Food
Grafton House
Though many reviewers seem to find the Grafton House after taking a serendipitous stumble during a night out in Clapham Old town - it's worth planning a trip to this culinary and cocktail destination. Known for its vast martini cocktail menu, Grafton House is where Clapham locals and insiders go for a night of dinner and drinks. Add the stylish bar and cozy plush seating to the list of charms, plus an efficient and friendly staff, and you've got the makings of a chic, yet charmingly relaxed evening.
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Brutti Ma Buoni
Topping the list of stylish destinations in Glasgow is the Brunswick Hotel's Brutti Ma Buoni (ugly but good). Buzzing at night with the city's stylish crowd it's considered one the best pre-night out destinations in Glasgow. The menu ranges across some experimental tapas and unique twists on classic Italian specialties, plus a range of well reviewed seafood, and pasta dishes. With courses such as 'ugly but good' pizza and 'angry or peaceful' prawns, the menu is as unpretentious and fun-loving as the ambiance. The prices are as low as £7 for entrees, which is a great bargain for a restaurant in the heart of Merchant City.
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Finger on the Pulse(s)
Pardon the lentil-based pun, but in London's fast moving restaurant scene, you need to be alert to hear about the latest hot openings and culinary success stories. One bona fide success story is fish restaurant Hix Soho, which has garnered huge amounts of praise and stars since its opening late last year for its fine British cuisine. If you're after something a bit different (but equally lauded) why not try Polpo? Their Venitian style tapas, Chiccheti, make the restaurant a great venue, either for lunch or less formal drinks.
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Michelin Stars in Wales
Wales has an abundance of fantastic local produce, award-winning lamb and succulent Welsh Black beef. Plus, being surrounded by water, Wales is finally getting a reputation for the seafood just off its shores. This year, four Welsh restaurants, including the Walnut Tree and the Crown at Whitebrook, achieved Michelin stars. Be sure to enjoy this award winning local produce thoughtout Wales.
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Seen at the Met Bar
The Met Bar at the Metropolitan hotel in London is the place to be seen sipping afternoon tea by the fashionable set in London. Famous for its late night parties, uber-chic persona, and renowned cocktails, the Met Bar also re-created the traditional English tea ritual. Waist-friendly, with items like low-gluten scones and cupcakes, wheat-free macaroons and no-bread sandwich pots, the ritual is aptly dubbed the "Afternoon De-Light."
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Taste of Edinburgh
Held annually in the springtime, Taste of Edinburgh is a three day indulgence in Scotland's best eating. This foodie festival features top chefs from Edinburgh's premier restaurants. The 2009 Taste saw an impressive array of three-course tasting menus (the standard of participation) which featured the acclaimed, Hotel du Vin's Donald Russell rib-eye steak, and Harvey Nichol's sea bream with spiced cous cous.
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Y Fuwch Goch
In Cardiff, the Y Fuwch Goch, meaning The Red Cow, is a cozy bar and lounge which serves home-cooked Welsh food with a different menu every week. With six traditional items on the menu for £6, it's a great value for dinner before you step across the street to beloved local music venue Clwb ifor Bach. You'll get the most out of any visit to Wales, if you brush up on your Welsh pronunciation.
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Oxo Tower
Tamesa on the second floor of the iconic Oxo Tower boasts river views that are something else - it is almost like the Thames is part of the space. Part brasserie, part cool bar; Oxo tower serves everything from classic to contemporary food. At the spacious bar is a wine and cocktail list that is not to be missed (may we recommend a French Berry?). Downstairs at the Oxo Tower Wharf you'll find an mix of design shops including Ana Krnajski's aei:kei and the independent, vintage-inspired label Game of Graces.
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From Nature to Plate
Nowhere is the farm-fresh philosophy more adhered to than at Tom Kitchin's The Kitchin in Leith, Edinburgh. At the old docks of the city, The Kitchin brings you the fresh seafood, game and local veggies and berries that earned the restaurant a Michelin star. Leith is a hotbed of Michelin-starred restaurants with Martin Wishart on the Shore and The Plumed Horse just up the street. You'll also find the exclusive Scotch Malt Whisky Society and the newly opened Café Fish on the same block. All of these take advantage of the locally sourced and fresh ingredients found on their doorsteps.
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From La Bras to Mumbles
La Bras, as it's know to locals, is a Wine Bar, where fresh food is complimented by an extensive selection of wines and champagnes to cater for all palates & pockets. La Bras is the favorite of Catherine Zeta Jones who is Swansea's most famous resident. She maintains a home in the quaint town of Mumbles.
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The Olive Branch Pub
One of only two English pubs to be awarded a Michelin Star, The Olive Branch is an unpretentious and charming rustic pub where your taste buds will be awarded with seasonal fare and warm and friendly service. If you are looking for a unique dining experience head here and if you eat too much no worry, just pop across the street to the Beech House to sleep it off in one of their individually decorated rooms.
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Carlton Riverside
Fresh, farm-nurtured cuisine is a Welsh tradition and Chef Mary Ann Gilchrist is one of its most talented artists. Famed for deserts like a chocolate fondant that makes guests purr, Mary is passionate about local flavors and produce. Her Carlton Riverside is a Restaurant-with-Rooms located Llanwrtyd Wells, which is Britain's smallest town-and famed for it's year-round program of quirky events.
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