Bites
Gossip, launches, sightings and the like brought to you direct from Blue Tomato towers…
Duvel – A Glass Act
We find ourselves invited to a plethora of events in London, everything from new bar launches, wine tastings, new menus and even the launch of a new urinal concept (yep, we know…unusual!) but tonight, it’s an event with a beer, a vodka and London Fashion week. I’m comfortable with the beer and vodka, it’s what I do. I would like to think that I’ve developed the correct etiquette for chatting to my peers, gleaming bits of information in order to scribe a good review of the evening and associated product for you our dear readers, but fashion…what is the etiquette here? I conjure up images of cads, fashionistas, beautiful people and movers and shakers in the bemusing world of fashion and design. [continue reading]
Cantina del Ponte: All for a Good Cause
It’s not often that a topless waiter pours Blue Tomato a glass of Prosecco on a Wednesday evening (that’s usually Thirsty Thursdays in our office), but as it was for charity we thought that we’d acquiesce to a small drop at Cantina Del Ponte, a fabulous Italian restaurant located on Shad Thames. [continue reading]
Check Out Heston’s Buns!
I’m sure it comes as no surprise as we tell you that Heston’s been at it again. Not quite the ‘Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding’ he did last year that ended up being the most sought after pudding (possibly EVER), but still just as delish, Heston has created his own take on the iconic Easter Hot Cross Bun. [continue reading]
Thai Square Restaurants – Worth a Visit!
Arguably one of the world’s greatest cuisines, Thai food is available in restaurants on almost every street in London, and Premier UK restaurant group, Thai Square are probably responsible for half of them. Ok, we may be exaggerating slightly, but having now opened eleven (yes, eleven) London-based restaurants and six restaurants outside London, altogether offering a selection of more than 1,000 authentic dishes, you can see why we’d be so presumptuous. [continue reading]
Travel East Asia in Fitzrovia
Ever been to East Asia and wandered the street-food markets, sampling the exotic foreign flavours and gorging on rich, authentic foods? Nor have we. And now we don’t even have to. The newly opened East Street, situated in Fitzrovia, offers you the chance to travel across East Asia by plate, at pocket-friendly prices. [continue reading]
Chip, Chip Hooray!
It’s been over 150 years since the first portion of chips were fried in a small fish and chip shop in Oldham, and we’d say that’s cause for celebration! That is why we are on board in dedicating not just a day but a whole week to these golden-shelled, fluffy-centred national treasures of deliciousness. [continue reading]
I am the World’s Last Bar Man Poet…
…I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make. America is getting stinking on something I stir or shake. The Sex On The Beach…the Schnapps made from peach! The Velvet Hammer…the Alabama Slammer! I make stuff with juice and froth, the Pink Squirrel…the 3 Toad Sloth. I makedrinks so sweet and snazzy, the Iced Tea…the Kamakazi! The Orgasm…the Death Spasm. The Singapore Sling…the Ding a Ling. America your just devoted to every flavour I got, but if you want to get loaded…why don’t you just order a shot! [continue reading]
Flippin’ Pancake Day
Pancake Day is not a holiday to be flippant about. Yes, we made a pan – pun…but seriously, this is the day you are supposed to use up what’s in your cupboards -flour, eggs and milk (of course), and eat your bodyweight in pancakes before you fast for 40 days! You must not take this delicious day half-heartedly, you have some serious decisions to make: what are you going to give up for 40 days and nights, and more importantly, where are you going to get your pancakes from?! [continue reading]
Cook For a Change!
Food has always brought people together, crossing boundaries of culture and nationality, but it can also act as a comfort, and to help people retain their culture. Refugees who have had no choice but to flee their countries seek to maintain their cultural roots, and in doing so have consequently educated Britain and shared with us some of their fantastic foods. [continue reading]
Celebrate the Curry Chefs of Brick Lane
Brick Lane: what is it good for? Bagels and curry! Not just any bagels and curry though, but late-night-feed-your-drunk-munchies bagels and curry. The countless chefs working day in and day out on this well-known ‘lane’ have been fueling your curry obsessions for who-knows how long now, and they rarely receive the recognition they deserve. That’s about to change though, as many of these chefs are to be featured in a photographic exhibition at the Rich Mix Arts Centre. [continue reading]
Horsing Around For Valentine’s
In need of a last-minute Valentine’s Day surprise? The Royal Horseguards Hotel has laid on a very special afternoon tea and dinner at its prestigious London venue. Part of a series of themed afternoon teas hosted throughout the year to celebrate notable events, including Diamond Jubilee, Mother’s Day and Wimbledon Teas; the Valentine’s tea is a veritable feast of sweetness and pink. Indulge with classic desserts and cakes, Champagne truffles, chocolate fondue and one of the lightest macaroons we’ve ever sampled. For those inclined to add an adult kick to the proceedings, top it off with a glass of Champagne or the ‘signature’ Valentine’s cocktail, a fragrant burst of gin, lychee & grenadine, served with an edible rose petal. Finish with a few oysters and see where the afternoon takes you. Although, fear not if you can’t make it on the day itself, the afternoon tea is available until the … [continue reading]
Get Interactive This V-Day At Inamo
Taking the short stroll from Piccadilly Circus to Regent Street on a crisp February evening is a wonderfully romantic thing to do. Imagine it, we are dressed in period Victorian attire and the clocks have been turned back to 1910. A faux-English accented Dick Van Dyke has just skipped along a nearby rooftop with his coal smeared face and Yorkshire flat cap. He stops mid pirouette and gives us a cheeky glance. Actually, I never did much care for Mary Poppins or Van Dyke’s portrayal of that cheeky English Chimney sweep come jazz handed mockney, so I shake this surreal image I’m having, ignore my date’s bemused looks and make haste to Inamo St James, the destination of our early Valentine’s Day dinner. The brainchild of self-confessed foodie geeks Danny Potter and Noel Hunwick, Inamo was conceived after they felt it difficult to get the attention of waiting staff in … [continue reading]
Gin on the Roof! Why not?
