London Restaurants | London Guide

Valentine's Day at Boyd's Restaurant

Boyd’s Restaurant and Bar, located within a magnificent marble setting off Trafalgar Square, will be serving a special Valentine’s Menu on Saturday 12 and Monday 14 February 2011, priced at £34.95 per person.  

Built in 1887 as part of a 500-room ‘grand hotel’, the elegant and classical dining space is the perfect place to treat your loved one to a delicious Valentine’s dinner served with His ‘n’ Hers sorbets and a glass of Prosecco.

The four-course menu offers a choice of starters including Leek and potato soup with truffle cappuccino and cheese straws; London cure smoked salmon, blinis and sour cream; and Seared foie gras served with caramelised orange, toasted brioche and a hazelnut dressing.  His ‘n’ Hers sorbets are served between courses, with Strawberry and Champagne on offer for the ladies, and Apple and vanilla vodka for the gents.

For the main course, diners can sample dishes such as Artichoke, lemon and mascarpone risotto topped with arugula and parmesan salad; Pan-fried sea bass with watercress veloute, red onion confit and herb gnocchi; and a Duo of Scotch beef with a grilled fillet mignon, served with spinach, fondant potato, braised ox cheek and home-made horseradish mash.  

Dessert is equally delicious with a choice of three tempting treats.  Dark chocolate tart complemented by raspberry jelly and crystallised rose petals is the perfect Valentine’s sweet with other options including a Pineapple and mango brochette topped with sweet chilli lime syrup and coconut foam; and Brie de meux truffle honey with walnut biscuits. 

Boyd’s Restaurant & Bar, 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY
T: 020 7808 3344 or www.boydsbrasserie.co.uk

Dego' Restaurant in Oxford Circus Wins AA Rosettes

Just three months after opening at Oxford Circus W1, Dego’, the new Italian degustation restaurant and bar, has been awarded with two AA Rosettes.   

Given in recognition of ‘culinary excellence’, two AA Rosettes are awarded to ‘excellent restaurants that aim for, and achieve, higher standards and better consistency’. The strict AA rules for achieving two Rosettes also specify that ‘a greater precision must be apparent in the cooking, and obvious attention to the selection of quality ingredients’. 

Something of a find for lovers of Italian wine, at street level there is a classy, urban bar serving many high quality wines by glass, freshly cut charcuterie, unusual cheeses and light meals. Downstairs, the a-la-carte restaurant exudes that timeless elegance that can only be Italian, with black lacquer, leather-textured mosaic wall tiles, leather banquettes and stylish lighting.

But it’s the food that is a show-stopper, where the contemporary Italian cuisine is given a distinctive touch. Taking inspiration from North East Italy and from the towns of Vicenza and Venice in particular, talented head chef Dario Schiavo interprets Ravioli di Zucca, Taleggio e Amaretti as Pumpkin and taleggio cheese filled home made ravioli with a dusting of crushed amaretti, and Filetto di Maialino da Latte as Paper wrapped suckling pig fillet with bacon, served with a reduction of Barolo sauce.

A Semifreddo alle Rose – Rose parfait, is made with real rose petals. Accurate presentation and top quality ingredients like the 72 months aged Parmesan, give every dish an intense flavour coupled with a light texture.

The average spend is £40 per person with wine. Dego’ also offers a set two-course lunch at £14 per person. 

Headed by Sommelier Massimo Mioli, who imports 80 percent of the wines directly from the best Italian producers, the name Dego’ (with an accent on the o) derives from the words ‘Degustazione – tasting – and Osteria (tavern) the convivial Italian meeting place where people gather to enjoy traditional food and wine. Now reinterpreted as a modern, urban bar, the concept of ‘osteria’ still conveys the same values of great food matched by superb wines.             

Dego’ is at Portland House, 4 Great Portland Street (corner of Market Place), Oxford Circus, London W1W 8QJ

Tel: 020 7636 2297 info@degowinebar.co.uk  

www.degowinebar.co.uk  

Celebrate Burns Night at Boyd's

To celebrate Burn’s Day on Tuesday 25 January 2011, Boyd’s Restaurant and Bar will be serving a traditional Scottish dish and wee dram of whisky, for only £13.90.

Set within a magnificent marble setting at 8 Northumberland Avenue, off Trafalgar Square, Boyds will be inviting diners to celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns by sampling the Scottish delights which will be served as a special on Burn’s Day.

Built in 1887 as part of a 500-room ‘grand hotel’, the elegant and classical dining space is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Scottish dish of haggis, neeps and tatties washed down with a noggin of Jura whisky priced at £13.90 per person.  Those with a slightly smaller appetite can enjoy the ‘Little Plate of Haggis’ priced at £4.50 or £5.50 if you wish to add a wee dram of whisky. 

