Vinoteca wine bar to open second location, in Marylebone

Vinoteca, the St John Street wine bar and kitchen is to open a second site in a former launderette in Marylebone, London.


The opening was revealed in a licensing application to City of Westminster dated 10th April 2010 but only recently granted by the council. Vinoteca will be opening a "high quality restaurant featuring seasonal British and European Cuisine" in mid October 2010 at 15 Seymour Place, close to London's Marble Arch. There will be space for 60 covers on the ground floor and 30 downstairs in the private room which will open in 2011. 



Known for their extensive by-the-glass wine list and wine shop in Farringdon near Smithfield Market, the two-storey premises occupies the ground and basement levels and proposes a 30-cover private function room in the basement along with the same mix as at the St John Street restaurant. The ground level includes a wine shop, bar area and semi-open plan kitchen alongside restaurant space.


Vinoteca website address Read More......

Spanish Rioja and Tapas for MSN Food and Drink

"Spain's Rioja wine has long been associated with British wine-lovers and today we consume a third of all the wine they produce. If you're not familiar with the region, its wine and accompanying tapas, now's a great time to get acquainted."

I am now the food and drink editor for the MSN Food and Drink website, part of Microsoft, one of the world's biggest software companies and website producers. The new website, in association with Sainsbury's supermarket, has features, recipes, tips and practical advice for a wide variety of food and drink areas.

This Spanish Rioja wine and tapas feature is my first feature for the MSN Food channel.

To read the article in full, go to the Spanish Rioja and tapas feature on the MSN Food and Drink channel.

To read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist, visit the Craig Butcher website Read More......

'A Family of Friends - Restaurant renaissance in the Near East' for Fire and Knives

"If you'd invented an entirely new way of dining out, revived the very notion of British cuisine, inadvertently coined the phrase 'gastropub' and received accolades by the truck-load, then in our increasingly food-obsessed nation, you would probably be pretty famous, wouldn't you?

David Eyre and Mike Belben, the founders of The Eagle in Clerkenwell, achieved all this -- and more -- but they're hardly household names. They're certainly no Heston, Gordon, Marco or Delia. But then they never engaged a public relations agency, never fronted a supermarket campaign and never had their own television show. They simply had a great idea and worked tirelessly in the kitchen to convince diners that theirs was the way forward."

The feature looking at the emergence of the gastropub in Clerkenwell during the 1990s looks at the central role of The Eagle, of its founders David Eyre and Mike Belben, and interviews Tom Norrington Davies, formerly head chef at The Eagle and now of 32 Great Queen Street.

It appears in print in Fire and Knives, No. 3, a quarterly paperback book produced by Tim Hayward, a key contributor to The Guardian's online food content and also includes features from Tom Parker-Bowles, Tilly Culme-Seymour of The Spectator Scoff and Felicity Cloake of The Guardian Online, Metro and MSN Food. Go to the Fire and Knives food quarterly website to learn more about it.

To read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist, visit the Craig Butcher website

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Catering the World Cup, for Channel 4 Food

"Find entertaining a challenge? Pity those feeding hundreds of thousands of hungry football fans at the World Cup in South Africa. Craig Butcher talks to Peter Csanadi of MATCH Hospitality.

Hosting this summer’s barbecue with family or friends will be a proverbial walk in the park compared with entertaining fans at the World Cup. Peter Csanadi works for the company catering every stadium at every game, dealing with a world’s-worth of religious considerations and dietary requirements."

To read the full article "Catering the World Cup" to accompany the football World Cup 2010, by freelance journalist Craig Butcher for the Channel 4 Food website, the UK's biggest food website, click here.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist.

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World Cup features on Weightwatchers.co.uk

I've put together a four-part series of features for Weightwatchers.co.uk, the website of the UK's best-known slimming organisation, to accompany the football World Cup this year. The series groups cuisines by style and offers healthy eating recipes from some of the best known countries taking part, including England, Brazil, Italy and Germany.

The series started on 11th June, the first day of the football World Cup and Part 3 was released on Friday 25th June. To read the full article online at Weightwatchers.co.uk, click here.

The fourth and final part of the World Cup recipes feature for Weightwatchers.co.uk will go live on Friday 2nd July.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist.

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World Cup features on Weightwatchers.co.uk

I've put together a four-part series of features for Weightwatchers.co.uk, the website of the UK's best-known slimming organisation, to accompany the football World Cup this year. The series groups cuisines by style and offers healthy eating recipes from some of the best known countries taking part, including England, Brazil, Italy and Germany.


The series started on 11th June, the first day of the football World Cup, with Latin American recipes from Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. To read the full article online at Weightwatchers.co.uk, click here.

The second part of the series went live on 18th June, the day of the England v Algeria football match at the group stages and features European recipes. To read the full article online at Weightwatchers.co.uk, click here.


