Just in time for Thanksgiving and the festive season, Allens, the traditional Mayfair butchers will be bringing out their free-range bronze turkeys in mid November. These superior quality birds are raised on Allens farm in Tenterden, Kent and will be supplied fresh with giblets and a jar of Allens own Cranberry sauce (Allens Bronze Turkeys RRP £12.50 per kg). For the first time, Allens customers will be able to order these birds online for nationwide delivery on Allens newly launched website.

Having been responsible for making butchery popular among Londoners with their sell out master classes, Allens now bring their finest quality meat, poultry and game to the masses with allensofmayfair.co.uk. Alongside an excellent selection of fresh beef, lamb, pork, veal, poultry, game and the full range of Allens sauces, customers can order seasonal products and specials such as the fantastic Steak Box, which contains the finest range of Scottish beef from farms in the Cairngorm National Park.

http://www.allensofmayfair.co.uk

For this year’s Valentine’s Artisan du chocolat, one of UK’s most innovative chocolatiers have taken the inspiration from nature to create a fabulous Love Grows collection of chocolates and gifts to celebrate enduring love with style. The Valentine’s collection includes pretty pink heart shaped boxes with concentric tree rings to symbolise growing and long lasting, filled with all manner of chocolate delights. Bright red chocolate hearts are painted with a special natural food colour and can be ‘scratched’ to write a message or a name of the loved one – inspired by the teenage crush tradition of carving your sweetheart’s name on a tree.

Artisan du chocolat on Westbourne Grove will be serving a special Pink cocoa and cranberry Bellini cocktails from 5th February, priced at £4.50

The Love Grows Collection is available from mid January for online orders at www.artisanduchocolat.com and from Artisan du chocolat shops: 89 Lower Sloane Street, SW1W 8DA; Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB and 81 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UL Enquiries: 0845 270 6996

http://www.artisanduchocolat.com

Brunello at The Baglioni Hotel has recently launched its brand new chocolate afternoon tea, which combines this truly British pastime with the Italian love of stopping mid afternoon for a rich cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and a homemade chocolate pastry or two. Treats include: Homemade scones served warm with Italian chocolate spread and clotted cream, Dark chocolate scones with white chocolate chips, White and dark chocolate choux cream, Chocolate truffles and Fresh fruit chocolate tart. Brunello Chocolate Afternoon Tea is priced at £28.00 and £36 with a glass of Champagne and served daily between 4 and 6pm.

http://www.brunellorestaurant.com

Doukan, newly opened and truly authentic Moroccan restaurant in the heart of Wandsworth Town is the brainchild of Khalil Abdesslem, owner of Nomades Food, a renowned brand of Moroccan sauces and condiments. This is Khalil’s first restaurant. By day, it is the ultimate neighbourhood eaterie, offering everything from breakfast to weekend brunch, a fine deli and an exceptional value express lunch. In the evening, the restaurant transforms into a destination for fine authentic Moroccan cooking in London. The menu features dishes such as Terrine of lamb’s liver in a rich coriander and garlic charmoula with olive oil and preserved lemon tapenade, Slow cooked chicken in rass el hanout, fenugreek and lentils served on a bed of shredded flatbread, as well as a good range of meat and fish tagines, perfect for sharing and moreish couscous dishes

http://www.doukan.co.uk

Harvey Nichols has recently launched a stunning new Champagne bar at the flagship Knightsbridge store, created in an exclusive collaboration with Champagne Perrier-Jouët and with the interiors by Shaun Clarkson ID.

Inspired by Emile Gallé’s iconic 1902 anemone design for the Cuvée Belle Époque champagne bottle, the new Fifth Floor Bar is a contemporary interpretation of the grand turn of the century art nouveau salons. The Harvey Nichols Bar team have come up with an impressive list of drinks and cocktails to compliment the new design. Champagne will dominate the list with the introduction of Perrier-Jouët champagne flights. Guided by the Fifth Floor Bar team, guests can experience tastings of champagnes and vintages paired with bite size seafood tasters from Swedish Executive Chef Jonas Karlsson.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Fifth Floor Restaurant will be celebrating Burns Night on the 25th January with a special four-course menu, paired with fine Scottish whiskeys and priced at £55 per head. Guests will be welcomed with whiskey cocktails and a piper, while Ben Booth from Diageo will be on hand to talk about the different whiskeys:

Cullen skink - Caol Ila 12 Year Old
Haggis with neeps and tatties, whisky sauce - Talisker 10
Roast rib of Beef - Clynelish Distillers Edition
Highland honey and Drambuie cheese cake - Johnnie Walker Gold Label

http://www.haveynichols.com

New to the Fifth Floor this winter is a tropical installation Terrace, designed in collaboration with Breeze House, the outdoor building specialists, and Mahiki Rum. 

With comfortable wicker tables and chairs, tropical plants, and a delightfully heated Breeze House Oasis Hut, it's a calming destination and the ideal escape for the winter blues. Papa Jules, the creator of the Mahiki Rum has devised a special hot chocolate menu, using the exclusively launched Cognac Aged Mahiki Rum. The drinks include Salty Vanila and Coco flake hot chocolate, Rose Water and Passion Fruit hot chocolate and Hot Chilli and Cayenne Pepper hot chocolate. The full range of Mahiki rums (Mahiki White, Gold and Cognac Aged) are now available from the Harvey Nichols Wine Shop

http://www.harveynichols.com

Gascoyne Place opened in the heart of Bath just over a year ago and in the past twelve months the restaurant and bar has become a cornerstone on the Bath eating and drinking scene. Situated in a stunning Grade II listed Georgian town house, originally built into the City walls and located on the edge of one of Bath's finest squares, Gascoyne Place is the brainchild of architect Wayne Taylor and former theatre Director Marty Grant. Together, they have created a diverse offering, encompassing a traditional bar, lounge, elegant dining rooms as well as an informal eating space.