Don’t let a bit of a flurry stop you from enjoying the outdoors – snow excuse! Put down your hotchoc, put your snow boots on and embrace the night at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. [continue reading]
Top Ten Valentine’s Day Suggestions!
We all know from experience that every relationship is different. That’s why on Valentine’s Day, deciding on the perfect date for your perfect mate can get a bit complicated. That’s where we come in. [continue reading]
Tag Your Love, Tag Your Moet!
Not in a weird, possessive way – Moët & Chandon, the champagne of success and glamour since 1743, is now going all hip and urban, and transforming chic champagne lovers everywhere into artists. Moët & Chandon are giving you champagne guzzlers the opportunity to express your inner graffiti artist and boldly declare your love with a unique digital experience and all over a limited edition bottle of Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial. [continue reading]
Bacanal IS the Future
Partying in the evening is so last year and who can be bothered to just ‘do lunch’? Here’s an idea, ever thought about brunch? Yeah, brunch – and not just any type of breakfast/lunch, but a big New York style brunch, that requires you to party from midday. We at BT, have a sneaking suspicion that this is about to become a new London craze… Bacanal are the ones to look out for. Starting in March 2010, their focus has been on providing an ‘experience that combines epicurean food, euphoric energy and entertainment and a distinguished clientele in a Champagne brunch setting.’ The Collection restaurant on Brompton Road is where Bacanal originally established themselves as a brand but they have been known to relocate to different trendy venues, hosting brunches at The Supperclub in Notting Hill, The Box Nightclub in Soho and Nozomi in Beauchamps place. There’s nothing more than these avant … [continue reading]
The RIBA Restaurant: Don’t Keep This One To Yourself
Sometimes the best secrets are the ones that are worst kept; following this ideology, we’re going to let the cat out of the bag about a certain hidden gem that lies nestled in the heart of the West End but is probably only known to a select few members of the artistic set. Until now. The RIBA restaurant is situated on the 1st floor of the Royal Institute of British Architects (or 66 Portland Place to the layman and any hungry postal workers seeking an extravagant snack between shifts). As one of London’s Art Deco landmarks, one can expect the furnishings to be suitably chic, with half-moon booths surrounding an impressive installation of architectural designs that takes pride of place in the centre of the expansive, high-ceilinged room. The staff are polite and charming, not to mention well versed in all things taste-orientated; even before the starters arrive the stakes … [continue reading]
Dough, a beer, a Pizzeria…
‘National story telling week’ has recently come to its yarn laden end and until ‘be late for something day’ which doesn’t happen until September (give or take), fear not as ‘National Pizza week‘ starts today. We Brits love our themed weeks, and whilst some of ours aren’t as weird as a few of the notable dates celebrated by our American cousins (The slightly disturbing National Beheading day is our personal favourite) we do, however both have rather a large penchant for the dough based, tomato sauce topped feast. The humble Pizza started its bready life back in sixteenth century Naples, long before Dean Martin crooned about the moon hitting his eye like a big pizza pie. The flavoured flatbread or ‘Galette’ was a poor man’s dish, quite possibly sold to passing drinkers late into the balmy Neapolitan evening following a heady night on the Chianti. Jump forwards 500 or so … [continue reading]
A Night of Singaporean Inspiration
Singapore is one of the most fascinating culinary hubs of the world. Its location has allowed for centuries of interaction with the surrounding Southeast Asian countries, and along with the influence of Western culture, Singaporean cuisine has combined key elements of these different cuisines, making for one of the most epic smörgåsbords known to man. [continue reading]
Good Golly it’s Olly
Last year I bought my Valentine a Turkish delight accompanied by petrol station bought flowers and a flimsy handmade card. Suffice to say, things didn’t work out and this year, its time to up the stakes (Maybe a dairy milk would show I really care?) Perhaps you are planning to demonstrate your Heston-esque cookery skills in the kitchen or dazzle (or should I say ‘Razzle’) her by your Ron Jeremy-esque skills in the bedroom? Either way, its only proper that we make an effort to let the one we love, know we really do care, and if you don’t know your Pinot’s from your Poirot’s then TV’s Wine guru Olly Smith is hosting a ‘Meet the Expert’ session at Vinopolis in Borough Market this February. (Olly will even throw in a signed copy of his latest book, “eat and drink”). On Saturday 11th February, prepare to be indulged by Olly … [continue reading]
The Oyster Shed: Holding The World In Your Hands
Oysters serve as the Marmite of the seafood world; people often divide themselves into the ‘Love’ or ‘Hate’ category and refuse to budge no matter how hard the other side argues. It’s a bold move then for Geronimo Inns to open a new bar restaurant in the heart of The City entitle The Oyster Shed, that is surely set to polarise customers that pop in for a quick snack. With the expansive space set out on two levels, the bar is abuzz of suited businesspeople of varying ages and the high-octane chatter that typically hums above such groups. Clipping our way through all of the “hedge fund” speak, Blue Tomato heads straight for the upper balcony that overlooks the Thames and gets stuck into the fine array of seafood platters and, of course, the oysters. With a steady flow of Champagne and craft beer on offer, guests’ throats are sufficiently … [continue reading]
Go Florida Grapefruit!
