Restaurant opening: Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park

Coworth Park has unveiled details for Woven by Adam Smith, the new restaurant opening at Dorchester Collection’s luxury country house hotel on 8 September 2022. Chef Adam Smith’s menu will offer a tapestry of familiar flavours reimagined in unexpected ways, combining the classics with modern touches and layers of personal experience. Martin Hulbert Design has created the interiors for the restaurant, crafting a theatrical and contemporary space that blends seamlessly into the Georgian manor house setting, whilst complementing and elevating the dining experience.

An eye-catching set of sculptures inspired by the Coworth Park gardens sits at the entrance of Woven by Adam Smith. Past these, guests will be welcomed into an impressive new wine room and pantry, with two floor-to-ceiling wine cellars, holding a unique curation of bottles. The culinary journey will begin with a selection of snacks served from the pantry including devilled egg; caviar, smoked roe, pine; Coronation chicken; andcured seabass, XO sauce, kalamansi, seaweed. Welcome drinks will pair seamlessly with Adam’s menu and introduce guests to a list that celebrates British wines alongside library vintages from some of the best producers around the world, and cocktails that use storied, sustainable British spirits from Sapling.

A light-filled conservatory with expansive views over the Berkshire countryside sits to one side of the pantry, offering an extension of the main restaurant space or an exclusive private dining setting for up to 12 guests. The main dining room seats 44, with interiors that champion quality, craft and natural materials at every turn. As a centrepiece of the restaurant, a striking plaster relief set with root vegetables sits on the back wall, made by artisans Locker & Riley. The eye is also drawn to a contemporary light installation that mimics a woodland canopy, with delicate rays of light pouring over the restaurant below. The design of the space sets the scene for a wonderfully storied dining experience.

With surprising twists and turns, Adam’s food challenges expectations of the classics, with recipes, ingredients and dishes reinterpreted through the lens of personal experience. Adam rose through the ranks in the kitchens of The Ritz and The Devonshire Arms, before joining Coworth Park as Executive Chef in 2016. He has gained numerous awards along the way; amongst his proudest moments, winning the prestigious Roux Scholarship in 2012 and being awarded Master of Culinary Arts in 2017. Woven by Adam Smith represents the culmination of Adam’s great career to date, with the chef taking his years of experience combined with a creative and hugely passionate approach to cooking, and fully expressing his unique style at the new restaurant. The menu champions British produce in dishes such as brown crab, radish, apple, basil and yuzu; Hen of the Woods, Old Winchester, turnip and truffle; and Hereford beef, potato, onion, tendon and tongue. In celebration of Coworth Park’s bee hives, desserts include black fig, estate honey, walnut andbee pollen. Alternatively, guests can indulge in Adam’s signature chocolate, sea salt, coco nib andcrème fraîche, or choose from a wide selection of British cheeses served from the pantry.

The menu is priced at £80pp for lunch and £130pp for dinner, with the experience starting with a selection of snacks ‘From The Pantry’, followed by a choice ‘From The Larder’, ‘From The Stove’ and ‘From The Pastry’, before concluding with a selection of sweet treats. Wine pairing will be offered at £80pp.

dorchestercollection.com

Antillean Launches Pan-Caribbean Brunch

Antillean has announced that it’s launching a new Brunch Menu, available every Saturday to help kick-start guests’ weekends. Chef Patron Michael Hanbury’s three-course set menu welcomes diners to his restaurant inspired by the idyllic islands of the Antilles on London’s Blackfriars Road, with a bright new menu of refreshingly delicious dishes sure to kick-start the weekend.

The Pan-Caribbean menu reflects the heritage and vibrant multi-cultural influences of the Antilles.

The menu starts with a choice of sharing platters, including Mackerel Escovitch and Julienne Pickled Vegetables and Watermelon & Heritage Beetroot Salad.

Individual main courses are a variety of signature seafood, meat, vegetarian and plant-based recipes, including Ribeye Steak with Mojo Dressing and Yuca Fries and Grilled Aubergine with stir-fried Ackee.
Chef’s indulgent desserts feature a sharing selection of sweet treats such as Carrot Cake with Pineapple and Guinness Punch Ice-Cream.

