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Open all night and tastes like it.
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Though six months have passed since the proposed September 2009 rebirth, Pétrus will finally open its gilded doors on Monday, 29 March, just in time for Easter. To recap, after parting company with head chef Marcus Wareing in one of the more written-about spats in Gordon Ramsay’s colourful recent history, Ramsay retained the restaurant's name and is moving to a nearby location at 1 Kinnerton Street. Some things haven’t changed at all, however: Jean-Philippe Susilovic will return as restaurant director, and there will still be a vivid claret theme to some of the decor. New kid on the block is head chef Sean Burbidge (of the now-defunct Gordon Ramsay at the Trianon Palace). Pétrus will serve a modern European menu including fillet of Angus beef with Swiss chard, wild mushrooms and red wine sauce; and baked line-caught sea bass with confit fennel and caviar sauce. For reservations call 020-7592-1609 or e-mail petrus@gordonramsay.com; for the exclusive chef’s table, which seats six diners right by the kitchen, call 020-7592-1373 or e-mail privatedining@gordonramsay.com. To send an online enquiry, click here (1 Kinnerton St., SW1).
– Roger Clarke
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- – Michelle Obama's obesity initiative has sent some food companies scrambling. [Atlantic]
- – Organic food sales may have hit their peak. [Reuters]
- – Bad news for bluefin tuna from the U.N. [Atlantic]
- – McDonald's is contemplating $1 drinks. [WSJ]
- – The Yelp extortion class-action lawsuit gains nine more businesses. [Eater]
- – Country ham, the new bacon? [Salon]
- – Cheese is trendy now. [AP]
- – Ostrich eggs for Easter? [Daily Mail]
- – Foods the chef loves may not sell well. [P-G]
- – Here's hoping that Obama's second state dinner goes better than the first. [Obama Foodorama]
- – Top Chef, the tour. [GS: P]
- – Ruth Reichl is in on the joke. [Eater]
- – What will the first Indian astronauts eat? [DNA, via ColdMud]
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Cinnamon Club ranks fourth in our Top Indian list.
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
With last month's opening of Colony,
Atul Kochhar's new spot in Marylebone, we've got Indian food on the brain. Read on for ratings and reviews from our Top Indian list, and if you disagree or don't see your favorite, make sure to write a review!
10 Lincoln St., SW3
Phone: 020-7225-1881
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 27 |
23 |
24 |
£75 |
"A total experience for the senses" swoon supporters of "innovator" Vineet Bhatia's "exciting" cuisine – "a diverse harmony of tastes, fragrances and vibrant colours", served on "hip" crockery by "charming", "almost sycophantic" staff in "cosy" Chelsea digs ("seems like a private home"); small wonder it's "the best Indian in London" – maybe "the best anywhere in the world"; P.S. "if you have the money" try the "thoroughly exquisite" tasting menu.
15-19 Halkin Arcade, Motcomb St.
(Bet. Lowndes Sq. & Kinnerton St.), SW1
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 26 |
23 |
21 |
£54 |
"Creativity is king" at this "sleek-looking", "intimate" Belgravia Indian that, after six years, is "still going strong" with its "surprisingly spiced", "amazing" small bites; a few boosters bemoan that cuisine that's "a cut above the typical costs many more rupees" and, though "guests are treated with courtesy", "service is a little haphazard", but most agree that dining here always "feels like an event."
1 Kensington High St., W8
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 25 |
23 |
22 |
£49 |
A "convenient walk to the Albert Hall", this Kensington Indian is the sort of "sophisticated but not pretentious" "crown jewel" of which Victoria herself would have approved; "dramatic architecture" and a "gorgeous interior" adorned with "fab statues of Hindu gods" set the scene for an "extraordinary culinary journey" full of "tantalising tastes" that "wow the mouth"; "professional" staff help pair dishes with selections from "an extensive wine list", and one would expect no less "for this price."
