newsbites - info with extra fluoride
Tittle tattle, rumour, deals and PR puff to digest as best you can
Stuff gets sent into us and we read it (mostly) so here are things straight from the horse's mouth without any comment from us. well maybe a bit!
RACHEL’S ORGANIC LAUNCHES ‘NATURALLY STYLISH’ LIFESTYLE CAMPAIGN
Rachel's Organic, Britain's leading premium organic dairy, renowned for its deliciously natural taste and stylish good looks, is launching 'Calling All Rachels' to lead the nation in living a more natural life.
The company, which produces an award-winning range of organic yoghurts, milk, butter, cream and rice puddings, is inviting all women (and pets) named Rachel to join an online community that challenges them to try an organic lifestyle. The campaign will be led by the company founder, Rachel Rowlands, and glamorous green TV celebrity Rachel de Thame.
She explains “I am thrilled to be launching such an ambitious campaign. Everyone knows a Rachel and it will be interesting to see how many we can gather together and how many will rise to Rachel’s Organic’s Lifestyle Challenge.”
Recently voted the UK’s ‘Greenest Dairy Brand’, Rachel’s Organic has also been working with eco-chic lifestyle guru, Joanna Yarrow, who believes that even small adaptations to your lifestyle can make a huge difference. She will be offering one lucky visitor to the site an exclusive Naturally Stylish Eco-Lifestyle Makeover, worth over £2000.
Rachel’s Organic products are made using the highest quality pure organic ingredients, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Naturally high in calcium and essential vitamins, their yogurts contain special bio-live cultures for digestive well-being. The complete range of is available from major supermarkets and organic food stockists throughout the UK.
RUSTIC CHIC AT TRUC VERT
A charming mix of farmhouse kitchen and French delicatessen, Truc Vert has always been a well-kept secret among Mayfair’s residents and hotel staff. Building on the success of its popular breakfast and lunch trade, it is now set to become a destination restaurant for dinner.
Diners are invited to enjoy relaxed, unpretentious food in a warm, rustic environment. Rare breed meats, free-range chickens, sustainable fish and seasonal vegetables feature on an eclectic menu that captures the essence of Truc Vert's origins in fresh, flavoursome fare. Menus will change on a daily basis according to market availability.
From April, owner Russell Cameron will host a Saturday evening dining club once a month. Truc Vert will introduce a unique menu á l'hors d'oeuvre style allowing guests to savor and experiment with multiple dishes. The club will also host regular wine tastings.
Le Bar Vert is opening soon, providing the perfect place to enjoy a bottle of wine and a platter of charcuterie or international cheeses, selected personally by Russell and his team.
DINING AT DUSK INN THE PARK
As the days grow longer, marking the official start of spring, April sees Inn the Park throwing open its doors to welcome evening diners once again to one of London’s most serene locations. To celebrate the change of the season and elongated opening hours, Head Chef Oliver Smith has created a delicious and decidedly British three-course set menu, featuring the finest regional ingredients.
Available throughout April at the introductory price of just £19, guests dining after 5pm can enjoy dishes like potted Morecambe Bay shrimps with melba toast, whole roast gurnard with braised chard and lemon, and spatchcocked chicken with crushed potatoes, tarragon and shallots. Dessert options include lemon posset, Eccles cake and homemade treacle tart with clotted cream.
Why not extend your evening with a glass of wine or a cocktail on the restaurant’s terrace? Looking out over St James’s Park, this venue is ideal for romantic dinners and alfresco celebrations with family and friends.
BENTO-STYLE LUNCHES FOR OFFICE WORKERS FROM UP BOX
Launching at the end of April in Ludgate Circus, UP Box is an exciting new concept that promises delicious, well-balanced breakfast and lunch options served bento-style as a complete meal in a box. A welcome change from the usual gluten and carbohydrate-heavy high street lunch options, UP Box will be a healthier food choice with an emphasis on quality seasonal ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging.
‘UP’ stands for Urban Picnic and each bento-style meal is based around a main course and salad, designed to be eaten at room temperature, served with a healthy dessert and priced at £6. Themed on the cuisines of twelve countries, including France, Italy, Thailand and Morocco, UP Box will offer five freshly prepared urban picnics to choose from every day. Each dish will be freshly prepared from scratch by the UP Box team.
Sample dishes will include harissa and lemon chicken with cashew and pistachio salad; Spanish tortilla with slow-cooked onions, potatoes and Serrano ham; and baked aubergine and tomato with courgette, feta and mint patties. For breakfast, UP Box will offer healthy options such as fruit compotes, yoghurt pots and muesli alongside traditional pastries and croissants. The team are also developing a range of home made breakfast pies.
