ON-TRADE NEWS

Remy restaurant awards…Old-world advantage…Alcohol disorder zones…London openings

Remy restaurant awards

soho’s Arbutus was named the best new restaurant in the UK last month as part of the 5th annual Rémy Martin Restaurant Awards.

The awards are based on 90,000 reviews submitted to Harden’s UK Restaurant Guide by restaurant goers. This is the first time in three years that the Rémy Martin Excellence award has been awarded to a London restaurant, with winners coming from Leeds and Newcastle in the last two years.

The awards, in addition to highlighting 12 leading restaurants in the UK, also list the top 10 cities to dine in outside London. This is calculated based on the number of restaurants that receive ratings of either “very good” or “exceptional” in the Harden guide.

Edinburgh was rated first in this list, followed by Brighton and Leeds. Newcastle was also recognised for the “continuing vitality of its restaurant scene”.

Old-world advantage

responsible drinking trends are likely to benefit “traditional wine-growing countries”, according to Andrew Connor, head sommelier at The Lanesborough Hotel in London. “We don’t have the ability to reduce alcohol in wine by technical means like brewers do,” says Connor, but wines produced in cooler climates have naturally lower alcohol content.

Brewers are, indeed, making use of their ability to adjust alcohol levels. Carling, for example, recently launched C2, a 2% lager which it suggests is well-suited for lunchtimes.

As a result of this increased attention on responsible drinking, Connor also believes, “We need to start thinking about offering more premium wine by the glass.” He predicts another ABV-related trend, and one related to the huge increase in sales of rosé in the UK. “I think chilled red will be the big thing next year, if we get a good summer. I think there will be a move away from, for example, 15% Chilean Merlots,” he says.

Connor also points out that an increased congestion charge in London would “disproportionately affect small businesses”, suggesting that this is likely to initiate a “period of consolidation. I think some of the small merchants will fall by the wayside as overheads get bigger.”

For more predictions for 2007, see this month’s db trends report.

Alcohol disorder zones

Alcohol disorder zones (ADZs) were part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act that received Royal Assent last month. This will allow local authorities to label an area as an ADZ, requiring licensees in the area to pay extra fees for policing.

BII chief executive, John McNamara, in criticising the move, claimed there was evidence to suggest “a fall in alcohol-related crime since the implementation of the Licensing Act”.

McNamara’s argument was that, “ADZs do nothing but brand an area as a problem. They are not a solution to alcohol-related problems.” He went on to urge local authorities “to be satisfied that all other measures have been taken before slapping an ADZ on an area”.

The Violent Crime Reduction Act also defines an offence entitled “persistently selling alcohol to children”, which applies when a licensee sells alcohol to children three or more times in three months.

London openings

claiming to be the first authentic Cuban Mojito bar and eaterie in the UK, La Bodeguita del Medio opened in Kensington Court last month. The venue is inspired by the original La Bodeguita in Havana, said to be the birthplace of the Mojito and frequented by Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren. The London incarnation combines cocktails, a diverse menu, Cuban music and cigars in an effort to be faithful to the original.

No cigars at the newly refurbished Duke’s Head in Putney, however (pictured above). The Young’s pub is the first of three to be opened as entirely non-smoking venues before the end of the year. After a £1m refurbishment, the Duke’s Head now has a focus on food and drink.

The long-awaited Mocotó in Knightsbridge will be opening at the end of January next year. Intending to “show a yet-to-be-discovered modern Brazil”, the restaurant will feature authentic Brazilian fare as well as fresh fruit cocktails and cold beer.

Last month saw the opening of Tom Aikens’ second Chelsea site, Tom’s Kitchen. Located where the Blenheim Pub once was, the restaurant spans four floors, including a tasting room, a games room and two private dining rooms.

The man behind Origin Bar and Dining Room, Adam Byatt, launched a new restaurant in Clapham Old Town recently. Trinity will feature Byatt’s modern European cooking, and artisanal Italian, Spanish and French wines.

The Empress of India opened last month in Victoria Park Village, the fourth venue from Tom and Ed Martin. Located within a 19th century corner site, the venue offers a modern British menu, as well as a takeaway service.

Another new restaurant in London is Brera, a contemporary venue serving Italian food. Centrally located and family-run, it is named after Milan’s oldest district. The bar serves classic Italian cocktails.

© db December 2006