The menu changes often to make the most of local suppliers from Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Highlights from Head Chef Richard Hughes's current menu include: Pan seared Cornish Scallops with crispy pork belly and a caramel chilli sauce or Roast field mushrooms with garlic, wilted spinach and Wyfe of Bath organic cheese to start; Rainbow Wood sirloin steak with home-cut chips, roast root vegetables and thyme jus or Pan fried calves liver and bacon with sage mash and red wine jus for mains.

http://www.gascoyneplace.com

Combat the freezing late winter weather with a truly heart-warming offering available at Le Bouchon Breton this February and March, La Fete Alpine.

Taking their inspiration from the hearty, rib sticking fare from the ski slopes of France, the team at Le Bouchon Breton have devised a stunning range of “Apres Ski” dishes including Raclette Traditionale, Fondue Savoiarde, Tartiflette and Pierrade, that are sure to warm the soul without breaking the bank. La Fete Alpine menu is designed to share and priced at £18 per person including an onion soup, endive and walnut salad and a half a bottle of Rousette de Savoie/ pints of beer or cider.

http://www.lebouchon.co.uk

The OXO Tower has created a whole weekend of experiences for Valentine's, from the elegantly romantic Restaurant where a special four course dinner will be paired with select wines and accompanied by live performances – on Saturday night, velvet voiced Richard Shelton with his Sinatra style crooning and on Sunday night OXO will host the fabulous jazz singer Caroline Loftus. The Brasserie, meanwhile is putting love and laughter back into Valentine’s with a Vegas Valentine’s theme complete with a fantastic Chinese Elvis and even a wedding chapel for those wanting to renew their vows overlooking the river. Dinner is priced at £120 at the Restaurant and £95 at the Brasserie (including wine, Champagne, coffee and service)

http://www.harveynichols.com

Prism Brasserie is delighted to welcome French singer Caroline Nin with her world famous cabaret evening ‘Scarlet Stories’. 'Scarlet Stories' takes us back to the smoky nightclubs of 1930's Berlin and Paris, as Caroline Nin channels Piaf, Dietrich, Nina Simone and Minnelli. Guests will be able to have a three course dinner, priced at £49.50, which includes unlimited Harvey Nichols wine for the duration of the meal. Alternatively, entrance tickets for the cabaret only are priced at £15. ‘Scarlet Stories’ will take place monthly on the following dates: 15th February, 15TH March, 19th April and 17TH May.

Prism recently launched a brand new brasserie offering created by the new head chef, Daniel Sherlock alongside a new look to the palatial restaurant. The grand interior at Prism now also has a more relaxed feel, evoking the roaring twenties and the former Bank of New York’s heyday. Specially commissioned canvas panels depicting jazz era scenes hang on the walls, showing off Prism’s famous high ceilings in a completely new light and creating a fantastic atmosphere for Caroline Nin’s performances.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Situated in the Quakers Friars quarter of the Cabot Circus development in the heart of Bristol, the Second Floor Restaurant and Bar occupies the top floor of the new Harvey Nichols store. Open for all day dining, from 10am to 11pm, from weekend brunch to post-shopping cocktails and dinner, the space is modern and striking.

In the Restaurant, soft and shimmery gold dominates giving off a warm and lustrous glow. It is a fantastic space to showcase the talents of Second Floor Restaurant’s Head Chef Louise McCrimmon, whose style is based on classic techniques, pure flavours, great textures and indulgent ingredients.

The Second Floor Bar is an intimate space, clad in silver and with a long glowing onyx bar. With its great range of signature cocktails, it is the perfect spot for a post-shopping drinks or an aperitif before dinner.

http://www.harveynichols.com

Sweet Things, the award winning Primrose Hill Cakery is launching a delicious new range of Baby Loaf Cakes at Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason. Ideal for two people to share, the Baby Loaf cakes are a lovely and an inexpensive sweet treat, priced at only £2.95 each.

Sweet Things Baby Loaf cakes have a moist sponge base, just like the traditional loaf cakes and come in a selection of 6 classic flavours including Banana and Dulce de leche (vanilla cake filled with fresh banana, topped with vanilla buttercream and drizzled with dulce de leche) and the Traditional Marble cake (chocolate and vanilla sponge topped with vanilla and chocolate buttercream). Freshly baked daily at the Sweet Things Cakery, the Baby Loaf cakes are available to buy now at Selfridges on Oxford Street, at Fortnum and Mason and from the Sweet Things Cakery – 020 7722 2107

http://www.sweetthings.biz

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

Having worked in the PR industry for over ten 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, launching the Hope and Greenwood confectioners and working with some of London's most popular restaurants, such as Zuma, The Greenhouse, The Cinnamon Club and OXO Tower

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 joined Jori White PR where he headed the restaurant division. Henry worked for Jori White for three years and his client portfolio included The Cheyne Walk Brasserie, Kai Mayfair, The Jessen Group and Embassy.

henry@kitchencommunications.com