This spring Bibigo, the authentic and contemporary Korean restaurant in Soho celebrates the wealth and diversity of Korean cuisine by launching an exciting, much extended and reasonably priced new menu. Head Chef Kim Young Hwan and his team are introducing an extensive selection of authentic, traditional Korean dishes presented in a contemporary and accessible way. To complement the new food offering, bar manager and sommelier Raphael Thierry has created a new cocktail offering and updated the wine list with wine matches for each new menu section. The new menus are available from 15th April.

Korean black pudding, made from scratch in house is one of the new small dishes to start. It is traditionally stuffed with glass noodles, pork and served with sea salt and white Kimchi on the side. Bibigo is the only Korean restaurant in London to make it in house. Small dishes also include a great choice of healthy vegetarian options including Sweet & Spicy Sticky Rice, Royal Dumplings and Courgette Pancake, with salads such as Korean Chopped Salad with crispy fried spring roll paper and a sesame dressing, perfect for light and nutritious lunches.

Main courses now feature a more extensive selection of Korean Barbecue dishes such as Bibigo Steak Haché, hand chopped chargrilled beef short ribs glazed with ginger soy sauce, served with grilled rice cakes, a firm favourite with the Korean royal family.

The Hot Bowls section features authentic soups such as Korean Wedding Noodle, a delicate Dashi broth served with soy chilli sauce, traditionally served to wedding guests and Yukgaejang, a nourishing spicy broth with shredded beef, leeks and mushrooms served with rice. Sizzling Hot Stone dishes feature Hot Stone Seafood Rice with mixed seafood and Hot Stone Rice Noodle with a mix of seasonal vegetables and spicy soy sauce.

New desserts include Poached Pear, in a soothingly rich ginger and honey syrup and Bibigo Goldfish – a goldfish shaped Korean waffle filled with red bean cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with ground almonds and berries.

This new menu is reasonably priced with small dishes priced between £4 and £9, mains from £7 and £16, hot bowls, £7 and £10 and desserts at £5, giving lovers of Korean cuisine an excellent choice of traditional favourites and novices a great and inexpensive introduction. The Bibigo Selection of signature dishes to share, priced at £25 for two is another good point to start, featuring Korean Chopped Salad, crispy Red Chicken, Traditional Beef Bulgogi alongside a choice of Bibimbap or Korean Wedding Noodle.

The cocktail offering includes a new range of nonalcoholic drinks featuring unusual ingredients such as quince tea (in Quince Fizz), black bean milk (in Black Shake) and aloe vera juice (in Lychee Debonair). Korea’s most popular spirit, soju (similar to Japanese shochu) also features in Soho Somek, a twist on Korea’s national cocktail: soju and beer and Bibim-Martini with soju, Campari, blood orange shikhye (a type of rice wine) and jasmine. The wine list is divided in sections to match specific dishes: from light, crispy, mineral whites that amplify spiciness to voluptuous and spicy red that go well with barbecue dishes and a selection of organic and biodynamic wines that perfectly complements healthy vegetarian dishes.

www.bibigouk.com

On Monday 1st October 2012 Edwin’s French Wine Bar and Restaurant opened in the heart of Shoreditch at 18 Phipp Street. Edwin’s specializes in well priced French wines alongside classic, Lyonnais and regional French dishes. Edwin’s, a forty cover restaurant and fourteen cover wine bar is the second venture from Edwin Chan.

The menu is limited but ever changing and features classic French and Lyonnais dishes as well as assiette's of artisan French Charcuterie and cheeses for one or to share as well as daily specials featuring seasonal and regional French Classics. The wines on Edwin’s list are privately imported and sourced by Edwin's Lyon. The list has been developed by Edwin and features 3000 bottles from 70 different producers representing all the major wine regions of France.

