Hot Dinners exclusive
To Taste of London (reviewed here) this week, where Hot Dinners happened upon a pair of top chefs with a lot of good things to say about London diners. First up was Gary Rhodes who was full of brio about eating out in London. ‘London has such a huge variety of restaurants to offer the public,’ he told us. ‘If you go to Paris, you get French cuisine, but if you come to London there’s something for everyone. ‘When we asked Gary if he had any new projects he was working on – he fixed us with a very knowing look and told us to; ‘Keep watching!’ By which we deduce that an announcement is probably imminent.
By contrast, Atul Kochhar from Benares was more circumspect about his prospects for the moment. Of course he had nothing but praise for Londoners, who he said; ‘make the London restaurant scene so vibrant. The crowd in London are getting savvier – they’re spoilt for choice and I don’t think this kind of mix is available anywhere else in the world.’ When we asked if he had any projects up his sleeves, he told us; ‘I’m working on a casual dining concept at the moment, which I hope to launch post-recession. I’m looking to see this period through. Getting the finance up is very hard – that’s what I’m waiting for.’
Jo Wood's pop-up restaurant
While you’re waiting for Rhodes and Kochhar to set up new places, Eco-restaurateur Arthur Potts Dawson from Acorn House tells the Telegraph he’s definitely intending to set up a fleet of new sustainable restaurants to follow his Shoreditch opening, Water House. ‘I’m planning to have five restaurants based on the Chinese elements wood, water fire, earth and metal,’ he told them. Arthur’s a busy lad, as he’s also teaming up with Ronnie Wood’s estranged wife Jo to create a pop-up restaurant called Mrs Paisley’s Lashings. Said temporary restaurant, not to be confused with an S&M boudoir, will be in Mrs Wood’s garden from 25 June to 8 July. Prices are, well, pricey starting at £120 for a three-course set menu with wine, and cocktail (singular).
For more info go to www.mrspaisleyslashings.com
Laugh? I nearly spilt my drink!
The single funniest food (well, wine) related article we read this week came from Observer Food Monthly’s Polly Vernon who offered her Runner-up Award of Most Alluring Depiction of Booze in a TV Drama thus. It certainly made us snort our half-pint glass of chardonnay all over the laptop.
Conran’s Fleet Street Opening
And finally, we hear that Terence Conran’s new place, Lutyens will open its doors on 29th June. David Burke, the first chef at Pont de la Tour will be in the driving seat and Graham Williams from Le Cafe Anglais will be front of house. ‘I have always admired David Burke’s enthusiasm and the way he combines his Irish style with classic French cooking,’ says Conran. ‘Together with Graham’s efficient and charming service, I think we have created a restaurant that might tempt a few journalists back to Fleet Street and get the bankers out of their bunkers and spending again.’ For bookings, go to www.lutyens-restaurant.com
