You might not have heard of it yet, but there’s a new culinary trend which has been making its mark on the foodie scene over the past few years, first in New York and more recently in Paris. Increasingly popular, both at home and in restaurants, the “drunch” -a lunch-dinner hybrid- is usually enjoyed between 3 and 6pm on Sundays. Advantages: it allows weekenders to spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying some curative food with friends and family while giving them some free time in the morning and allowing them to have an early night to recover before Monday.

French artisan mustard maker Maille and super chef Hélène Darroze (who holds two Michelin stars at The Connaught in London and two others at her eponymous restaurant in Paris) have teamed up to create a six courses Drunch menu,  available to sample at Maille’s lovely pop up boutique.

There they can taste tomato gazpacho, slow cooked lamb parmentier, crab cakes, eggs, red berry salad and caramelised apples. The tables are already fully booked but tastings will be available at the boutique’s counter. And all for free! read more

What dishes made Henry VIII’s tummy rumble? If that’s a question that tingles your imagination, there is a way to find out in November and December, through a series of Tudor Cookery masterclasses organised at Hampton Court Palace. There, History chefs will prepare a banquet fit for a king, recreating in front of visitors some actual recipes served to the Royals in the 16th century. For the last few years, the Palace has been home to a research project run by food archeologists who regularly bring the kitchens to life, experimenting with traditional recipes, ingredients and cooking methods, in the actual space that was used to cook the royal feats in. Visitors have therefore a unique access to the kitchens where historic meals are created live in front of them, and where they can question the staff and join in the debate that is experimental archaeology. read more

Launched by The Evening Standard’s food critic Fay Maschler in 2009, to raise the profile of the 800 restaurants involved -from high-profile Michelin-starred establishments to neighbourhood bistrots-, London Restaurant Festival 2012 is back this year between the 1st and 15th of October. Good news for the gourmets, who will be able to sample some attractively priced menus and to participate in unusual events involving not only gourmet food but also cinema, theatre or pub games. Here is a small selection of some appetising activities.

The Gourmet Odyssey For one evening, participants are taken on a gastronomic tour of some London’s hippest hangouts, enjoying each course in a different place. The three odysseys this year include a trendy tour of the East End, the classic masters of the gastronomy scene and the newer restaurants (such as Novikov and Brasserie Zedel)  shaking up the capital.

Graze With this new concept, people are offered a restaurant-hopping experience in some of the most vibrant food streets in London, such as Charlotte Street, Bermondsey Street or Marylebone High Street, where they can sample signature dishes from each of the restaurants involved. read more

If you’ve ever wondered what the first class passengers of the doomed Titanic had for their last supper, now is your chance to try it for yourself. Available at Selfridges from the 10th to 29th April, the Titanic Centenary Menu was created by acclaimed restaurateur Mark Hix, based on the original tasting menu printed on 14th April 1912, just before the Titanic’s maiden voyage ended in tragedy.

After the films, the series and the exhibitions comes… the food. Created by Mark Hix, the Titanic Centenary Menu, which offers a selection of nine of the 20 dishes offered to the first class passengers on the night when the Titanic sank, includes retro delicacies such as Duck liver parfait with toasted brioche and Kingston Black jelly and Waldorf Pudding with cider brandy ice cream.

The menu is also a celebration of the best of Irish and British products, in honour to the doomed ship, built in Belfast and launched in Southampton: “The idea came from a meeting we had with some of our artisan Irish producers, explains Ewan Venters, Selfridges Food and Restaurant Director. Hix has added his usual twist but the dishes are as close to the original as possible.” An interesting alternative for all those fascinated by the Titanic or just interested in a bit of culinary history. read more

Winter has definitely arrived and with it, our collective dream to decamp to sunnier places. But for us poor Londoners who aren’t travelling to warmer climates, there might be a culinary escape from the cold in the form of Suka at Sanderson. The restaurant has just launched a “pop up” street-food menu that aims to capture the energy and flavours of the Malay food scene, with plate sharing, spices aplenty and an exotic twist on the West End dining experience…

Granted, the Sanderson restaurant, with its minimal India Mahdavi-designed decor and buzzing sound system, might not exactly be reminiscent of the crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur- but its new menu definitely is. Available for a limited time only, the new concept, created by contributing Malaysian Chef Ahmad Shuib, aims to provide a culinary journey through Malaysian streets, with lots of spices and dishes to share between friends (or with a date).