Additional features in the series will go live on Friday 25th June and Friday 2nd July.


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

Jim Haynes - Supper club maestro for delicious. magazine website

"Jim Haynes has hosted over 130,000 diners at his weekly supperclub in Paris over the last 30 years. A legend on the supperclub scene, Jim talked to Craig Butcher about what makes his parties tick."


To read the full interview with Jim Haynes, "Supper club maestro" by freelance writer Craig Butcher for the delicious magazine website, one of the UK's biggest food websites, click here.


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

"Iceland gets the all clear: Dairy Farming on Lake Myvatn"

"Before it spewed volcanic ash into international air space, Craig Butcher went all the way to northern Iceland to meet 7th generation dairy farmers. There are no travel restrictions on Iceland so we venture back."


The full article "Iceland gets the all clear: Dairy Farming on Lake Myvatn" now appears on the Foodtripper.com website, the website for people who travel to eat. To read the full article online at Foodtripper.com, click here.


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

Square Mile to Square Meal for Aubin & Wills

"Ever dreamed of abandoning the city to follow your dreams in the country? You're not the only one"


The full article "Square Mile to Square Meal" appears in the Summer 2010 issue of the Aubin & Wills Almanac, the quarterly customer magazine for leading lifestyle clothing retailer Aubin & Wills. The article includes comment from Nadim Sadek of Inishturkbeg, Liz Bateman of Hazeldene Farm and Polly Robinson of Food Safari.To download a PDF of the full article, click here (1.9MB)


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

Feature for Harrow School alumni magazine, the Harrow Record

"While many Old Harrovians have been, and continue to be, hugely successful in the traditional professions, over the years a number have swum against the tide to forge careers in the media. Here, Craig Butcher discovers what a career in television and the press can offer"


The full article "Old Harrovians in the media" appears in the Spring 2010 issue of the Harrow Record, the quarterly alumni magazine for Harrow School, one of the UK's leading independent schools. The article includes an interview with Alastair Fothergill, the producer of BBC wildlife documentaries alongside Sir Richard Attenborough including Planet Earth and Life in the Freezer. The article also includes interviews with Guy Chambers of Black Diamond television production company and Henry Beresford-Peirse of Global Radio News. To download a PDF of the full article, click here (1.9MB)


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

Top 10 Fantasy Feasts for Channel 4 Food

"Literature is awash with epic feasts which sadly never took place. From the fantastical to the symbolic, the life-changing to the mind-altering, the world's most imaginative feasts for the price of a book. Craig Butcher raids the bookcase for 4Food"


To read the full article "Top 10 Fantasy Feasts" to accompany the new Heston Blumenthal Feasts television series currently airing for Channel 4, which includes Alice in Wonderland, Hamlet and Paddington Bear, by freelance journalist Craig Butcher for the Channel 4 Food website, the UK's biggest food website, click here.


Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

Top 10 Money-No-Object Feasts" for Channel 4 Food

"Whether suspended 100ft up, overlooking the great vineyards of Rioja or showcasing the genius of Ferran Adria at the El Bulli Hotel, the ultimate money-no-object feasts are out there. Craig Butcher packs his suitcase for 4 Food"


To read the full article "Top 10 Money-No-Object Feasts" to accompany the new Heston Blumenthal Feasts television series currently airing for Channel 4, which includes the El Bulli Hotel in Spain, Moto in Chicago and La Pergola in Rome, by freelance journalist Craig Butcher for the Channel 4 Food website, the UK's biggest food website, click here.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel journalist. Read More......

The Hitlist: London has thousands of restaurants, here's just a few I should try

London has quite literally thousands of restaurants, bars and cafes. That much is obvious. Over the years I've accumulated a list of venues which others have rated well, or which grabbed my attention. Along with some recent additions from the Twittersphere (thanks to all who made recommendations) the already lengthy list now looks pretty ridiculous -- there simply isn't enough time (or cash) to try them all. This goes some way to explaining why there aren't many restaurants I return to time after time (and perhaps hints at why so many average venues, without the need for return custom, get away with such average food and service). 


So I'm leaving it to the great British public to guide me. Which restaurants do you rate? Which should I avoid like mad? Which venues have I missed out? Please add your comments -- I'm aiming to try as many as possible before the year is out and to cover them on this site!