Grapefruit season is in full swing and everybody knows that using seasonal produce can benefit you in more ways than one. It’s fresher, supermarkets and markets will have a plentiful supply so prices are more likely to be cheaper, and buying seasonal produce gives you more reason to try new, possibly exotic foods and experiment with seasonal recipes. Plus, it tastes and feels better. [continue reading]
Paying Homage to Robbie Burns
The 25th of January was the date to celebrate Burns Night and I owed it to myself to pick the best place to go to pay homage to Robbie Burns. So where did I go? My invitation to this sell-out exclusive event was just the thing I needed to stick the middle finger up to the January blues. [continue reading]
Monkey Shoulder at Callooh Callay
Admittedly, I’d skim past the whisky cocktails on the drinks menu, and I’d not warm my cockles (do I have cockles?) by having a little whisky tipple. However, when invited to Callooh Callay’s JubJub to sample some Monkey Shoulder cocktails, I couldn’t possibly say no to the chance of venturing beyond the wardrobe. It may sound like I’m talking in riddles, but I assure you, I am writing this a good 24 hours after the cocktail tasting. [continue reading]
Carluccio’s Feed the Love
Everyone (men) calm down. Yes, we’ve reached February, and that means that there is only a mere two weeks left until the big V-day, but trying to avoid mentioning it won’t mean she will forget about it; leaving it down to the last minute hoping you will have a sudden spurt of inspiration isn’t going to work; and no, that other idea of yours won’t be well received, it’s not a gift if she’s seen it before. If only you had someone to help you out (no, not your mate Dave), perhaps a romantic Italian friend… Enter: Carluccio. [continue reading]
The Best of the Wurst
Calling all you gourmet sausage lovers out there! Looking for traditional German fare at affordable prices? After the perfect banger? Step forward ‘The Bratwurst’. As the name suggests, sausages are the house speciality and special they are. We’re not just talking your simple pork offerings here; the menu has a range of tantalising snags, imported from an award winning butcher in Thuringia, Germany. From the signature Bratwurst sausage made from 86% pork and bacon complimented by a hint of cumin, to the more unusual cheese bratwurst combining turkey, pork and yes you guessed it…cheese. Indeed there is something for everyone. Sticking with tradition, the sausages are served exactly as they would be in Cologne, Hamburg or any other town in Germany – in freshly baked brotchen rolls, accompanied by authentic side dishes such as sauerkraut, chips, potato salad and mashed potato. The menu also includes a range of old German … [continue reading]
Hoy Savoy
If I were 121 one years old, I’m sure it would be fair for me to give myself a complete makeover for all the world to see. After all change is good, right? Well, that is exactly what happened to The Savoy Hotel in October 2010 and not just a makeover, but a £220 million refurbishment of the whole hotel. We’re talking about all 268 rooms including the suites, the restaurants, the bars, yep, nothing was left untouched, apart from their excellent reputation of course, which is still intact. The Savoy on the Strand is the crown jewel of London Hotels and definitely one of theplaces to be seen at, whether it be for a long weekend, a night cap, lunch, dinner, hell even just to take a family snap outside of the majestic entrance. The first quarter of 2012 is set to be extremely exciting at The Savoy with a plethora of … [continue reading]
WIN 5 Cases of Personalised Vedett Extra Blond!
How would you like to win yourself 5 personalised cases of Vedett Extra Blond? Yes – beer with your face on! [continue reading]
Madd for Dessert?
Thanks to newly refurbed dessert restaurant MADD, situated on Rupert Street in Soho, you can now quite literally skip straight to the dessert (I’m attempting to wink). Impossible to miss, painted a vivid mangolicious yellow – so well suited in the colourful area of Soho, MADD offers an array of mango-based snacks, desserts, smoothies AND cocktails. [continue reading]
Enter The Dragon
New Years Eve often follows a familiar formula. Heavy anticipation, meticulous planning and desperate phone calls to make sure everyone is in the same place at the same time when the clock strikes twelve. Great in theory right! The reality is somewhat different. The last night of the year generally leads to excessive alcohol consumption, emotional outbursts and a big fat dent in your Christmas pay cheque when it comes to getting a cab home – if you can even find one that is. Of course, this comes after you’ve spent an inordinate amount of money for the privilege of wasting your evening in a pub where your feet stick to the floor and their idea of a pub snack is a flaccid packet of cheese and onion crisps. So, as we’re such nice people here at Tomato Towers, we’re giving you a second chance. (Kind of). Chinese New Year … [continue reading]
Burn Baby Burn – Burns Night Inferno
Remember, remember the 25th of January. What? Oh, not those kind of Burns? Turn up the heat in London town around Robbie Burns Night and pay tribute to the man himself by donning your tartans, consuming a whole lotta whisk(e)y and doing those Scottish traditions a good dollop of justice by checking out Blue Tomato’s 5 of the best picks to make Burns Night one to remember (or not to remember depending on your Scotch intake). They are all guaranteed to leave you wishing it was the 25th January every night. Scots honour. The Button Club Kilts and little black dresses at the ready darlings, because premium events company The Button Club are hosting their 10th Burns Night extravaganza on Saturday the 29th of January. The shindig will consist of a 5 course Avant-garde yet traditional Highland menu with fine wines to compliment and fine usqabae (whisky) of age and … [continue reading]
Giorgio on the Telly