For hungrier guests, supplement delicacies include Grilled Octopus with Mango, Cucumber, Mint and a Scotch Bonnet Emulsion and a selection of Ceviche such as Mojito Cured Grouper with Mint, Lime and Rum.

Antillean’s white coastal chic with its sleek interiors and high ceilings offer a cool welcome for guests seeking brunch in a clean and bright space in London’s SE1 postcode. And brunch here is about more than just the imaginative food. The restaurant hosts a resident DJ on the decks, and on select weekends, he is joined by the Caribbean jazz vibes of a live saxophonist, while a percussionist will also join in April.

After a welcome cocktail, keep the drinks flowing, with the bar serving an extensive selection of over 100 distinctive types of rum from around the world. Alternatively, choose another colourful cocktail from the exciting list, specially created to complement the dazzling dishes flying out of the kitchen.

Antillean sits proudly in a stunning listed 18th-century coaching house just minutes from Southwark and Waterloo stations.

antillean.co.uk

Chefs Simon Hulstone & Nigel Mendham to showcase kitchen-garden produce

‘British Bounty’: a one-night collaboration between Chefs Simon Hulstone & Nigel Mendham

Dukes London has announced that its much-loved restaurant, GBR (Great British Restaurant), will host a one-night-only dinner on 15th March 2022, a unique collaboration between GBR’s Chef Nigel Mendham and Chef Simon Hulstone of The Elephant in beautiful Torquay. Tickets are now available at £125 per person: the evening includes a welcome drink and a six-course tasting menu with wine pairing.

The Chefs will showcase their combined passion for the bounty of British kitchen-gardens and farms, highlighting much-loved local produce and with a one-off six-course menu that uses ingredients including elderberries, Devon clotted cream, Scottish langoustine and locally-sourced Beesands scallops. It is a sensational seasonal menu that will showcase the vibrant taste of Britain.

Chef Nigel Mendham of GBR (Great British Restaurant) and Chef Simon Hulstone of The Elephant – images courtesy of DUKES LONDON

Chef Proprietor Simon Hulstone has been cooking professionally since his school days and is one of the UK’s most decorated chefs. In 2003 he won the Roux Scholarship and went on to win the Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year Award in 2008. He has twice represented the UK in the Bocuse d’Or, the world’s most prestigious culinary contest, and he captained the British team at the Culinary Olympics and Culinary World Cup in 2010 and 2012. With his team at The Elephant in Torquay, he has put the English Riviera on the culinary map, taking his first Michelin star in 2005 and maintaining it every year since. A champion of Devon and its produce, he has helped develop The Elephant’s 96-acre dedicated farm in Brixham, which supplies 70% of the restaurant’s vegetables and a wide variety of leaves and herbs as well as free-range eggs and Kelly Bronze turkeys.

Simon says, “it’s been far too long since I’ve been able to cook for guests outside of my restaurant, and I’m looking forward to showcasing a taste of Devon and the Elephant for guests at Dukes. The chefs and I are also looking forward to working with Nigel and his talented team to create a truly celebratory British menu.”

Chef Nigel Mendham was born in Norfolk and has always had a passion for Britain’s best produce, making use of the finest locally-sourced ingredients to create hearty British dishes with a twist. He is no stranger to playing a major role in the kitchen at some of the UK’s top restaurants and spent the early years of his career working in red star country houses around the British Isles – from the south coast to the Lake District, including the Lygon Arms, South Lodge, Stapleford Park and The Samling Hotel which held the Michelin Star for two years. The all-day dining concept of GBR takes Nigel’s philosophy on food back to its roots. Since taking over as Executive Head Chef there in 2011, he has made his mark on the competitive London dining scene with simple, elegant food prepared with traditional techniques to produce dishes that are refined and precise, balancing classic flavours with contemporary flair.

Nigel says ‘”Simon is one of the most respected chefs in the industry, and this collaboration is a huge honour for me and an opportunity to share our philosophies on how great British ingredients should be championed. I’m looking forward to welcoming Simon and his team to DUKES LONDON and to creating a memorable evening in GBR.”

