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- April Newsletter
Hello there, fellow foodie!
I'm excited to share some of my recent foodie news with you in this update. I know you're busy, so let's jump right into it!
I mentioned in the last newsletter that I wanted to ask for your opinion on an idea that has been put to me. A few restaurant owners have asked me about starting a dining club. Having thought about I think it could be fun, so I wanted to ask your opinion;
My initial thought would be to give us a different dining experience based on having a private room or dining area in a restaurant for upwards of 12 people. This could be a great opportunity to meet fellow foodies, enjoy a unique dining experience and raise a glass of wine or two.
As I mentioned, I have a few restaurants that would be keen to host a lunch or dinner, but I really wanted your feedback. Please reply to this email or on Insta with your thoughts, or a simple yes or no would be fine.
In the last newsletter, I mentioned that I was shocked at paying £5 for a coffee at Rex Deli. Imagine if I went to Shot in Berkeley Street. They sourced the eye-wateringly expensive coffee from the Japanese island of Okinawa for £265.00 a cup. Can you imagine explaining that to your boss when putting in your monthly expenses?
The counter at Sabor in Heddon Street
As always, we have added a few new articles on the website: Heddon Street is one of my favourite streets in Mayfair and a foodie's paradise, so it was great fun to write a guide to this oasis of restaurants; another tough assignment was our guide to the Best Burgers in Mayfair. In our regular wine of the month feature, we discover wines from California.
Reviews
Two new restaurant reviews for this month
Piccolino
I have good reason to be cheerful, as I’m going to Heddon Street for dinner at Piccolino; for those of you who know Heddon Street, you will understand; for those of you who are unaware of this little street tucked away behind Regent Street, I will explain. Heddon Street is a foodie’s paradise; as I mentioned, it’s hidden behind Regents Street, and its flagship stores and pavements are full of shoppers.
The Farm Shop and Wine Bar
Today, I’m venturing to a Farm Shop, but here’s the twist-it’s nestled within a ten-minute walk from the vibrant Oxford Street, yet it’s surrounded by the serene fields of London’s Mayfair. Okay, I might have exaggerated about the fields, but the Farm Shop is a real gem in this urban setting.
In addition to the farm shop, there is a Butcher’s and a wine bar downstairs. In case you are worried about the credentials of a Farm Shop in Mayfair, I can confirm there is a Farm, not in Mayfair but over 100 miles away in Bruton, Somerset.
Latest News
Sadly, two high-profile restaurants, Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social and Monica Galetti’s Mere, have announced they are both closing.
These closures are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by London's fine dining scene, especially in the post-COVID era, when the lunchtime trade has been greatly reduced. You only need to travel to London on a Friday to see how quiet it is with so many people working from home a few days a week.
Restaurants are increasingly offering special deals to draw in punters. I list a few of the latest deals I have found; as you can see, there are great opportunities to eat at fantastic restaurants. Below, I have compiled a list of this month's new offers.
Hakkasan
The taste of Hakkasan is now £49 for a choice of small eats, mains, and desserts and a choice of selected cocktails, or £39.00 if you ditch the cocktail. I believe a similar menu at Hakkasan was at least twice the price.
Ruya
Ruya is a stunning fine-dining Turkish restaurant that offers a set lunch for three courses, including a glass of wine, for £35.00. I have been lucky enough to dine at Ruya several times, and the food is top-notch.
Sheesh
Sheesh Restaurant is a successful restaurant based in Chigwell, Essex, and last year, it opened a second restaurant on the corner of Dover Street and Piccadilly. They have what they call a 3-course business lunch for £30 per person, and I don't think you have to arrive in business attire to qualify for this offer😀
sketch
sketch Gallery Restaurant
It is one of my all-time favourite restaurants, and a must-visit even to visit their famous toilets. Sketch offers an Origins 3-course set menu in the exquisite Gallery restaurant for £59. Trust me when I say any visit to sketch is an experience, and if you have something to celebrate, spending just under sixty pounds to dine at sketch is a bargain. Please note that this offer is only available from Sunday to Thursday. I hope to bring you more offers next month, but let me know if you venture to any of the above.
I know I have mentioned this before, but in case you missed it, Noble Rot in Mayfair offers a daily 3-course lunch menu for £26.00, which is exceptional value and good way to for experience a really good restaurant.
Bistrot at Wild Honey
Chef Anthony Demetre is preparing to launch a new restaurant called Bistrot, a more relaxed version of his Michelin-starred establishment, Wild Honey. The menu will feature some of Chef Anthony's favourite dishes but in a more casual setting. It's worth noting that until April 27th, they are offering a special soft opening deal of 50% off the food, which is a fantastic bargain.
Bistrot at Wild Honey is adjacent to the restaurant Wild Honey St James, on its lower level, and will be open daily from noon to 10.30 pm (Sunday 9.30pm)
Address: 8 Pall Mall, Sofitel London St James, London SW1Y 5NG. Bookings can be made online here
Chef Rishim Sachdeva to launch plant-based restaurant Cafe Petoile
Rishim Sachdeva, chef/founder of critically acclaimed Tendril (mostly) vegan restaurant, which we reviewed last year, has announced the launch of Café Petiole – a new plant-first café, opening at Somerset House, the home of cultural innovators in London, next month. Named after the connecting stalk that attaches a plant stem to its leaf, Café Petiole is located just off the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House. If the food is anywhere as good as the lunch we had at Tendril last year, we are in for a treat.
I have many exciting restaurant visits coming up, including a visit to 108 Brasserie on Sunday. I am trying their new Sunday lunch menu. I will report back on all of these.
Early May, I’m off to Valencia (home of Paella) for a few days; if you have been and have any recommendations on what to do and, more importantly, where to eat, please let me know.
It is still slightly baffling to me, but my recipes on the website seem popular, so I will add a few more over the next few weeks. Will my trip to Valencia inspire me to cook a Paella, or will I leave it to the experts😀
Well, thats about it, so thanks always for taking the time to read my latest update; I’m extremely grateful.
Until next time, have a wonderful foodie few weeks.
Regards
Martin
Instagram @themayfairfoodie.com