Hawaiian, Korean, New York
Alex Gunz
New flavours in the Big Apple

Your reviewer is blessed living in London, arguably the culinary capital of the world. If any other city were to go head-to-head with it, then New York would be the most likely candidate. England’s capital boasts more Michelin-starred outlets than its North American rival, although NYC wins on the metric of stars per square mile. It also boasts more restaurants in absolute terms. However, this is not a competition…

New flavours in the Big Apple
Spanish, Mayfair
Alex Gunz
Sabor: Pork dreams are made of this

How many restaurants that have been open for over eight years can claim to have a queue of people waiting outside for them to open on a weekday lunchtime? Sabor is part of this elite club. Securing a booking at the venue is still difficult. And for good reason. Chef Nieves Barragán and her team make the best suckling pig in London.

Sabor: Pork dreams are made of this
Thai, Soho
Alex Gunz
Khao Bird: Flying high

Ask any gastrophile to list their favourite dishes and you may be some time. Although open for just three months in central Soho (the venue began life as a Borough Market pop-up), Khao Bird’s mutton fries could be one of those dishes. Diners will leave not only salivating but also dashing to return soon.

Khao Bird: Flying high
British, Chelsea
Alex Gunz
Corenucopia: Missed opportunity

Have you ever had that feeling when everything was going swimmingly well and then, just when you least expected it, the rug was pulled abruptly and uncomfortably from under your feet? The experience of dining at Clare Smyth’s second London restaurant – open for only two months, as we were regularly reminded – felt unfortunately like this.

Corenucopia: Missed opportunity
Seafood, Fish, Catalonia
Alex Gunz
La Llotja: Llots to like

With a country that has over 75% of its perimeter bordered by water, you would hope the Spanish know a thing or two about fish. Travel to almost every seaside town in the country and you can expect to find some pretty decent cooking. But how to choose? When a restaurant is recommended by a top nearby winemaker whom you respect highly and features in the Michelin guide, then that’s a good starting point.

La Llotja: Llots to like
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The Artichoke, Old Amersham (October 2012)

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A pleasant and welcome weekend jaunt, The Artichoke proves that one does not have to be in central London in order to enjoy some of the country's finest and most innovative cuisine. More than the food and drink (of which more below), what stood out was the superb service. Our party comprised four adults and two children under the age of two.

The Garrison: It works (September 2012)

It works for me. Many try but few succeed with the (albeit highly over-used) gastro-pub concept. It's hard to say where specifically the Garrison excels, but it is probably most strongly in that ineffable idea of ambience, captured by the decor, noise level (well-balanced), attitude of the staff (very clearly going out of their way to be friendly) and of the other diners.

Pho Oxford Circus (August 2012)

Absolutely perfect for a quick lunch at very reasonable prices. To find somewhere with such high quality – and differentiated – food so close to the chaos of Oxford Street is highly satisfying. Pho does not do pretention (basic decor and slightly tatty menus, staff dressed very casually), but this adds to the effect.