The interior of Edwin’s is as in Lyon, simple and low-key with the real focus on the two stars of the show, the food and the wine. A single large wooden shelf houses some of Edwin’s wine collection and backboards feature menus, wine lists and of course, the plat du jour. This is a simply decorated, sleek looking room, a place to come and enjoy eating and drinking with Edwin Chan as your host.

http://www.edwinsfrenchwinebar.co.uk

The Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar has teamed up with Fruto del Espíritu to offer a delicious Andean range of non-alcoholic cocktails. The tropical flavours from the Lulo, Mora and Maracuyá fruit purees deliver an unrivalled flavour sensation.

Fruto del Espíritu was set up to offer an alternative farming practice to those caught up in conflict in Colombia. The income from these fruits helps families, some of whom have been victims of drug-financed groups, to build peace and a sustainable economy based on exotic fruit. The Fifth Floor Bar team has had the opportunity to speak with the farmers directly to see what a difference this makes. Their discussions with those affected have inspired the cocktail range.

Lulito
This delicious alcohol-free alternative to the mojito mixes fresh cucumber, elderflower cordial apple juice, mint and Lulo purée. Lulo is a large kiwi shape fruit which has a taste similar to a gooseberry but slightly more floral.

Mora Lemonade
A very simple fresh lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemon, sugar syrup and soda water with a delightful Mora Twist. Mora is a large, deep red Andean Blackberry, similar to a loganberry, with a richer flavour.

Fifth Floor Passion
A large, deep yellow passion fruit, the Maracuyá adds a delightful, tropical twist to this refreshing cocktail. Vanilla syrup, fresh blackberries, apple juice, Maracuyá and soda.

Prima Donna
A non-alcoholic twist on the ever popular Diva cocktail; Maracuyá and Mora are shaken together with apple juice and pineapple juice.
Mora Refresher
Rich Mora fruit with freshly squeezed lime, lemon and vanilla. Shaken with apple juice and topped with tonic water.

The Fruto del Espíritu non-alcoholic cocktails are available at the Fifth Floor Bar, Knightsbridge from 15th April 2013, priced at £7.50 each.

http://www.harveynichols.com/hnedit/viva-forever-afternoon-tea/

To welcome in 2013 Hawksmoor Air Street launches a new bar menu featuring amongst other dishes, it's latest favourite thing: The Mitch Tonks' Crab Sandwich.
A heavenly sandwich first tasted at Mitch's restaurant Rockfish in Dartmouth, lovingly made with only the freshest crab meat, cucumber and pickles, layered between fluffy white bread now takes pride of place alongside Hawksmoor's already infamous buttery Lobster Roll.
Cornish rock oysters or Colchester natives served with or without Hawksmoor sausages are also available as well as fried rock oysters served with tartare sauce and lighter snacks such as Fried queenies, triple cooked chips and pickled cockles. For those with a sweeter inclination, macaroons and salted caramel rolos round up the offering.

www.thehawksmoor.com

Proud winner of Tatler's Best New Restaurant, Hawksmoor steak restaurant and cocktail bar on Basinghall Street in the City is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday to Friday. With 160 covers in the dining room, 50 in the bar and a private dining room seating 22, Guildhall is owners’ Will Beckett and Huw Gott biggest opening to date.
One of the highlights of the new restaurant is the 7am opening and a breakfast menu that can only be described as ‘definitive’, featuring everything from a selection of Steaks and Eggs, Wild Mushrooms and Bone Marrow on Toast, Manx Kipper & Poached Eggs to sandwiches such as Sausage & Egg HkMuffin. Lighter dishes include Scotch Pancakes (with Streaky Bacon & Maple Syrup or with Roasted Plums), Marmalade French Toast, granola, porridge, pastries and plum and custard doughnuts. Breakfast drink selection includes a Bloody Mary buffet in the bar with an assortment of juices and garnishes and a selection of ‘anti-fogmatic’ cocktails as well as juices, shakes and Climpson and sons coffee brewed in a chemex for a purer taste.
Other highlights include the six course beef tasting menu, available for tables of 8-10 and priced at £700 for the table and the brand new cocktail list inspired by a day in the life of a cocktail lover, including pre and post prandial cocktails, cards and cigars section and disco drinks for late night drinking.

