CIGALON and BARANIS celebrate Menton Lemon Festival with zest

One of the citrus sculptures at the Menton lemon Festival

CIGALON and BARANIS celebrate Menton Lemon Festival with zest

 From 20^th February 2012 until 7^th March 2012, CIGALON and BARANIS, Provençal restaurant and bar located on Chancery Lane, will be celebrating the renowned “Fête du Citron”. A selection of dishes and cocktails has been specially designed for the event.

During three weeks, Menton in France will be the stage of an immense festivity where thousands of citrus fruits will help to build creative sculptures and mosaics to commemorate the Lemon Festival.  

 This year, CIGALON invites you to be a part of it! Julien Carlon, Cigalon’s head chef has designed a unique “Carte Citron” composed of 4 dishes that can either be ordered individually or as a whole menu. It includes contemporary dishes that will wake your taste buds up with subtle citrus aromas. It is composed of Bass Carpaccio, “Menton” Lemon, Salsify & Capers (£ 9.50) ;  Confit Foie Gras Terrine & Cédrat Jelly (£13.50),  Grilled Rump of Veal, Panisse & Mentonnaise Sauce (£ 18.00) ; and to finish Confit Citrus Tart & “Brousse Emulsion” (£ 5.50).

        

BARANIS has added its twist to the celebration with the creation of three special cocktails all priced at £8:

·         LEMON JAR: Bourbon mixed with fresh lemon & orange juice, shaken with Corsican lemon liquor. A very refreshing cocktail, on the sour side. Served in jar

·         MENTON GARDEN: Tequila mixed with Corsican lemon liquor, fresh lemon juice, fresh cucumber & homemade Provençal syrup (lemon, thyme & rosemary), topped up with soda water. Served in a tall glass.

·         DOUBLE O LEMON: Campari & white rum mixed with cédrat & lemon liquors, shaken with lemon juice, orange juice & bitters. A well balanced, bittersweet cocktail.  Served in coupette

table7.com's Food For Thought - Restaurant Industry Event

TABLE7 PANEL UNVEIL OPPORTUNITIES AND TACKLE CHALLENGES FACING THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
Following the recent table7 Food for Thought event at Hix Soho, table7 announce the release of the event transcript to media, which casts light on current trends and fluctuations across the industry. These changes include the surge in January marketing activity, the luxury dining sector’s use of social media and the rise of at-bar dining across the capital.
The transcript includes conversation, opinion and key quotes from the event’s four panellists and notable industry guests.
table7’s Food For Thought - an intimate restaurant industry event - took place on 5th December 2011 and centred on new research findings from a UK-wide, table7-commissioned survey that studied insights into matters affecting the restaurant sector.
A panel of industry experts, facilitated by renowned food critic, Richard Vines, discussed the findings with input and questions from guests. The panel included Ratnesh Bagdai, partner with Mark Hix in Restaurants Etc; chef Massimo Riccioli; Eliot Sandiford of Bacchus PR and James Lewis of Gauthier Soho. The event was created and hosted by table7’s co-founders, Moses Hassan and Ashwin Jain.
Guests included proprietors, managers and marketing teams from key dining establishments and restaurant groups including Caprice Holdings, Malmaison, Gaucho Group, Bistrot Bruno Loubet, Hawksmoor and Hakkasan.
The decline in consumer spending...
The first subject up for discussion looked at cuts in consumer spending. Based on the table7 survey, 28% cited eating-at-restaurants as first-for-the-cull in times of financial crisis and 40% of businesses stated that ‘they were planning to cancel Christmas parties this year’. The panellists fed back that, although Christmas bookings were late, year-on-year business was consistent. However, a point of note was a discussion that January, once generally accepted as a ‘quiet time’, was now subject to pressure on delivering good footfall. As a result restaurants revealed that they were broadening service hours to include breakfast and afternoon tea, plus, new promotions for January were imperative. As for the rest of 2012: there were hints that restaurants were needing to be ever-more creative with marketing and their offer in order to boost custom.
Social media and marketing...
The conversation moved on to social media and marketing, perked by the table7 survey finding that ‘most people will try a new restaurant based on a personal or Facebook recommendation (55%)’. The panel’s views were split on the use of social media for top restaurants and the difference of opinion was further amplified across the floor with advocates and critics of Twitter being involved in the discussion. Comments came from Zeren Wilson of Bitten & Written, and Jo Barnes from Sauce. Zeren revealed that he is a fast advocate of Twitter having advised an independent seller to use the platform to announce and bolster sales at a temporary outlet. The seller tweeted to bloggers and word spread: promotional