1. 500 http://www.500restaurant.co.uk/HomeE.html
2. Adagio http://www.adagio-pizza.com
3. The Arch. http://www.thearchlondon.com/?cid=5
4. Amaya http://www.amaya.biz/
5. Barrafina http://www.barrafina.co.uk
6. Ba Shan http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:21319/ba-shan
7. Bar Shu http://www.bar-shu.co.uk/
8. Blueprint Cafe http://www.danddlondon.com/restaurants/blueprint_cafe/home
9. Bob Bob Ricard http://www.bobbobricard.com
10. Bocca Di Lupo http://www.boccadilupo.com
11. Bruno Loubet at The Zetter http://www.bistrotbrunoloubet.com/
12. Le Cafe Anglais http://www.lecafeanglais.co.uk
13. The Canton Arms
14. Caravan 
15. Colony http://www.colonybarandgrill.com
16. Dean Street Townhouse http://www.deanstreettownhouse.com/
17. Dinings http://www.dinings.co.uk
18. The Forge http://www.theforgerestaurant.co.uk
19. Giaconda Dining Rooms http://www.giacondadining.com
20. Goodman http://www.goodmanrestaurants.com
21. Hardy's http://www.hardys-w1.com
22. The Hawksmoor http://www.thehawksmoor.co.uk
23. Hibiscus http://www.hibiscusrestaurant.co.uk
24. Iberica http://www.ibericalondon.com/
25. Indian Zing http://www.indianzing.co.uk
26. Koba http://www.koba-london.com/
27. Locanda Locatelli http://www.locandalocatelli.com
28. Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/marcus_wareing.aspx
29. Mien Tay http://www.mientay.co.uk
30. Moolis http://www.moolis.com
31. Nahm http://www.halkin.como.bz/eat-and-drink/nahm
32. National Dining Rooms http://www.thenationaldiningrooms.co.uk/index.asp
33. No 10 http://www.london-eating.co.uk/36360.htm
34. Norfolk Arms http://www.norfolkarms.co.uk/
35. Odette's http://www.odettesprimrosehill.com
36. The Old Amalfi
37. Park Terrace http://www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk/default.asp?section=219&page=699
38. The Parlour http://www.theparlouruk.com/
39. Pepito http://www.camino.uk.com/pepito
40. Pizza Santa Maria http://www.santamariapizzeria.com
41. La Petite Maison http://www.lpmlondon.co.uk
42. La Pont de La Tour http://www.lepontdelatour.co.uk/
43. Proud Cabaret http://www.proudcabaret.com/
44. Polpo http://www.polpo.co.uk
45. Roast http://www.roast-restaurant.com
46. Roz-Ana http://www.roz-ana.com
47. Salt Whisky Bar http://www.saltbar.com
48. Searcy's (National Portrait Gallery), http://www.searcys.co.uk/nationalportraitgallery/
49. St John http://www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk/
50. St Paul's http://www.restaurantatstpauls.co.uk/
51. Story Deli http://www.storydeli.com/
52. Terroirs http://www.terroirswinebar.com
53. Tike http://www.tikerestaurant.co.uk
54. Tobia http://www.tobiarestaurant.co.uk/
55. Trinity http://www.trinityrestaurant.co.uk/
56. Vinoteca http://www.vinoteca.co.uk

Read More......

Features coming out soon

Lots of new food, drink and travel features are in the pipeline, here's what's coming up next:

The Channel 4 Food website have commissioned several new features for March and April 2010 to accompany their Spring television programming schedule. The number one food website from Channel 4 have commissioned two features -- a world restaurants feature, as well as a food feature accompanying the new Heston Blumenthal Feasts series, due to go live in March 2010. A drinks feature is also in the pipeline for Spring.

The website for the UK's leading quality men's monthly magazine, GQ, have commissioned several features for the next few months for the newly re-launched GQ.com website. Look out for a comparative whisky feature, online in March; a Spanish ingredients food feature due online in March; a French restaurants feature, due online in March and a Spanish wine and travel feature, online in April.

Food and travel website Foodtripper.com are also publishing an Iceland food and travel feature, due online in Spring.

Leading men's ladies' clothing company Aubin & Wills produces a quarterly customer magazine, the Aubin & Wills Almanac. Look out for an entrepreneur feature, in print for Summer 2010.

Links to all these news stories and features will be added to the Craig Butcher website and to this blog when they become available. Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer at the Craig Butcher website.

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Vodka tasting panel for Harpers Wine & Spirit

"A vodka tasting considering 39 different products threw up plenty of thought-provoking comment. Tom Sandham was on hand to report back on the findings.

Often unfairly tagged as an oxymoron, a “vodka tasting” can actually prove quite an eye opener. In fact, the only genuine criticism you might level at the process is that consumers simply don’t drink the stuff neat. If they did, then perhaps some of the misconceptions could be reassessed, and if they were to try as many as 39 of them, divided into different style categories, they’d agree there’s a substantial range in the flavours.

This was the task set by Harpers Wine & Spirit as the category was given a proper once over. Invited to the tasting party were world-class palates such as bar operator Jake Burger from Jake’s Bar & Grill in Leeds, Bibendum spirits buyer Will Lowe and broadcast superstar Nigel Barden. With such a high calibre of experience the chances of valuable assessment were high."

