London Food & Drink News: 10 March 2011

By tikichris Last edited 156 months ago
London Food & Drink News: 10 March 2011


A taster course of what's what in recent London food and drink news:

Scottish restaurant/whisky bar/jazz venue/Cuban cigar smokers' haven, Boisdale, will be launching a third London venue – and new flagship – in April. To be the largest Boisdale to date, the new Boisdale will feature a caviar and oyster bar, cigar terrace, and cigar shop and sampling room in addition to its whisky bar, restaurant and jazz club.

Canary Wharf's fourth floor food with a view restaurant, Plateau, has started offering new cocktail masterclasses available for groups of ten or more and hosted by their “top mixologist” Zoran Peric. He's a knowledgeable and affable bartender and, along with the rest of the Plateau gang, reckons the classes are “perfect for company team-building events and a fun way to learn some handy new skills”. Londonist was impressed and wouldn't mind re-concocting the drink we created during a session this week.

And speaking of masterclasses, Londonist sat in on a very hands-on class in sustainable sushi-making with Feng Sushi co-owner Silla Bjerrum. Silla takes her sourcing of fish and seafood seriously (the chain has recently signed up to the Sustainable Fish City pledge). She's a good instructor too. We learned all sorts of tricks for making sushi and such at home as well as some very practical knife handling tips and how to cut down on prep and clean up time. We also left stuffed on quality fish and with plenty more to treat some friends and even have brekkie for two the next day. Feng Sushi holds 'sushi school' regularly at their Notting Hill location.

This week marked the 40th anniversary of Starbucks, which the corporate 'bucksters reckoned was a good excuse to reveal a “new brand identity”. Interested? Their Brompton Road store is one of only five locations in the world (along with Paris, New York, Beijing and, of course, Seattle) where latte slurpers can catch a sneak peak.

Last but not least, we all know what next Thursday is: St Patrick's Day. Londonist would to hear if you have any particularly foodie or drinkie plans for the day. What's your favourite Irish pub in London? Leave your comments below or chime in at our Facebook page.

Photo/Chris Osburn

Last Updated 10 March 2011