London Restaurants | London Guide

My Favourite London Restaurant

Well, another year is almost over and reflection is upon me.  I am often asked what my favourite London restaurant is and again, I have to go with the old time winner, Boisdale (the Belgravia one).

I like Boisdale because of its consistency, familiarity, old school charm, oh and of course excellent food and wine. The nightly jazz and the cigar bar/smoking terrace upstairs all add to what makes for a fantastic night out.

What's your favourite London restaurant? Leave a comment below!

Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays loyal readers.

Two for One Offer at Carluccio's

The beginning of 2011 is the only time you will be able to catch a two-for-one offer at Carluccio’s. Running from 4th January to 13th February, the offer is available on all Carluccio’s main courses.

The new seasonal menu, featuring future classics such Saltimbocca Di Maiale (pork escalope wrapped in Parma ham, pan-fried with sage and white wine and served with sauteed potatoes) and Fettucce Con Ragu Di Cinghiale (egg pasta ribbons with a wild boar ragu), will be available alongside Carluccio’s fresh handmade pastas, risottos, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Carluccio’s is the ideal spot for affordable Italian eating, drinking and shopping in modern yet relaxed surroundings. All our genuine Italian dishes are freshly prepared every day by our chefs using only the highest quality ingredients.

To enjoy our exclusive two-for-one offer, available throughout the country at a Carluccio’s near you, download a voucher from www.carluccios.com or pick up a two-for-one card in any of our restaurants. 

 

January Discounts at Giraffe Restaurants

From 10th-31st January Giraffe restaurants are giving diners 40% off all food. It’s that simple.

Visit for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and choose from their outstanding menu of world food, including dishes such as Mexican-style breakfast huevos rancheros, rodeo chicken burger, hot Thai duck stir fry, or to finish a delicious apple and berry crumble.

Simply log on to www.giraffe.net and join their Hug Club to receive all their fantastic deals.

New Year's Eve at Clos Maggiore

See in the New Year at Clos Maggiore, one of London’s most romantic restaurants, with a selection of special tasting menus and wine from the most comprehensive of cellars.

Clos Maggiore’s magical setting, with its main dining room decorated in cherry blossom and with a skylight to the stars, is close enough to the celebrations and buzz of Covent Garden’s piazza but also secluded enough to make the countdown to 2011 feel suitably special. Head chef Marcellin Marc has compiled some very special menus.

For £75 per head enjoy a five-course gourmet adventure, with goose foie gras and Périgord truffle parfait; followed by chargrilled wild scallops; roasted venison from the Duke of Westminster’s estate; a warm and crisp Sainte Maure goat cheese and lamb cress salad; and, finally, Valrhona chocolate marquise to finish. A vegetarian menu is also available.

Coffee and petit fours are included in both options and, for a £39 per head supplement, you can enjoy New and Old World wines selected from Clos Maggiore’s 2,000 bin wine cellar, perfectly paired with each course.

For New Year’s Eve, Marcellin has also created a three-course pre-theatre dinner for just £34.50 between 5pm and 6.30pm.

The Clink Restaurant Joins Sustainable Restaurant Association

Now here's something you won't do every day - go for a meal inside a prison!  Well, you can do just that at The Clink Restaurant at Her Majesty's Prison High Down in Sutton.

OK, so Sutton isn't London, but it's not far away and surely worth the trip down there just to say you've been 'inside'.

The actual press release I was sent is about The Clink joining the Sustainable Restaurant Association.  

 I love Stephen Fry's quote below:

The Clink restaurant at HMP High Down, Sutton has joined the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) with the intention of increasing its own and others environmental awareness levels.

Stephen Fry, actor, writer, journalist, comedian, television presenter and film director, kindly offered to cover the joining fee, supporting and believing in the vision of The Clink.

He comments: “This is the perfect marriage of two of my great loves - the rehabilitation of offenders and great, sustainable food. I am delighted to help the Clink become a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.”

The Clink, a registered charity and training restaurant for prisoners is already aware of its impact on the environment and sources the majority of its ingredients locally.

All the meals in The Clink are prepared and served by prisoners. This is part of the prison's efforts to rehabilitate offenders, giving them the skills and experience to get jobs and not to reoffend on their release.

Chris Moore, Chief Executive at The Clink comments: “Joining the Sustainable Restaurant Association was the logical next step for us in our mission to be more committed to a sustainable future. The SRA provides us with all the support and positivity we need to be as environmentally responsive as possible.”

The Sustainable Restaurant Association is a national not-for-profit membership association, providing restaurants with advice and support to help them navigate the whole spectrum of sustainability issues, with the aim of making UK restaurants global leaders in sustainability.

Simon Heppner, SRA managing director said: “We are delighted to welcome The Clink as a member. Inclusivity is the SRA’s watchword. It’s not a restaurant’s reputation, location or size that matters, but its commitment to become more sustainable, and the Clink clearly has that. We are immensely grateful to Stephen Fry whose generosity has made this partnership possible.”

Any restaurant, whether part of a chain or independent, can become a member of the SRA providing they are willing to abide by the views set out by the association and commit to at least three new sustainable activities whilst they are a member.

By becoming a member The Clink is showing not only current customers but also new ones its dedication to making positive changes to the environment and to society.

Book a table at: www.theclinkonline.com

Yo Sushi Restaurant Discount Voucher

Swap fashion for food and keep those New Year’s resolutions in check with YO! Sushi’s exclusive ‘January Sushi Sale’, featuring a menu of must-haves to keep you catwalk slim.

To celebrate the start of 2011, those generous guys at the nation’s favourite Japanese restaurant are offering a massive 40% discount off all food from the conveyor belt when you dine in at YO! Sushi and present your January Sale voucher at participating sites (valid at all UK YO! Sushi’s except Edinburgh Airport, Heathrow T3 and Westfield White City).

This season green, blue, purple, orange, pink, red and grey dishes, as well as yellow plates at YO! Sushi’s Premium locations, are all very much on trend, so take your front row seat next to the iconic conveyor belt to spot a delicious feast of fresh fish, meat and vegetarian dishes as well as hot specialties zig-zag down the culinary runway.

Grab anything you want off the conveyor belt (valid up to 10 plates maximum per a person) such as traditional sushi and sashimi and also Japanese hot classics including various rice, noodle and teriyaki favourites.

Available Monday to Friday and on Sundays, from Mon 10th – Sun 30th January inclusive, all you have to do to clinch this fantastic deal is sign up at www.yosushi.com/jansale to the YO! Sushi Love Club. Simply log in and download your unique January Sale web voucher and present it in-store to redeem this exciting offer (existing members will be sent their exclusive voucher automatically).