Test Drives

Bar crawl, Tom Kerridge goes big on Georgie's Bar (and martinis)

Information: 01 October 2026

Tom Kerridge has maxed-up his bar space inside Corinthia London to create the new Georgie's Bar. We went down to try the new bar food and, of course, their freezer-cold martinis.

Test Driving Cassette, where the Levan team have created a 21st-century French bistro in Covent Garden

Information: 29 September 2026

The team behind Peckham's Levan have arrived in Covent Garden with a new take on a Parisian bistro. We take a closer look at Cassette.

Trying out 40 Dean Street, an old-school Italian great in Soho

Information: 26 September 2026

Something of a Soho institution, 40 Dean Street has been serving up a classic Italian menu for more than 20 years. We popped in to remind ourselves why it's lasted so long.

Test Driving The Albatross, the Goodman team's huge seafood-led pub in the City

Information: 24 September 2026

A huge new pub has opened in the City and it just happens to be from the same people behind Goodman and Wild. We went to take a closer look at The Albatross and put their seafood menu to the test.

Test Driving Kid, believe the hype - this new Soho opening is on fire

Information: 22 September 2026

A groundbreaking chef and a great restaurateur are the forces behind hot new London restaurant Kid. We took a trip to Soho to see if it could live up to the hype.

Trying out one of Brixton's newest pubs, The Ferndale

Information: 19 September 2026

If you're in or around Brixton, fancying a pizza and a pint you can't go wrong with a trip to The Ferndale. We headed to one of Brixton's newest openings to check it out.

Test Driving Le Café LPM, bringing a taste of the original Mayfair hit to Knightsbridge

Information: 17 September 2026

After 18 years, LPM has decided to branch out, opening spin-off Le Café LPM at The Lanesborough in Knightsbridge. We popped in for lunch to see how it compares to the original.

Test Driving Nakimushi, a restaurant of two floors, two chefs and one menu from the Dorian team

Information: 15 September 2026

Nakimushi is the latest opening from the Dorian team; and it's a mix of ramen bar and Japanese restaurant. We went down to Notting Hill to see how the concepts are working together.

Test Driving Lury, a seaside gem giving British produce a Sri Lankan edge

Information: 10 September 2026

Tucked away off a Hastings side street, chef Jack Lury is running a tight ship as the only chef in the kitchen serving an amazing Sri Lankan-accented menu. We popped along for a lovely long lunch at Lury.

Test Driving Miokuru, a handroll bar channelling Tokyo energy with amazing British produce

Information: 08 September 2026

Miokuru is part of the great London handroll boom of 2026. We went down to see what it was doing differently to its competitors.

Trying out Fortnum's Cellar Sessions for the launch of the store's new wine range

Information: 03 September 2026

A new series of tutored wine tastings has just begun at Fortnum & Mason's Piccadilly store. We signed up to one of their Cellar Sessions to see what it was all about.

Test driving MOR, where Tom Sellers is championing Cornish seafood at the seaside

Information: 01 September 2026

Tom Sellers, together with Tom Anglesea, has taken over the main restaurant at Carbis Bay in Cornwall. It's a room blessed with an amazing view, so we went down to see just what the two chefs have created to match it.

Test Driving Wagyu Yakiniku USHIO, an omakase experience devoted to wagyu

Information: 25 August 2026

A new omakase restaurant has arrived in Fitzrovia, but this one is highlighting cuts of Wagyu instead of sushi. We went in to try out Wagyu Yakiniku USHIO.

Travel notes - we check into The White Hart Inn on Mersea Island

Information: 20 August 2026

With Mersea Island a little over an hour and a half from London, this tidal island is absolutely perfect for a quick seaside getaway. And the recently opened White Hart Inn proved to be a great place to both eat and stay. We drove to Essex to check in for a night.

Test Driving Mardy's, a modern twist on a British sandwich shop in Mayfair

Information: 18 August 2026

A new entry to London's competitive sandwich space is Mardy's which is bringing top quality sarnies to Mayfair. We popped along one lunchtime to give it a go.

Test Driving Bar Blondie, this vibey Queen's Park pivot pulls in the crowd with an excellent wine list

Information: 13 August 2026

What was once Milk Beach is now Bar Blondie. Milk Beach's Elliot Milne has brought in top sommelier Alexandra Price to team up on this European-influenced wine bar and restaurant - we went down for a look.

Bar Crawl - Sane is Islington's new sake and wine bar, from a hugely talented sommelier

Information: 11 August 2026

London's boom of interesting sommelier-led wine bars continues with the opening of SANE in Islington. We went down to experience Maxime's vision for the place.

Trying out the Indulgent Churrasco Experience at Fogo de Chão Bishopsgate

Information: 06 August 2026

It's all change (as far as the name goes) for Fogo de Chão, which used to be Fazenda. What hasn't changed is the fantastic parade of Brazilian grilled meats and seafood dishes.

Test Driving Kismet, where upstairs at The Globe Tavern is transformed into a must-visit Turkish/Cypriot meyhane

Information: 02 August 2026

The latest residency at The Globe Tavern in Borough Market, Kismet has really made the place its own. This London version of a Greek-Cypriot meyhane has quickly become a hot ticket. We went along to see how a Turkish-style mehhane feels so at home above a London pub.