London Appetizer

Afternoon Tea at Eight Members Club in Moorgate

Throughout the festive season, Eight Members Club will be serving a bespoke Christmas themed afternoon tea complete with all the trimmings. Resident pastry chef Vanessa Antoli who has previously worked with Tom Aikens and the Berkeley Hotel, has designed all the sweet treats that will be ‘wrapped’ in an indulgent icing complete with icing ribbon.
 
The special festive afternoon tea will include Christmas favourites such as Cranberry Macaroons, Pear and Ginger Tarts, Christmas Cake and Mince Pies. There will also be custom made Chocolate Brownie Baubles, sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s palate. Served on a three tier stand, the Christmas tea will also include all the traditional tea components such as warm freshly baked scones, clotted cream and jam and a selection of delectable finger sandwiches.
 
Eight Members Club in Moorgate sets the perfect backdrop to enjoy this quintessential British experience. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the rooftop club boasts 360 panoramic views of London where guests can enjoy all the Christmas lights of London. Take a seat in The Library, which provides a secret haven with its wood panelled walls, leather and muted colours, making it a warm and comfortable space to enjoy the treats.
 
To round off the Christmas experience at Eight Members Club, follow up the festive afternoon tea with a warming glass of mulled wine on one of the expansive terraces that surround the two storey members club. Eight will be providing warm blankets for guests to get cosy under and enjoy the London skyline.
 
Come in from the cold and treat yourself to a delicious Christmas Afternoon Tea at Eight Members Club.
 
Contact Eight Moorgate on 0207 392 9410 / www.eightclub.co.uk for bookings
 
Eight Moorgate EC2                                                                                           
1 Dysart Street
EC2A 2BX     
0207 392 9410
www.eightclub.co.uk

Zia Teresa Restaurant celebrates its ‘Golden Anniversary’

Owned by Stefano Fraquelli of Metropolitan Restaurants and previously owned by his late father, Zia Teresa restaurant in Hans Road, Knightsbridge is this year celebrating its Golden Anniversary. To mark this momentous anniversary and the continuity of management and ownership, Fraquelli is offering every customer a complimentary glass of sparkling, golden Franciacorta wine, in association with one of Italy’s leading producers, La Montina, for the next 12 months.

Zia Teresa’s reputation and on-going success has earned it several accolades over the years, including The Independent's "Best Neighbourhood Restaurant" award in 2005, for "serving hit-the-spot, reliable Italian food." It was the only Knightsbridge restaurant that was consistently voted for by The Independent's discerning readers. Incredibly for these times of credit crunch, sales figures are currently 25% up on last year, validating the impression that Fraquelli really knows how to look after his customers.

When asked about the success of this much-loved restaurant Fraquelli’s explanation is simple; “I’m terribly lucky; it’s probably one of the best locations for a restaurant in the world and we attract all generations from local residents to business people and tourists. They like the fact that the food is good quality without any hefty price tags, which you wouldn’t expect, given the location. People’s demands may appear to have changed over the decades, but in actual fact the success of Zia Teresa comes down to its traditional charm and character and the simplicity of the menu, which still reflects what Italian food has always been about. Nowadays there are very few concepts that are so resilient.”

Further endorsement of this special anniversary comes from Fiat’s flagship store in Marylebone, who have boldly displayed the Zia Teresa Golden Anniversary logo over two of their new Cinquecento model, (Fiat 500). Cinquecento and Zia Teresa could, in fact, both be considered modern day icons, with their roots firmly in the past, but still perfectly apposite in today’s world. One of London’s leading shirt-makers, T M Lewin, have sponsored the staff uniforms and collectively this level of support is a reflection of Fraquelli’s reputation and demonstrates their desire to be associated with this inveterate restaurateur, who was decorated with the esteemed title of ‘Cavaliere’ by the president of the Italian Republic, for his services and contribution to the Italian community.

Customers visiting the restaurant between November 2009 and 2010 will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling, golden Franciacorta wine; and for a limited period, a special 3 course Golden Anniversary Menu for only £15.00.