‘British Bounty’ Menu
15th March 2022, 18:30

Beef ‘tea’ dripping on toast, smoked salt, burnt brisket ends

Cauliflower marinated in curry oil, cauliflower couscous, spiced lentils, sultanas

Beesands hand-dived scallops, BBQ hen of the woods, shallot puree, aromatic green herb sauce

Roast Scottish langoustine, parsnip puree, bartlett pear, hazelnut & langoustine sauce

Loin of venison, onion ash, haunch croquette, turnip & apple, heritage beetroot, elderberry jus

‘Egg & Soldiers’

Devon clotted cream (clotted cream mousse, blackberry jam, gingerbread, sorbet)

A portion of all profits will go to the charity Hospitality Action, who offer vital assistance to those who have worked within hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in a crisis. Recently, much of this focus has been placed on helping those affected by COVID-19, such as giving mental health support to those who faced furlough, fighting domestic abuse, and helping parents cope with homeschooling.

To book tickets, email gbrlondon@dukeshotel.com; call 020 7491 4840

The Grill at the Dorchester

A classic Christmas with a modern twist  

The festive season will be in full swing at The Grill at The Dorchester, with seasonal menus and live music throughout Christmas and New Year. Head chef, Tom Booton, proudly presents a modern twist on traditional British dishes in this warm and welcoming space at the heart of the hotel. As well as festive menus starting from November 16th, The Grill at The Dorchester will be serving beautifully crafted menus for Christmas Day Lunch (£350 per adult).

Contact The Dorchester’s Restaurant Reservations Team at restaurants.TDL@dorchestercollection.com  | 020 7629 8888 | dorchestercollection.com

Images courtesy of The Grill at the Dorchester

Café Biltmore welcomes guests to their hidden Christmas terrace

Café Biltmore Restaurant & Terrace at The Biltmore Mayfair are celebrating Christmas Day with an extra-special 5-course menu designed by Jason Atherton. The menu costs £120 per person, with a dedicated children’s rate at £60 per person. The terrace will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland, surrounded by foliage covered walls, festive lighting, cushioned seating and heaters during the cosy period. 

Guests will be greeted with Mulled Wine on arrival, closely followed by Jerusalem artichoke and Périgord truffle soup and Severn and wye smoked salmon with cream cheese, dill, sourdough and lemon. The main will be a Laurel Farm bronzed turkey with roasted seasonal vegetables with the classic Christmas pudding with a generous amount of brandy sauce and vanilla ice cream to finish. On Christmas day there is always room for cheese - a selection of British & European cheese, served with spiced apple chutney, crackers, Mince pies, Cognac truffles alongside a tea and coffee selection will keep guests extra warm (£15 supplement).  

xrhotels3.hilton.com/lxr/Biltmore-mayfair/dine/the-terrace/  

The Box Kitchen and Bar Launches in Plymouth

MasterChef: The Professionals contestant and The National Chef of the Year 2020 semi-finalist, Nat Tallents, is set to helm the kitchen of new The Box Kitchen & Bar. Having postponed its original May 2020 opening date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new dining experience launched on Friday 25 September with an exclusive preview weekend for a select few Plymouth residents, before opening to all on 29 September.

The new destination restaurant will open within The Box; a £44m cultural and heritage attraction based in Plymouth.

Nat Tallents

Opening as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, the museum celebrates Plymouth’s rich historic and cultural make-up.  Paying homage to Plymouth’s heritage, the restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from around the world, while produce remains from nearby coast and countryside.

The striking restaurant will provide diners a safe, socially distanced setting to enjoy a selection of dishes that embrace local and fresh ingredients from around the region. The new space will feature a vast backlit bar, floor to ceiling windows and historical figureheads that have been retrieved from a flotilla of Royal Naval ships suspended from the ceiling. This modern and unique restaurant is far from a museum amenity; it’s an attraction by itself.

Previously executive chef of The Plume of Feathers in Cornwall, Nat Tallents will oversee The Box Kitchen & Bar. The new dining experience will take advantage of the wide-open space, using both inside and out on the patio to provide diners a safe, spacious environment. The kitchen will initially serve breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes, before launching their evening menu from mid-November.

Image courtesy of The Box Kitchen & Bar

The breakfast menu includes a Mexican-inspired breakfast flatbread, as well as items like pancakes with maple syrup and smoked bacon. The lunch menu includes a beetroot and halloumi burrito and Devon beef minute steak.