Old Westminster Library | 30-32 Great Smith St., SW1
Phone: 020-7222-2555
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 25 |
24 |
22 |
£52 |
A "combination of politico clientele", "balconied, wood-panelled" "Old Westminster Library" setting, "fantastic modern Indian cuisine" and two bars (one "sexy", one "great for business") "has London going crazy" for this "celebrated" site, even after nine years; it's "easy to get carried away and blow the budget" when ordering from the "gracious" servers caution cognoscenti, who find "nothing to fault, everything to praise" here.
12A Berkeley Square House
(Bet. Bruton Ln. & Bruton St.), W1
Phone: 020-7629-8886
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 25 |
22 |
23 |
£57 |
Diners "dress to impress" at Atul Kochhar's "crisp, contemporary" Mayfair Indian where "sophisticated", "delicate" cuisine featuring "inventive twists on classic fare" and "attentive" service are delivered amidst "serene surroundings"; though some flinch at the "Berkeley Square prices" and complain that staff tend to "pander a little to the celebrity classes", most recommend the "enhanced experience" "for a really special event"; N.B. the decor score does not reflect a post-survey redesign after a fire.
– Aynsley Karps
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Carluccio's
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
It’s romantic and eco-friendly, all at once! As part of the WWF Earth Hour, from 8:30–9:30 PM on Saturday, 27 March, the Italian chain Carluccio’s will be switching off "all nonessential lighting" and bringing out the candles – just as landmarks around town, including Piccadilly Circus, The Albert Hall and The London Eye, douse their lights. All Carluccio branches will take part, including the latest in Wimbledon Village (which, incidentally, is offering a special menu della casa all March – two courses for £9.95 and three for £12.95).
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Gelato Mio
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
A few days of super-mild spring weather in Blighty and everybody’s already thinking about summer – and ice cream! In April, mini chain Gelato Mio is opening its fourth outpost in St. John's Wood and on Saturday, 10 April, they'll be giving away free scoops of their creamy Italian ices from 2–6 PM. Flavours include cookies-and-cream-style biscotti, sweet black-cherry amarena, real mint-leaf infusion with dark-chocolate chip and a low-fat yogurt ice (138 St. John's Wood High St., NW8; 020-7727-0194).
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- – Why all the food giveaways lately? They're good for business. [WSJ]
- – New York restaurateurs are nonplussed that the city is really going to force them to display health-score letter grades. [Eater]
- – Fallout from Florida's winter freeze won't stop until mid-April. [NRN]
- – Praising the restaurant critic. [Time]
- – Starbucks will soon offer the ability to completely customize their Frappuccinos. [WSJ]
- – Related: the Times' exclusive deal with the coffee chain is over. [AdAge]
- – The potato industry is ready for America's decreasing taste for french fries. [The Star]
- – Calorie counts loom in Illinois. [S-T]
- – Foodies on food stamps. [Salon]
- – Restaurant trends that have to go. [Eater]
- – What goes into your OJ might surprise you. [Culinate]
- – Top Chef's Marcel Vigneron is getting a show on SyFy. [EMD]
- – Not content with a menu in Toronto, Wilco gets a beer too. [The Stew]
- – One woman's dream to weigh 1,000 lbs. [Gothamist]
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Mark Hix
Perched on Selfridges’ mezzanine level overlooking Prada and Chanel, revered chef Mark Hix’s latest venture is Hix Restaurant & Champagne Bar, a split-space Modern European; there’s a low-ceilinged, wood-floored dining room on one side offering full-blooded, unpretentious fare (and sporting a crustacean counter), flanked on the other side by a small, blue-hued bar with comfy sofas and a hearty snack selection.
Selfridges, 400 Oxford St., W1A; 020-7499-5400
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The oh-so-British hot cross bun is usually served up the Friday before Easter Sunday. On Saturday, 3 April, learn how to make them yourself at The Kitchen Parsons Green, which will be hosting a one-off baking master class. The two-hour class will also cover white, wholemeal and seeded bread, an Easter bread ring and even focaccia. The culinary center is co-owned by the Alain Ducasse–trained chef Thierry Laborde, and the class will be lead by Vanessa Antoli, who previously worked at The Berkeley Hotel and was head pastry chef at the Charlotte Street Hotel, so be warned: standards might be high (2:30–4:30 PM; £89 per person; for more info, click here [PDF] and to book, e-mail hello@visitthekitchen.com or call 020-7736-8067; 275 New Kings Rd., SW6).
