Test Drive

• Test Driving Nessa - a Soho bistro takes on British classics

  

  Nessa sees chef Tom Cenci opening a neighbourhood bistro in Soho that takes a new approach to British classics. We went in to try it out.  

• Test Driving The Ritz Restaurant - one of London's truly special restaurants

  

  It's a restaurant that can accuratly be called iconic, and is blessed with a spectacular menu from John Williams and amazing service. Almost a decade since our last visit, we went back to give it a new look.

• Test Driving Papi - bringing the party to London Fields

  

  What happens when a supper club chef settles down with a wine importer to open a party place in London Fields? We went to find out.

• Test Driving Mayha's The Bar Downstairs - omakase with cocktail pairing

  

  Underneath this Japanese restaurant on Chiltern Street there's a tiny bar serving up an omakase menu of sushi paired with cocktails. We went to try it out. 

• Test Driving Joia - Portuguese food with a very London view

  

  Right beside Battersea Power Station, Joia matches Portuguese food from a Michelin-starred chef with some pretty spectacular views. We head over on the riverboat to try it out. 

• Test Driving Quo Vadis - a Soho classic sees a return to its former glory

  

  One of London's great restaurants, Quo Vadis has had something of a big revamp. Now fitting in twice as many diners, we went down to take in the new look - and to have a pie and eel sandwich, of course.

• Test Driving Zapote - modern Mexican in Shoreditch

  

  This modern mid-level Mexican has just opened in Shoreditch, with a large bar. We head down for tacos and more.

• Test Driving Dishoom Canary Wharf - the Bombay cafe serves up another winner

  

  Dishoom has brought its Bombay cafe to Canary Wharf. And, before you ask, the House Black Daal and Bacon Naan are definitely on the menu. We head down to take a look.

• Test Driving Socca - a love letter to the French Riviera in Mayfair

  

  Bosi's new Mayfair bistro aims to transport Londoners to the south of France. We left our passports at home and went to try it out.

• Test Driving Humo - culinary fireworks in Mayfair

  

  From the restaurant group that brought us Endo and Sumi comes this thrilling new cooking over fire restaurant. We pulled up a seat at the counter.

• Test Driving Akub - Fadi Kattan brings Palestinian food to Notting Hill

  

  Top Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan has opened a restaurant in Notting Hill - we went down to check it out. 

• Howl's Moving Castle comes to Selfridges - we have afternoon tea at Calcifer's Kitchen

  

  Selfridges have teamed up with Loewe, Studio Ghibli and Balboste for the immersive Howl's Moving Castle Cafe, Calcifer's Kitchen. We popped down to try out one of the hottest tickets in town. 

• Test Driving Humble Chicken 2.0 - an upgrade from yakitori to omakase for this Soho spot

  

  Angelo Sato's yakitori chicken spot in Soho has morphed into an ambitious omakase style restaurant. We went to see its latest incarnation.

• Trying out Sophie's Steakhouse Sunday lunch

  

  Sophie's Soho is serving up an impressive Sunday lunch, grilled over its huge firepit. We went down to try it out.  

• Test Driving Bar Kroketa - a hugely appealing slice of Spain in Carnaby

  

  Carnaby has an appealing new Spanish bar celebrating croquetas. We went to work our way through the list...