Casual eatery bar on the outside of Hillfield restaurant at Penny Hill Park Hillfield is the casual restaurant of the 5 star hotel Penny Hill Park in Bagshot.  Their flagship is obviously The Latymer which has changed hands over the years and I will return to at some point.  This was a more casual, evening […] The post Hillfield Bar (Bagshot) appeared first on Major Foodie ..read more

High quality new restaurant for 2024 set in a charming Mayfair Mews The Cocochine is one of London’s latest openings (late summer 2024) whose kitchen is led by Head Chef Larry Jayasekera, the mastermind that gained Gordon Ramsay the Michelin star at Petrus and who also worked at Le Manoir aux Quat Saison and the […] The post The Cocochine (Mayfair) appeared first on Major Foodie ..read more

Newly Michelin starred (2024) restaurant from the founders of BRAT Mountain is the newest branch of the head chef of BRAT in Shoreditch (Tomos Parry). Looking after the kitchen on this visit was the New Zealander Senior Soux chef Adam Smith (see picture). The restaurant is well designed with plenty of space, counter dining for walk ins and additional dining and bar area in the basement area.  You can comfortably walk in and out of here quickly for lunch paying either £150 per head or £30 per head depending on options.  I would be wary of any waiting staff saying what they generically ..read more

Newly awarded 2 Michelin starred restaurant of the equally new Peninsula Hotel, London serving quality, modern French dishes Brooklands is the second venture by 2 Michelin starred Claude Bosi (of Bibendum) which was one of the newly starred restaurants of the 2024 Michelin guide for the GBR & Ireland. Uniquely, this new restaurant (opened up in late 2023) went straight to 2 stars, barely 4 months after opening.  The menus vary from an a la carte menu at £145 for 3 courses and tasting menus of 5 course for £175 and the full 7 courses for £195.  It is a pleasure to see the a la car ..read more

Limited chain of Japanese fast restaurants Ippudo (meaning long wind hall) was founded in 1985 in Japan’s ramen capital of Hakata by Shigemi Kawahara, the internationally renowned Ramen King. Since 2008, when Ippudo opened its first international outlet in New York, it has quickly expanded to other countries thereafter.  At time of writing there are four branches in London, the other three in Goodge St, Holborn and Villiers St (between The Strand and Embankment).  I have very really enjoyed products here especially the value for money Hirata buns (taco shaped, steamed bao buns w ..read more

Limited chain of stylish Meats and grills Hawksmoor is a reputable limited chain of ten branches in the UK at time of writing, with seven being in London (the other three being in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester). Perhaps the flagship in the UK is the Guildhall in city of London near Spitalfields meat market that supplies the branch and where a hearty breakfast can be had.  I have eaten in Hawksmoors many times, in different branches, so the grade on this does not reflect the overall grade of all Hawksmoors, but sadly this visit was entirely disappointing with meats that were of a poo ..read more

New venture for Ashley Palmer-Watts The Devonshire is a much anticipated rebirth of a pub in Soho as the head chef for its separate restaurant (away from the main pub area) is headed by the ex-head chef of 2 Michelin starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.  This review does not reflect all of the food as is only based solely on the bar snacks which were had as we were promptly told on arrival that there was no space whatsoever for any tables AT ALL (exposing frustration at the question and generally not the classiest front of house delivery – then again, this is a pub). I thought the holland ..read more

Charming gastropub in Beaconsfield with engaging service The Greyhound is owned by restauranteurs Daniel and Margriet Vandezande-Crump who have spent previous years cutting their teeth in various forms at many other restaurants, but most notably Michelin starred Petrus and 3 Michelin starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.  The head chef is Jermaine Harriott who has previously worked at Michelin starred Pollen Street Social. Service is evidently important to the restaurant and I did enjoy the lovely touch of having a personalised, wooden napkin ring.   The lovely aspect of dining at a gast ..read more

New Michelin starred restaurant to the 2024 Michelin guide for Great Britain and Ireland Pavyllon is the much anticipated addition to the London dining scene from three Michelin starred Yannick Alléno (of Ledoyen and formerly Le Maurice).  His latest restaurant Pavyllon is set in the former main restaurant of the Four Seasons, Park Lane which holds an impressive bar area, private dining room and reception area upstairs and lunch and dinner options downstairs in front of an open kitchen for lunch and dinner.  This main area also doubles up as the breakfast area for the hotel guests an ..read more

Newly Michelin starred restaurant for 2023 in Edinburgh Timberyard is one of Scotland’s latest Michelin starred restaurants gaining its star in 2023.  Once a former prop store for a theatre, its setting is charming and original.  Three courses for lunch is £60 and a tasting menu of 6 courses at dinner for £120, so lunch is once again far better value and there are optional, opening snacks to choose from for additional supplements.  I chose the parfait, green pinecone & duck fat focaccia and St. Andrew’s cheddar gougeres & mustard mornay snacks which were not small and li ..read more