Once named The Marble Hall, Boyds opened its doors to the public last year having been occupied by the Crown since 1940.  It is owned by Charles Boyd, the previous owner of Chester Boyd, a top-end caterers who are held in such high esteem that they are even employed for the Queen’s Garden parties.  

Boyd’s recently re-launched menu offers ‘Best of British’ classics created by Head Chef, Richard Hawthorne.  Dishes include Venison shepherd’s pie with winter greens; Whole pan-fried sole, brown shrimp butter and crushed potato; and Roast rack of Romney Marsh lamb with braised shoulder hash and minted pea puree. Desserts feature Apple and blackberry crumble with vanilla ice cream; and Lemon posset with blueberry compote. There is a British-themed tapas menu, as well as a lunch and pre-theatre menu priced at £14.90 for two courses and £15.90 for three courses.

The double-height bar space is the perfect spot to enjoy after-work drinks with its impressive black granite design and antique mirrors.  Another focal point within the restaurant are two original Victorian wine refrigerators.  These meticulously-restored furnishings were used to keep wine bottles chilled with large blocks of ice in the central cavity.  The works of art are now used for wine storage. 

Boyd’s Restaurant and Bar is open six days a week, from 7am until 1am, with last orders being taken at 10pm.

Boyd’s Restaurant & Bar, 8 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BY
T: 020 7808 3344 or www.boydsbrasserie.co.uk

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).

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Planet Hollywood

 
Due to last year’s success Planet Hollywood is recreating its pink theme by hosting The Tickled Pink Party on New Year’s Eve. 

The Tickled Pink celebrations will begin with a welcome glass of pink bubbly, followed by a four-course meal and live band in the lavish Haymarket venue. The restaurant and bar will be transformed into a pink heaven filled with balloons, streamers and other festive decorations - complete with a luminous pink cocktail bar and giant sharing cocktails. 

For the evening meal, guests will be presented with a Gravadlax served with Capers, Shallots and Toast to start, or Stuffed Peppers. In between courses guests will be given Pink Sorbet to cleanse the palate, which will be followed by Grilled Prime Scottish Sirloin Steak served with a choice of Whiskey Horseradish or Pink Peppercorn Sauce, Dauphinoise Gratin, Glazed Carrots and Wilted Spinach.

Vegetarians can indulge in a Wild Mushroom Risotto with Butternut Squash, Rocket and Parmesan. Finally, if there is any room left, enjoy a White Chocolate Panacotta with Figs and Mini Donuts! 

Planet Hollywood has lined up some great entertainment for the night. A live band will be playing all evening, right through to New Year after which two sets will follow from Midnight. Meanwhile, The DJ will be playing upbeat soundtracks throughout the night whenever the bands are not on. With a variety of entertainment on offer, the night  will definitely be a memorable one.  Legendary barman, Salvatore Calabrese has created a bespoke menu of martinis and cocktails, tasty enough to warm guests on the chilliest December evening. Try either a Honey Dipped Strawberry or and Espresso Martini or indulge in one of the fabulous giant sharing cocktails with your friends– a great way to see in 2011. 

Tickets Available:Early Evening Seating for 6:30pm-7pm (£60 for the Main Floor/ £50 in the British Room)

Price includes a welcome glass of pink rosé bubbly, four-course meal, party hats and poppers. After your meal, make your way to the bar area and enjoy the sounds of our resident DJ playing all the classics, until it’s time for our live band to begin. 

Late Evening Seating for 9:30pm-10pm (£80 for the Main Floor /£70 in the British Room)Price includes a welcome glass of pink rosé bubbly, four-course meal, party hats and poppers. The table is yours for the entire evening. After your meal, make your way to the bar area and enjoy the sounds of our resident DJ playing all the classics, until its time for our live band to begin. 

Planet Hollywood has a late license until 3am for this special occasion.

www.planethollywoodlondon.com 

Christmas Offer at Tortilla Restaurants

Situated in five central locations around London, Tortilla will be offering merry party-goers the ultimate Christmas package including a medium sized burrito with tortilla chips, sour cream and chunky guacamole plus two Mexican beers from a choice of Corona, Dos Equis, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial or Pacifico – a bargain at £15 per person!

Feeling indulgent? Size up your burrito to a large for just £1 extra. Tortilla’s dishes are all prepared on-site daily. Tender meats are marinated and grilled to perfection, chunky guacamole is crammed full of the ripest avocados, and authentic salsa roja provides a piquant bite.

The health conscious can also sleep easy: gluten-free corn tortillas are available, while the grilled chicken is halal, plus an extensive set of toppings are vegetarian, and none of the meals at Tortilla are fried, banishing the old-age perception of heavy, greasy Mexican cuisine. 

So why not come down throughout the Christmas period and enjoy some Californian-style Mexican hospitality at any one of our five London restaurants? Feliz Navidad!

Check out the venues at www.tortilla.co.uk