TIPPLE & FARE

Matthew Steeples of ‘The Steeple Times’ joins the judging panel of the No. 3 London Dry Gin 2013 competition   Last week, I was invited to sit on a panel that many of my friends would...

The Steeple Times asks Matthew Gilpin, the creator of Gilpin’s Gin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Creativity: The only thing that endures.   “Don't get even, get medieval”...

The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s barman Fillipe Ricchi: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “Happiness and success”.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion,...

London restaurants where diners got more than they bargained for   In the first in a series, we tell the stories of five restaurants in Central London where diners sadly got a little more than dinner....

The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s supervisor Ezio Arceri: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My family and girlfriend.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our humble...

The Steeple Times asks The Palm’s barman Dale Thomson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “A positive attitude”.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion,...

The Steeple Times asks chef Chris Rabout: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “If you’re not first, you’re last”.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our humble...

The Steeple Times suggests five of the best deals to accompany the RHS Chelsea Flower Show   ‘The Season’ is nearly upon us and we at The Steeple Times especially look forward to a number of...

The Steeple Times asks hospitality consultant Debbie Eybers: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “My belief in right and wrong”.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our...

The Steeple Times asks Michelin starred chef Michael Wignall: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? The quest for perfection and happiness.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in...

The Steeple Times asks head sommelier of The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant Louise Gordon: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Family, friends and the aim of...

The Steeple Times asks drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “Go with your inner instinct”. I always think that most...

The tale of a thief with taste   Nobody likes at an alcohol thief but sadly, here at The Steeple Times have to write about a fair few of them. Most recently, we wrote of the...

Aldi’s £9.65 a bottle gin sees off premium spirits in a taste test   Gin, in its simplest form is effectively a neutral spirit plus juniper berries. Other botanicals, such as cassisa bark, saffron and grapefruit...

A happy hour with a difference launches at The Palm in London’s Belgravia   Opened in May 2009, The Palm replaced the legendary restaurant Drones of Pont Street. Amongst the original backers of Drones were David...

The average cost of a pint of real ale passes £3   The late Margaret Thatcher had two connections with milk. First the “Milk Snatcher” was credited with being responsible for stopping free milk for school...

Forthcoming restaurant openings in Chelsea   The restaurant business is a transient place and it seems no more so than in Chelsea.   Places come and go here and though there are a number of mainstays that have...

The Steeple Times asks Blue Boar Smokehouse chef Jon Ingram: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”   The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Seasonality, traceability and simplicity.   “Don't get even, get medieval” is, in our...

A review of Westminster’s Blue Boar Smokehouse   Westminster is one of the most intriguing parts of London but it can also be one of the most soulless. It’s an area that is inhabited by politicians...

A review of The New Inn at Roborough, North Devon   The New Inn at Roborough in North Devon isn’t the easiest place to find. It’s hidden away in a rural backwater, so be sure not...

Michael Benjamin pays a visit to Marylebone tea shop, Amanzi   Try walking into Starbucks and just asking for a cup of coffee. It is now an old joke. The pun is that whereas you used...

A review of Wolfgang Puck’s CUT at 45 Park Lane   Continuing our series of revisiting articles from the blog that preceded The Steeple Times, today we re-publish our review of CUT at 45 Park Lane....

A review of Fitzrovia speakeasy The Lucky Pig   The Lucky Pig in Fitzrovia rather reminded me of a bar I once went to in North Beach, San Francisco. Dark and hidden in a basement, this...

Fever-Tree sells a 25% stake for £12 million   In recent years, the premium spirits market has boomed in both Britain and America. Drinkers have traded up and become more and more demanding in their choices....

A fusion breakfast on Sloane Square   In the last couple of years, with a new management team for the landed Cadogan Estate, there have been many changes in terms of the area’s retail and culinary...

An evening of fondue at Bodo’s Schloss in Kensington   Bodo’s Schloss, a restaurant, bar and disco reminiscent of an Austrian alpine lodge, opened late last year and became an instant hit with the Chelsea set....

