London & UK Restaurant & Bar Guide

Since leaving The Connaught last year Angela Hartnett has been a busy lady. She’s just opened her new Italian, Murano, in Mayfair where the finely wrought food goes hand in hand with swish surrounds, and she's also overseeing another Gordon Ramsay Holdings project, the York & Albany, a less formal Italian restaurant with rooms in Primrose Hill.

We’re absolutely over the moon to hear that a second branch of Borough’s acclaimed Tapas Brindisa, called Tierra Brindisa, has just opened in Soho… and it takes reservations. So that means no more hour-long waits for the absolutely knock-out food. Top of the list are the Iberico ham croquetas, prawns cooked with garlic and chilli and Leon chorizo with piquillo pepper on country toast.

With double-height ceilings, a spiral staircase and marble columns, Just St James was always a rather grand spot. But the restaurant, housed in a former Edwardian banking hall has just bounced back from a major refurb and looks every bit the better following a fresh lick of paint. A new chef has upped the ante on the food front too.

Square Meal’s fifth annual Around the World Wine Tasting will take place on 19 November at Vinopolis at London Bridge. It’s a chance to sample more than 200 wines from over 40 producers, including Italy’s Villa Antinori and Chile’s Anakena. There’ll also be Champagne, port, sherry and a small selection of top spirits. Tickets cost £40, click here to book yours now

It's tempting to stick with what you know when ordering wine, but exploring some of today’s excellent New World wines pays dividends. Test the theory at Michelin-starred L’Ortolan: from 21 Oct to 20 Nov, Square Meal readers can enjoy a food and wine matching menu (£99), pairing dishes with wines from Chile’s Vina Ventisquero.

The second branch of mozzarella bar Obika opened in early September just off Trafalgar Square and to celebrate the new arrival Square Meal readers can receive 20% off the a la carte menu and wine list. First select your chosen mozzarella, then team it with Sicilian vegetables or charcuterie, plus a glass on vino Italiano.