Options include dishes such as the kapitan kambing, a Portuguese influenced spicy lamb with coconut curry and baby potatoes, the itik wonton soup, a Chinese influenced soup of duck dumplings, shitake mushrooms, spring onions and baby bokchoy, traditional laksas and some Malaysian inspired desserts such as the pineapple carpaccio and basil sorbet. Added bonus: it is great value for money is such a swish location, with dishes ranging from £8 to £15. Nice… read more

Loaves are rarely described as “chic”- except in the case of “Pain Poilâne” that is, the delicious bread beloved by generations of distinguished Parisians and international fans past and present; including Salvador Dali, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, Man Ray, Steven Spielberg and Robert de Niro. The renowned bakery, opened in Paris in 1932 by Pierre Poilâne, was transformed into an international bread empire under his son Lionel, exporting loaves all over the world and opening a bakery in London in 2000. After his tragic death in a helicopter’s accident in 2002, the business was taken over by his elder daughter, Harvard graduate Apollonia, now 27. Chic-Londres caught up with the young bread tycoon at the recent opening of Cuisine de Bar, an informal, affordable and very yummy all-day dining concept in the heart of Chelsea.

What is the concept behind Cuisine de Bar? It is about creating a simple meal which doesn’t necessitate specific preparations or the presence of a chef. We serve garnished toasted bread, known in France as “tartines”, with a seasonal salad.

How did you get the idea to open a café? I first wanted to open a second bakery shop in London and this is how I discovered this address at 39 Cadogan Gardens. The place couldn’t have a bread oven but when I saw it, I immediately thought about opening Cuisine de Bar. The concept was formed in 1995 by my father, when he opened one next door to our Parisian bakery in 8, rue du Cherche-Midi. read more

After having trained as a chef and worked as a Michelin restaurants inspector for twelve years, Rebecca Burr (41) was appointed editor of the Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Guide last year, becoming the first woman to hold this post since the British edition was created 101 years ago. The 2012 edition sees 151 Michelin stars awarded by the Guide -including 55 in London- as well as the first British pub, The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, to be awarded two stars. Here, Rebecca talks to Chic-Londres about the British food scene.

How has the British food scene evolved over the years? It has evolved beyond recognition. Now London has established an international reputation as a world gastronomy capital, with 55 stars awarded this year, out of a total of 151 stars over Britain and Ireland. This number has increased every year, from 25 in 1974 to 153 last year, both because new establishments have opened and because the existing ones have improved so much. The other major change is the evolution of the British pub industry, with 13 pubs this year being awarded Michelin stars, which confirms our view that pubs serving good food are the ones that continue to thrive. Generally speaking, the British diners are much savvier nowadays- they are much better informed and interested in food, so the food culture has changed. read more

There are worse things to do than spend your day tasting some of the world’s best produce, cooked by some of the world’s best chefs, on the elegant grounds of the Hurlingham Club. If the concept appeals, you might want to book a ticket for Quintessentially Epicure, a two-day luxurious gastronomic event taking place next Friday and Saturday.

This epicurean event, set in the oh-so-exclusive Hurlingham Club in Fulham, will offer guests the chance to experience demonstrations from a selection of Michelin-starred wonder chefs, including Marcus Wareing from The Berkeley, Hélène Darroze from The Connaught and Giorgio Locatelli from Locanda Locatelli.

Gourmets with a sweet tooth won’t be forgotten, as pâtissier extraordinaire Pierre Hermé and fine chocolatier William Curley will also be present- so expect exquisite macarons and some of the finest cocoa creations. read more

Yes… Your eyesight hasn’t betrayed you: to mark its 146th birthday, luxury hotel The Langham is offering guests for one day only its award winning afternoon Tea for the original price it was served in 1865: seven pence instead of £38.

On 10th June 2011, guests at The Langham will be able to experience the afternoon tea at the original price it was sold when the hotel was opened in 1865 by HRH The Prince of Wales- not bad given the luxurious surroundings of the Regent Street hotel and the fact that its Wonderland Tea, normally priced at £38, received the 2010 Top London Tea Award from the Tea Guild.