To read the full article by Tom Sandham for Harpers Wine & Spirit, including comments from freelance food and drink journalist Craig Butcher who was on the vodka tasting panel, click here to download the feature from the Craig Butcher website.

To read more about food and drink writer Craig Butcher, click here.

To learn more about drinks writer Tom Sandham, click here. Read More......

My bloody messy Valentine for The Guardian Food website

"When it comes to Valentine's Day meals it's what's on the inside that counts, and frequently that's a very good thing indeed. Have you ever come a cropper dining with a date?

With Valentine's Day just around the bend, every Champagne merchant and oyster fisherman is doing their level best to convince us that the most romantic way to spend that particular Sunday is by force-feeding your significant other yeasted wine and raw molluscs."

To read the full article "My Bloody Messy Valentine" for The Guardian Food website, by freelance food and drink journalist Craig Butcher, click here to go to The Guardian Food website.

To read more about food and drink writer Craig Butcher, click here. Read More......

Top 10 romantic British restaurant experiences

"Who says romance is dead? From the lochside to the seaside, hotel chic to rural retreat, there are some fantastically romantic restaurants to treat your special someone this Valentine's Day. Craig Butcher teases them out for 4Food."

To read the full article "Top 10 romantic British restaurant experiences" all about Britain's most romantic restaurants across the UK, from The Langham Hotel Landau restaurant to Galvin at Windows and Spanish tapas restaurant Brindisa, by freelance journalist Craig Butcher for the Channel 4 Food website, the UK's biggest food website, click here.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer. Read More......

Prague's Best Hotels for The Sunday Times Travel Magazine

"Musical genius, banking brilliance or quiet restraint - Czech into Prague's best beds"

To read the full article "Rest Assured: Prague" all about the best hotels in Prague, Czech Republic, to suit all budgets, including the Aria Hotel, the Carlo IV and the Kempinksi Hybernska, by freelance travel journalist Craig Butcher for leading monthly travel magazine, the Sunday Times Travel Magazine in the March 2010 issue, click here or pick up the issue on news-stands, available until March 3rd, 2010.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer. Read More......

Top 10 Healthy Eating Restaurants for Channel 4 Food Website

"After any seasonal feast, comes famine. But, as Craig Butcher discovered for 4Food, you can still enjoy all your favourites without the calories. From no-cream Indian to Michelin-starred goodness, 4Food shows you can have your cake and eat it."

To read the full article "Top 10 healthy eating UK restaurants" all about the best healthy eating restaurants across the UK, from vegetarian restaurant Terre A Terre to Michelin-starred Nottingham Restaurant Sat Bains and Bristol's Bordeaux Quay, by freelance journalist Craig Butcher for the Channel 4 Food website, the UK's biggest food website, click here.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer.
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Features coming out soon

The Sunday Times Travel magazine have commissioned a hotel review feature for their March 2010 issue. The monthly magazine from the UK's best-selling Sunday Times newspaper will be available in the first week of February 2010.

The Channel 4 Food website have commissioned several new features for January 2010. The number one food website from Channel 4 have commissioned a healthy eating feature for the new year, as well as a drinks feature also for January 2010.

The website for the UK's leading quality men's monthly magazine, GQ, have commissioned several features for January 2010, including a Burn's Night feature, a London restaurants feature including restaurant reviews, as well as a hotel lifestyle feature. The Burns Night feature will be available on the GQ website ahead of the 25th January. The restaurants and hotels features will be available in early February.

Links to all these news stories and features will be added to the Craig Butcher website and to this blog when they become available. Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer at the Craig Butcher website. Read More......

Latest news and features from Craig Butcher

It's been a quiet Christmas and New Year on the blog, but plenty of news and features behind the scenes. I've had my first commission for The Guardian website on their food blog pages:

"From black garlic to coconut water, two top trendspotters tell Craig Butcher what they see in their crystal balls. Is there anything in it or do you think it's all a load of old cobblers?"

To read the full article "Food Trends 2010" for The Guardian Food website, by freelance food and drink journalist Craig Butcher, click here to go to The Guardian Food website.


My feature "Bean Around The World" has also published in print. It surveys different tastes for coffee around the world for leading US coffee trade magazine Roast Magazine in their January / February 2010 issue. It includes comment from well known roasters Monmouth Coffee, James Hoffman from Square Mile Coffee Roasters and PTs coffee in the US:

"Bean Around The World: How roasters are responding to customer demands and changing tastes".

To read the full article by freelance food and drink journalist Craig Butcher click here for the PDF. Note, it's a large file and may take some time to download.

Click here to read more about Craig Butcher, freelance food, drink and travel writer at the Craig Butcher website. Read More......