Did watching the BBC’s Sicily Unpacked leave you absolutely famished? Good news. There’s a way you can find out what some of those mouth-watering dishes actually taste like! (And no, sadly this does not involve futuristic televisions with edible capabilities). Chef Giorgio Locatelli has inspired three one-week-only menus at his City favourite, Refettorio, designed to coincide with the airing of Sicily Unpacked. Refettorio’s menus feature fine Italian cuisine inspired by some of the dishes and ingredients highlighted on the show. The third and final menu will run for one week only, from the 20th to the 27th of January, so don’t wait long to book a table! Refettorio’s head chef, Alessandro Bay, is the brain behind the programme-inspired menus. Bay is a former protégée of Locatelli and his dishes reflect the Italian’s characteristic mix of Mediterranean cuisines, as well as his bold combinations of traditional and contemporary. The final menu’s … [continue reading]
Seriously Good Gordon
Sainsbury’s Sport Relief, one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, is only two months away, reminding us that our winter hibernation will soon be over. The Sport Relief Mile takes place on the 25th of March, the perfect way to start getting back into warm-weather shape while supporting Comic Relief—a charity that aids the poorest countries as well as the UK’s most disadvantaged. If you’re gearing up to participate in the Sport Relief Mile, be sure to make a nutritious meal before the big event. Even better, make a nutritious meal that uses Chef Gordon Ramsay’s line of Seriously Good sauces, from which at least 10p from every jar sold directly supports Comic Relief. Ramsay has teamed up with the aptly named health expert, Anita Bean to create the perfect recipe for a Sport Relief pre-mile meal, designed specifically to fuel your run. Ramsay’s Pre-Mile Classic Arrabiata is low … [continue reading]
AA Announces New Rosette Awards
The AA today announced seven establishments that have just been awarded its coveted three AA Rosettes. The higher AA Rosettes, awarded just twice a year, celebrate the exceptionally high standards of cuisine that these restaurants offer. Two of these fabulous restaurants are in London, while the remaining five range from Scotland to West Sussex. The new three Rosette restaurants are Hakkasan Mayfair, London Roganic, London Cotswold 88, Painswick Tuddenham Mill, Newmarket Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead East Lodge Country House Hotel, Rowsley Mark Greenaway at No 12 Picardy Place, Edinburgh AA Hotel Services manager Simon Numphud said, “We are delighted to recognise seven new establishments with the achievement of three AA Rosettes. All have demonstrated a high level of consistency and accuracy in the overall cooking standards that our inspection team have experienced. “Restaurants serving food of a three Rosette standard are worthy of recognition from well beyond their local area … [continue reading]
(Spaghetti) House Sale – with Pizza, not Property!
With the tightening of belts this time of year, we are all on the look-out for bargains. The January sales may still be in full swing but, if you’re anything like us, you’ve bought all the books, kitchen gadgets, boots and chinos you want anyway! What about a restaurant sale? That’s what we’re really after… Enter Spaghetti House. The ten venue, Italo-London restaurant group is kicking off a culinary club to see you through to the end of the month. With Spaghetti Wednesday Club, diners receive a full size Pizza Alla Parmigiana and a bottle of Birra Moretti for just £5. Stone-baked and generously topped with genuine Prosciutto di Parma (or not if you’re a vegetarian!), mozzarella, courgette and wild rocket, wash it down with a beer (well, it is a club) and lighten the load that little bit on cold Wednesdays throughout the month*. What’s more, Spaghetti House have … [continue reading]
Cowzat!? Divine Bovine Dinner at Gaucho
Well we love cows as much as the next person but would you ever consider them Divine? Gaucho certainly think so and invite all cowphile bovinephile cowlovers ’people wot like cows’ to celebrate this majestic beast with them. Far from their natural habitat, the third annual Divine Bovine Dinner is being held at Gaucho’s Piccadilly restaurant in Swallow Street, W1 on Tuesday 31st January. Cow enthusiast, Matthew Fort, judge of the Great British Menu, will present the evening of bovine theatre. As ever, a special feature is included and this year gives guests the opportunity to whip up their own Lomo Beef Ceviche starter with the help of Mike Reid, Head Chef of Gaucho Piccadilly. The top three guest’s Ceviches will be chosen by Matthew Fort (ooh, just like being on TV!) and the winners will be awarded with suitably Argentine prizes. Upon arrival, diners will be treated to a Bloody … [continue reading]
Wake Up with Betty Blythe this Valentine’s Day
Why leave your loved one cold in bed whilst you attempt to make them a “special breakfast” when you could choose to stay cuddled up together and wait for the breakfast to be delivered to you? [continue reading]
Get Yourself a Lancaster Date
February brings with it one of the most romantic days of the year—depending on who it is you’re asking. The overabundance of candy hearts, cheesy cards and red roses can make even the most starry-eyed of us feel a bit queasy. If a milk tray doesn’t feel special enough for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, don’t worry. The Lancaster London hotel is offering two luxurious Valentine’s packages, sure to turn you and your loved one into hopeless romantics, at least for a day or two. The Lancaster London is known for its great location overlooking Hyde Park, and the “Be my Valentine” package takes full advantage of the views. The package includes an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s Superior Rooms, specially decorated for Valentine’s Day and featuring spectacular views of the park. Guests will be treated to VIP check-in, a half-bottle of Champagne and chocolate-coated strawberries delivered to … [continue reading]
Spice-Detox at The Cinnamon Club
Right, you’ve put off starting your New Year’s detox for far too long, time to get serious! But we’re not advising you to drink water and eat celery – what kind of friends would that make us? Instead, we are encouraging you to go for a good old Ruby Murray at The Cinnamon Club! That’s what friends are for. [continue reading]
WIN a Hamper Containing the Best of Burgundy!
