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TIPPLE & FARE

Gatsby & Lauren

Ralph Lauren opens his first bar-restaurant in London; it’ll sure be a hit with the preppy and the preened   Ralph Lauren is a man of exceptional taste. From humble beginnings, he created a brand that...

Auntie’s Hardly Ruined

BBC executives drink surprisingly little gin, yet the Mail Online make rather a fuss about it   On Saturday, the Mail Online published an article about the BBC spending £115,049 on wine, beer and spirits in...

Taking The Michel

Michel Roux Jr. proves himself to be a modern day Scrooge   Michel Roux Jr. plays the jovial giant on television and is lauded by many as a great chef. He’s undoubtedly talented but, sadly, in...

Itsu’s Over

EXCLUSIVE – Chelsea restaurant Itsu set to close its doors for the final time   Itsu in Walton Street, Chelsea is set to close its doors shortly for the last time shortly due to rocketing rents.   Described...

Anything but Dry

Vineyard in Napa, California that previously supplied Opus One and currently supplies Mondavi offered for sale   4120 Dry Creek Road in the Oak Knoll District of Napa, California’s name is a little perplexing given that...

Reviewing Romulo

Matthew Steeples reviews Romulo Café in Kensington; it serves the finest Filipino cuisine and is well worth trying   Romulo Café bills itself as providing “a taste of the Philippines in the heart of Kensington” and...

Returning to Romulo

More pictures from Matthew Steeples and Rowena Romulo’s party at Romulo Café   Today, we share a further selection of images from the party Matthew Steeples of The Steeple Times co-hosted with Rowena Romulo at Romulo...

Raising the Roof to Romulo

An evening of cocktails and fine Filipino food at Romulo Café   On 23rd November in London, Matthew Steeples of The Steeple Times co-hosted a party with financier turned restaurateur Rowena Romulo at her recently opened...

Back to the ‘70’s

Chelsea institution La Brasserie was packed out for its 1970s prices birthday party   At La Brasserie on Monday, a great time was had by all at both lunch and dinner and the place was utterly...

Ridiculing Riemenschneider

Lothario chef Michael Riemenschneider mocked on Twitter in addition to being taken to court by his investor and ex-lover   The Steeple Times reviewed a restaurant named ‘Canvas by Michael Riemenschneider’ in February 2014. We noted...

Franco Becci – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with new manager of The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant in Knightsbridge, London Franco Becci   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My will to please and succeed.   “Don't get...

All Hail Albert’s

Matthew Steeples visits the modern day reinterpretation of what Annabel’s originally was, Albert’s in South Kensington   Named after Albert, Prince Consort (1819 – 1861) and situated within the quarter of South Kensington that is fondly...

Reader Offer – London’s cheapest meal

For one day only La Brasserie will offer food at 1972 prices in November   Forty-four years ago in 1972, La Brasserie in Chelsea, London opened its doors for the first time. On Monday 21st November,...

Overheard – 26th October

Clangers overheard and snippets spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’   Begging a feast In Gloucester Road, a beggar was overheard talking to an American old lady. He said: “I’m trying to get myself a feast”....

Picture of the Week – Tailgating Par Excellence

An image of quite possibly the best tailgate bar ever (and two images of the consequential behaviour)   On Monday, Guest of a Guest featured what could quite possibly be the finest tailgate drinking setup ever.   In...

Bosi Bags Bibendum

Claude Bosi to take over Fulham Road restaurant Bibendum after a refurbishment in early 2017   Bibendum in Fulham Road, SW3 was “named after Michelin’s portly mascot Monsieur Bibendum who, in turn, takes his name from the...

Salute the Staff

Matthew Steeples suggests the public should be politer to serving staff   On Friday, I did my first (and probably last) ever stint as a barman. Though I’m known to enjoy a drink and am often...

Reader Offer – Bargain champagne in SW3

Brut and Brut Rosé Champagne for sale for just £25 per bottle (normally £58 and £65 respectively)   Readers of The Steeple Times are invited to purchase surplus champagne from La Brasserie in Chelsea.   Offered for just...

Toasting Bye, Bye Brangelina

Brad and Angelina – It’s simply a case of: ‘Who gets the winery?’   Brad and Angelina announced they are to divorce yesterday and the worldwide response of the media has been nothing but expressions of...

Gin rockets

Gin sales up in the UK as drinkers switch from beer and wine to ‘Mother’s Ruin’   The gin market in the UK has soared to sales of nearly £1 million per day according to new...

The pleasures of Petworth

New contributor Jacina Coyne on how to spend a day in Petworth, West Sussex   Petworth is well known for its synonymous stately home and its grounds by ‘England’s greatest gardener’, Capability Brown. This is a...

Brian Clivaz – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with bon viveur, chairman of L’Escargot and chief executive of Devonshire Club Brian Clivaz   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? The Sermon on the Mount – Ask, Seek,...

Gin and Lobster

Is a gin made with lobster acceptable? Matthew Steeples suggests such an abomination is anything but; and then selects his five favourite gins   Like it or not, gin is a traditional drink; it has never...

Nuno Goncalves – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with executive chef Nuno Goncalves of 12 Hay Hill in London’s Mayfair   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? I am as stubborn as you can get. If I...

Happiness is a Sunday roast

Chelsea institution La Brasserie introduces roast lunches on Sundays   La Brasserie’s head chef, Jamie Smith, has recently introduced roast lunches on Sundays.     Changing each week and featuring lamb on 24th April, this new offering is proving popular...

Supper with Joudie

‘Palestine on a Plate’ author and chef Joudie Kalla to host a supper club at The Phene in Chelsea on 10th May 2016   On Tuesday 10th May from 7.15pm, author and chef Joudie Kalla will...

A wining singer

Portuguese vineyard that produces Sir Cliff Richard’s wine goes up for sale as he awaits a decision as to whether he might face charges in Britain   Sir Cliff Richard is yet to be informed whether...

Restaurant review: Chucs Westbourne Grove

Anthony Brown visits the haunt of ‘Notting Hill Wives’, Chucs Westbourne Grove   Our editor reviewed Chucs in Dover Street, Mayfair in August 2015 and in their more recently opened Westbourne Grove restaurant and café, I...

Two guys sitting at a bar

An amusing artwork based on a conversation at a bar is to be offered at Christie’s in London in April   On the 14th April, Christie’s in South Kensington, London will auction an untitled work by...

Review – Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company Fish Restaurant

Matthew Steeples visits one of Whitstable’s best-known restaurants   Credited with reviving interest in oysters, the current owners of the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company, the Green family, have very much led the transformation of Kent’s answer...

A two-course feast

Chelsea restaurant La Brasserie launch new £15.95 set lunch menu   Set menus are the flavour of the month and chef Jamie Smith of La Brasserie in Chelsea, London has just introduced one that has been...

Airport gin

World’s first gin made in an airport launches at Gatwick   There are gimmicks and there are gimmicks and then there’s airport gin. Just launched to coincide with the opening of a new pub in Gatwick’s...