There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan and dishes that cater for a range of allergies.

Nat Tallents said: “The Box Kitchen & Bar will be everything the community space around it represents: welcoming, fun and hospitable, with great food and drink made with the best seasonal produce we can source. I’m extremely proud to be a part of this exciting new chapter and can’t wait to welcome our first guests in September.”

“And what’s even more exciting is that come November, we will be launching our evening service which will be a whole new experience within itself.” reveals Nat. “We want to create a destination dining venue, where people are drawn in by the quality and exclusivity of our menu, curated wine and drinks list to match, and the unique opportunity of sharing that experience during the twilight hours onwards alongside the incredible figure heads”

The museum’s unique space offers the perfect setting for exclusive private gatherings, weddings and Christmas parties.

The Box Kitchen & Bar will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 – 4pm. 

theboxplymouth.com

Review: Love Yourself

We love to try new tastes and experiences, so when the opportunity arose to try out the Love Yourself food delivery service we jumped at the chance. Our reviewer, Charlotte took a look at what their vegetarian menu had to offer and whether the feel good factor and convenience won the day.

With many of us taking lockdown time to catch up on our culinary skills or take advantage of local delivery services, trying this healthy eating day menu seemed like a great idea to sink our teeth into.

On the menu was a full day of easy, good for yourself food that needed little or no cooking or long preparation time. I think post lockdown this would be a great option for busy people who do not have large amounts of time to source quality food.

Initial reaction: Keeping up with its good for yourself ethos, the days food arrived in good quality and recyclable packaging. A days food did not take up a huge amount of space in the fridge and it felt very convenient throughout the day for meal planning. Unlike some meal services, this one came in a paper bag, so there was no large box to recycle.

Seed planting.
Along with my days food they included a grow it yourself seed tray. It was timed perfectly as I needed a window sill plant and once it’s established it will take a spot at the end of the garden in a sunny patch. Easy to follow instructions meant even the most novice of gardeners can grow these.

BREAKFAST:

Buckwheat and oat cakes with fig jam and yoghurt.

I started the day with a buckwheat oat cake which came with a fig jam and yogurt. This was quite dense oatcake but was a great alternative to standard porridge. It felt more substantial than a standard flap jack and it was quite quick and easy to prepare. My favourite part was the yoghurt and really refreshing fig jam which was had a very sweet taste. I preferred to dip the oatcake into the yoghurt to get the most of all the flavour combinations.

LUNCH:

Broad beans cherry tomatoes with quinoa
I am not normally a huge lunch fan but this light refreshing, generous portion of salad was a perfect lunch and feels very guilt free when eating.

Italian style soup

DINNER:

Italian style soup
We opted to have the Italian style soup as a starter and it’s instant great smell made it a hearty welcoming option. I particularly liked the variety of veg that contributed to my five a day. It was quite a rich soup but with lots of fresh, tangy ingredients which was satisfyingly filling.

Tofu kebabs + satay sauce
Great flavours and I particularly enjoyed the tofu flavour although the texture was a little spongy in the middle and sauce was more of a crumble. Visually it wasn’t the most compelling meal but it was easy to prepare and tasted great.

Dark chocolate and black bean cake with mixed berry cream
What girl doesn’t like a great desert and I was most excited by this dish which I knew would satisfy my chocolate needs. The berry cream added a really light twist and complimented the cake. Knowing it was a guilty free option was a win in my book.

Overall the days food was a great way to have a break from the norm. I particularly liked the full feeling throughout the day and I did notice I wasn’t reaching for snacks between meals. Would I order again? Yep and especially as a healthy treat during busy work times.

Hankies launches delivery service

Chef Ani Arora’s beloved Hankies concept, with its shared plates inspired by Indian street food, has been much missed by its devoted clientele since the temporary closure of the brand’s Marble Arch, Haymarket and Shaftesbury Avenue restaurants.

Now however its signature dishes can be savoured once more as Hankies announces it is now open for collection and delivery.

Based at a temporary new home in Westbourne Terrace, Ani will once again serve up all your favourites, from bhindi bhel – crispy rice puffs with okra, sweet chutney, onions & fresh coriander – and lamb chops marinated in Kashmiri chillies, paprika & mustard oil to griddled seabass with coriander stem, chilli & garlic. Not of course forgetting his legendary butter chicken.