http://www.thehawksmoor.co.uk

The award-winning Hawksmoor Seven Dials steak restaurant and cocktail bar opened in late 2010 on the corner of Langley and Shelton Streets in Covent Garden. Situated at the site of the old Watney-Combe brewery, Hawksmoor Seven Dials is the owners’ Will Beckett and Huw Gott’s first West End venue and a sister to the hugely popular Hawksmoor Spitalfields, a restaurant that reignited London’s love affair with steak when it opened in 2006.

Hawksmoor’s generously-sized steaks, such as the Bone-in Sirloin, Porterhouse and Chateaubriand are simply cooked on a real charcoal grill (replica of the Spitalfields charcoal grill) by head chef Richard Turner and his team, with Tim Wilson from the Ginger Pig butchers continuing to supply the beef from his herd of Longhorn cattle, lovingly reared on his North Yorkshire farm.

http://www.thehawksmoor.com

Situated in the basement space under the original Hawksmoor restaurant the glamorous new Spitalfields bar launched in early March with a short cocktail list of 10 drinks, including a monthly changing Desert Island cocktails and some fantastic food, such as Poutine (or chips cheese and gravy, Canada's gift to world cuisine) and Shortrib nuggets.

This October Soran Nomura of the late 'Green and Red' on Bethnal Green Road, brings you three of his own creations as part of his 'desert island drinks' men. The Japaroni, Akashi Collins and Emerald Slipper all feature unique oriental flavours, whilst the artfully made Remember the Maine is a revival of a classic 1930's Havana cocktail.

http://www.thehawksmoor.com

Manicomio nestles perfectly in the converted barracks that once housed The Royal Military Asylum in Duke of York Square, hence the name, Madhouse in Italian. Over the years, Manicomio’s offering, including a fine Italian restaurant and bar, casual café, deli and takeaway and a delightful dining terrace have built a loyal following, becoming an absolute must both with the discerning Chelsea set and lovers of fine Italian food from all over this city.

This May Manicomio Chelsea restaurant, café, deli and bar will be ten years old. To celebrate a decade as one of London’s best-loved Italian restaurants, Manicomio’s delectable new anniversary a la carte menu will feature ten years of seasonal spring and summer signature dishes, handpicked from menu archives by Head Chef Tom Salt.

The anniversary a la carte menu will launch on Monday 13th May with starters such as Baby artichoke, smoked ricotta and Jersey Royal salad and delightfully fresh Summer Minestrone just in time for the warmer weather. Time for the pasta course and think Dorset lobster linguine, Pappardelle with broad beans, nettles, rocket and lemon, and Zucchini agnolotti with bottarga and samphire. Finally last, but in no way least it’s on to the ten year dessert menu and order of the day is Black forest pannacotta, English strawberries, prosecco granita and rose jelly, Peach and vanilla cheesecake and Chocolate croccantini with raspberry sorbet.

This brilliant anniversary menu will run in the restaurant at Manicomio Chelsea from Monday 13th of May through to August with seasonal changes along the way due to some of the ingredients featured.

http://

Manicomio City restaurant, café, deli and bar opened in June 2008 and over the last five years has built a first class reputation as a destination for some of the finest Italian food, drink, produce and service on offer, not only in The City but all over London.

Situated in the breathtakingly impressive glass fronted Norman Foster building that dominates one end of Gutter lane, a stone’s throw from St Paul’s Manicomio City is set over three floors and offers a multi-layered offering: deli, takeaway, shop and café on the ground floor, restaurant on the first floor and the original circular bar, private dining room and restaurant on the second floor. There is also a stunning, twenty cover alfresco terrace at the front of the building protected by a huge cream awning and an impressive wall water fountain.