items sold-out immediately and large gatherings ensued. The temporary store was a huge success, finally picked-up and lauded by key print journalists. In contrast, one panellist commented that social media was not an appropriate tool for high-end establishments, the implication was that their image could be undermined and that ‘traditional routes’ such as print were more beneficial. In addition, ‘consensus’ was noted as a key property for social media: opinion across all platforms should be consistent to truly influence positively.
New trends...
The event ensued with a look at trends, discussions on changes in menu-style and the noted increase in younger diners something attributed to the influence of celebrity culture. In addition, the group discussed the upturn in ‘bar dining’, a burgeoning preference noted by restaurateurs across the city. Again the panel were split – one panellist mentioned that they ‘wouldn’t be seen dead eating at a bar’!
Using partner sites to support drops in trade...
The final discussion was the use of partner booking sites – such as table7 – to support quieter times in the restaurant trade. The importance of discretion – for which table7 is known – was a hot topic: Most were in agreement that this was key characteristic for any partner offering reductions on the bill; a concern being negative PR and people thinking “’they’re having troubled times, they’re having to ‘Groupon’! What’s up? What’s happening to their bottom line?’ Then stories start and then you can’t stop that engine.”
It was also formulated that the quality of a partner site should be on-par with the quality of the establishment and table7 was cited by panellists as a key choice for high end restaurants and a partner site that would deliver exceptional quality. This fact was underpinned by table7’s Moses Hassan, who reinforced that table7’s aim was to be consistent with a restaurant’s luxury brand image, “What we hope for with table7 is a really safe channel-to-market to provide access to people. For this reason we have got certain policies online. For instance, we’re not using SEO: We don’t want to show up next to Hix and compete for their business. We’re not looking to cannibalise. We’re looking to develop really long- term relationships so that when people think of table7 they don’t think of the ‘discount’, they think of it as a great way to access a great experience.”

Maggie's has had a facelift

Maggie Mania hits town!

British icon Margaret Thatcher will be thrust back into the limelight with this month’s release of the new Hollywood film staring Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady. 1980s-inspired boutique nightclub Maggie’s will be celebrating the arrival of ‘Maggie Mania’ with a full refurbishment and Margaret Thatcher-inspired cocktail.

The nightclub’s refurbishment known as ‘Maggie’s Facelift’ will be unveiled, featuring new authentic 80s memorabilia, wallpaper, and Pacman DJ booth.  In honour of The Iron Lady, the nightclub has created a truly formidable sharing cocktail; The Maggie’s Head.

On the evening on Thursday 19^th January they will also be organising a screening of The Iron Lady at Chelsea Cineworld and will then ferry guests to the nightclub by classic Routemaster buses for a Barcardi and Grey Goose cocktail reception followed by a truly awe-inspiring 80s performance by a surprise guest.

As a child of the 1980s, Charlie and his business partner Duncan Stirling have created a kitsch and amusing tribute to this great decade in which they were both born and to the legendary Prime Minister.  Maggie's is walking distance from Thatcher’s present home, though whether she chooses to visit remains to be seen! Club-goers can hear her famous speeches playing in the loos, while Thatcher memorabilia vies for space on the walls along withother iconic 80s images and paraphernalia.

Maggie Mania

Maggie’s: 329 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9QL www.maggies-club.com/ 020 7352  8512

Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Maggies_Club

Starbucks to launch patented frothing machine.......