In addition, Ani is delighted to be working alongside his friend, chef Gareth Drew (Nobu, Gilgamesh), meaning that customers can also take their pick from an array of Pan Asian delights such as beef rendang, Thai green curry and Pandan grilled salmon.

Not only will ordering from Hankies help one of London’s most brilliant independent restaurant brands, but for every order received, Ani will donate a meal to support the NHS and other front-line workers in the local area.

Collections will receive a 10% discount. Delivery within a three-mile radius is £5.99 or £25 within the M25. Minimum order for delivery is £50. Orders can be placed by calling 07405 885673 or emailing orders@hankies.london. Deliveries are also available via Deliveroo.

Hankies is open daily from 12 noon to 10.15pm.

hankies.london

78-82 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6QA

Food that really delivers

If you are struggling to find your feet with the new home-work life balance then Love Yourself may have created the perfect solution. Love Yourself is dedicated to the health, happiness and well-being. No cooking is required, simply place in the oven or microwave to heat up and then eat delicious and nutritious meals. 

During these unprecedented times we are spending a majority of our days at home so it is now more important than ever to maintain the attitude ‘healthy body, healthy mind’, that way you can face the day well-nourished with a sense of positivity and motivation whatever comes our way. Love Yourself provide the most immune boosting meals safely, straight to your door.  Calorie controlled premium diets freshly prepared, using an exciting array of seasonal ingredients containing no processed meats, additives or preservatives.

The creators love to keep it exciting in the kitchen, changing diet menus on a weekly basis so you’ll never get bored, which encourages weight loss and improvements to your overall health. With Michelin star quality Love Yourself raises the bar in food subscriptions to amazing lengths.

There are a variety of menu options for dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, gluten free, keto or pescatarian. All food is prepared in a clean, sanitized facility with strict hygiene procedures in place. All food is packaged in sterile, food-grade containers, with an airtight seal to ensure its freshness and uncompromised hygiene until it is opened and enjoyed in your own home.

The Love Yourself Meal Box, is available to buy online from £21.00 (daily) at LoveYourself.

Master the art of French cooking at home with Michelin starred chef, Michel Roux Jr

Learning with Experts, the only online course offering one-to-one tuition with the best of the best, has announced that world-renowned chef and MasterChef judge Michel Roux Jr will be launching his course, Classic French Cuisine: The Roux Way. With two Michelin stars under his apron, the Chef Patron at Le Gavroche and author of seven cookbooks will, for the first time, unlock his exclusive recipe book and impart his culinary expertise to intimate classes of virtual students.

During a period where we are all spending time at home, Michel’s course, The Roux Way, will demonstrate and teach skills which last a lifetime. One of the world’s top chefs, Michel is synonymous with exquisite French cuisine and will impart his wealth of knowledge, teaching students how to prepare classic dishes. These will include an exclusive insight into his famous Omelette Soufflé, and The Roux Dauphinoise, a family favourite passed down through a dynasty of renowned chefs. Michel gives you a behind closed doors insight into his world and techniques, teaching his chef’s secrets learnt through years of experience. You will be taught how to create the perfect steak, the perfect sauce, a perfectly dressed salad and to bring it all together for a showstopping meal. 

Learning with Experts provides the chance to learn at the hands of experts within their field, without having to leave your house. Perfect for those at home. Intimately sized classes of 20 are ensure that you receive individual attention and support, as well as offering a community focus, so that you interact with your peers and share your creations with one other. The course completion rate at Learning with Experts is over 80%, compared to an average completion rate of online courses of just 20%. 

Other Food & Drink courses available on Learning with Experts include Wine Appreciation with Amelia Singer, The Art of Chocolate Making with Paul A Young, An Introduction to Bread Making with Richard Bertinet, An Introduction to Craft Beer with Matt Simpson and Self Sufficient Vegetable Growing with Sally Nex. Classic French Cuisine: The Roux Way, is available for students to start from the 18th May 2020.

Learning with Experts has two course options: £89 for Peer option and £299 for Expert option. During this period of isolation all course purchase prices are reduced to £29 and £109 respectively.

learningwithexperts.com/foodanddrink