Dine with the stars

If you want to dine with a British star, where is the place to go? To one of the 137 Michelin starred restaurants in the United Kingdom of course!

And so it happens that the centenary edition of the UK and Ireland Michelin Guide was announced on Tuesday – and good news, there are more stars than ever!

For 2011 there are a total of 137 Michelin starred establishments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Yum, yum, I’m getting hungry now!

All the 12 new stars is for restaurants in England, but there are still 125 other restaurants in the whole of UK you could try out. There are a couple of new stars in the East End of London: notably Viajante, run by the acclaimed Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes, and Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields.

And one of my own favourites, the quirky Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond …a perfect place for  a day trip, in a calm and relaxing environment.

The new 1* restaurants:

England, outside London
The Curlew, Bodiam, Sussex

The Pony and Trap,  Chew Magna, Somerset

Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

The Black Rat, Winchester, Hampshire

Paris House, Woburn, Bedfordshire

London:

Kitchen W8

Petersham Nurseries Cafe (Richmond, see image below)

Viajante

Galvin La Chapelle

Petrus

Seven Park Place, at the St James Hotel and Club

Gauthier Soho

The two new 2* restaurants:

Helene Darroze at The Connaught, and Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, at Rock in Cornwall.

Bon Appétit!

-Helene-

Daylesford Farmshop & Café – An organic piece of heaven

A couple of weeks ago, the Danish journalist Hanne Høiberg visited Daylesford Farmshop & Café in London. Here’s her review.

“- Want to try a piece of brie with truffle, we just made it?

The waiter behind the bar must be a mind reader. I was just thinking, full of a fantastic pumpkin risotto and a glass of the house wine from their vineyard in Provence, that I might want a little piece of cheese to go down with the rest of the wine. So of course I say yes and complete the meal with a perfect little piece of mature soft brie, together with some mascarpone and truffle oil – on the house.

The staff here at Daylesford Farmshop & Café in Notting Hill is without a doubt passionate about their work and want to share their passion with a Danish journalist doing a research trip. Not that I told them I wanted to write about it. In their eyes I’m just one of all the tourists coming through, who looks like they’re enjoying the food and the beautiful surroundings. And they are perfectly right.

It was a total coincidence that I wandered into this hidden pearl on cosy Westbourne Growe – a vegetable shop, bakery, butcher, cheese store and café, all in one. And everything is organic! Actually, I originally just popped in for a quick cappuccino, the best I’ve ever had in London and enjoyed the sight of the bulging cabbages, crispy carrots, homemade raspberry vodka and yellow cheddar on display in the light rooms decorated in with a Nordic design, while feeling the delightful smell of newly baked bread. After that experience, I just had to come back for breakfast.

Almost everything in both the shop and the café comes from Dayleford’s organic farm in Gloustershire. Not only the beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables are made here, but also the milk, yogurt and cheese, because Daylesford also has their own creamery. And the few ingredients that are not produced at Daylesford, are all from farms living by the same philosophy of organic foods and sustainability.

The Daylesford products have won more than 80 national and international gastronomic prizes. So if you value good fresh food in a beautiful environment, Daylesford Farmshop & Café is a must, when you are in London. “

Daylesford Farmshop & Café in Notting Hill is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 7pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm. Get directions in our Britain Map or visit their website www.daylesfordorganic.com for further information about their farm or other shops.

Enjoy!

/Towe

Dining with a view in Edinburgh

There are many great ways to eat your way around Edinburgh. I had a chat with the owner of Oloroso - one of the top restaurants and one of the best locations if you want to dine with a view over the city centre. Here is the story of Tony Singh and his passion for Scotland and local, seasonal food!

How did you start your career as a chef? And how did your interest in food come about?

I started with a Youth Training Scheme with Scottish and Newcastle, but my passion for food and sharing it came from my Mum and my Religion.  I am Sikh and one of the corner stones of our faith is a Free Communal kitchen – a meal called Lungar.

Oloroso is one of Edinburgh’s leading restaurants – what would you say is best thing about running a restaurant in Edinburgh?

It has to be the amazing amount of events that happen in the city – from the Science Festival, to the Film Festival and the Festival Fringe – there are so many to mention! They all bring in so many interesting people from around the world.

Oloroso – what does the name come from and what does it mean?

The name means aromatic, spicy and was chosen by my late partner, James Sankey, who was a truly amazing person.  James loved his wine, and the name also comes from a style of Sherry called ‘Oloroso’ because it is left to oxidize in the barrel to give it a vey aromatic and tasty style.

Oloroso owner Tony Singh

Where do you find your inspiration?

From all over – from travel, books, working with different chefs, trying different food… I am like a Magpie – anything that glitters and is good I will have it!

What would you say makes Oloroso unique compared to other restaurants?

My team, they are great at making guest feel welcome and have a great time in Oloroso. And the setting – the view from our roof terrace is just spectacular at sunset with the iconic Edinburgh Castle back drop.

Scotland’s food scene is growing and there are loads of award winning restaurants, what makes Scotland such a great place for food & drink?