The UP box concept has been developed by Nick and Ines Alfille, who run Up and Out, an outside catering company offering bespoke menus for a range of private clients and events. Having once worked as a partner in an international law firm in the City, Nick saw the opportunity to expand their catering business by providing something different at lunchtime for busy City workers to have at their desk or on the move. They have brought in Robert Tonge, an experienced chef who has spent many years working in Paris, as well as New Zealand and the UK, to head the central kitchen.
With literally hundreds of office workers tired of the usual lunch options, UP Box will provide a unique and healthy range of alternatives.
INTRODUCING THE AL FRESCO SPRING MENU AT THE REGENT
Spring has finally sprung and to celebrate the longer, milder days and the soon to be balmy nights, one of Kensal Greens best loved pubs, The Regent, introduces a brand new Spring menu. Alongside this exquisite new offering, The Regent launches its stunning newly refurbished outdoor terrace, the ultimate in sophisticated al fresco drinking and dining.
The Regent’s terrace is really more of an outdoor room with its cleverly designed retractable roof and solid brick walls. It is furnished with an eclectic mix of white wicker chairs, mismatched leather sofas and a selection of lush tropical plants alongside sturdy oak tables. By night, the terrace is breathtakingly lit with an assortment of twinkling candelabras and charming freestanding lamps, with gas heaters providing an extra kick of much needed heat at the start of the season.
The Regent’s Head Chef and Proprietor, Andy Perrit, has devised the tempting new menu by ensuring that his chosen range of new dishes sit well alongside the always popular organic hamburger list as well as the weekly Sunday lunch offering. To start, choose from blood orange and plum tomato soup, Cornish crab cakes, or Mozzarella wrapped in pancetta. Mains include organic spring lamb chops with sweet potato mash, organic chicken and mushroom salad, and vegetable stuffed aubergine with chargrilled halloumi. Linger over coffee and crème brulee, or share a slice of the homemade cheesecake before heading home.
The Regent is tucked away on a quiet side street in Kensal Green, providing the ultimate in laid back neighbourhood eating and drinking, and the ideal spot to hang out with friends and family.
AWARD WINNING FAMILY RESTAURANT, JOANNA’S, CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF SUCCESS
The Ellner family behind the multi award winning Joanna’s Restaurant, are celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the day when, in April 1978, they first opened their doors. The Crystal Palace restaurant welcomed an enthusiastic crowd waiting to sample the American-style fare which made Joanna’s one of the first of its kind in London. To mark the special day, the Ellners will be hosting a festive party with close friends and patrons. 
Menu highlights include smoked haddock and leek tart, fillet of sea bass with a shellfish and saffron broth, prime Aberdeen Angus rib with béarnaise sauce, and the signature juicy Joanna burger. Deserts include vanilla crème brulee and the sinful Chocolate Nemesis with clotted cream ice cream. The food is a testament to the skills of Chef Tony Adefioye, who is celebrating ten years as Head Chef at Joanna’s this year.
Joanna’s founder, John Ellner, comments: “It has been an amazing three decades for our family: we’ve had the pleasure of serving our local community and we’ve met so many good people who became our friends and remain loyal patrons.”
Joanna’s is located at 56 Westow Hill and is open from 10am daily.
GET IN SHAPE FOR LADIES DAY AT ASCOT WITH THE PURE PACKAGE
With only a few months until Ladies Day at Royal Ascot on 20th June, The Pure Package has the perfect nutritional solution for health-conscious fashionable fillies. The London-based food delivery service offers freshly prepared, nutritious meals and snacks delivered right to your door. Each customer receives a tailor-made programme created by their team of chefs and nutritionists.
The carefully selected ingredients help to alleviate bloating so that ladies can drop a dress size in time for the infamous trackside event. Jennifer Irvine, the founder of The Pure Package explains: “We use lots of complex carbohydrates and probiotics which help you maintain a healthy gut and we use natural foods that do not encourage water retention. As clients become less bloated they often experience their energy levels increasing. They can start to enjoy healthy food and working out because of the way it makes them feel. In time they lose weight and fat at about a rate of 2lb a week.”
The Pure Package offer a variety of programme periods - either 10, 30 or 90 days – as well as including health tips, informing the consumer what they are eating and why. This makes it easier to continue with the diet after the programme ends.
The website is full of success stories and the programme is endorsed by celebrity clients like Ruby Wax and Patsy Kensit. With sound advice and highly nutritious meals awaiting there is no better time to sign up to The Pure Package and start to shape up in time for a flutter at the races.
DEVONSHIRE TERRACE BRINGS A TASTE OF NEW YORK TO THE CITY
Devonshire Terrace will launch in July 2008 on the new Devonshire Square development in the heart of the City. Located a stones throw from Liverpool Street Station, the development serves as an attractive backdrop to the all day bar and brasserie, owned by restaurateurs Alex Langlands Pearse and Simon Prideaux (The Admiral Codrington and Vingt Quatre).