Fancy winning a delicious hamper worth £160, containing luxury Maille mustards, condiments and sauces from Dijon and six bottles of Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages? If not, we’re totally keeping it for ourselves. [continue reading]
Raymond Blanc to be Guest Chef at Texture
It’s the law of physics, when there’s this much talent performing in one restaurant for one night only, Blue Tomato manifests to tell you all about it. On 17th January 2012, the Raymond Blanc OBE will be reproducing some of his classic dishes from Le Manoir auc Quat’Saisons at Marylebone Michelin starred restaurant Texture. [continue reading]
Relish the Chance to Lend a Helping Hand
What makes a mouth-watering, perfectly cooked burger even better? At Gourmet Burger Kitchen, the answer is a side of goodwill. To properly ring in the New Year, the Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) has begun its fourth year of partnership with Capital FM’s Help a Capital Child, the hit music station’s charity aimed at supporting disadvantaged youngsters in local areas. GBK has raised an impressive £250,000 for the charity over the years, and their latest deal once again combines some real good with some really good savings. Beginning on January 16th and running until February 26th, GBK will be offering up two of its burgers for a total of £10, representing a savings of up to £8. To top it off, 20p from each sale will go directly to Help a Capital Child and their pledge to finance grass-root projects for London’s most disadvantaged youth. As if things could get any … [continue reading]
Highland Fling at The Avalon for Burns Night
“O thou, my Muse! guid auld Scotch drink!…… Inspire me, till I lisp an’ wink, to sing thy name!” Robert Burns, An Ode to Scotch Drink. Beginning at Hogmanay, Scotch Whisky has the monopoly on January spirit drinking. If you’re drinking anything else at the moment then it’s juist nae cricket. If, like us, you’ve not quite followed this, then Burns Night (naturally the end of the Scotch monopoly) is your chance to appease Braveheart and all other such stereotypical Scottish warriors – sworn enemies of us Sassenachs. Take a wee dram in memory of Burns himself – as well as other proud Scots such as Groundskeeper Willie, Kenny Dalglish and Rab C. Nesbitt – but why simply stop there? For a true Burns Nicht experience, you don’t need to take a trip north across the border. Head south to The Avalon in Clapham and partake in malt tastings and … [continue reading]
WIN Champagne For Life!
Now, this here is one competition we are reluctant to share with you. We at Blue Tomato, and Key-2 Luxury’s sister company Champagne For Life, are offering you one awfully fabulous, stupidly generous chance to win free champers for the rest of your life! (Yes, it is painful being this nice.) [continue reading]
Oxford Circus Ice Ice Baby
The moniker of “London’s coolest bar” takes on a whole new meaning this winter as Aqua Kyoto in Oxford Circus offers the perfect retreat from the January sales mayhem below. Move over Heddon Street’s Below Zero Ice Bar, the Sake & Sushi Ice Bar is in town until February 12th. London’s only outdoor ice bar gives us the chance to embrace rather than escape the big chill this year. Take in spectacular views across the city whilst warming yourself with the range of premium sakes on offer (and if you’re still chilly, cashmere blankets are on hand too with a number of outdoor heaters thrown in for good measure). Feeling adventurous? Then why not try one of the various sake cocktails on offer, such as the comforting festive flavours of “The Aoki”, made with cinnamon syrup, warm apple juice and sake, served with vanilla jelly cubes or “The Kiyoshi”, … [continue reading]
Sunday Speakeasys in SW16
If you’re anything like us here at Tomato Towers, when Sunday evening rolls around, that sense of impending Monday morning doom and gloom tends to put a dampener on an otherwise fantastic weekend. Well, not anymore. Get yourself over to SW16 to Hideaway to revel in their newly launched, twice-monthly “Speakeasy Sunday Nights” featuring the best new talent in London’s very own New Orleans funk and jazz scene with some “roaring” R & B thrown in for good measure. The guys at Hideaway have teamed up with Jazz FM and the Blue Tomato favourite Four Roses bourbon to bring us some fantastic cocktails, with exclusive cocktail tasters served in unique speakeasy Jam Jars for the first 30 people through the door. Get your groove on to James Hunter on January 8th and West Weston’s Bluesonics on January 22nd. Oh, and of course we wouldn’t be London’s Premier Restaurant and FOOD … [continue reading]
Fancy a pint of Twitter?
