Test Drives

Test Driving Topa - a buzzing Basque residency inside a Holloway Road deli

Information: 22 October 2024

The arrival of a new Basque-inspired residency by a top chef at Holloway Road deli Provisions meant it was time for a return visit.

Trying out Jugad - a healthy, modern take on Indian food in Camden Market

Information: 17 October 2024

Jugad sees healthy food company Foodhak opening a modern Indian restaurant in Camden Market, bringing in top names for the menu and cocktails. We went down for a look.

Test Driving Nest Farmhouse - a London restaurant group works wonders in the countryside

Information: 17 October 2024

The team behind Nest and Restaurant St Barts have opened their first out-of-London space - we travelled to Norfolk to check out Nest Farmhouse.

Test Driving Fonda - home cooked Mexican food (if your home cook also happens to be a Michelin-starred chef)

Information: 15 October 2024

On top of having one of the World's 50 Best restaurants with Kol, chef Santiago Lastra has branched out with a new more informal offering in Fonda. We nipped over to Heddon Street to check it out.

Test Driving Wildflowers - a fantastic Med-inspired restaurant paired with a great-value wine bar

Information: 10 October 2024

Wildflowers is a beautifully designed space in Belgravia that's part-wine bar and part-restaurant, led by an ex-Elystan Street head chef. We approached it via a hidden courtyard to see what it was all about.

Test Driving the Mr Lyan and Bébé Bob team-up - cocktails, caviar, doughnuts and schnuggets

Information: 08 October 2024

There's a new menu at Bébé Bob where they've brought in Mr Lyan on cocktail duty alongside some very fancy bar snacks. We took a seat at the counter to test them out.

Test Driving Café François - a new Borough Market spot that's perfect for popping by or lingering in

Information: 03 October 2024

The arrival of this new French cafe in the heart of Borough now gives the area a perfect place to pop in for a drink and a dish, or to enjoy a longer more leisurely lunch or dinner.

Test Driving Oh Gee - award-winning Korean fried chicken in Shoreditch

Information: 01 October 2024

Taking over the Hoxton Grill space at the Hoxton in Shoreditch until the end of the year is Korean fried chicken pop-up Oh Gee. We went to try out their award-winning KFC.

Checking into METT Marbella - a luxury new beachfront hangout on the Costa del Sol

Information: 26 September 2024

Right on the beach between Marbella and Estepona, you'll find the METT Marbella - a five-star hotel where everyone is having fun in the sun. We checked in to see if the food and hospitality lived up to the luxe look and feel.

Test Driving Sesta - Pidgin's replacement is an extremely accomplished neighbourhood affair

Information: 24 September 2024

A former Pidgin chef and GM have teamed up to take the old Pidgin space in a new direction. We went down to see what Sesta is all about.

Bar crawl: rainwater martinis and glorious London views at The Emory rooftop bar

Information: 20 September 2024

One of the world's best bars is popping up for a month at The Emory in Knightsbridge. We went to check out Tato Giovannoni's cocktails and bar food at their rooftop bar.

Test Driving Sol's - a cool new wine bar for Bayswater

Information: 19 September 2024

The arrival of Sol's in Bayswater is the latest interesting opening for the area. We went down to see what this deli by day, wine bar by night had to offer.

Test Driving Mary's - Jason Atherton's Pollen Street grill revamp

Information: 17 September 2024

Part of Jason Atherton's very busy 2024 has been replacing Pollen Street Social with Mary's, a much more laid-back grill restaurant. We went down to check out all the changes.

Test Driving Leydi - Selin Kiazim's new modern Turkish restaurant in the City

Information: 12 September 2024

Selin Kiazim (previously behind Oklava) returns to the London restaurant scene with a large Turkish restaurant right in the heart of the City. We went down for a first look at Leydi.

Test Driving Lolo - José Pizarro continues his takeover of Bermondsey Street with this all-day diner

Information: 10 September 2024

Next door to José and down the road from Pizarro is where you'll find José Pizarro's latest Bermondsey restaurant, Lolo. We went to see what this new all day spot has to offer.

Test Driving Kolamba East - the Sri Lanka restaurant comes to the City

Information: 05 September 2024

Five years after opening in Soho, Kolamba have gone east for their second restaurant, bringing Sri Lankan food to the City. We went down to try Kolamba East.

Test Driving Stem + Stem - a triple threat in the City of wine bar, restaurant and florist

Information: 03 September 2024

With an experienced team behind it, this florist, wine bar and restaurant in the heart of the City is offering something fresh and new to Londoners. We went to check out Stem + Stem by Mansion House.

Bar crawl: mezcal martinis and top-tier tostadas at No.23, the new bar at Carousel

Information: 29 August 2024

Bringing a taste of Mexico to Fitzrovia the new permanent bar at Carousel, No.23, feels like a sure-fire hit.

Test of time - Lyle's in Shoreditch turns 10 and still has the wow factor

Information: 27 August 2024

Lyle's in Shoreditch is celebrating its 10th birthday, which gave us the perfect excuse for a return visit to see how this brilliant British restaurant was faring.