Devonshire Terrace aims to bring a hint of New York to the City. The 8000 square foot property will boast a large terrace and balcony, while the interior will be decked out in shades of blue and red to complement the dark walnut tables and white marble bar. An innovative sliding wall system provides flexibility and a maximum capacity of 100 for any one function.
Alex Langlands Pearse explains, “Our potential City customers have extremely varied needs, which we hope to fulfill through a really flexible and relaxed atmosphere reflecting the New York scene to an extent but also staying loyal to the London location”
The menu promises simple British fare, with the New York inspiration evident in the modern, conceptual design of the site as well as the flexibility of the menus available. With its impressive location, slick venue and uncomplicated menu, Devonshire Terrace looks set to be an exciting addition to the area.
FISHWORKS OPENS IN THE WEST END
There are already successful branches in Marylebone, Islington and Notting Hill; but now FishWorks is out to conquer the West End with a 90-cover restaurant and bar on Swallow Street.
Fresh fish and shellfish can be bought from the wet fish counter and made to order fried fish can be taken away. The Swallow Street branch will also offer freshly caught fish cooked over an aromatic charcoal fire and a delicious, healthy breakfast menu.
The menu features FishWorks favourites like sea bass with rosemary, dressed Devon crab, and the signature Zuppa del Pescatore - a stew of fresh fish, shellfish, thyme and saffron. With sustainability a key issue amongst fish lovers, customers can be assured of the provenance of the fish served at FishWorks.
This new-style FishWorks has a contemporary, light interior with large windows running the length of the restaurant. Features include washed timber panels and exposed brickwork. Visitors can also enjoy a glass of champagne with a dozen oysters at the classically-styled champagne and cocktail bar, or make the most of a summer’s evening by taking a table outside.
VEGETARIAN & VEGAN FOUNDATION’S PROCESSED MEAT WARNING
The UK's premier health charity, the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF), has backed leading cancer experts' warnings on eating processed meats.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has warned that eating just 50g of
processed meat a day - the equivalent of just one sausage – increases your risk of bowel cancer by 20 per cent.
VVF senior nutritionist, Amanda Woodvine, says: "The WCRF really has hit the
nail on the head by highlighting the serious health implications of eating meat. People who eat two or more portions of red meat a day increase their risk of bowel cancer by one-third - so you really can make a positive difference to your health by going vegetarian."
Evidence suggests that vegetarian diets can cut the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, as well as controlling weight and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Veggie diets are also laden with cancer-fighting foods, like wholegrains, dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, lentils, berries, sweet potatoes, yams, and garlic.
The VFF explain that giving up processed meat doesn’t mean you have to miss out on old favourites like the ‘Full English’ – just swap scrambled egg for scrambled tofu, and your meat sausage for a vegetarian one. For more ideas on how to veganise your diet, take a look at their food chart - www.vegetarian.org.uk/goingveg.html
SINGAPORE MONTH AT TAMARAI
To celebrate the wealth and variety of Asian cooking and culture, Tamarai, the pan-Asian restaurant and bar in Covent Garden, launches Singapore Month from 15th April to 15th May. Featuring a selection of traditional drinks and dishes from Singapore, the month-long promotion will culminate in a very special prize draw. Courtesy of Etihad Airways, one lucky diner will win a trip to Singapore, complete with a four-night stay in the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel. A runner-up will also win a stay in the hotel.
Chef Manish Mehrotra specialises in South East Asian cooking, having travelled extensively throughout the many countries that contribute and influence this type of cuisine. During April, he will be serving some of his favourite traditional Singaporean dishes, including: steamed Popiah (Singapore street style spring rolls); sweet and sour ribs; sweet tofu with spring onion and cucumber; and Singapore chilli crab. To complement these dishes, the Tamarai Bar team will be featuring the Singapore Sling as the cocktail of the month, as well as Kirin beer.
This will be a great opportunity to sample Singaporean food in one of London’s most vibrant and stylish venues, which recently won the Theme Award for Best Late Night Venue in London 2008 and The Best Wine List in London (The Independent on Sunday).
FLYING THE FLAG FOR BRITISH FOOD ON ST GEORGE’S DAY
With international cuisine heavily influencing the way we dine, we can sometimes forget just how wonderful the food from our own islands can be. St George’s Day on 23rd April provides the perfect opportunity to draw the culinary spotlight homewards. From noon to 7:30pm, some of Borough Market’s finest will be transforming Trafalgar Square into a food lover’s delight.
In keeping with this gastronomic theme, Oliver Peyton’s National Dining Rooms are offering an exclusive menu in honour of St George. From Monday 21st April to Friday 25th April, patriotic diners can applaud Britain’s favourite dragon slayer by feasting on traditional English dishes like kipper paté and steak and kidney pudding.
The patron saint menu represents excellent value for money at just £22.50 for two & £27.50 for three. The National Dining Rooms are open daily from 10am until 5.30pm (Wednesday 10am to 9pm) and are located in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery.