Multi-awarding winning brewery in Norfolk, Grain, are looking to capitalise on the ever growing, Mark Zuckerberg inspired trend of how we now communicate. Through their Facebook page and Twittersphere, the brewery is looking to gain some solid insight into what the word on the street is about their beers. Throughout December and January, a limited release beer under the name “Redwood” will be available in selected shops around the South East where the drinker will be invited to post their feedback online. Grain will also be tweeting and Facebooking the locations of the beer, along with the feedback with a view to actually letting the public shape the way it’s brewed in order to create the perfect beer. We here at Tomato towers can’t wait to sample the beer over the New Year, so look out for our two penneth worth, and if we like it, we just make the … [continue reading]
Cop two tickets to Copenhagen with Noma
Always more than just any restaurant, Noma’s products can be [continue reading]
Allow The East India Company to Indulge You
400 years ago, English merchant adventurers were drawn to the enticing promise of The East and travelled to India, Burma, Malaya, Java, Indo-China and onwards to the undiscovered hinterland of Cathay, bringing home treasures of every kind. Londoners were captivated by the exotic plants and beasts, porcelain and rubies, and most especially strange and wonderful new foods and drinks. Today, The East India Company continues this tradition by offering fine Eastern discoveries, along with ‘select temptations’ from the West. [continue reading]
Victorian Themed Cocktails at The Grosvenor
Nearing the end of a £20m refurbishment which will see it become the official fifth member of the luxury Guoman Hotels collection, The Grosvenor, situated in Victoria (as if you didn’t know) has revisited its roots by designing the stylish new Réunion bar to reflect the hotel’s colourful past, and now introducing an exclusive, limited edition, Victorian themed cocktail menu. [continue reading]
Time for Tea at Harrods
Whether you need a break from shopping or are hungry or parched; whether you are in search of a luxurious yet relaxed setting for a spot of lunch, perhaps supper, or fancy that it is simply just tea time – then find your way up to the second floor and take a seat in Harrods’ newly unveiled, beautifully appointed Tea Room. [continue reading]
Grand Marnier With a Shot of Christmas
Add some holiday cheer to your liquor cabinet this Christmas! To celebrate the holiday season, Grand Marnier has created the Red Ribbon Limited Edition Bottle, a bold change from its traditional brown bottle with red seal. The Christmas bottle is a chic white, smartly wrapped with a red ribbon, perfect to bring as a gift to a holiday party or display at your own. It is available now in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, so get yours while they last! Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge is a distinctive blend of fine cognacs, tropical flavours and caramelised notes, making it a great ingredient in Christmas drinks. To help you out at your holiday party, we’ve got a recipe for Le Grand Freeze, a Pina Colada with a frosty winter twist. Ingredients: 40ml Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge 20ml Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum 60ml Pineapple Juice 40ml Coconut Milk (or 20ml Coconut Cream) Method: Pour … [continue reading]
Cookery Course Review: Fish In A Day
Fish in a Day is the first of Food Safari’s London-based courses, which brings the Suffolk seaside to the city table. [continue reading]
London’s Best… Mince Pies
Continuing her search for the crème de la crème of London’s food products and producers, @felicityspector unwraps the secret of London’s best mince pies. Well, it’s December now, so you’re officially allowed to indulge… [continue reading]
McGuigan Get Real
This is an excerpt from Terry Theise’s Reading Between the Wines, ‘…oh, just a portrait of nasturtium, or shuttlecocks dipped in quince jelly, or the stench on a fox’s muzzle after he’s eaten a number of small rodents or the iced cake in a refrigerator in a Paris apartment, or like new sandals, especially if the feet in them have been soaked in a bromide solution…’ Excuse me? Is it any wonder that many of us find choosing our wine so intimidating when the tasting notes are, more often than not, complete and utter nonsense? McGuigan Wine – the world-famous Australian Wine Brand, have acknowledged our desperate cries for help coming from wine aisles all over Britain and have come to make the lives of winos everywhere easier. [continue reading]
Pure Indulgence Evening: Nothing Exceeds Like Excess
If you asked the Blue Tomato team to name their top 5 favourite things in the world, you could safely wager that cheese, chocolate and beer would feature pretty highly on that list, (the other two being tomatoes and the colour blue, naturally). So you can understand our barely-contained excitement at being invited to an evening of ‘pure indulgence’ at The Stafford Hotel, which would involve the triple pleasure threat of, well, cheese, chocolate and beer. [continue reading]
Spirit of Spending
Here at Tomato Towers, we’re not averse to bankrolling the odd big night out. We think we may have just come across the best way to blow some spare cash on drinks, though. Russian based company Ladoga have come together with Signature Lifestyles in the UK to announce the release of its Faberge inspired Imperial Collection Vodka, to be sold at London’s Browns boutique. [continue reading]
A Brand New Very Old Vodka
It’s officially winter. It’s officially cold. It’s officially OK to crack open the vodka. Because we know you’ve refrained from doing so for the rest of the year. Yeah, right. Anyway, this winter sees the launch of a new brand to the UK, and it’s set to spark a bit of Eastern Block rivalry, as The Ukraine gives Russia a run for its money. [continue reading]
St Martin’s Courtyard Lunch: 5 Meals, 5(ish) Hours
Many workers’ Mondays are spent recovering from the weekend just gone and this is just the case with the Blue Tomato office; it came as a welcome relief then, that we were offered a veritable cushion in which to crash land into the oncoming week in the form of a culinary tour of St Martin’s Courtyard. So, stories from Saturday and Sunday packed firmly in our pockets we ventured out into the Covent Garden courtyard to sample the crème de la crème of the café and restaurant scene. [continue reading]
Christmas Cocktails at The Rotunda Lounge
Nothing says Christmas quite like a festive cocktail. At the Rotunda Lounge in the London Marriott Hotel County Hall in Westminster, an enchanting menu of Christmas drinks is available for the holiday season. We at BT made a visit to this classic hotel bar, settling in at comfortable seats by the window with a fabulous view of Big Ben. The overall atmosphere was extremely festive, and after few (or more) of these Christmas-inspired cocktails we felt like we were relaxing in the North Pole. [continue reading]
Salads in Shoreditch: Chop’d Launches New Location
When it comes to fresh soups and salads made with local ingredients, it doesn’t get much better than London’s Chop’d. On December 3rd, Chop’d will be launching its seventh location since opening in Ledenhall market in 2004. The gourmet salad bar will be a part of the new Boxpark shopping mall in Shoreditch, the world’s first pop-up, temporary shopping mall. It will be the only food brand featured in the mall to specialise in healthy, diverse salads, all made with local ingredients from around London and the UK. [continue reading]
The Seven Beers of Christmas
This holiday season, forget the seven swans-a-swimming. Tell your true love to give you the seven beers of Christmas, on sale at Nicholson’s Pubs all over the UK. These winter ales have been brewed specifically to complement the holidays, with special spices and flavours designed put you in the Christmas spirit. They are all limited editions on sale from now until Christmas Day, so enjoy them while you can! [continue reading]
New Wine School to Launch in East London
Throw away your pencils and textbooks. School just got a little cooler. The East London Wine School will be opening for courses this January, so you can start the New Year with some brand new knowledge. The school will offer eight-week courses with an emphasis on enjoying and appreciating wines, as well as learning about the different wine regions and the characteristics of each. It will also offer introductory evening tastings, Saturday champagne tastings with lunch, and fine wine evenings. [continue reading]
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Appy Christmas!