Café dishes feature the likes of Speck d’Acosta with roast pumpkin, Soup with Crostino, Linguine puttanesca, Lucanica Sausage with lentils or Brixham haddock fritti Burger. Whilst the quality and freshness extends to the takeaway offerings with the likes of Squid, soya bean, cherry tomato and fregola, Roast beef with parsnips, carrots and horseradish as well as hot dishes including soup, pasta, risotto, lasagne and the best-selling Manicomio burger, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The restaurant itself, located on the first floor, is smart, sleek and elegant in a very likeable modernist way that perfectly fits its situation. Tom Salts sublime a la carte menu features starters such as Sea Trout "Bloody Mary" tartare and Quail "Saltimbocca" with faro, sultanas and pine nuts. Pasta dishes like Cornish Mussel and parsley paccheri and Rabbit and mortadella ravioli follow along nicely, whilst main courses include dishes such as West Country Sea bass, leccesi olives, fennel and saffron dressing and Veal short rib, baby artichokes and polenta. Last but by no means least, Chocolate espresso croccantini with honeycomb and coffee ice cream and Warm almond and pear tart with creme fraiche are on offer for dessert.

The Roundhouse Bar, on the second floor, offers additional restaurant seating or can be hired out as a private venue for drinks and canapés or private dining for up to 100 people.

http://

The return of the fabulously indulgent Not Afternoon Tea offers four unique new plates to truly tease the tastebuds. As before, each dish comprises of a quartet of desserts, specially crafted by Head Pastry Chef Penny Wabbit and her team, which are paired perfectly with a bespoke cocktail created by the OXO Bar team.

‘Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb’ offers a much needed blast of colour during the darker, colder months. A fennel meringue topped with poached rhubarb stands alongside a traditional favourite, rhubarb fool: an almond sponge served with rhubarb parfait, rhubarb jam and sweet Hendricks Gin sorbet, an orange pannacotta wrapped in rhubarb and vanilla jelly and a rhubarb gingerbread cheesecake. Partnered with the refreshing combination of Domaine de Canton, two ginger liquers and charged with Zeo, “Rhubarbarella” compliments the tart flavours of this fresh and fabulous four-piece.

‘Hot n’ Sticky’ with it’s Guilty Pleasures cocktail, a combination of Appleton VX with coconut and banana, is partnered with sumptuous desserts such as ‘hot’ caramalised apple turnover on custard, Pandan rice pudding and coconut shortbread, ‘sticky’ banana cake topped with caramelised condensed milk and a mini Baklava bite.

A culinary spin on a much loved chocolate bar, ‘Chocolate Fruit and Nut(case)’ combines naughty and nice with a divine flourless chocolate cake with golden raisins and apricots and a devilish white chocolate and dried cranberry tart. A pyramid of hazelnut and bitter chocolate marquise and the finely formed caramel and macadamia nut truffle are the ideal partners to an espresso martini, with an OXO signature twist.

Last but not least, the ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ plate comprises of a smooth coffee mousse with espresso syrup; peppermint tea parfait with milk chocolate feuilletine; green tea frangipane with refreshing Taywell Chai tea ice-cream; four fruit tea pannacotta on berry jelly, with the added extra of an English tea shortbread with white chocolate ganache. The partnered cocktail is a Chambord ‘Drink Me’ tea, enticing the drinker to lose themselves in a hot herbal wonderland.

OXO Tower Restaurant Bar pays homage to the quintessentially British drink, the gin and tonic by introducing 6 brand new Perfect Serves. Featuring a selection of premium artisan and larger distillery gins perfectly matched with special tonics and bespoke garnishes and served in beautiful glassware, the OXO Perfect Serve gin and tonics are available from the Restaurant bar, priced at £10.95 each.

Gin Mare & 1724 Tonic is a fusion of savoury Mediterranean gin and delicate Peruvian tonic with a soft, almost floral quinine finish. . The flavour is enhanced by the addition of a smoked rosemary sprig; lemon and basil leaf; as well as a burst of green gazpacho. The tapas element of this ‘Perfect Serve’ makes it a must-try.