Starbucks are about to launch a patented frothing machine so every coffee will be the same where ever you are in the world. Bye Bye Baristas........

The Long Table, a MUST before Christmas

WELCOME TO LONDON'S ONLY OUTDOOR, FOOD NIGHT MARKET

Launching on Friday 25th November from 6pm - Midnight, The Long Table will offer a hand-picked selection of London's finest street food, along with a fully stocked bar and live music. Featuring signature dishes from the likes of Nuno Mendes with the Loft Project, The Yum Buns, Hawksmoor, Moro and Big Apple Hot Dogs; we're celebrating all types of food and tastes.

The best meals in life are about who you share them with.

OPEN EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT UNTIL CHRISTMAS, 6PM - 1AM.

MARKET DATES: 25/11/11, 2/12/11, 9/12/11, 16/12/11

A POP-UP OUTDOOR FOOD MARKET IN THE HEART OF HACKNEY

The Long Table is all about conviviality and bringing people together. Grounded in the importance of local chefs, purveyors and producers, the Long Table celebrates all different types of foods and tastes. As visitors graze the wealth of dishes on offer, they will experience the sense of warmth inherent in a big gathering.

Markets are the heart of many communities, a place where people come together to eat and socialize. East London has a rich cultural diversity and with that comes an interesting mix of foodies, chefs, artists and musicians. We wanted a place that allowed locals to come together through the sharing of food.

ABBOT STREET, DALSTON E8 3DP

It’s located in a secret disused space on Abbot Street. Just follow the sound of bands playing and the smell of great food.
The night market is covered. Make sure your dressed warmly, big cosy jumpers, scarves and woolly hats. We’ve thought about the cold, we’ve got fire pits but this is still an outdoor event.
NEAREST STATIONS:
Dalston Kingsland
Dalston Junction

Will Fred be beaten? I rather doubt it. Please support.

This is an open letter from Fred Sirieix from Galvins 

Dear All,

Simon Vincent, Hilton Worldwide President for Europe and I will step in the ring on the 13^th December and take on the former (undefeated) British and European welterweight boxing champion Clinton Mckenzie to fight for Galvin’s Chance, service and front of house.

We are both training hard in preparation for the big fight and are hugely grateful for your support. The fight will consist of ten rounds with the two of us alternating in and out of the ring in a tag team approach. The winner will be decided either by points scored or a knockout. We will need all of your good wishes as we will be going into battle with a fearsome foe at his own gym in south-east London (www.clintonmckenzie.com) - Clinton Mckenzie certainly knows his way around a ring as a former British and European welterweight champion and GB boxing Olympian!

We are putting our bodies on the line though in aid of a very good cause. Galvin's Chance is an into work apprenticeship scheme for disadvantaged young people which we have both supported since it started three years ago. Every penny raised from the event will be channelled by Hilton in the Community Foundation to Galvin's Chance to give these vulnerable young Londoners a second chance in life.

To find out more about the charity please visit: www.galvinschance.co.uk

Clinton Mckenzie has been a key supporter of Galvin's Chance and together we hope to raise some much needed funds towards the 2012 initiative. On the 13th however there can only be one winner and it will be team Sugar Fred (the Stinger) and Simon the Marvellous!

Thank you so much for your generous support this Christmas. It is greatly appreciated and really will make a huge difference to these young people in need of our help. Please find the link http://www.justgiving.com/fred-simon-boxing-challenge

Let's Rumble! 

Simon, Clinton and Fred

Mishkins joins the stable of Polpo etc etc etc There is no stopping Russel Norman

From the birth of little Beak street Bacaro, Polpo, Russell Norman and Richard Beatty were onto a sure fire winner. Now, following three further variants on the theme - Polpo, Polpetto above The French House, the more casual da Polpo and Spuntino in Rupert Street - will open fifth instalment, Mishkin's next month. 

