London food
fromCN Traveller
8 hours agoWhy Leith is the most exciting foodie destination in the UK right now
Leith has transformed from a strategic port to a vibrant neighborhood known for its exceptional dining scene.
Head Chef Joshua Conte's all-day menu is set to include dishes like NYC fried chicken & caviar, AVI Caesar salad, and black brioche lobster roll, showcasing a blend of modern French and elevated American classics.
At Mirra, chefs Zubair Mohajir and Rishi Kumar fuse Indian and Mexican flavors, telling a story of immigration and the Indian diaspora through culture-melding dishes like chaas aguachile, where translucent slices of hamachi are served in a pool of cumin-scented buttermilk and lime juice.
When it comes to lunchtime in France, if you haven't bagged yourself a table by the time the clock strikes noon, you're on a sticky wicket.
In the latest issue of Bon Appétit magazine, we're traveling far and wide. To Mexico City in search of the best gorditas, to Hong Kong to explore cha chaan tengs, and to a truck stop in Wyoming that's turning out first-rate blistered naan, biryani, and more.
"Rao's is a special and intimate dining experience that has been passed down for generations. Creating Dinner Rush with American Express and Marriott needed to feel like a true extension of our own table."
Fusion food has historically had a bit of a bad rap, with overly gimmicky dishes and unnecessary combinations turning diners off. However, when you drill down into what fusion actually is - blending together flavours, ingredients and techniques from different cuisines - it's something that a lot of chefs are doing all the time.
Henry Harris describes his experience as the head chef and co-owner of Bouchon Racine as 'my most favourite three years of cooking and restaurant ownership.' He emphasizes the importance of creating a space where guests feel 'loved and valued'.
Chanel, Christian Louboutin and Hermès are names that are synonymous with luxury, signifying elegance, craftmanship and prestige. These brands often use subtle, mysterious signals to communicate their status - things like minimalist designs or the red sole on a Louboutin shoe. Often termed "quiet luxury", this trend is also seen in the world of high-end dining. This approach to luxury branding is aimed at creating a desire in consumers to learn these signals.
Back in 2024, after a reporting trip for a whiskey magazine, I got tired of drinking. Perhaps it was the sluggishness I felt each morning, or maybe it was the podcast I'd heard while traveling, which shared the news that one or two glasses of red wine was not, as we had long been told, healthy. Whatever the reason, I tossed in the daily drinking towel after that trip, figuring that going forward, I might only have a drink or two every now and again.
Whether spooned delicately onto porcelain, presented on ice beneath candlelight, or passed around at an intimate dinner party, those glossy pearls have long been shorthand for celebration, indulgence, and impeccable taste. Caviar has always belonged to the world of heightened moments, from champagne-soaked soirées on the French Riviera to late-night tastings in Parisian salons. Yet despite its storied reputation, it's not reserved solely for five-star dining rooms and private members' clubs.
Launching on March 1, Akoko's West African inspired menu will be headed up by the Akoko burger, £16, which will see an aged British beef patty seasoned with a special spice blend as well as tamarind jam, sosu kaani scotch bonnet chilli sauce, yassa-spiced onions and melted goat's cheese. The Akoko burger will come in Heard's signature roast potato bun and be served with dibi dipping sauce inspired by Senegalese barbecue.
"Cooking at high altitude means having to adjust our seasoning as your senses are actually dulled in the air," Monica explained. "Something else you have to take into consideration is the space the team has to work in. It's obviously tiny, so you need to think about how practical it is to physically put the dish together and still create something that looks beautiful".