Planet Hollywood Christmas Menu

Planet Hollywood has launched a festive menu to spread Christmas cheer throughout the winter months. For the perfect yuletide event, a traditional feast with all the trimmings has been added to their diverse menu.
 
A three or four course menu will be available (for £24.95 or £34.95) with a selection of dishes to suit every palate. For Starters, guests can choose from a classic Prawn Cocktail in Marie Rose Sauce or a light and fresh Salad of Gravadlax with a Sweet Mustard and Dill Dressing. For the main course, diners can enjoy the archetypal Christmas main of Roast Turkey served with Sage and Onion Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Chestnuts and Buttered Carrots. Or in true Planet Hollywood style, try the Rack of Tender Baby Back Ribs smothered in a Tangy and Sweet BBQ Sauce, served with Chips and Coleslaw for a classic American dish.
 
If there is any room for dessert, try the White Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding served with Whipped Cream or cleanse the palate with a Cranberry Sorbet. As a perfect after dinner treat, why not share a plate of Mince Pies with Rich Vanilla Ice Cream.
 
For refreshment after the hearty feast, how about hitting the Planet Hollywood bar to celebrate the upcoming holiday, with a glass of bubbly or a cocktail. Legendary barman, Salvatore Calabrese has created a bespoke menu of cocktails, tasty enough to warm guests on the chilliest December eve. Try the indulgent Vanilla Bay (Vanilla Vodka, Baileys, Kahlua topped up with Ice Cream and Oreo Cookies) or an Amaretto Paradise (Amaretto, Malibu, Midori topped up with fresh Pineapple Juice).
 
Throughout December, the stylish décor of Planet Hollywood will be given a touch of Christmas cheer with baubles and tinsel, sparkling lights and snow spray; making Planet Hollywood the ultimate festive party venue. The little ones will be kept entertained with movie memorabilia, festive games and a DJ to play all the Christmas classics.
 
Bring all the family along for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience.

Address:
Planet Hollywood
57 Haymarket
London
SW1Y 4QX
 
020 7287 1000
www.planethollywoodlondon.com
 

Inn The Park Christmas Goodies

Stuck as to where to go to get the best home-grown specialist produce this Christmas?

Championing the best of British, Oliver Peyton is hosting a festive food market at Inn The Park. Located in the stunning lakeside surroundings of St James’ Park, the market will take place on Saturday 19th December and will showcase an abundance of the finest, locally grown produce Britain has to offer. Often produced in limited quantities and not readily available at farmers’ markets, this is a rare opportunity to
buy some of the best British wares, including premium free-range meat and poultry, mushrooms, hand cured charcuterie, sensational cakes and tender market vegetables.

Throughout the day the restaurant will also be serving a festive menu using produce from the market. Showcasing head chef Gillan Kingstree’s culinary expertise, take in the winter wonderland views from the restaurant whilst indulging in traditional Christmas dishes such as roast Sussex ham covered in East London honey; Clayton Farm organic Bronze roast turkey wrapped in bacon and potato dumplings with Secretts Farm purple sprouting broccoli and Mrs Tee’s New Forest mushrooms. To help recreate the dishes at home on the 25th, diners will be presented with recipe cards, and the head chef and growers are on hand all day to answer any Christmas foodie questions.

With a superb selection of unique and inspiring ingredients, Inn The Park’s market has taken the hard work out of Christmas and is an ideal one-stop-shop for gourmands to source everything for an outstanding yuletide dinner with all the trimmings.

The Christmas market is open from 10 am – 5 pm

Inn The Park, St James’s Park, SW1A 2BJ T: 020 7451 9999
www.innthepark.com

Porridge Eating Contest at Giraffe

On Saturday 28th November, as part of their porridge extravaganza, Rude Health is holding a Freestyle Gourmet Porridge Contest with their lively friends at Giraffe, the global family-run restaurant group.