Set in the heart of London's Covent Garden like da Polpo, Mishkin's promises to bring a slice of the East End and New York's Lower East Side to London's West End and is described by Russell Norman himself as "a kind of Jewish deli with cocktails". 

Norman, along with group head chef Tom Oldroyd, has developed a menu of Jewish comfort classics such as Brick Lane salt beef on soda bread, a classic Ruben sandwich on rye, oxtail cholent alongside their own twists on familiar dishes such as cod cheek popcorn and house-smoked beef brisket hash and eggs.

The cocktail list will feature classic drinks from the 1930s and 1940s and this time it's gin not martini that's getting pride of place in the bar which will stock a huge range of gins including many London distilled varieties.

Norman always makes a point of personally sourcing conversation piece interiors for all his venues and Art Deco-inspired pieces at Mishkin's hail from buildings around the country and include a lovingly restored copper and mahogany sound booth from the BBC Television Centre in White City.

There will be 40 seats in total - a mix of leather booths as well as bar seating - and for those who prefer to plan ahead rather than chancing the habitual Norman no reservations policy queue, Mishkin's will take bookings as well. Something tells us that this will be a touch more exclusive than your average deli. 

Opening November 2011
Mishkin's, 25 Catherine Street, WC2
http://www.mishkins.co.uk/

Winners of Observer Food Monthly awards 2011

The winners of the 2011 Observer Food Monthly Awards have been announced at a ceremony in London with Michel Roux Senior, Heston Blumenthal, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Yotam Ottolenghi among the winners.

The awards, now in their eighth year, celebrate the best in British food and produce, from independent producers to the UK's most revered chefs.

And the winners are …

Readers' awards

Best restaurant supported by Speyside Glenlivet water
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London

Best cookbook supported by Harvey Jones Kitchens
Plenty by Ottolenghi

Best place to drink
Mark's Bar, Hix, London

Best independent retailer
The Cheese Shed, Devon

Best Sunday lunch
Bull & Last, London

Best food personality supported by Weber Barbecues
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Best food blog supported by Bordeaux Wines

Eat Like a Girl

Best cheap eat
Koya, London

Best ethical restaurant supported by Cafedirect
The Ethicurean, Somerset

Judges' awards

Best newcomer
Maltby Street, London

Best producer
Johnny Pustzai at JT Beedham & Sons, Nottingham

Reader's Cocktail Recipe
Simon Amster

Reader's Recipe supported by Bordeaux Wines
Maria Kuehn

Outstanding Contribution
Tristram Stuart

Lifetime Achievement
Michel Roux Senior

Young Chef of the Year
Paul Foster, head chef
Tuddenham Mill

Happy Happy Birthday. Le Caprice is 30.

30th Anniversary of Le Caprice, which will be celebrated on the 4th October at the restaurant.

To mark this occasion, London’s most iconic restaurant (recently re-furbished during the month of August) will be releasing a limited edition music book which includes personal quotes from a host of celebrities, alongside the score music of favourite songs.

A bit about the re-furb :

From 8 to the end of August 2011, in celebration of the 30 years since its transformation into the restaurant that it is today, Le Caprice is to undergo a long-awaited “refresh”. In keeping with the monochromatic aura of the restaurant, a new black marble floor will be laid and edged with pristine white marble.  

Undergoing significant work, the bar will reflect these materials and will remain a focal point of the restaurant.  It will be slightly shortened in order to accommodate a larger cloakroom and an area for guests to have a drink before lunch or dinner.  Up to 12 diners will still be able to enjoy the full à la carte menu whilst seated on chrome pedestal barstools with black leather cushioned seats and backs.  Lighting will be a major focus, with back-lit shelving allowing bottles to be displayed in a more aesthetic manner.  The overall effect promises to be stunning.  

The waiter’s station will be revamped in the same materials as the bar, but will remain low key.  On the lower halves of the windows, there will be a discreet sheer white material suspended from a rod.  The original bomb-proof windows will be replaced with new windows etched with the familiar Caprice logo.  Great pain will be taken to retain the ambiance created by the soft lighting, whilst the high level pelmet lights will be replaced.