– Roger Clarke
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- – Gordon Ramsay, always in the news, is picking up the pieces of a bad year – and owing the taxman. [Guardian, DR]
- – The Chilean wine industry continues to take stock. [WSJ]
- – Oh, no! Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling has been canceled due to health and safety fears. [Guardian, via EMD]
- – The anti-HFCS campaign hits success with the return of sugar in products like ketchup and Gatorade. [Ad Age]
- – It isn't just about making healthy foods cheaper – you have to make the junk more expensive. [NPR]
- – NYC restaurants are turning their expansions toward DC. [WBJ]
- – For love of shad roe. [WSJ]
- – Bobby Flay heads to prime time. [Eater]
- – Gross: 13,780 lbs. of spaghetti. [KTLA]
- – How to annoy your server. [CNN]
- – A McDonald's that doesn't serve food? [Jaunted]
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Horrible waitress, awesome nachos!
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Zagat To Go for the Palm webOS
Zagat released its mobile application, Zagat To Go (ZTG), for the Palm webOS today. Similar to ZTG for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry, the webOS application works with the Palm Pre, Pixi and Pre Plus and includes features like the ability to use GPS to find nearby restaurants; sort by food, decor, service and cost; make reservations instantly; and browse top-rated lists. Zagat To Go is available on the webOS app catalog for $9.99.
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Nobu Matsuhisa
Photo: Steven Freeman
On Monday and Tuesday, 12–13 April, the legendary Nobu Matsuhisa is coming to town. Appearing at Nobu London, he'll be hosting up to 50 guests each night in the private dining room for a seven-course special tasting. The dinner will focus on umami – the fifth taste known for its savory qualities – with menu items including yellowtail tartar with wasabi soy and caviar; king crab with buckwheat risotto and truffles; and Wagyu beef with cèpes and balsamic teriyaki. Each dish will be presented with an accompanying sake, with Nobu-san himself discussing the pairings and creation of his dishes (7:30 PM arrival, dinner starts at 8 PM; £200 per person; call Amir Jati at 020-7447-4777 or e-mail amirj@noburestaurants.com for bookings).
– Roger Clarke
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- – Another week, another story on how to make a food celebrity. In this case, Katie Lee. [NYT]
- – It isn't just tomatoes suffering – the cold in Florida means OJ prices are about to rise. [Reuters]
- – The LA restaurant accused of serving whale meat admits to the charge. [LAT]
- – Related: ever wonder what whale tastes like? [Slate]
- – The next season of Top Chef will shoot in Washington, DC. [WP]
- – Related: Bravo has another cooking show up its sleeve, Around the World in 80 Plates. [Bravo]
- – Just like New York, Paris has fancy restaurants popping into its museums. [NYT]
- – A Boston bar is selling the right to sit during Red Sox games. [Deadspin]
- – Is the butcher backlash on? [Salon]
- – Make a sandwich with Lady Gaga in her latest video. [GS: B]
- – Breathable chocolate. Want a hit? [BH]
- – Top Chef gets the porn treatment. [Eater]
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Mon Plaisir
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
It's taken Mon Plaisir, one of London's oldest French restaurants, nearly 70 years to get to it, but the Covent Garden classic now serves lunch on Saturdays. The rotating set menu includes options such as cappuccino of mushrooms; roast rump of lamb with Provençal vegetables and black olive jus; and pancake with salted caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream (£14.95 for two courses, £16.95 for three courses). From the à la carte menu, there's parfait of foie gras with passion fruit jelly and toasted brioche (£9.95), fillet of sea bass with red and yellow cherry tomatoes (£18.95) and a £17.95 duck breast with marmalade of chorizo and applesauce (both options available in the main room from noon–2:15 PM and in the brasserie from 2:15–3 PM; 020-7836-7243).
– Roger Clarke
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