Whilst Rude Health roller-skaters hand out complimentary bowls of their scrumptious porridge, fellow
porridge fanatics who didn’t make it up to Scotland for the World Porridge Making Championships last
month, are invited to try their luck at this new London event.

To enter simply dream up your ultimate breakfast concoction whilst emailing hello@rudehealth.com for an application form.

The 10 best entries will be invited to the final cook-off at Giraffe restaurant on the Southbank. The winner will be crowned Rude Health’s London Porridge champion 2009 and presented with their prize.
With the only prerequisite being that competitors use Rude Health’s Daily Oats, an expertly-made blend
of organic jumbo and porridge oats, the world really is their oyster. From creamy porridge served with
poached, seasonal fruit and an almond tuille, to rocky road porridge, the possibilities are endless. Those
feeling adventurous might even go down the savoury route with pumpkin porridge risotto or parmesan
porridge dumplings; the more inventive and imaginative the recipe the better.

Competitors will be provided with a single porridge pan and stove, and can pick their mixing implement of choice, be that a spoon, spurtle or spon. They have 20 minutes to prove their worth.
There’ll be plenty more going on at this porridge party. Giraffe will be hosting a junior contest to find London’s little Porridge Prince or Princess. Here 12 junior finalists will be given 5 minutes to transform a bowl of plain porridge into a tantalising breakfast treat and dazzle the eminent porridge judges with their culinary creativity.

One of the judges on the day, the 2010 World Porridge Champion – Anna Louise Batchelor– will be
demonstrating her spectacular Spotted Dick Porridge Pudding. This dish recently won the Speciality
category at this year’s Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championships in Scotland.

When?
Saturday 28th November, 10 am – 12 noon
Where?
Giraffe restaurant, Southbank
1 More London Riverside
London, SE1 8XX
020 7928 2004
www.giraffe.net

Who are Rude Health?

Based in South West London, Rude Health was set up by a bunch of foodies in 2005 with one simple aim:
to make breakfast cereals that they wanted to eat. This means that everything Rude Health makes has to be
wholesome, sustainable, good for you and of course utterly delicious.
For further information on Rude Health and their range of fabulous breakfast foods you can visit the
website www.rudehealth.com

Wine Dating at Asian Dinner Club

As Hemingway once said: ‘wine is the most civilized thing in the world’ - which can literally have the conversation flowing between complete strangers in a matter of seconds.

A new calendar of Wine Dating events from by Asian Dinner Club will allow potential couples to check each other out over a prized bottle of Pinot, see sparks fly over a glass of Shiraz or click over a mutual dislike of Chardonnay.

Asian Dinner Club organises fortnightly networking drinks and private dinners for like-minded, single Asian professionals. By catering for a niche group it cuts through the dating spam of mass, generic dating sites - providing more suitable matches and less time wasters.

From January Asian Dinner Club will offer WINE DATING events where attendees are paired off based on their wine preferences; the sommeliers will talk them through a tutored tasting before wine related tasks and trivia, designed to facilitate networking.

Like the characters in the film Sideways, Asian Dinner Club is confident its members will not only walk away with an improved understanding of appellation, vintage and terroir but (hopefully) a new-found appreciation of a fellow drinker (or two). Speed dating maybe so last decade but the format of pairing strangers off for a specific and fun task is one that proves an effective ice breaker both at work and at play.

Salima Manji founder of Asian Dinner Club comments: ‘Our members are highly-sociable professionals who love to wine and dine. Just as dating doesn’t have to be painful, wine tasting doesn’t have to be dull...and what better way to spice it up than with the potential to meet the perfect partner over a glass of their favourite tipple?’

Asian Dinner Club’s wine dating events will take place on a monthly basis in London and major UK cities.

www.asiandinnerclub.com

About Asian Dinner Club:

What sets Asian Dinner Club apart is the niche membership which means there are a higher percentage of suitable candidates – less time wasters and dating spam. Personalised and friendly advice is always just a phone call away for either level of membership:

Basic – Access to fortnightly networking drinks and monthly private dinner parties.