And, to add a little more glamour to Arlington Street, Le Caprice now boasts alfresco dining with 5 tables (up to 15 covers) on its new terrace.  Royal blue Caprice awnings are in place to provide some cover.  

Le Caprice will be opening its doors again at the beginning of September, with online and telephone reservations for the re-opening available during the period of work.

Adam Ant rocks out at Maggie's

Maggie’s Nightclub Host the Ultimate Performance from Adam Ant

On Wednesday 12^th October 1980s inspired boutique nightclub, Maggie’s will host the ultimate performance by legendary 80s icon Adam Ant. Famous for his No.1 hit singles  ‘Stand and Deliver’ and ‘Prince Charming’, this year Adam Ant is making his comeback tour and where else better to see him perform live than at Maggie’s, where his 80s image adorns the walls. Adam Ant will be performing several of his 80s smash hits, which are guaranteed to take guests on a nostalgic trip down the pop hall of fame. 

Maggie’s is named after 1980s Prime-Minister-turned-icon Maggie Thatcher, club-goers can hear her famous speeches playing in the loos, while Thatcher memorabilia vies for space on the walls along with other iconic 80s images and paraphernalia from A Team action men to A-Ha platinum discs. The music is a mixture of classics from the 1980s, and stars from the era play regular DJ sets. The Maggie’s bar tenders are dressed like Tom Cruise in the 80s cult movie, Cocktail, and serve up a range of drinks from Pina Coladas and Daiquiris to the unforgettable Babycham.

Calling all 80s die hard fans; don’t miss the performance of a lifetime.

 Adam Ant Performs at Maggie’s: Wednesday 12^th October, Midnight

Leading chefs cook up a storm for THT in fight against AIDS

Restaurateurs including Murano’s Angela Hartnett are taking part in a ‘Celebrity Supperclub’ in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity.

On Tuesday 1 November, 60 of London’s top restaurants, including Scott's, Hakkasan, Hibiscus and Galvin La Chapelle, will host simultaneous dinners to raise funds for the charity.

Participating restaurants will donate a lavish dinner to one table of eight-to-12 of the charity’s supporters, each of whom pay £150 to attend (excluding drinks). The meals vary from restaurant to restaurant, but usually include a welcome glass of fizz or a house cocktail.

After supper, guests will be chauffeured to Café de Paris for a glamorous after-party, where Champagne and cocktails will flow freely.

Tickets must be booked in groups and cost £150 per person, including transport and all after-party drinks. For tickets and further information about how to take part, go to www.tht.org.uk/supperclub.

Alex James brings out cheese range @ ASDA

Alex James

When all is said and done a pop star is a pop star is a pop star. It takes someone with a great determination to follow on from being a pop star to be recognised as a leader in a different field. This particular field has a lot of livestock in it, that produces a lot of milk, that needs to be turned into something. This particular field also belongs to Alex James. Having forsaken his pop life he has now established himself as a country dweller having become a voice of reason for the country side and a well known food writer. It is then no mean feat that he has decided to bring out his own range of cheeses which are on sale in ASDA supermarkets all over Birtain.

 These flavours have been developed to include all comfort food scenarios - convenient bread shaped slices that make the ultimate toasties, Cheddar Spudsworth cubes which can be melted down and poured over jacket potatoes as well as traditional blocks that will bring an extra flavour kick to the most basic of cheeseboards.

Alex says of the launch;

“I’m hugely passionate about this range and I’m so excited that I’ve been able to bring it to life.

