Morning:
14°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Critic rating
Reader rating
Phone: 020 7228 4040
Open: Mon-Thurs 12pm-11pm Fri 1pm-12M Sat 10am-12M Sun 10am-10.30pm
Heartily British: enjoy a varied and novel menu of dishes from the kitchen of chef Massimo Tebaldi
In these dark days it takes real gumption to open a new restaurant. Luckily this genteel Battersea gastropub has a history of foolhardy courage and derring-do. It's named after 17th-century rake henry st John, Viscount Bolingbroke, legendary for hard-drinking escapades and romantic dalliances. the dining room is unpretentious but elegant: whitewashed walls, wood panelling, roaring fire.
It was packed on our wet week night and it's probably a scrum at sunday lunch too, given how child-friendly it is: children get home-made fish fingers and funny-face fairy cakes to decorate. the menu is heartily British. My stout-seared king scallops (£7) came with mushy pea purée, crispy air-dried ham and slices of green apple. Sweetcorn and chilli soup (£5) really tasted of corn. You have to be strong to resist the call of a juicy British beefburger with cheddar and chips (£9) and an array of toppings including Old spot bacon, chorizo and fried duck egg. The signature choice for dieters is the Viscount seasonal salad (£10): asparagus, peas, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, baby gem, broad beans, baby carrots and ticklemore goat's cheese (£15 with tuna steak, £13 with chicken breast). Bursting with well-selected British faves, the cheese board (£7.50) was a thing of wonder.
Kitchen commander here is Massimo tebaldi, veteran of smiths of smithfield and, apparently, now the personal cook to Bryan Adams. Lucky Bryan, I say.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