Hendricks Gin with its unusual botanicals of cucumber and rose is balanced with the bitterness of Fentimans tonic a touch of lillet aromatised wine.

Created with a ‘pink gin’ in mind, OXO has matched Portobello Road Gin with Fevertree Tonic, homemade pomelo cordial, bitters, and a pink grapefruit wedge all of which compliment this wonderful London Dry gin’s profile.

Beefeater 24’s point of difference is that it contains rare and exotic Chinese and Japanese teas, which have been steeped in the spirit for 24 hours before re-distillation. OXO pairs this gin with Schweppes tonic, orange flower aromas, and an additional tea influence in the form of Earl Grey cordial. The orange segment garnish adds a spike of colour and a soft citrus edge.

This gin’s wide popularity is driven by the gentle appeal of its flavour profile and its signature blue bottle. We are mixing it with lashings of Fevertree Tonic. Fresh raspberries and lime wheels add colour and bite.

This sought after limited re release from Tanqueray sees an Old Tom style of sweeter gin featured in the OXO range; call it an ‘It gin’. The OXO bartenders balance the serve with Zeo Soda Tonic; a glug of spicy ginger beer; cucumber and Pimento bitters

http://www.harveynichols.com/hnedit/the-return-of-not-afternoon-tea/

This February, Portobello House welcomes an exciting new member to the team: Head Chef Araldo De Vitis. His newly devised, reasonably priced bistro menu features simple, modern dishes with a nod to his Italian heritage.

The perfect man for †he job, Araldo spent four years as senior Sous Chef at Hereford Road as well as long periods as Chef De Partie at both St. John and The Anchor & Hope before that. Furthermore his repertoire also includes Head Chef of The Fox gastropub in Shoreditch, the St. John pop up at Secret Cinema and Dalla Terra in Covent Garden.

Araldo’s new menu for the bistro at Portobello House showcases his passion for simple yet vibrant modern cooking using only the finest ingredients. The new menu features a constantly changing selection of reasonably priced dishes, as well as an exceptionally good value lunch menu at £12 for two courses and £15 for three.

Starters feature Roast beef, artichoke, Caciocavallo cheese & truffle oil, Crispy ham hock, salsify, pickled carrots & watercress and Burrata, preserved artichoke & truffle dressing. Starters range from £5 to £7.50.

Main courses follow on nicely with the likes of Fish stew, skate, mussels, guanciale, chickpeas & tomatoes, Poached chicken, little gem & caper salsa and Braised lamb shoulder, cime di rapa & carrots. Main courses range from £11 to £14.50.

For pudding, choose from Orange & almond cake & custard, Vanilla pannacotta & rhubarb and Blackberry and apple crumble. Puds range from £3.50 to £5.50.

Since it opened in June last year, Portobello House has become a part of the established nightlife in a diverse, yet competitive Notting Hill. A fabulous interior, well priced dishes that people want to eat, a well stocked bar, decent wines and, last but not least, a comfortable, stylish hotel run by a good, hardworking family – who could ask for much more than that.

http://www.portobellohouse.com

The two quintessentially English afternoon tea offerings from Prism: Gentleman's Afternoon Tea and Traditional Afternoon Tea, feature a variety of the classic sandwiches and mouth watering cakes. Both afternoon tea offerings are priced at £19.50 per person or £29.50 including a glass of Champagne and are available between 12 and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Prism’s Monday Night Film Club makes Monday a whole lot better.

The new series of fabulous films have been handpicked by our film club members and showcase the very best of Hollywood throughout the decades. From Monday 11 February, two Mondays a month will host Film Night at Prism.

The season opens with black and white romantic, classic, “Casablanca” and ends with the pop culture paradigm, “Thelma and Louise” with firm fan favourites “Dirty Dancing” and “Stand By Me” also showing. All stylish films, much-loved for a reason.

