Having been given a Red Letter Day gift of Afternoon Tea for two at one of some five Marriott Hotels in London about a year ago, I finally got around to using it recently, about a week before its validity expired. The tea arrived, a three tiered silver server, a little bent out of shape, which was quite ironic, as by the end of the afternoon, so was I.

So, it would have been rude to turn down a very civilised invitation to join the Sipsmith team at The Dorchester Bar in order to taste their wares, well, it would, wouldn’t it? It seemed like only seconds after our arrival that Sipsmith’s gin and tonics were thrust into the steely grip of each of us…..

Beautiful breads of all descriptions tumble off shelves, and for those with not much to do of an afternoon, then a sit down tea has to be worth having. I tried a selection of filled rolls, brioches and fancy pastries and all were perfect and nicely set off by the shop’s bleached wood interior. Delicious quiches too, as well as fruit tarts and savoury biscuits.

Vivat Bacchus hosted wine evenings promise unpretentious wine and food matching, entertaining and knowledgeable hosts and good company. We went to meet SA boutique winemaker Peter Finlayson and try his gorgeous wines.

As I sit nibbling my tapas in the romantic candle lit bar at 190 , the rather glamorous girl I have been covertly observing, suddenly bursts into thrilling song while orchestral music swells from hidden speakers. As I pause, prawn halfway to my mouth in shock, she’s answered by a rich male tenor who sweeps into view to join her for a duet. Welcome to Opera Night.

Opening on Friday 23rd October, this new American style pool bar/diner/live music venue/ saloon looks set to be a cool place to spend an evening.

As we walked through the door of The Abbeville, we were struck by its old fashioned feel, the main entrance leads to a fairly small bar area, a couple of steps up from the entrance level. As we arrived we were each offered a glass of some soft bubbly Prosecco, which, of course we took and were then invited to take a look around.

Last year more than 500 restaurateurs helped raise awareness of Action Against Hunger and raised over £400,000 towards the organisation’s vital work. This year you can do your bit by encouraging restaurants you know to take part but even better, choose the participating restaurants as places to spend your money.

Surreal, bizarre, compelling and of course, fun, all aptly describe this event, which took place at Mango Tree on Sunday 13th September. The Mango Tree Ladyboy competition is great fun and well worth looking out for next year.

From 19th September to 4th October, Young’s pubs are running their British Food Fortnight. As part of this, Young’s locals including The Ship in Wandsworth, The Devonshire in Balham and The White Hart in Littleton-on-Severn, Bristol will champion the best of British food with a selection of new, seasonal menus and special events.