Premier – the club facilitates one to one introductions and takes care of every detail from choosing a venue to follow up flowers the next day. Plus exclusive benefits such as experience days and discounts on spas and shopping.

A glamorous and successful mum of two who embodies the Sex and the City generation, Salima Manji had tried every dating fad going only to be disappointed time after time. So rather than moan to her girlfriends about it she quit her career in Investment Banking and founded Asian Dinner Club in 2008.

Pod 4 opens in New Street Square London

Pod 4 opens in New Street Square London and three new stores to open soon
 
POD www.podfood.com, the healthy fast food pioneer is continuing to expand its eco-friendly dining business across London with the opening of its fourth site on New Street Square EC4 and the announcement today that three further sites will be opening soon.
 
With continued sales growth at the three existing outlets and a successful round of funding over the summer, POD continues to blaze a trail in a market that has seen competitors closing down or scaling back.
 
POD’s success has been built upon a strong ethos of providing nutritious seasonal food that gives customers the opportunity to eat well and also minimise their environmental impact through the use of compostable packaging which can be disposed of in a composter provided in every pod.
 
Tim Hall POD’s CEO and founder commented,
 
 ‘2009 has been an exciting year for POD with continued sales growth through our three existing sites despite appalling trading conditions. A successful £1 million round of funding over the summer will enable us to more than double in size by March 2010 to become the leading healthy, fast food business in the UK. We aim to open a further ten sites in 2010 and hope to offer jobs to a lot of people who have lost them due to competitors going bust over the past 12 months.
 
It has not been easy but customers seem to prefer our delicious, healthy food to the same old sandwiches you can buy everywhere. My ambition is to bring our unique blend of flavours and tastes to every corner of London before the Olympics in 2012. I want London to be seen as a thriving, healthy City and pod aims to lead the charge.’

The New Street Square site was designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects and features a large kitchen and food preparation area and seating for 100 customers. This store, like its predecessors, has been constructed using sustainable building and furnishing materials including sustainable oak timber, recycled floor tiles reclaimed glass, and recycled Ercol chairs.
 
POD has capitalised on the compromised retail property sector by negotiating favourable terms on three further prime sites at Exchange Square, Cheapside and More London and these three new sites will open in January, February and March respectively.
 
Email  deliveries@podfood.co.uk
Web    www.podfood.com

New Restaurant in City of London - Kanaloa

November sees the arrival of Kanaloa to the heart of the City of London.  A Polynesian-themed tiki bar from the founders of Mahiki, the bar will transport visitors to an exotic paradise from the moment they walk through the doors.

Brought to London by the hugely successful partnership of Nick House and Piers Adam, as well as celebrity couple Sarah Harding and Tom Crane, the venue promises to be the capital’s ultimate party destination. Girls Aloud singer and unofficial party queen, Sarah Harding, along with DJ boyfriend, Tom Crane are keen to bring their wealth of knowledge about the London club scene.
 
Sarah Harding comments: “I am proud to be involved with such experienced entrepreneurs as Piers and Nick, and I am looking forward to the new and exciting venture that lies ahead.”
 
Kanaloa will offer guests not simply a bar but also a more relaxed approach to life.  Kanaloa takes its name from the Tiki God of the Sea and draws many of its influences from those distant Polynesian shores.  The bar will offer retro touches inspired by an endless summer to a Beach Boys soundtrack. Underlying the Kanaloa concept is the true spirit of egalitarianism, where every guest experiences the same laid back and fun-filled atmosphere and service no matter who they are.
 
Nick House comments: “Piers and I have both worked in the City and we felt there was a real need to create a sense of escapism and fun in an area that historically hasn’t had the benefit of high quality bars and nightclubs.  We are extremely excited about the launch and are honoured to be working with a superstar like Sarah.”
 