Nobody wants a touch of frost this Christmas (on boxset or on their car), so how about a touch of some helpful seasonal magic instead? Yes, the inevitable has happened, now your iPhone can cook your Christmas dinner too. Sort of. [continue reading]
Learn Wine, Oxford Style
As all of us wine aficionados know, there is always more to learn. There are the technical aspects of winemaking, the cultural stories, and the elusive mysteries that surround the wine and the land it comes from. Oh, and how to tell a Merlot from a Cabernet with a blindfold on. [continue reading]
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Jameson – Your Christmas Spirit
There’s always a bottle of a little something under the tree, why not make it a little something special this Christmas? Make it triple distilled Jameson Irish whiskey. [continue reading]
UK Food Tour Offers a Taste of Malaysia
Beef Rendang, Laksa and Satay. All are classic dishes of Malaysia, where a magical combination of Asian flavours creates dishes so bold and diverse they are sure to make a lasting impact on your taste buds. While a holiday to Malaysia may not be in your immediate future, there is a way you can experience the authentic Asian cookery right here in the UK. Malaysia Kitchen is celebrating the diversity and heritage of the cuisine with a ‘Street Food Tour’, a series of events and activities meant to open the world up to the possibilities Malaysian food has to offer. [continue reading]
Barrio North to Introduce Musical Menu
♪ One bourbon, one scotch, one beer! ♫ Liquor and music have always seemed to go together, and Barrio North is soon taking this pairing a step further. In January of 2012, the Islington Spanish-infused DJ bar will be launching a new cocktail menu with everyone’s favourite tunes in mind. [continue reading]
New Natural Teas From Higher Living
Got a case of the afternoon yawns? Looking for a refreshing pick-me-up? Higher Living has just introduced a new range of herbal infused teas, all produced here in the UK. The flavours are specially created to inspire and revitalize, and best of all, they are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients. [continue reading]
The Italian Job: Identita London
The day Italy’s top chefs came to London. David J Constable digests Identità London 2011… [continue reading]
A Story of Rebellious Dining and Many Toms
Last-minute booking ahoy, as ex-Noma chef Tom Sellers teams up with The Rebel Dining Society on a provocative new pop-up next week. [continue reading]
Chocolate & Bubbles
As indulgence goes, a glass of bubbly at the exquisite Duke’s hotel must up there with the best experiences. Always ones to push things to the next step, though, we think we’ve found a way to top it. By adding some chocolate. [continue reading]
A Trot Above the Rest
Scratching your head wondering what snack to pig out on with your beer? Enter: The revolutionary new British snack – Mr Trotter’s Great British Pork Crackling. [continue reading]
Southern Soul Food Thanksgiving at Brasa
Here’s something you can be grateful for this Thanksgiving—a wonderful meal that you don’t have to cook! [continue reading]
Love Food Give Food!
Love your food as much as we do? Then give food back to those who really need it – and get yourself 15% off of your own grub at the same time at Northbank restaurant! [continue reading]
David Oliver – Fine Foods Indeed
Just because you don’t have time to cook a big slap-up meal for yourself, or you’re too tired to go out to eat, doesn’t mean you have to resort to eating bland, flavourless ready meals. Choose instead a fresh, ready prepared, restaurant-standard meal, including only the finest of ingredients, that you can bung in the microwave or shove in the oven! [continue reading]
Like Beer? Like Cheese? Read On!
