dutch chef Esther Röling to create a new series of colourful recipes designed to match the Turning Leaf wines throughout the seasons. Qin Xie was invited to sample their selection of wines and some of the summery dishes to match.
Tamarind to take on the Terminator
Tamarind, the posh Indian restaurant in Mayfair, has decided to end the spice drought in Arny Schwarznegger’s California and open Tamarind of London in Newport Beach, Orange County one of the best beachside cities on the Pacific Coast.
Feng Sushi’s Japanese Barbecue on the South Bank
The preponderance of chains on the South Bank leaves many spoilt for no real choice. Feng Sushi’s innovative summertime only barbecue allows us to break free from the formulaic and, as Joanna Biddolph discovered, grab a quick bite and a cocktail, to fill a gap, on the way to a concert, film or play – or as an after-work snack. The barbecue fills a physical gap on the South Bank, too.
The Grazing Goat. New Quebec Street, London
Recently refurbished, The Grazing Goat has a ‘modern rustic’ feel, both to its bar and the first floor restaurant, with its wood clad walls, wooden floors and furniture enhanced with a scattering of artefacts. We had a great meal at The Grazing Goat, their service is attentive and the staff very helpful.
Going Underground, The Clove Club supper club
I’m no trendy, in fact I make Arthur Smith look cheerful and happening, but invited by Bisol Prosecco the sponsors of Supper Club at The Clove Club, to get round to Dalston to get a taste I quickly grow a baby beard, stick a sock on my head and go.
Cay Tre opens in Soho
Vietnamese restaurateur Hieu Bui has opened his fourth restaurant in London, a second incarnation of Cay Tre this time in the heart of Soho.
Century Brasserie in Soho, London
There’s a good reason Soho members clubs are the preservation of society’s elite, and that’s to keep plebs like us at bay. Caroline Sargent did a just job of proving how sound that door policy is on her recent visit to Century Club.
The grass is always greener. The asparagus menu at Refettorio
You catch glimpses of the man – Giorgio Locatelli, his trademark hair almost back to its original piratical length, emerges from his kitchen at Refettorio every now and then to see how the ‘grass’ is going down with guests.
I’m liking it a lot, the seasonal treat that is English asparagus, or ‘grass’ to greengrocers, is fresh, crisp and delicious. At this time of year it demands to be eaten every day because when it’s gone, it’s gone and we’ll soon be back to inferior foreign stuff.
Taking the high view of Flanders. Cassel in a nutshell
Far from being a backwater, but a part of Europe unjustly ignored, Flanders has a lot going for it, not least how near it is to the UK and the fact that the locals speak French not the impossibly tongue twisting Flemish.
Game Set and Matcha
Matcha tea is not even remotely like the Chinese green tea or Japanese Sencha green tea that you steep in bags. The tepid green froth produced by Matcha’s super-fine powder tastes surprisingly thick and bitter, but not unpleasant, a bit like liquid grass.