Kanaloa has been designed along the lines of a laid back tropical island with fresh flowers, lush plants and colourful furnishings.  Design features include tiki carvings, bamboo and a wooden bridge enticing guests from the reception area into the heart of the Kanaloa island experience.  A long black bamboo bar will be a key feature, surrounded by carved wooden pillars and attractively lit with lampshades made from exotic seashells.  The lounge will have a crazy paving stone floor and rattan screens providing discreet hideaways placed at intervals throughout. 
 
Party tribes who want to hula the night away on the dance floor will be able to head to the club area, featuring large elevated booths looking out over the action and a colour changing ceiling to reflect every mood.  Musical Director and co-owner Tommy Crane will set the scene with a selection of fun and frivolous party anthems. Another feature of Kanaloa will be the Treetops, a rainforest styled retreat with giant palm trees, tropical leaf patterned walls, and rustic wooden planking.  Guests can hide away in the branches at the top or sit in the shade of the palms underneath.
Drinks at Kanaloa will be truly exceptional and it will be one of the first major rum bars in the country, offering 140 different varieties.  The drinks list has been created by Papa Jules, who has designed the drinks at Mahiki from day one and is the creator of their signature Mahiki rum. Bar Manager Rich Hunt won best UK bartender in 2008 and has assembled a superb team of mixologists who will ensure guests return time and time again.  Cocktails will be made from freshly squeezed organic juices and exotic fruits and will be served in an appropriately fun and theatrical way.

Signature drinks will include the Kanaloa Kula, a heady mixture of Mahiki Rum, Lemon, Star Anise, Lime Sugar, Pomegranate juice and Vintage Spanish Sparkling Wine.  Kanaloa’s sharing cocktails will be a star attraction with drinks such as Octopus Punch, which serves eight people and features Eldorado 12 Guyanese Rum, Nui Nui Spiced Syrup, Fresh Lemon, and Black Tea served in a bespoke Octopus punch bowl. For a truly sinister and indulgent experience, order the Dead Man’s Chest composed of Seven Tiki Gold Mascara Cherries, Fresh Lemon, Pomegranate and Apple Juices transfused with a carafe of blood red Claret and brought to your table by a full blown voodoo funeral procession from the bar to your table. 

Food will be Pan-Asian inspired and delicacies will include Tempura Lobster with Wasabi Sauce, Chilli Salt Baby Squid with Lime Soy Sauce and Thai Green Chicken Broth with Sticky Coconut Rice.

Despite its location in the heart of the male-dominated financial district, Kanaloa will be a City bar that breaks the mould, aimed firmly at ladies.  To achieve this there will be several female-friendly house rules and initiatives including; free entry for ladies, complimentary manicures, massages and makeovers.

Nick House and Piers Adam are the team behind the capital’s best-known bars and clubs, including Mahiki, Whisky Mist and The Punch Bowl, and attract an A-list crowd from an eclectic group of fashionistas, film stars, musicians and young royals.

Head down to Kanaloa this winter and experience endless summer.
Kanaloa

18 Lime Office Court
Hill House

Shoe Lane
London

EC4A 3BQ
 
Web address: www.kanaloaclub.com
Tel: 020 7842 0620
 

Masala Zone Indian Restaurant Now in Fulham

Award-winning, casual dining restaurant, Masala Zone, opens its doors at 583 Fulham Road, Fulham Broadway, London, SW6 5UA on November 13, 2009, bringing new zest to an already vibrant neighbourhood.

This restaurant sits in a locale that offers a cosmopolitan mix of shopping options including antique, design and interior stores as well as high street names and small offices and is close to the tube station, easily accessible for diners by public transport. 

Eating at Masala Zone is a great leveller, with lunch spends between £10 and £12 and dinner between £15 and £20 including drinks. The restaurant will showcase real Indian food to a busy neighbourhood that has not had this option thus far. Renowned for serving delicious, authentic and wholesome Indian food, covering dishes from street food favourites, tandoori grills and curries from many regions of India, to traditional home-style balanced thali meals, Masala Zone is the perfect destination for people of all ages engaged in their various daily activities – it’s the ideal meal choice for diners searching for a relaxed haven from retail therapy, locals looking for a quick yet healthy option during work lunch breaks, residents looking for a wholesome meal en-route from work, and family or friends looking for a perfect and creative dining choice for lunch or dinner.

