May Newsletter

Hi, Fellow foodie,

Firstly, apologies for the later-than-usual newsletter. In addition to a busy culinary month, I also managed to squeeze in two holidays: a trip to Valencia and then a trip back to Las Vegas to celebrate friends' big birthdays. There were 12 in the group, so you can imagine the fun we had. It was a great trip and one I still feel the effects of.

A couple of culinary observations on both trips: legend has it that Valencia is the birthplace of paella, and virtually every restaurant had it on the menu. We wanted to try a traditional restaurant serving paella and were recommended to go to Casa Roberto restaurant in town. There were two paellas on offer: fish or meat. We went for the fish version, and needless to say, it was lovely. If you are ever in Valencia, please look it up; booking is essential.

Las Vegas has gone Gordon Ramsay crazy, judging by the fact that nearly every restaurant on the strip has a Gordon Ramsay restaurant—there was even a Ramsay fish and chip shop. He must have some big backers to open so many restaurants in prime locations. I have to say none of us were slightest bit tempted to eat at any of them but they all looked to be doing good business. However, who can blame him for cashing in?

Enough of my hols and return to Mayfair and a recap of my foodie month.

I have three reviews for you to catch up with this month. A feature of all three restaurants is in their own way, they offer good quality food at value-for-money prices. In the case of Bistrot, you can eat a main course cooked in a Michelin-starred kitchen for around £20.

Sunday lunch at 108 Brasserie

At the end of April, we went to Marylebone Village for a classic Sunday Roast at Brasserie 108. They recently introduced the Sunday Lunch menu, and without giving too much away before you read the review, you can judge a good Sunday dinner by the roasties. We are happy to report that when we visited, they were excellent. If you enjoy a good Sunday roast, this is the place for you.

Read review here

Bistrot Wild Honey

I had the pleasure of having lunch at Anthony Demetre’s new restaurant, Bistrot, the little sister to Michelin-starred Wild Honey. Find out why I could not hide my excitement about this new Bistro in St James. Hopefully, my review does this excellent restaurant justice, as it’s one to visit.

Read review here

Sofra South Molton Street

I mentioned that all three reviews were different. For those of you who know the fashionable South Molton Street, you will be expecting me to be reviewing a very expensive Mayfair restaurant; far from it, this Middle Eastern restaurant represents value for money where you can dine for under £20. Read the review to learn more and hear my thoughts on the charismatic and slightly eccentric owner, Hüseyin Özer; he has a fascinating backstory and apparently is making a film about his life.

Read review here

With summer starting and my fingers firmly crossed, hoping for some summer weather, I wrote an article on summer dining in Mayfair. I managed to find lovely terraces and courtyards to enjoy Al Fresco dining, as well as two roof gardens. There is something in here to suit all budgets and tastes.

Before we move on to the Latest news, I want to end with a plug for my latest recipes: Mushroom Stroganoff and Harissa Prawns spaghetti. Like most of my recipes, they are quick to prepare and cook. If you have any favourite recipes you would like featured, please send them over; it's good to share.

Latest News and Upcoming Events

Michel Roux's new restaurant

It’s not long since Le Gavroche closed in early 2024, but Michel Roux is back in the London restaurant mix with Chez Roux in The Langham hotel's Palm Court dining room. The chef previously ran Roux at the Landau in a separate space within the hotel until it closed under Covid restrictions in 2021 and was declared permanently closed in 2023.

Opens 22nd May

1C Portland Pl, Marylebone, London W1B 1JA

Bookings palm-court.co.uk/chez-roux

Taste of London, 12-16 June 2024

This year's Taste of London at Regents Park is a top event. Its a great way to taste the food of many top restaurants and still have change for a few drinks. Amongst the restaurants at the event are Mayfairs Ruya, ROKA, and Burger & Lobster joined with 20 other top restaurants. Also, cooking classes with Michelin starred chefs, cocktail masterclasses and DJ sets. Needless to say, I will be indulging and plan to visit on the 12th.

The Devonshire Roof Terrace

Since opening last year, The Devonshire in Soho has become London’s most talked-about pub and restaurant, earning fantastic reviews for its food and Guinness. Recently, they announced that they are opening a roof terrace for the summer, and the even better news is that it's available for walk-ins only (subject to the wonderful British weather).

Jeru 

Jeru is the latest fine-dining restaurant to offer a set lunch menu. There’s is £29 for two courses of vegetarian dishes. 

New Restaurant to Open on Heddon Street

Another restaurant is set to open on one of my favourite streets. Abassordors Clubhouse will open in the summer. Owners of JKS restaurants say it will celebrate food and drink from the Punjab region. With Mexican restaurant Fonda opening soon, Heddon Street looks like it will get even busier.

Sofra Steak Offer

This has to be the food bargain of the year so far; owner Hüseyin Özer is determined to have people queuing outside his new South Molton Street restaurant with his latest offer. A salad starter and a main of entrecote steak and chips for £16.95. 

Finally, last month, I posed the question about running a dining club, and the response was a little indecisive as many people said it was a lovely idea. However, they were either based in another part of the UK or many from distant shores, which is lovely but not ideal for dining in Mayfair. So,  I have parked the idea for the time being.  Our friends at the Good Food Guide run regular restaurant dining events available to members and guests.

Well, that’s it for another month, and as I have no holidays planned for this month, the next newsletter should be at the end of the month as usual.

Thanks as always for letting me take up a few minutes of your time,

Best wishes

Martin

[email protected]

www.mayfairfoodie.com

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