There’s no such thing as perfection, but at The White Hart, chef Mike Shaw’s tasting menu comes pretty close. And, says Zoë Perrett, the rooms are rather nice too… For anyone in a 9-5 job, the onset of September frequently induces a severe case of the back-to-school blues. But for those of us reckless/feckless enough […]
Zoe Perrett pays a visit to Galvin at Windows for dinner with a view Despite the presence of maitre d’ extraordinaire Fred Sirieix, this is not an episode of First Dates. But were our relationship still at that awkward fledgling stage, the bar’s intriguing passport-style cocktail menu would prove the perfect conversation starter. Taking cues […]
Zoë Perrett discovers a French city that’s small enough to savour, yet large enough to feast on There’s a lot of water in Lyon – not referring, or course, to the drinking habits of the ‘gônes’ (locals). Both the Rhône and the Saône run through France’s second city, converging at The Confluence, making Lyon both […]
In Ibiza’s old town, Zoë Perrett discovers Anne Sijmonsbergen’s El Portalon – a restaurant gem that’s far too good to be hidden As we navigate Dalt Vila’s steep cobbled streets, a lone busker’s voice provides an almost-Gregorian soundtrack. The ancient sound offers a fitting welcome to Ibiza’s old hill town, where Ibiza Town’s tourist-alluring cafe […]
Zoë Perrett talks to the cheese club co-founder and North PR Managing Director about beginnings, birthdays, and Blur bassists Think ‘fine cheese’ and your mind’s internal map won’t lead you directly to Leeds. But, seven years ago, it was that vibrant city which spawned Homage2Fromage: a smash-hit cheese club that, seven years down the line, […]
It’s impossible for Zoë Perrett to write about Acme Fire Cult without a religious zeal which reveals that the clue’s very much in the name when it comes to this Dalston not-quite restaurant… It’s taken me a good long while to put pen to paper – or more accurately, finger to keyboard – to write […]
Infuriatingly intangible, difficult to define and supremely savoury – what exactly is ‘umami’? Zoë Perrett gets to grips with this tricky taste… Ever get that warm glow of ultra-satisfaction from a particularly flavoursome titbit or a spoonful of deeply-savoury gravy? Umami. Ever had cause to take pause after biting into a rich, ripe tomato? Umami. Ever […]
The name of Russell Norman’s Farringdon trattoria may translate as ‘ugly’, but, says Zoe Perrett, Brutto is a beaut Yeah I’m beyond fashionably late visiting Brutto, but that’s down to the similarly tardy opening of the Elizabeth Line, without which Farringdon was a right faff for this Isle of Dog-ian. Now I can zip from […]
In which Zoë Perrett gets tarted up and checks out a Derbyshire hotel with a lengthy heritage and fantastic food Confession time: we went to Bakewell and committed a culinary crime. Any fule kno you’re supposed to buy your sweet treats from the town’s Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, whose once-owner Mrs. Wilson put the […]
Filipino food virgin or veteran? Whichever end of the spectrum you sit, says Zoë Perrett, your tastebuds’ll do a tango here Beneath a black-and-white striped awning, a gorgeously garish pink neon sign announces tonight’s dinner destination. Despite that 80s Miami aesthetic, we’re in Kensington not Florida and, just to mess with our minds a little […]
This novel stage adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a jolly good show, opines Zoë Perrett in her review for Northern Soul My first encounter with A Christmas Carol featured a load of Muppets, witnessed by my primary school self on the screen of the communal telly-on-wheels rolled out for the end-of-term film. Twenty-odd years […]
At a luxurious Fortnum & Mason supperclub, Hélène Darroze – aka ‘The World’s Best Female Chef’ – treats Zoë Perrett to an unforgettable dinner ‘The World’s Best Female Chef’ just cooked me dinner. And, as you’d expect, jolly nice it was too. Mein host’s brother is also in the house; here to share a few […]
If you’re of a certain age, you’ll recall a youthful Take That insisting that ‘everything changes but you’. You know what? The lyric is a lie. In the past decade or so, my dining companions and I have all changed dramatically – and so, too, has the area in which we dine this evening. Once the […]
Zoë Perrett finds a little piece of Peru in London’s Soho – and likes it very much You know that thing where your dear friend has just given birth and you’re hoping against hope the baby’s cute so you don’t have to feign affection? The same scenario is true of lovely chefs and their new […]