Test Drives

Test Driving the new Lady of the Grapes in London Bridge, a wine bar with both style and substance

Information: 30 June 2026

The stretch between Borough and Southwark now has a compelling new bar and restaurant offering, courtesy of Lady of the Grapes. We went down for a few glasses of wine and to peruse the French bistro menu.

Test Driving Dante Mayfair, serving up London's poshest burger and a great time

Information: 25 June 2026

Following a hugely successful residency, New York's Dante is now a permanent fixture at Claridge's. We went to see what's new on the menu and to have a go at the three cocktail lunch.

Test Driving Chez Rose, we wanted everything on the menu at this new French bistro

Information: 23 June 2026

What was once Jason Atherton's Little Social has been taken over by Spencer Metzger, the chef who launched Row on 5 with him. It's now a more laid-back classic French affair. We went down to Pollen Street to check out Chez Rose.

Test Driving Zylia, where Greek and Cypriot cuisine come together in Covent Garden

Information: 18 June 2026

It's opened as part of Arcade Covent Garden, but Zylia is a separate mixed Greek and Cypriot taverna, co-run by an ex-Kiln head chef who also happens to be a co-owner of Singburi. We went down to see what it brings to the growing Greek (and Cypriot) scenes in London.

Test Driving Fitzgerald's, a City grill room that's a winning mix of Irish and American influences

Information: 16 June 2026

The City has a very comfortable new steakhouse and grill to try in Fitzgerald's - and there's a handy Irish American bar right next door.

Straits Kitchen's new Sunday brunch comes with a Bloody Mary Trolley and limitless buffet

Information: 13 June 2026

A new City brunch offering at the Pan Pacific London is all about getting the perfect Bloody Mary while enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Checking into the 7Pines Resort in Sardinia for Michelin-starred dining and a whole lot of pizza

Information: 11 June 2026

If you're after quiet luxury and great food in Sardinia you can't go wrong with a stay at the 7Pines Resort.

Test Driving Banquet 88, a riverside dim sum spot by Tower Bridge where it pays to dine with a group

Information: 03 June 2026

London has plenty of restaurants that are great for dates, but we also need restaurants that are perfect for group dining. Step forward Banquet 88 a new high end dim sum spot on St Katharine Docks.

Trying out the chic new-look Fifth Floor Terrace at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge

Information: 03 June 2026

Harvey Nichols' Fifth Floor Terrace in Knightsbridge has just reopened for the summer after a bit of a makeover. We took the lift to the store's top floor for a lovely lunch in the sunshine.

Trying out the midday theatre menu deal at 64 Old Compton Street

Information: 01 June 2026

In the heart of Soho, a much-loved Italian restaurant has an excellent midday deal on - we went in to try it out.

Test Driving The Latimer, where the Spiteri family have united for an excellent neighbourhood pub

Information: 28 May 2026

The Spiteri family have joined forces as a hospitality super group to open this new West London pub, fronted by the sibling duo behind Caravel. We went west to check it out.

Test Driving Oudh 1722 - Aktar Islam brings his Michelin magic to a Victorian townhouse in London Bridge

Information: 26 May 2026

His Birmingham restaurant Opheem has two Michelin stars and now Aktar Islam has opened Oudh 1722, his first London restaurant. We went down to see what he's cooking in his London Bridge home.

Test Driving Igni, a sophisticated take on fire dining in Mayfair

Information: 21 May 2026

Chef Theo Clench has taken an existing live fire restaurant and given it a very different identity. Expect Michelin stars to follow for Igni in Mayfair.

Test Driving MA/NA in Mayfair, where the Los Mochis team offer up sizzling wagyu and high-end Japanese dishes

Information: 19 May 2026

The team behind Los Mochis have opened a high-end Japanese restaurant in Mayfair, with a big focus on wagyu and Kobe beef. We went down for a first look.

Checking into Crafted at Powdermills, an oasis that's filled with things to do and great food in East Sussex

Information: 16 May 2026

One of the founders of Birch has opened a new hotel and members' club in the south of England with a big focus on community and the surrounding natural area. We headed down to Battle to check out Crafted at Powdermills.

Test Driving Kawan by Uncle Roger, a textbook case of how celebrities should open restaurants in London

Information: 14 May 2026

Celebrity restaurant openings aren't new in London, but given how he roasts others for their cooking there was a lot riding on Kawan by Uncle Roger. Thankfully, it delivers.

Test Driving Ornella, the assured Hackney follow-up to Theo James & Co's hit Lupa

Information: 12 May 2026

The dream team of actor Theo James, restaurateur Ed Templeton and chef Naz Hassan has joined forces once more to open a second restaurant, Ornella, this time in Hackney. We went to see if the sequel was even better than the original.

Without Papers, a Shoreditch bar where seasoned Italian hospitality folk have it all sussed out

Information: 08 May 2026

Three incredibly experienced bar professionals have set out on their own, opening Without Papers, a Shoreditch bar serving up excellent Italo/British cocktails. We pulled up a stool at the bar.

Test Driving Bar Etna, a London/Philadelphia take on the 'special relationship' we can get behind

Information: 07 May 2026

What does a collaboration between one of America's best pizza chefs and a super-hot North London restaurant group look like? We went to Bar Etna on Newington Green to find out.