Ask the Expert: Kemal Demirasal’s top London restaurants July 12, 2023 The Counter’s chef-founder Kemal Demirasal on where he likes to eat in the capital on his day off. Brat Brat is one of my top restaurants in London, one that I visit every couple of months. It’s got an excellent selection of fish dishes, and as someone from a coastal city (Izmir), this is a [...]
Nessa is proof the death of Soho has been greatly exaggerated July 12, 2023 Much has been made of the creeping corporatisation of Soho, with independent bars and restaurants attempting – and often failing – to hold back the tide of chains hoping to capitalise on London’s most debauched district. Nessa, a new modern British bistro headed up by highly-rated chef Tom Cenci, shows there’s still a place for [...]
How to make Richard Corrigan’s ‘proper’ prawn cocktail July 11, 2023 It’ll come as no surprise that seafood is a real passion of mine – the British and Irish shores are home to some of the best seafood in the world so any chance I get to use it, either at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill or at home, then I will. This recipe is for [...]
Gaizka Mendieta interview: Food, business and life after football July 9, 2023 Former Spain, Middlesbrough, Lazio and Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta on finding a new passion in the restaurant business after a stellar football career. When Gaizka Mendieta, one of the most lauded midfielders of his era, moved to Middlesbrough in 2003 he gave England a taste of the best that Spain had to offer. Now, 15 [...]
Lavazza burned by surging coffee bean costs with earnings down double-digits July 6, 2023 Lavazza has warned over a double-digit drop in earnings this year amid surging coffee bean costs and said its prices are not set to come down for consumers until 2024. The Italian coffee giant said it is braced for a hefty drop in underlying earnings over 2023 as it looks to limit price hikes. It [...]
Tour de France: Wines from Ventoux to enjoy as you watch the race July 6, 2023 With the Tour de France returning on Saturday, it seems fitting to consider Ventoux, a place where cycling and wine meet. Ventoux, one of the most celebrated stages of the Tour de France, has a long history with the sport, the Tour having ascended the summit eighteen times since 1951. Mont Ventoux, or La bête [...]
SlowBurn review: Restaurant in a Walthamstow jeans factory is an unexpected joy July 5, 2023 Nothing says gentrification quite like a restaurant that pops up three times a week in a jeans factory in a commercial estate at the bleak end of Walthamstow. Blackhorse Road is one of those enclaves of London that town planners forgot about until a few years ago, during which time it has gone from a [...]
Some high street iced coffees have more sugar than Coca-Cola, Which? report claims July 1, 2023 Iced coffee drinks from high street chains can contain more sugar than a Mars bar or can of Coca-Cola, a survey has found. Which? compared frappes and frappuccinos from Caffe Nero, Costa and Starbucks to find many had “exceptionally high” amounts of sugar. One of the unhealthiest options was a Starbucks caramel frappuccino with semi-skimmed [...]
Why these wines are the perfect serve for Wimbledon June 28, 2023 Even watching tennis can be thirsty work so it is time to prime those palates for Wimbledon and pair your glass to whomever you are supporting this season. Our very own Andy Murray has won Wimbledon twice already and is looking as good as a glass of something crisp and cold on a hot day [...]
The best espresso machines between £500 and £1000 June 28, 2023 Flat whites have been unfairly maligned as the reason millennials can’t afford to buy houses. So why not use this boomer nonsense as an excuse to buy a new home espresso machine, forgoing that daily outlay in favour of splurging a single lump sum? Upgrading from a basic automatic coffee machine – press button, out [...]