Guests are invited to submit their table reservation request on-line at www.palm-court.co.uk/1865.html, from 8.00am Tuesday 10th May 2011 until Midnight on Tuesday 31st May 2011. Guests’ names will then be chosen at random and the lucky recipients will receive their reservation notifications by e-mail by 3rd June 2011. NB: while it is an “afternoon tea”, it will only be served at 11.30 am on that day. read more

Getting a bit tired of all the Royal Wedding hysteria? Not too keen on stuffy tea rooms with chintz decor and elevator music? Whatever the case, you can release your inner punk rock rebel by heading to the Met Bar, which is offering an An-Tea Establishment Afternoon Tea combining a punk rock playlist, Sex Pistols inspired cocktails and a retro menu of the British classics.

Move over Kate & Wills- the Met Bar is celebrating Sid & Nancy instead! Paying homage to British punk rock icons of the past, its an-tea Establishment afternoon tea combines the elements of a quintessential British occasion but with a distinct and rather irreverent twist- so you can have your rebellious cake and eat it! Highlights include Punk cupcakes, “quiche à la Fergie”, “strawberries & cream” mini macaroons and a “God Save The Queen” cocktail inspired by the 1977 Sex Pistols scandalous song. Not very Buckingham, but fun -and oh so British- nonetheless… read more

You probably know the name and the eponymous restaurants, now comes a unique opportunity to meet the man himself: in February, Nobu Matsuhisa -the most famous Japanese chef in the world- is flying in to London to host an intimate unique dining experience, where guests will have the chance to see him talk about his cuisine whilst experiencing an innovative tasting menu.

With 23 restaurants to his name -including two in London- and a hord of celebrity clients, Nobu Matsuhisa is undoubtedly the most famous Japanese chef in the world, having drawn upon his classical training at sushi bars in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru and Argentina to create a new innovative fusion cuisine. Now some lucky few can come and hear Nobu speak in person about the tradition, design and creation of his world class cuisine, whilst enjoying a ten-course tasting menu, which includes such delicacies as Chilean sea bass with truffles and a lobster and shitake salad. read more

The 2011 edition of the ultimate foodie guide, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its UK version this year, has just been revealed today- and with 53 stars out of a total of 143 going to London (a record), the British capital proves that it has truly become one of the best places to eat out in the world.

When Joël Robuchon recently declared in the London Evening Standard that “London is very possibly the gastronomic capital of the world”, he might have raised a few highbrows in France. However, the famous French chef was definitely right, and no one can argue the incredible metamorphosis of London into a true foodie capital over the past 15 years or so.

“This centenary edition underlines the UK’s greatest strength which is the rich diversity and variety of its restaurants, remarked the guide’s editor in chief Rebecca Burr. The country embraces all kinds of restaurants and every type of cuisine and the public’s appetite shows no signs of abating.” The guide found 12 new one star establishments and awarded 26 new Bib Gourmands to restaurants particularly appreciated for their moderate prices. read more

For the second consecutive year, Mayfair restaurant Sketch has created a pop up patisserie and café at the Royal Academy of Arts for the festive season. Opening from 2nd December 2010 to 30th January 2011, it will run alongside the Royal Academy’s new exhibition, GSK Contemporary- Aware: Art Fashion Identity, which focuses on how artists and designers examine clothing as a mechanism to communicate and reveal elements of our identity.

Art, fashion and good food all make for a good recipe, especially when it involves such names as artist Dinos Chapman, Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire and designers Mawi and Linda Farrow. The result is rather inspiring, with bespoke tables covered in layered materials to form a patchwork of textures and colours, fashion-inspired cakes in the shape of shoes and clothes and photographs by artist Dinos Chapman featuring supermodel Claudia Schiffer- plus the possibility for one customer each week to win a piece of Mawi jewellery from the display. For the gourmet who likes to double as a culture vulture and fashionista, the Royal Academy’s new exhibition “GSK Contemporary-Aware: Art Fashion Identity” aims to explore the relationship between individual and social identities, with work by Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Yoko Ono, Grayson Perry and Yohji Yamamoto, amongst others. Smart, beautiful and tasty: there are worst combinations than that… read more