Seeing it stocked in Asda will give me a big kick. Asda were the natural choice for me to work with on this project. They’ve believed in my vision for the range and I’ve welcomed their expertise in cheesemaking, their confidence in this product and willingness to bring something cutting edge and truly innovative to the market. It’s definitely cheese, but not as the nation knows it…”

The full Alex James Presents range list reads as below. All prices are £2:

- Cheddar and Tomato Ketchup wedge

- Cheddar and Tikka Masala wedge

- Cheddar and Spring Onion wedge

- Cheddar and Sweet Chilli wedge

- Cheddar and Mozzarella bread shaped slices

- Cheddar and Tomato Ketchup bread shaped slices

- Cheddar and Salad Cream bread shaped slices

- Cheddar Spudsworth melting cubes

- Alex's Best Ever Mature Cheddar

Table 7 Versus Top Table, no contest

www.table7.com

Table 7 the new restaurant booking service are in danger of killing the competition (not a bad thing). They have devised a booking service that is streamlined and aimed at the more discerning customer. They have also managed to find a way that allows the restaurants to have a bit of confidence that the customer will actually show up, they do this by charging £7 for each booking, thus making the contract with the customer before they dine, whereas with Top Table lots of bookings are not kept because people mass book and then decide where they want to go, leaving the restaurant with an unoccupied table. An outcome they do not want and indeed one of the reasons they entered into a very expensive contract with Top Table in the first place. With Table 7 there is none of that and they just take the one off payment of £7, keeping everyone happy. Everyone booking through Table 7 will automatically get a reduction of 25-30% off the total bill, which is a great saving.

Table 7 have teamed up with some of the best restaurants in town, too many to mention so best have a look at their website  www.table7.com . Their aim is to fill restaurants at times when they are quieter, which often makes for better service and a quieter time, this will suit people going out in the evening to something else but wanting somewhere great to eat.

Personally I think this is a great idea and I am sure that every concierge and P.A. in London will be using it for all their guests/bosses who might want to go to specific restaurants and who don't mind eating earlier or later.

For terms and conditions of bookings please also go to their website.

Time to clean up.

Walking through the streets of London first thing in the morning on the way to work is not one of lifes great thrills due to the detritus that is left behind by those having a great night the night before and before the heavily overworked  road sweepers have been able to get stuck in. It becomes very obvious that some business owners have a very different approach to others.

  On my way in in the morning I walk along Brewer Street and every morning I see the KP outside HIX, not only is he cleaning up outside the horrors from the night before but he is doing it with a smile and always a good morning, as I pass. He washes the pavement down every morning and obviously takes great pride in doing so. This not only reflects well of him but also that of the restaurant he works for. The fact that the outside should reflect the inner running of a place where people should feel comfortable in the knowledge that they are being looked after to a level that is not replicated elsewhere in London. Because this is not the norm, for sure other place do have this ethic of scrupulous cleanliness, but there are too many restaurants and indeed shops that seem to over look the importance of first impressions.
 For so many people walking through London have no idea the reputation of restaurants and readily do take them at face value, for sure they will be aware of the area they are walking through, Mayfair or Soho the atmosphere of both so different but yet so close, separated only by Regent Street. The fact that all restaurants are clamoring for people to cross the threshold and to take their places at the white linen covered tables, expensively adorned with the trappings of feasting, are the proprietors that short sighted that if they leave the evidence of a life that does not reflect their business still visible on the outside, on the facade of their buildings that they will not attract their full quota of fully appreciative diners.
There should be no reason that all restaurants should not take after the example I have used in HIX, not only will the streets look better but they will also benefit from the fact that they to the outsider look as if they run a well oiled machine both inside and out.

Le Caprice and Masterpiece London

Le Caprice, one of the most iconic London restaurants famed for its classic British, European and American favourites, is opening its doors for one week only at this year’s Masterpiece London, which takes place from 30 June – 5 July 2011, with a Preview on 29 June. Serving an all-day dining menu, Le Caprice is offering a one-off opportunity to enjoy the quality and excellence of its cuisine whilst appreciating the best of the best from over 150 dealers from around the world at Masterpiece London.

In addition to the menu offerings of Le Caprice, the world-famous club Harry’s Bar, will be serving the trademark Bellini at its elegant 30 metre bar. Patrons of Masterpiece London may also sample breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner from The Mount Street Deli, which specialises in seasonal produce sourced from Italy and the British Isles.