Matthew Steeples reports on the latest initiative from The Rib Room   Last week my friends and I enjoyed an evening of live music at The Rib Room at Knightsbridge’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower.     Each Wednesday, Thursday and...

Marco Pierre White puts a rude radio presenter in his place   We’re not quite sure what Australian breakfast radio presenters have been drinking this winter but they’ve certainly been causing a lot of offence.     First, a...

Matthew Steeples leaves a tribute to Michael Winner   As I’ve said before, Michael Winner (30th October 1935 - 21st January 2013) was like Marmite. He was loved and loathed in equal measure. Restaurants put up...

Five of the best places to enjoy a great lunch deal in The Royal Borough   It being January, we’re all after a deal. Here are a few places that you can enjoy on a budget...

Matthew Steeples suggests Westminster City Council have no place meddling with how the humble burger is cooked   In the last week both the Evening Standard and BigHospitality.co.uk revealed that Westminster City Council had served notice...

Michael Winner retires as a restaurant critic   Restaurateurs throughout the land are sighing with relief: Michael Winner has hung up his hat and retired as a restaurant critic.     Love or loathe him, Winner’s column for The...

A review of Hawksmoor Guildhall, EC2V   In the first of a series, we publish a number of the most popular articles from the blog that conceived The Steeple Times. Here, in a February 2012 piece,...

Christian Huhnt takes his first foray into the world of supper clubs   I don’t usually find myself in the east of London. It’s not because I don’t like it but simply because it’s just an...

Christian Huhnt recounts an evening at the launch of La Suite West   I have a personal connection to Inverness Terrace as twice in my life I’ve had to crash at my friend’s place there. It’s...

Matthew Steeples discovers the truth about the origins of the Gressingham duck   I grew up in North Lancashire and spent much time in the Lune Valley. Here, I was regularly told, in the 12th century...

Christian Huhnt reports on recent changes at Cassis restaurant   As I work in the arts and also collect wines, I find Cassis Bistro in South Kensington most comfortable as here I find myself surrounded by...

An opportunity for readers based in Kensington & Chelsea to take part in the cult television series “Come Dine With Me”   Many of you will have watched an episode of Channel 4’s Come Dine With...

Christian Huhnt recounts an evening of rock ‘n’ roll at the opening party for Hollywood Road’s latest venue, Honky Tonk   When you hear about the opening of a London-based “underground NYC inspired rock ‘n’ roll...

A review of Obikà, Draycott Avenue, SW3   In my time reviewing restaurants, I’ve never been to one quite like Obikà.   Occupying the site of what was formerly Ilia and before it Papillon is now a “mozzarella...

A review of Bougie Macaron & Tea by Claire Rubinstein   Bastille Day has just passed, and here at The Steeple Times we are still marveling at the excitement and euphoria caused by one man at...

A review of Elistano, Chelsea   Lunch in the company of Rex Leyland, who co-founded The Restaurant Doctor with Pierre Koffman and Terence Martin, is always a pleasure as he is frankly one of the most...

A review of Blummyz, Hollywood Road, SW10   Blummyz is certainly a restaurant that has nothing in common with Brinkley’s, its better-known neighbour and home to ageing lotharios and single women of a certain age. The...

A review of Arthur’s Cafe, Kingsland Road, E8   Arthur Woodham was born on Christmas Day 1927. He and his family have run a traditional British café in Kingsland Road, Dalston since 1935.   Arthur is a truly...

A review of Sette, Sydney Street, SW3   An invitation to lunch with Pete Burrell is not one to miss. This Chelsea restaurateur is one of the best-connected men in town and along with Marilyn Fry,...

A review of The Pig at Brockenhurst   When I received an invitation to The Pig at Brockenhurst I seized the opportunity with gusto having read so many rave reviews since it opened last July.   Situated at...

A review of Roberto Cavalli Vodka The Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli is best known for using exotic wild animal prints in his creations and for giving jeans a “sand-blasted look” that has become the...

A review of Novikov’s Asian Restaurant   I went to Novikov expecting something brash and “oligarch-tastic” having read articles that bigged up this recent Russian arrival at the heart of Mayfair as just such. As Wayne...