The differentiation factor about Masala Zone restaurants is that each is headed by an experienced chef who decides every day what their daily changing offering of vegetables, lentils, raita, rice and thali canapés will be, so each  restaurant offers a different thali experience every day, ensuring freshness and quality. Beverages include a tempting selection of fruit juices. Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in sumptuous desserts which include popular home-made Indian options such as gulab jamum, rasmalai, kulfi and falooda, a traditional Indian sundae. The wine list offers wines to match the food at very reasonable prices.

What’s more, each restaurant in the Masala Zone portfolio is a dedicated labour of love combining thought, pride originality and passion, with each one having its own, inimitable style artistically themed around a particular form of popular Indian tribal, folk or pop art.  The site of this seventh Masala Zone restaurant will showcase wall murals in the ‘Shekawati’ style. This semi-desert region of India, north of Jaipur, is rich in artistic tradition and is renowned for its abundance of painted ‘Havelis’ (large mansion houses). These lavishly painted buildings are adorned with frescoes of mythological and contemporary lifestyle subjects in a competitive spirit. Each merchant would like his Haveli to be the finest in the area and there are more than 50 such Havelis in the Shekhavati region.

Seating capacity for the restaurant is 140 (with no reservations), with a separate party area for 40 – the perfect setting for private functions against an interesting and vibrant backdrop. With its buzzy atmosphere, Masala Zone is the ideal setting even for smaller celebrations in the main restaurant.

A takeaway service will be available throughout the day, perfect for those wanting to savour the authenticity of Masala Zone in the comfort of their own home. The delivery service will be available Monday to Sunday from 5.30pm onwards. Delivery service will be free on orders over £15 and home delivery prices will be less than food to go and restaurant prices. Furthermore, anyone who joins Masala Zone’s mailing list via www.masalazone.com will receive an automatic voucher giving them 15% off their total bill.

Masala Zone and its highly respected sister restaurants – Chutney Mary, Veeraswamy and Amaya – are part of the Masala World Group.

Masala Zone Fulham opens to the public on November 13, 2009 at 583 Fulham Road, Fulham Broadway, London, SW6 5UA.

•    Website: www.masalazone.com
•    The first Masala Zone opened in May 2001 in Marshall Street, Soho, W1.  It is owned by Masala World, whose directors are Ranjit Mathrani, Namita Panjabi and Camellia Panjabi.  Masala World also owns Amaya, Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy restaurants in London

Awards:
•    Best New Concept Award 2004 (Best Curry Guide)
•    The London Restaurant Guide’s Top 6 “Cheap Eats”
•    “Best High Street Chain” BBC Olive Magazine

Restaurants:
•    Masala Zone Fulham - 583, Fulham Road, Fulham Broadway, London SW6 5UA
Tel: 020 7386 5500
•    Masala Zone Soho - 9 Marshall Street, Soho, London, W1F 7ER  Tel: 020 7287 9966
•    Masala Zone Islington - 80 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0NU  Tel: 020 7359 3399
•    Masala Zone Earls Court - 147 Earls Court Road, London, SW5 9RQ  Tel: 020 7373 0220
•    Masala Zone Covent Garden - 48 Floral Street, London, WC2E 9DA  Tel: 020 7379 0101
•    Masala Zone Camden – 25 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG  Tel: 020 7267 4422
•    Masala Zone Bayswater – 75 Bishops Bridge Road, London W2 6BG Tel: 020 7221 0055

Marco Pierre White Christmas Dinner Special

Marco Pierre White's people contacted me earlier this week about offering London Appetizer readers the chance to bag an exclusive table at MPWs Frankie's Restaurant in Knightsbridge.  It's a fantastic Christmas dinner and dance offering, with the benefit of meeting the great man Marco as part of the deal.

For all you MPW fans out there that can afford to shell out some cash for what will truly be an amazing evening, please check out more details here.