What could make spending a bitter Winter’s evening in a cosy pub sampling delicious Swiss cheese even better? … Beer – of course! Schneider and Jumi Cheese have teamed together (and may we say – what a great, great team) to put on an informal beer and cheese tasting event on 28th November. What is not to like in that sentence? [continue reading]
New Cocktail Lounge Archer Street Opening Soon in Soho
A sophisticated new cocktail lounge will soon be opening in London, and we at BT are dying to try it out. [continue reading]
Food Scientists Create “Super” Sandwich
Everyone has a favourite sandwich, but food scientists at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh have created a new temptation that may just top your traditional lunch choice. The scientists, looking to build the most nutritious and tasty sandwich, tested multiple different breads and fillings. The result is a turkey and cherry “Super” Sandwich, complete with gluten-free bread by Genius Foods, the UK’s leading gluten-free bakery brand. [continue reading]
First Ever ‘Free From’ Food Festival
Looking for foods that are free from gluten, wheat or dairy? Whether you are dealing with your own pesky food intolerances, or dreading that one, difficult relative coming to dinner, there’s an event coming up that you won’t want to miss. From November 25th - 27th the Southbank Centre will be the site of the first ever food festival and market focusing solely on foods and drinks that are gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar and/or egg free – the ‘Free From’ Food Festival. [continue reading]
Autumn Special at Acclaimed Restaurant Racine
Busy lunchers and frantic holiday shoppers, have we got a meal for you! One of the top rated French brasserie restaurants in London has introduced a one dish “Autumn Special” lunch and Sunday supper, specially designed for those who want a great meal in a short amount of time. Racine, the acclaimed restaurant run by Chef Henry Harris, is serving a traditional Duck Confit, cooked perfectly with Puy Lentils, a green salad starter and a glass of wine, all for just £16.50. [continue reading]
Spaghetti Wednesday Spells Deals at Spaghetti House
Trust us, we know. Dining out all the time can be expensive. But with great deals like this one, taking someone special to a nice meal doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Spaghetti House, the Italian restaurant group in London, has just launched a “Spaghetti Wednesday Club” at two of its restaurants—the St Martin’s Lane location and at the original Goodge Street restaurant. The club provides an offer for members on Wednesdays, with a new one presented each month. [continue reading]
Ramen Mondays At Shochu Lounge
Better known for it’s vibrant, club-like atmosphere post 9pm, where the after-dinner merrymakers and fashionable Londoners descend to enjoy stylish cocktails and Shochu tonics, Shochu Lounge is now also accumulating a hungry crowd on a Monday lunchtime. [continue reading]
London’s Best… Brownies
In a news series of posts from (semi) professional food lover and deli-spotter, @felicityspector. May the brownies be with you… [continue reading]
Argentine Wine Time
As the fifth largest wine producer in the world, Argentina is no small player. In this country we’re gradually getting used to the varieties available, and are seeing quality offerings pop up in more and more shops and restaurants around London. [continue reading]
London’s Best Dining Pub Is…
Word is in from The Good Pub Guide, and the big winner for London is The Gun in The Docklands, which has won ‘Best County Dining Pub of the Year’ for the capital. The pub is part of the ETM group, owned by Tom and Ed Martin, whose other pubs include The White Swan on Fetter Lane, The Botanist at Sloane Square, and Chiswell Street Dining Rooms. Guide editor Fiona Stapley says of the judging process, “we look at pubs that source their ingredients carefully as well as putting together a geniunely interesting and imaginative menu. It also becomes clear when a pub is on absolute top form because our readers’ enthusiastic reports back this up, we have 35,000 on our system and approximately 2,000 who report to us directly”. We don’t want to say we told you so, but we did rave about The Gun in our recent review, … [continue reading]
Long Neck; Hairy Lip
Remember, remember ‘tis the month of Movember…. Yes, that’s right. That time of year is upon once again. The time of year when the nation’s men – known temporarily as Mo Bros – grow some facial decoration in aid of prostate cancer. [continue reading]
Treat Yourself to a Lavish Champagne Dinner at Plateau
“Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!” –Sir Winston Churchill [continue reading]
Beaujoulais Cru Wine Tasting at Orrery
Attention red wine lovers! You’ve tried Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, but have you tasted Beaujoulais Cru? [continue reading]
Learn Low-Carbon Cooking with Good Energy
Have you ever thought about reducing your carbon footprint? How about in your kitchen? It turns out that we spend, on average, over one third of our household’s electricity in the kitchen. Low carbon cooking can help reduce the energy spent here, making the environment a little bit better. [continue reading]
Grey Goose Hosts Glittering Winter Ball to Benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation
No one does charity quite like vodka. On Saturday, October 29, Grey Goose hosted its annual Winter Ball in the middle of Battersea Park, transformed for the evening by design, lighting and sound projections. The event was attended by a host of celebrity guests, with proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS foundation, an organization that provides aid to millions of people infected, affected or at risk of HIV/AIDS. [continue reading]
Chocolate & Malbec. Who knew?
Tea and biscuits. Port and stilton. Coffee & TV. OK, that last one blurs the lines a bit, but the point is that certain food and drink is just made to go together. Malbec and steak is one such pairing, as those meaty masters of Argentine beef over at Gaucho know only too well. [continue reading]
Bonfire Night Tea at The Royal Horseguards Hotel
Unwrap this chilly November, indulge in some explosively delicious treats, and enjoy a scrumptious bonfire night in the warmth of The Royal Horseguards Hotel. [continue reading]
Poncho 8′s New and Nutritious Mexican Meals
In an effort to improve London’s health and nutrition, Poncho 8, Soho’s Gourmet Burrito Restaurant, has introduced new menu options like the Slo Carb Box and the Skinny Box. [continue reading]
Renaissance Pubs Offer New Classes for Women
For the Renaissance woman with an interest in a little bit of everything, a boutique pub group is offering a series of events meant to teach, delight and inspire. [continue reading]
Floridita to Host Cabaret for Children’s Charities
Life is a cabaret, old chum! So come to the cabaret, eat great food, and help build better lives for London’s children at the same time. [continue reading]
Cocktail of the Week: Bloody Masha
Halloween is here, and you know what that means. A full weekend of mischief, mayhem, and ghoulish cocktails served by bartenders dressed like Amy Winehouse. To commemorate one of our favorite holidays, we present this creation by Russian Standard Vodka as our cocktail of the week. It’s perfect for any Halloween party, blood red in colour and a devilish mix of hot sauce, tomato juice and smooth vodka. [continue reading]
Rainbow Cafe
Take a trip to Cambridge. Avoid the streams of bicycles as you step out to cross the road, wonder at the bright young things scuttling around, holding the future of the nation in their ringbound folders; take a stroll by the river, have a pint in a dusty pub, end up on Kings parade, staring at the decorative frieze of Kings Chapel, and feel like a bite or two to eat. [continue reading]
Royal China Revamp
After being open for business for 20 years and doing a roaring trade, popular dim sum restaurant Royal China Queensway is taking some much needed R&R – Revitalisation & Refurbishment. [continue reading]
