LONDON

Dining& NightlifeWith David G. TaylorWhat’s hotThe May Bank Holiday weekend brings gastronomic fun toHampton Court Palace with a flavourful Foodies Festival (pictured right,25-27 May). Visitors can sample more than 200 varieties of food anddrink, see top chefs in action, shop for delicious products to take home,and enjoy an entertaining line-up of live music. It’s one occasion whenyou can truthfully say, there’ll be something to suit all tastes. Amongthe fabulously diverse range of much-loved restaurants represented,and new this year, the festival welcomes one of London’s finest Indianrestaurants, Masala Zone (p. 92).Hampton Court Palace, p. 30.DINING & NIGHTLIFEKEW IMAGE © RBG KEWKew’s edibleplant encountersKew Gardens’ latest exhibitionIncrEdibles: A Festival To FeedThe Imagination (from 25 May)offes many culinary opportunitiesalongside the wealth offascinating displays and exhibits.Throughout the festival Kew’srestaurant The Orangery will offerdiners a chance to experienceForaged Dinners; on-site caterersPeyton And Byrne will be sellingadventurous ice cream flavourssuch as camomile, pineappleweed,fennel and even douglas fir,while visitors can also book fora series of themed talks, fooddemonstrations and tastings. Forfull details, visit kew.org/eventsRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, p. 37.El Pirata Of MayfairNestled in amongst the top class hotels of Mayfair is El Pirata, a stylish andsuper-friendly Spanish restaurant, offering a fantastic feast of all things greatabout the country’s cuisine. The helpful staff make you feel like you’ve been theremany times before, as I’m sure plenty have, and the only dilemma is deciding whatno to have. Starters were a plate of thinly sliced and succulent Iberian ham, fromthe acorn-fed black foot pig and pimientos padron (crispy, fried green pepperssprinkled with salt).The mains are equally flavoursome, including pulpo a la gallega (tenderoctopus brushed with olive oil and paprika), calamares con arroz negro (blackrice and squid), albondingas (Herb infused Spanish meatballs, pictured) andthe remarkable huevos rotos con chorizo y gambas (fried eggs, sliced friedpotatoes, chorizo and prawn), which was almost a meal in itself. Not forgettingan impressive wine list with a choice from, not only Spain, but Portugal too, a triphere makes for a wonderful end to your fun-packed day. Review by John Barker5-6 Down Street, W1J 7AQ 020 7491 3810. elpirata.co.ukË Hyde Park Corner. Map C4May 2013|LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com |89