Food and Drink
New book reveals the highs of dark chocolate
The forthcoming book by cognitive scientists Simon Wootton and Terry Horne - ‘Teach Yourself Training Your Brain’ – reveals that dark chocolate can give you a buzz and boost your brain speed, without the fatiguing side-effects of caffeine. The book also reveals that dark chocolate contains a cannabinoid brain chemical which is known as the “bliss chemical”, because it is produced in the brain when you feel good.
Brits rekindle love affair with Sunday Roast
'How to’ website VideoJug (videojug.com) has seen a dramatic rise in viewings of their Apple Crumble video recipe and other classic Sunday lunch dishes. Each Sunday for the past month VideoJug, the world’s most popular website for factual video content, has recorded a massive 100% surge in the number of views to their “How to make Apple Crumble” video. There have been similar rises in the views of other classic British recipes including how to make Roast Beef, Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding.
American style breakfast delights
Eating a hearty breakfast can help maintain a healthy weight, not forgetting that it also does wonders for your energy levels. If you are working during the week give your laborious breakfast a bit of a zing, plan something really romantic for you and your partner and what could be better than a stimulating breakfast in bed to put a spring in your step.
Biazo brings a taste of Nigeria to London
A brand new Nigerian restaurant has opened in London with a promise of great food at reasonable prices. Biazo, in Hale Lane Edgware, has opened shop in time for Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1 intent on filling the gap in the market for quality Nigerian restaurants.
Crisps – the Kettle way
Kettle Chips is celebrating the launch of four exciting new seasonings. Kettle chef Chris Barnard chose the UK’s most popular crisp seasonings but did them the Kettle way, using all natural flavourings and no MSG – which some crisp makers use to enhance the to flavours artificially. Using his knowledge of natural taste combinations, he worked to create seasonings that scored top marks with crisp fans.
A fresh new hangout for London's glitterati
A recent addition to the map of London’s hippest landmarks for elegant dining and drinking, Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar opened its doors in 2003 and has rapidly taken lead in the race for the city’s top Indian restaurant.
Oldfields is flavour of the month at tourism awards
Oldfields Restaurants have picked up a prestigious accolade at the North East England Tourism Awards 2007. The restaurants were presented with the Taste of North East England Award at the ceremony held at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland on September 19.
Marco Pierre White praises Box Tree restaurant
Waitrose Food Illustrated’s toughest food critic Marco Pierre White dished out uncharacteristic praise in the publication this week when he visited the Box Tree restaurant in Ilkley, Yorkshire. The rave review saw Marco award the Box Tree an impressive 19 out of 20, leaving the restaurant as Marco Pierre White’s highest recommendation since he began his monthly reviews in January this year.
Experience reaps its rewards in Burgundy
Burgundy winemakers are bucking the trend of disappointing harvests in many wine-growing regions, having just completed promising first tastings. Sensibly, the growers decided to wait before harvesting the grapes, selecting only the best right from the beginning of the process, starting with the vine stock itself. Sacrificing part of the crop is paying off, as are the careful choices made in the vinification process. With the uncertainties of late August now behind them, the 2007 vintage has been rescued from the rain!
The Restaurant Bar & Grill launches in Glasgow
Individual Restaurant Company, one of the UK’s most dynamic and established restaurant operators, officially opened its first Scottish The Restaurant Bar & Grill in Glasgow on Friday 14th September.
Britalia rules the wafers
Rule, Britalia! The Italians gave us Pinot Grigio, we gave them Pimms, they gave us Pavarotti, we gave them Paul Potts - now you can have a taste of both nations with KitKat Cappuccino, as the UK’s favourite chocolate bar gets a taste of Italy.
Burlesque event at belowzero
belowzero restaurant and lounge is presenting an evening of Burlesque with Gwendoline Lamour on Wednesday 26th September. Gwendoline Lamour has been performing enchanting burlesque shows for seven glamorous years for clients such as Elton John, Cirque du Soleil for Naomi Campbell’s birthday party and Jasper Conran, among others.
Marco – the new Chelsea restaurant from Marco Pierre White
On 1st October, Marco Pierre White will open his new restaurant Marco located at Chelsea Football Club’s home, Stamford Bridge. The collaboration with Chelsea FC is a significant departure from previous ventures at one of London’s famous destination venues.
An Italian vegetable delight – grown in Britain
Generations of Italians have appreciated cavolo nero as a versatile yet tasty vegetable. A member of the brassica family along with kale, cavolo nero is a popular ingredient in many classic Italian meals from soups to vegetable dishes. But British grown cavolo nero is now available in the UK!
No jacket required at award winning restaurants
The increase in top restaurants offering informal, moderately priced dining means that this year’s new-look Good Food Guide 2008 has ditched all mention of dress codes and handed out a raft of awards* to restaurants that have a distinctly relaxed style.