May Newsletter

Fellow foodie,

May came and went in a blink for me, mainly as I was away for half of it. Trips included a golf (and eating) trip to the Algarve, then a visit to Jersey over their liberation weekend, a weekend in Brighton and as this newsletter hits your inbox I’m on an impromptu trip to Poland for a few days.

However, I did get out and about on website work this month. It included Franco’s Pink Panther Rose party. Franco’s has a welcome to spring and summer party. The tradition has been going on for 20 years; it involves many choices of Rosé wine to sample and canapes from Franco’s kitchen, so a good time was guaranteed.

Friends of Kaspia- Sometimes an email drops into your inbox that just screams yeeees! One such email arrived inviting me to the Friends of Kaspia evening. The email started with “We’re thrilled to introduce you to something a little decadent, a little exclusive—and entirely delicious.” So obviously I’m hooked. Reading further down the email, I see the mention of chicken nuggets. Now, given that Caviar Kaspia’s signature dish is a baked potato topped with caviar, I have an inkling what’s in store for us.

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You know I’m a big advocate of special meal deals and try to bring you the best meal deal offers around town, well, I was invited to try Tendril's new lunch menu. I have been to Tendril a few times and am a big fan of Chef Rishim Sachdeva.  The food was exceptional as usual. Tendril offers a 3-course prix fixe menu for £27. The menu is on offer Tuesday-Friday 12- 3 pm

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For the first time, I reviewed a hotel visit on the website; the hotels in question is the Greenhills Hotel and Country House. I’ve been to Jersey many times, but it was my first visit to Greenhills, which was made more special as it was Liberation Weekend on the island. Read my thoughts on the hotel.

Read review

I only had time to post one recipe this month, prawn and pea risotto. It was the first meal I cooked for my wife before we were married; it must have been ok, as it is still a regular dinner in our household

If you have a family member or friend who would like to subscribe to my monthly musings please forward this on, they can subscribe here.

Latest News

Mayfair Foodie Walking Tours

Recently, I enjoyed the first Mayfair Foodie walking tour of the year, slightly later than anticipated due to website workload. It was great to get back out again, the tours are great fun. They work well for corporate entertaining as well as tours with family and friends. 

Our early evening tour option includes visiting a pub, cocktail bar and then a visit to a stunning foodhall, what's not to like, apart from me being your host on the tour.

We have limited availability this summer, so please message me if you are interested. I’m pleased to offer a discount to all subscribers to our newsletter.

 Veeraswamy’s

Worrying news, Veeraswamy, is facing an uncertain future as its landlords, the Crown Estate, threaten closure over a lease dispute. Nestled in the heart of Regent Street for an impressive 99 years, this Michelin-starred establishment is not just the UK's oldest Indian restaurant; it’s a cherished institution that has welcomed legendary figures including Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn, Mahatma Gandhi, and even King Charles during his time as Prince of Wales.

The current predicament revolves around a mere 11 sq m (120 sq ft) space at the entrance of Victory House, where Veeraswamy spans four glorious floors of Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s chairman has voiced concerns over this dispute, which could ultimately lead to the loss of Veeraswamy.

Please help to keep this much-loved restaurant open by signing this petition.

Novikov Asian

Mayfair's Novikov is excited to introduce the Hikari Lunch Menu, available weekdays from 12pm to 4pm in the Asian restaurant. Curated by Head Chef Luca Malacarne, this three-course menu featuring raw sashimi, signature sushi rolls, and indulgent hot plates from the robata grill.

Hikari (光), meaning “light” in Japanese, embodies the brightness of midday and the menu’s elegance. Guests can enjoy starters like Seared Salmon Nigiri and Quail Egg Gunkan, followed by dishes such as Crunchy Tuna Roll and Crispy Salmon Cheese. Mains include Steamed Seabass Fillet and Prawns Szechuan Style.

The Hikari Lunch Menu is priced at £55 per person, with one dish from each course available Monday to Friday from 12pm to 4pm at Novikov Asian.

The Beaumont -Lisa Goodwin-Allen

Some big transfer news in the culinary world, – The Beaumont Hotel Mayfair has appointment Lisa Goodwin-Allen as Culinary Director. Lisa will work alongside CEO Stuart Procter and Executive Chef Brendan Fyldes to oversee the food offering across the luxury Mayfair hotel, including ROSI, a new flagship restaurant opening this autumn. The coming together of Lisa, Stuart and Brendan at The Beaumont represents something of a reunion for the trio, having all grown up in Lancashire, with their careers overlapping at various points, including at Northcote and The Stafford London.

The opening of ROSI will mean the closure of the Colony Grill at The Beaumont

Dante Takes Claridge’s

This summer, New York’s award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar, Dante, will collaborate with Claridge’s Restaurant for a month-long residency starting on Monday, June 30th. The event, titled "Dante Takes Claridge’s," will bring the vibrant spirit of downtown Manhattan to the heart of Mayfair. Guests can enjoy signature cocktails and a nostalgic New York-inspired menu, along with a delightful weekend brunch, all served in true Claridge’s style.

In 2019, it earned the title of World's Best Bar at the 50 Best Bars awards.

Soho Food Feast

7-8th June-Soho Food Feast is celebrating it’s 13th year with a line up of stalls,cooking demoand workshops from some of Londons best chefs and restaurants. Tickets are £15

Mary’s

News that Mary’s, which opened last year by Jason Atherton, is closing, the former Pollen Street Social site has been bought by Motcomb's restaurant group, the popular Blind Pig bar at Mary’s has now moved upstairs at Jason Atherton's Sael restaurant. Cocktails start at £14

New Restaurants opening in June

Koyn Thai, Mayfair

Restaurateur Samyukta Nair, the creative force behind a collection of opulent Mayfair dining destinations, including Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair, and the sushi and robata haven Koyn, is set to unveil her latest venture, Koyn Thai, on June 16. Situated just beneath its Japanese counterpart, Koyn Thai will feature the culinary talents of chef Rose Chalalai Singh, who draws inspiration from her Bangkok upbringing and her Parisian café, Rose Kitchen. Guests can look forward to a tantalising array of dishes, such as a toasted coconut pomelo salad, wild garlic and green chili escargots with Thai basil, a Chiang Mai platter showcasing spicy pork sausage, capsicum nam prik, sticky rice, and crackling pork skin, river prawn choo chee, and a sumptuous crab curry infused with wild betel leaf.

38 Grosvenor Street, W1K 4AQ

Henri, Covent Garden

Jackson Boxer, known for his work at Brunswick House and more, brings his exceptional culinary talents to a new Parisian-style bistro at The Henrietta Hotel. Following the successful culinary approach of his restaurant at Cheltenham’s Cowley Manor Experimental hotel, Jackson will focus on French techniques. In an exciting twist, Henri will also have extended hours, staying open later than the typical central London eatery. Get ready for midnight steaks at Henri! The bistro opens on June 17.

14, 15 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH

Coming up Next Month

You will be pleased to hear I'm not leaving these shores in June so that I can get down to some serious foodie work.

I plan to spend some time in the kitchen, and of course, visit a few restaurants.

So I look forward to catching up with you at the end of June, have a good month and thanks as always for reading.

Speak soon,

Martin (Mayfair Foodie)

[email protected]

www.mayfairfoodie.com

Instagram @themayfairfoodie