The simple answer is Scotland’s larder is one of the best in the world. Our seafood, beef and game are renowned across the globe, and we have such a array of artisan produces and fantastic chefs that do the produce justice.  Scotland is a foodies treasure trove!

Yum, I’m getting hungry now!!

Find your way to Oloroso with our Britain map >

-Helene-

The Smallest Pub in England

Not only is Bury St Edmunds a lovely medieval market town but it also has one of the smallest pubs in England.

“The Nutshell” is also known from the locals as a “delightful half pub”. At 15ft x 7ft the seating consists of a window sill/bench, a chair and a table at one end!  That’s it!

Find “The Nutshell” on our Britain Map

Room for roughly 10-15 people however apparently the local radio station once got 102 people (and a dog) in there for a stunt, wonder how they managed it? Some of them must have been under the bench seats….we’ll just have to go there and see for ourselves!

Round of drinks on me, see you there, and don’t miss the cool dead cat on the ceiling!

/Jackie

Quirky Event of the Week – Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Each year the little island Isle of Wight, on the south coast of England is host to the world famous Isle of Wight Garlic Festival with arena entertainments hundreds of food stalls. At the huge Garlic Marquee you can try garlic beer, garlic fudge, garlic ice-cream and other delicatessens – everything with garlic flavour.

But even though garlic is the main ingredient, the festival has much more to offer. Try the award winning local lamb at one of the over hundred food stalls at the festival. You can also meet TITAN the Robot or watch one of the many acts on the main arena like the sheep dog trials, magic shows, acrobat acts, stunt artists or the talented pet shows. And when you feel up to it, grab a garlic beer and tap your toes at one of the many concerts at the great stage.

This year’s festival is on 14-15 August in Sandown on Isle of Wight and the festival area is open 10am – 6pm. For more information about the festival and how to get there, please visit The Garlic Festival website or view our Britain map for directions.

And while chewing on that last piece of garlic fudge, take the time to investigate the rest of the beautiful island. Here you can get inspired by some videos on what to do on the island.

For tourist information about Isle of Wight, please visit Isle of Wight Tourism.

- Towe

Borough Market, a food lovers heaven!

Cheese stall at Borough market

Borough Market is London’s oldest food market dating back 250 years. Situated under the London Bridge on the South Bank of London, this is a feast for both eyes and tummy! The market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and is probably the areas most popular place for a lunch out.

Shoppers at Borough market

Workers from offices and stores in the neighbourhood enjoys a standing lunch of delicious soups and pies, fabulous sandwiches and toasts. The Roast to Go seems like it’s worth standing in line for and even on a cold, rainy day the oyster chef was busy.

If you pass over to the Green Market opposite the meat and fish hall you will find not only fruit and veggies but delicious cakes and pastries and mountains of handmade chocolate.

Don’t miss the hot freshly pressed juices or the pancakes,- delicious!

Cathrine

iPhone app to Londons night life

Going clubbing in London or just want to know which restaurant to go to and you have no idea on where to start? Then I have the perfect tool for you. Time out Guides and Magazine has developed an iPhone app together with Smirnoff and it actually works really well. Every week Time Out editors pick their favourite of London gigs, events, restaurants, club nights and essential film releases. Today for example, the app told me that Paul McCartney is playing at the O2 or that I can see Peter Pan on West End theatre. So if you’re going to London, check it out.  Since I’ve only tried it from home, send me feedback if you use it.

Merry Christmas,
Towe

Celebration of Food Festival in Devon

Are you planning for an autumn visit to beautiful Devon? Throughout the month, over 240 food and drink events are taking place from Bristol to the tip of Cornwall, making it the biggest food festival of its kind in the UK. The Celebration is taking place for the first time this year in Somerset, Bath and Bristol and has been running for seven years in Devon and four in Cornwall. This years festival features markets, special “Eat Out 2 for £10″ offers, cook-along, and a lot more.

When the summer-tourists have left this part of Britain, food lovers take the chance to try out local food like Ploughman Platters, cider and pastries. Who said Britain can’t cook? I would sure try it out myself. Check the website for more information about program and offers.

Cathrine

Afternoon tea at the Savoy

Afternoon tea at the Savoy

Getting hungry? There´s a great pub called Wax O´Connor on Rupert Street. Take the stairs down to the area where the interiors come from a catholic church and try the fish and chips.

For asian food I´d recomend Wagamama, a chain of restaurants you´ll find all over Britain. My favourite is in Soho on Lexington Street.

Really nice and fancy asian food visit Hakkasan on 8 Henway Street, a beautiful place and wonderful food. When you want to dance the food away it´s not far (a few minutes walk) to the best flamanco place outside Spain, also on Henway Street.

If you want to spoil yourself, have a treat at The Savoy on the Strand. The afternoon Tea there is the best!

And don´t forget that if you want a break from the buzz in the city, it´s easy to get on a train to Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor och Bath for example, great for at daytrip!

-Titti Schultz-