Test Drive

• Test Driving Studio Frantzen - a Swedish makeover for Harrods

  

  Top chef Bjorn Frantzen has arrived in Harrods with a huge restaurant devoted to his Nordic/Asian cuisine - and a new rooftop to boot. We went down to Knightsbridge to check it out. 

• Test Driving Cycene - a culinary journey in Shoreditch

  

  Cycene sees chef Theo Clench take over at Shoreditch's Blue Mountain School with an inventive tasting menu and a whole new look for the space. We head down to try it out. 

• Test Driving Saltie Girl - the Boston seafood import hits Mayfair

  

  All the way from Boston, this US import is hoping to make itself an indispensable seafood spot for anyone shopping on Oxford Street. 

• Test Driving The Berkeley's new pop-up pub - The Bishop

  

  The Berkeley has launched a new wintry pop-up - and this one is based on a classic pub. We went along for beer, scotch eggs and to see how they've managed to evoke a proper British pub in the heart of Knightsbridge.  

• Test Driving Velvet - the Corinthia London's louche new cocktail bar

  

  This new bar at this Whitehall hotel showcases the many talents of top mixologist Salvatore Calabrese. We popped in for a tipple or two.

• Test Driving 56 West Smithfield - a groundbreaking wine bar in the City

  

  Given the current cost of living crisis we're all for a new wine bar that's bringing down the cost of drinking good wine.

• Test Driving The Holland - Kensington's lovely new neighbourhood pub

  

  Kensington locals' pub options just got more interesting with the arrival of The Holland. We went to check it out. 

• Test Driving Restaurant St. Barts - a modernist dream in the old heart of London

  

  This new Smithfield restaurant wants to give London diners a real experience for their money. We went to see how that plays out in reality.

• Test driving Scott's - Mayfair's glamorous seafood spot lands on the riverside at Richmond

  Celeb haunt Scott's has arrived in Richmond and hasn't spared any expense, from the look of it. We head down for a riverside lunch to see how the locals have taken to it.  

• Test Driving Elis - Brazilian/Italian fusion at Bethnal Green's Town Hall Hotel

  

  The team behind Da Terra have taken over the other restaurant at the Town Hall Hotel for a more casual affair. We headed east for a look. 

• Test Driving Mount St. Restaurant - art, food and celebs mix in this Mayfair hit

  

  Mount St. Restaurant has arrived in Mayfair, attracting a flurry of high-profile guests. We went along to take a look at this restaurant which also happens to double as an informal art gallery. 

• Test Driving Koyn - fire in the kitchen at this Mayfair Japanese restaurant

  

  From the team who brought us Jamavar and Mimi Mei Fair comes this hot new Japanese spot that's already causing a stir. We went down to try this restaurant of two halves.

• Test Driving The Barley Mow - a Mayfair pub reborn

  

  The latest addition to Mayfair's pub dining scene has arrived with a very clubby dining room and plenty of theatrical flourishes.

• Test Driving the Sunday roast at Kudu Grill - perfection in Peckham

  

  It turns out that Sunday roasts are just one more thing this Peckham restaurant does brilliantly.

• Test Driving Milk Beach - an Australian oasis in Soho

   

  Milk Beach has been a success in Queen's Park, and now it's brought its Australian cuisine to a prime new Soho space. We went down for a look.