Hey all, how are you doing? With October peeking around the corner, this foodie cannot wait for the London Restaurant Festival to kick off. The stellar line-up includes Marcus Wareing, Michel Roux Jnr, Mark Hix, Nathan Outlaw, Pierre Koffmann, Hélène Darroze and over 250 restaurants.
Now in its seventh year, London Restaurant Festival (LRF), in partnership with American Express® involves two elements: LRF EVENTS and LRF FESTIVAL MENUS. It is the capital’s only annual citywide celebration of eating out and everything takes place in the restaurants. How cool is that?
A new INSPIRED BY LONDON series (exclusive to American Express Card members) sees ten of London’s greatest chefs prepare a one-off menu inspired by the capital’s restaurants, produce, sights and landmarks. It’ would be like crawling into the head of a chef and getting to know how they work, which is a brilliant, creative twist.
Guests can meet the chefs (which would be a dream come true for any foodie) and Pierre Koffmann, Marcus Wareing, Mark Hix, Nathan Outlaw, Helene Darroze, Michel Roux Jr. Tomos Parry, Philip Howard, Jeremy Lee and Gymkhana’s Karam Sethi are all taking part. This is your chance to get to talk to your food heroes – what are you waiting for?
The big daddy on the LRF’s calendar is its iconic gastronomic road trip which returns with the strongest line up to date. CHAMPAGNE LAURENT-PERRIER GOURMET ODYSSEY offers you the chance to enjoy a different course in the capital’s top restaurants over a long Saturday lunch. Discover North Gourmet Odyssey includes The Quality Chop House, Trullo and Grain Store. Discover East Gourmet Odyssey features Bistrotheque, Paradise Garage and Blixen and Discover West Gourmet Odyssey is Trishna, Koffmann’s and Theo Randall at the InterContinental. Each course is created to complement Champagne LaurentPerrier – Brut, Ultra Brut, Cuvee Rosé and the 2006 Vintage.
There are exciting additions to LRF’s RESTAURANT-HOPPING TOURS where diners enjoy a small plate and drink at six restaurants, details below:
Carnaby Tour: Rosa’s, Señor Ceviche, Antidote, Shotgun, Pizza Pilgrims, Pitt Cue
Chinatown Tour: Rasa Sayang, Plum Valley, Orient London, Dumpling Legends, Nusa Dua, Leicester House
Japanese Journey: Bo Drake, Tonkotzu East, Shoryu, Chisou, Kurobuta, Yashin Ocean House Seven Dials Tour: Polpo, Tredwells, Mon Plaisir, Vico, Mon Plaisir, The Bowler, Rossopomodoro
Tapas Tour: Camino, Copita, Iberica, Tapas Revolution, Jose, Salvador & Amanda
Victoria Tour: Tozi, Caxton Grill, Daylesford, Iberica, Mango Tree, Pont St
In addition, EAT FILM returns to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, offering diners the chance to enjoy a film in the hallowed, private cinema hosted by talent from the film industry followed by a three-course dinner prepared by BAFTA 195 Piccadilly’s head chef, Anton Manganaro and inspired by the film.
Over 250 restaurants offer great value FESTIVAL MENU created by chefs exclusively during LRF; from the Michelin-starred to neighbourhood joints. Run in partnership with Bookatable, these offer a unique dining experience that over 25,000 enjoyed last year.
Visit http://www.bookatable.co.uk/london-restaurant-festival to see full list of participating restaurant and make a reservation.
If you like your games, check out SIDE ORDERS, which is LRF’s ‘fringe’ event. James Lowe will be hosting a Game Dinner at Lyle’s with a group of internationally renowned chefs (17th & 18th October) while L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon will host a dinner matched with wines from Eastern Europe. James Knappett at Kitchen Table, Bao Soho, Nuno Mendes and Bubbledogs are among the other restaurateurs hosting their own events, so be sure to check out the times for these too.
There are a whole bunch of cool events, making it a great day out for the full family. London Restaurant Festival founder Simon Davis said: “This year is an exceptional line-up of chefs and restaurants with something for every whim and wallet. I am also thrilled we decided to extend LRF for all of October this year. It seems we can’t get enough of London’s relentlessly fabulous restaurant scene and LRF’s events and menus are the best way to avoid missing out.”
You heard the man – miss it, miss out. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/LRF and Festival Menus at http://www.bookatable.co.uk/london-restaurant-festival.
American Express Cardmembers can use ticketmaster.co.uk/americanexpress
For more information hop onto website www.londonrestaurantfestival.com, stalk them on Twitter @LRF2015, Instagram @LRF_2015, or Facebook.com/londonrestaurantfestival.
Do let me know if you manage to get down to any of these fab LRF events, I’d love to know how you got on. I may pop down for a couple, will see if I can squeeze into my diary. Have a terrific Tuesday!
RAxxx