By Steve Evans, http://awinemerchantslife.blogspot.com/
Today I visited Shaka-Zulu the new South African Zulu restaurant which opens in June. Michael Clark (ex sommelier now Shaka-Zulu project manager) and I have just finalised the 100 bin all South African still wine list and I’ve had the chance to see the fit out progress at the site. This included my first real life glimpse of the £2 million worth of …
Despite speculative emails and many phone calls in search of a reservation, I have never been to Noma, El Bulli or the Fat Duck – the top three in the latest list of the World’s Top 50 Restaurants which were announced last night.
In fact, I’ve only been to one of the three restaurants in the UK to make the list, and to three overall. As such, I am hardly qualified to pass …
by Gareth Groves
I hadn’t had a decent lunch in ages. I mean a proper lunch, one with three courses and red wine and at least the possibility of some cheese. In fact, it had been months: Christmas, January credit card bills and the cold had been getting in the way of serious eating.
That all changed with one absent minded click that took me from …
By Gal Zohar
Working in restaurants for so many years has made its impact on me. Some things just stick forever. Each time I’m in a restaurant it’s the same story all over again. I just can’t help it. Cant help organizing and straightening the glasses, cutlery and plates to perfect symmetry. I always notice the drinks on the bar waiting to be served. I feel slightly uncomfortable when all the plates don’t …
By Joe Fattorini
And the F Word’s top local restaurant is… Lasan! Yes, it’s fair to say there was cheering at Bibendum as Birmingham’s top Indian restaurant and long-time Bibendum customer, Lasan, won the F Word’s top local restaurant competition. Their Chicken Tandoori Masala, Masala Beef with curried pumpkin and the most amazing Puff Pastry Parcel stuffed with Carrot Pudding wowed Gordon Ramsey (another Bibendum …
By Willie Lebus
Bruno Paillard and Joel Rubuchon
Bruno Paillard, one of the very best Champagne producers, and Joel Robuchon, the chef with more Michelin stars than any other, get on like a house on fire. Or more particularly, they get on like a fine wine paired with exquisite cuisine, and that’s exactly what they put …
By Gal Zohar
Close your eyes and think of Mexico. Sun, Tequila, corn and chillies might be some of the first things that come to mind. And the wine? Well according to winemaker Hugo D’Acosta, wine is the next best thing coming from Mexico.
On a frozen evening in London Hugo and Bibendum hosted a Mexican food and wine dinner at Wahaca, a place I must confess I …
By Martin Day
Just before
The drive to Valdepusa threw up a couple of surprises. …
By Willie Lebus
The line up
A cast of twenty wine and food lovers converged on Quo Vadis in late November to taste ten 2000 Red Bordeaux and sit down to a feast of great food and wine.
THE TASTING
The following wines were up for tasting: Calon Segur, Cos d’Estournel, Figeac, Gruaud Larose, Leoville Barton, Mouton Rothschild, Peby Faugeres, Petit Village, Talbot and Trotanoy. First the …
