Test Drive

• Test Driving One Club Row - the restaurant spearheading the revival of Shoreditch as a cool place to eat

  

  A dream restaurant team are trying to bring a bit of NYC energy to Shoreditch. We booked a table for dinner to see if they'd succeeded.

• Test Driving Tom Brown at The Capital, an impressive homecoming

  

  Tom Brown has returned to the dining room where he got his first big break in London. With his name now on the door, we went to Knightsbridge to see what the chef was cooking up. 

• Test Driving Tasca at Cav, a perfect pairing for East London

  

  An extremely talented duo are behind Tasca, the first, year-long residency to take over the kitchen at new Bethnal Green bar Cav. We went down to be wowed by the food and drink on offer there.

• Test of Time - returning to Perilla in Stoke Newington, so much more than a neighbourhood restaurant

  

  Perilla is getting close to being on Newington Green for a decade. Since our first visit, we've heard nothing but high praise for this restaurant so it was clearly time for us to revisit.

• Test Driving Bodean's in Soho where Richard Turner has given the menu a welcome overhaul

  

  Longstanding London BBQ restaurant Bodean's has been given a makeover with the arrival of legendary meat man Richard Turner. We went down to see how much things have changed.

• Test Driving The Lavery, an elegant newcomer in an historic building in South Kensington

  

  South Kensington is the unlikely location for the arrival of an interesting new restaurant in a historic old building. We went down to try out The Lavery. 

• Test Driving 27 Old Compton Street - the late night pasta bar that's exactly what Soho needs right now

  

  Amidst a sea of luxury openings comes a well-priced Soho spot that wants to make sitting down for a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine an easy, fun thing to do. We find that 27 Old Compton Street is very much to our taste. 

• Test Driving the pop-up Guinness bar at The Ned, where it's ALL about the Guinness

  

  Guinness madness sees no sign of easing up in London. Latest to the party is The Ned, where they've opened a special bar where the drinks and food all revolve around Guinness. We went down to try it out and, of course, see how good their pints are. 

• Test Driving Nina - a glamourpuss of a restaurant where the food is as hot as the scene

  

  Nina in Marylebone is already blowing up on social. We booked in to see if lives up to the hype.

• Test Driving Victor Garvey at the Midland Grand - a theatrical take on haute cuisine in King's Cross

  

  Victor Garvey, the chef behind Michelin-starred SOLA, has taken on the reins of the impressive Midland Grand in King's Cross. We went to check out his new restaurant.

• Test Driving Himi, a neo-izakaya lighting up the Carnaby dining scene

  

  The founders of Roji have switched their attentions to this more casual Japanese affair just off Carnaby Street. We took a seat at the counter to check out what Himi has to offer. 

• Test Driving Silva, a new Mayfair spot that stands out from the crowd

  

  Tucked down Bruton Place, between the Guinea and Bellamy's you'll find this rather cosy new Mayfair spot. We take a look at what Silva has to offer London's frenetic dining scene.

• Test Driving Market Halls Paddington - a gamechanger for station dining

  

  The newest Market Halls brings BAO, From The Ashes, Breddos and more to a brand new building right by the station concourse. We went down to check out London's latest food court.

• Test Driving The Knave of Clubs - an instant-hit pub arrives in Shoreditch

  

  A classic Shoreditch pub is reborn in the modern age, backed up with a great pub menu from ex-Allegra chef Patrick Powell. We tried out The Knave of Clubs (and didn't want to go home). 

• Test Driving Bar Valette, the younger hipper sibling to The Clove Club

  

  The team behind The Clove Club have taken a second stab at opening up on Kingland High Street. This time they're going for more of a Southern France and Spanish theme. We went for the stew and stayed for the mousse.