Monday 15th April kicks off with Dirty Dancing starring the late, great Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, an all time laugh-out-loud classic with Peter Sellers in The Party on Monday 13th May, gfollowed by Pillowtalk with Rock Hudson and Doris Day on the 3rd June and rounding off with Thelma and Louise starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis.


Screenings start at 7pm with tickets priced at £10 each and include a cocktail on arrival.

http://www.harveynichols.com

This autumn, Harvey Nichols launches an exciting new dining concept, SEASON at the Fifth Floor Restaurant. Launching on 20 September, SEASON at the Fifth Floor Restaurant reflects the fashion trends of the Autumn/Winter season, inspired by the legendary Harvey Nichols window displays and the rich autumnal tones seen in the international designer collections, creating a unique, all-encompassing fashionable dining experience never seen in London before.

The autumnal feel of SEASON at the Fifth Floor Restaurant is also translated into the all day food and drink offering. The menu, priced at £25 offers a choice of openers and ten main courses. As well as offering aperitifs from the Champagne and cocktail trolley, the new wine list features more than thirty wines by the glass or carafe divided into sections from quirky and eclectic to bright and juicy.

http://http://www.harveynichols.com/hnedit/category/food-and-wine/whats-on-food-wine/fifth-floor-london-whats-on/

Beth Coventry’s pub-with-food in Hampstead is a firm local favourite. Situated between the Heath and Hampstead Village, the Georgian building has three dining rooms on the first floor, seating 10, 16 and 20, which lend themselves perfectly to private dining and events. The main bar downstairs is a comfortable space, suitable for eating, drinking and regular events and there is also plenty of outside seating, ideal for warmer months.

On 15th October, The Wells will hold Restaurants Against Hunger Charity Quiz, hosted and created by John Spiteri, much loved restaurant manager, currently residing at Bentley's.

Tickets are priced at £50 per person and include a three course dinner and half a bottle of wine with a £30 charity donation. Supper from 7pm, the quiz will start at 8pm

http://www.thewellshampstead.co.uk

Brett Woonton, Charlie Young and Elena Ares, the dynamic young team behind the hugely successful, much loved Vinoteca in Farringdon and Marylebone will open their third wine bar, dining room and wine shop in early May in Soho.

Set over two floors, Vinoteca in Soho will offer an exceptional, good value wine list alongside a frequently changing menu of modern British and European dishes served by friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Vinoteca in Soho will reflect Charlie and Brett’s passionate approach to wine. The 300-strong list, with 25 wines available by the glass, will feature a broad variety of great value, interesting and sometimes quirky wines full of character, often sourced from artisan producers, smaller importers or directly from vineyards.

Head Chef Will Leigh has created a menu of unpretentious, frequently changing dishes featuring finest seasonal ingredients. The menu will include dishes such as Grilled mackerel with rhubarb chilli and lovage, Roast loin of wild boar with polenta and gingery pears, the ever popular Marinated grilled bavette steak with chips and Lemon curd and blackcurrant sorbet sandwich.

http://www.vinoteca.co.uk

Having worked in the PR industry for fifteen years, Irena has extensive experience across all areas of consumer and lifestyle public relations. She has worked in fashion - representing Preen and Olivia Morris amongst others and with consumer brands such as Bandai toys and Take Two Interactive computer games. Lifestyle clients have included the launch of the Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel Collection book. Since 2001, Irena has found her niche, specialising almost exclusively in food and drink and working with some of London's most popular restaurants and niche food brands.

irena@kitchencommunications.com

Henry started his career in the kitchens of The Savoy Group, as an apprentice chef. This included working in the kitchens of Claridges, The Savoy Grill and The Connaught under the legendary Michel Bourdin for three years. After having satisfied his culinary curiosity, Henry temporarily changed direction and joined The Moving Picture Company, London's foremost post production company as a junior producer. Two years later he moved into on-line production, and worked on various commercials and pop promos around the world. Unable to resist his passion for food and drink, Henry turned to restaurant PR and after three years at Jori White PR, set up Kitchen Communications in 2006.

henry@kitchencommunications.com