A review of Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar
James Gillray (1756 – 1815) was a Chelsea born caricaturist and printmaker and is most famous for his satires against George III. In naming their restaurant after him, the Marriott County Hall has firmly pinned themselves to honouring his spirit and life. (more…)
A Bactrian camel named Jeffrey who loves a pint
When we heard about a beer loving Bactrian camel named Jeffrey, we just had to make an image of him our Picture of the Week. (more…)
A round up of the moves of the newsworthy in the world of hospitality
Too expensive to run?
Financier Adrian Burford once told a court: “I make no apology for being quite expensive to run”. He invested some £1.1 million buying shares in the Sushinho Japanese-Mexican restaurant on the Kings Road. The company’s website now states: “We are sorry to inform you that our restaurants have closed” and their former premises are up for rent for £185,000 per annum through Miles Commercial. Plainly Burford’s mantra wasn’t that appealing.
An institution that should have been
The Brompton Bar & Grill should have become a Knightsbridge institution but sadly it closes on Friday, 21st March. Owner Francois O’Neill and his personable team ran this consistently excellent bistro for six years and announced its demise in an email to customers. O’Neill stated: “We are currently working on a new project that we aim to launch in the Spring of 2015”.
Hawking Frankie
Round the corner, the former Frankie’s site in Yeoman’s Row is being transformed into a fifth site for the popular Hawksmoor restaurant group. A press statement from the company tells diners to expect: “A bit of old school glamour and atmosphere and another menu that revolves around what we do best – amazing steaks from ethically reared British cattle and a few surprise dishes and cocktails which we’re currently perfecting”. The restaurant is expected to open in June.
Firing a 50th
Daphne’s in Draycott Avenue remains closed after its extraction system went up in flames on the 25th February. The Richard Caring owned Italian plainly now requires significant renovation. For at least a week after the fire, the smell of smoke was apparent to anyone passing by. Given that 2014 is the 50th anniversary of Daphne Rye opening this popular Chelsea haunt, the timing of the fire was certainly most unfortunate. Where will the ladies of SW3 lunch in the meantime?
In Toto
Toto’s on Lennox Garden Mews looks set to reopen shortly. Though the building workers wouldn’t tell us exactly what will be on the site, we could spot a substantial granite bar in the entrance. The firm who own the premises are named Walton Hospitality.
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Chelsea is an area where restaurateurs will increasingly struggle
Daphne’s restaurant in Brompton Cross’ Draycott Avenue suffered substantial fire damage on Tuesday this week. Given Richard Caring being its owner, we doubt it’ll be closed for long but if you look around Chelsea, you’ll find many premises that are either shut or for sale. (more…)
Nigel Evans MP reviews The Swan with Two Necks at Pendleton in Lancashire
An old working farmhouse dating from 1772 that doubles up as the local tap for hardworking farming families and Clitheroe dwellers, has become, 240 years later, the Camra ‘best pub of Britain’. (more…)
20 questions with Jamie Hazeel and Lalie Jacout, the duo behind The Wandering Chef
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
J: I set myself mad challenges and put myself in ridiculous positions so I don’t get lazy or complacent. Working with Lalie seems pretty true to form.
L: Professionally speaking, a desire to create eating experiences I would actually want to go to. Privately, I couldn’t possible say.
Oliver Estreich selects his five favourite hotel bars in New York
Oliver Estreich, the founder of the well-known social network theNativeSociety, is the man about town to know in New York. Here, he selects five of his favourite hotel bars (more…)
La Brasserie embraces the onesie
On Monday, La Brasserie in Brompton Cross will give a main course on the house to all customers who come to dinner in a onesie. (more…)
Wear a crown to Brasserie Zédel on the 6th January and get a free meal on the house
Both most worthily awarded OBE’s in the New Year Honours List, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King would appear towards the top of any list of the best restaurateurs in London. Always innovative and true trendsetters, with their latest promotion at Brasserie Zédel, this fine duo have come up with another clever marketing idea. (more…)
20 questions with food writer and car collector Morgan Murphy
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Bourbon and bacon, which is, by the way, the title of my next book coming out from Time Inc. next year. No, it’s not a diet book.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Life is too short to be boring”. Also: “Don’t eat food from a box.”