Forgotten edifice restored to glory

Rescued by Charles Boyd from its 70-year dormancy, The Northumberland – the central London setting for Boyd’s Brasserie and Bar – is an amalgam of indulgent 19^th century hotel design and classical splendour.

The Marble Room, as it was once referred, provides the high-ceilinged, ornately-styled scene for dining. While palatial banqueting rooms complete the picture of ubiquitous grandness.

Patrons could, ergo, be excused for expecting lofty price tags, but Boyd’s all-day menu offers polished brassiere food with an English shine for middling money. Crab and Lobster Bisque is a high-point while Foie Gras Pâté with Fig Chutney also figures.

Restaurants throughout London

D&D London has again teamed up with the Evening Standard to offer cut-price dining until 12 February. Many of the group’s 30 London restaurants are offering set menus. Highlights include two courses for £10 and three for £15 at Plateau Restaurant in Canary Wharf, and two courses for £15 and three for £20 at Bluebird in Kings Road.

danddlondon.com

Ramsgate

To mark the arrival of National Chip Week, Eddie Gilbert’s are chipping-in with an offer of free chips for every large portion of fish purchased. Chef Craig Mather’s chips are made from locally-sourced Maris Pipers and are fried to order in either beef dripping or vegetable oil. The free fries promotion runs from 15-22 February.

eddiegilberts.com

Nationwide

The chain is offering 2-for-1 on burgers and salads when £1 is donated to Help a London Child. Customers also have the chance to win a trip for two to New Zealand with £1,000 spending money. The campaign – in partnership with Capital FM – hopes to raise £15,000. Vouchers and competition entry at: capitalfm.com/gbk.

London W1

Marylebone-based Indian seafood restaurant Trishna has a his and hers Valentine’s Day menu. Men will enjoy Monkfish Tika and Guinea Fowl Biriyani, while women will be served Prawns with Coriander Seeds and Cumin, and Grilled Lobster. The set menu cost of £42 per person includes gender-tailored Champagne cocktails and deserts.

trishnalondon.com

This new Canterbury concept-restaurant lets diners select their own ingredients to be cooked in front of them. Directed by head chef Suira Sapkota, the live-cooking experience is designed to give customers more choice in what they eat. The pick ’n’ mix selection of ingredients are separated into stir-fry and pasta categories, but those looking for more established combinations are also catered for with European, Indian, Chinese and Thai favourites also featuring.

chomchom.co.uk

Offering Tex-Mex fast food with a focus on healthy cooking techniques, Illegal Jack’s is a diner-styled eatery in central Edinburgh. It’s the brainchild of AC Muir, whose travels in America provided the inspiration for the venture. The menu explores the gamut of Tex-Mex cuisine, with Burritos, Tacos, Fajitas and Quesadilla, all featuring. The real mark of Illegal Jack’s authenticity comes in the form of it side orders, with pinto and black beans among the options. Prices are modest, enabling both takeaway and casual dining markets to be cornered.

illegaljacks.co.uk

The bistro is back

After 10 years of absence, Chez Jules has returned to warm Edinburgh hearts with its combination of rustic French bistro food and modest prices. Owners Mark Lawrence and Pierre Levicky, who used to preside over a large chain of French restaurants across the UK, have kept things simple, with décor that screams French bistro. Quintessential dishes like French Onion Soup, Moules Mariniere and Coq au Vin all headline, along with a selection of steaks served with a choice of sauces and chunky chips. The wine menu continues the affordable theme with house bottles kicking off at £10.

109 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DJ
0131 226 6992
chezjulesbistro.com