CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

DININGDining& NightlifeWith Hermione CrawfordWhat’s hotThanks, Dad19 Jun We’re always up fora celebration, but Father’sDay seems like a particularlygood excuse. What betterway to thank your dad than totake him for a slap-up meal?A good steak is always atreat, and Scottish restaurantBoisdale has just opened anew branch in Canary Wharf(p. 102).We’re also keen on theFather’s Day menu at themuch-loved Odette’s inpretty Primrose Hill. Thiscomfortable, elegant spot isthe fiefdom of Welsh celebritychef Bryn Williams, who usesbrilliant British ingredients.This year the menu offersdelights like goat’s cheeseand beetroot with Regent’sPark honey, plus pig’s headterrine with crispy ears, applejelly and pickled mushrooms.Mains include sirloin of WelshBlack beef with Yorkshirepudding and red wine sauce,or roast mullet, pak choi andcurried mussels, followedby tiramisu with toastedmarshmallow.To cap it all off there’sa fabulous walled garden,perfect for al fresco dining.130 Regent’s Park Road,NW1. % 020 7586 8569.: odettesprimrosehill.com Ë Chalk Farm.Off map.Like all the best music legends, age has not withered the Hard Rock Cafe(p. 102), it’s just become even more iconic. To celebrate its 40th birthday, on14 Jun the original eatery from this world-famous group is rolling back the pricesto 1971. That’s just 50p for a burger, 80p for barbecue chicken and the classichot fudge sundae for 40p. In addition, 11 new lighter dishes will be added to HardRock’s rosta of classic favourites, including items like grilled lemon caper chicken.Look out for live music performances throughout the day, the opportunity to heartales of celebrities from the restaurant’s original waitress Rita Gilligan MBE (seeour interview on p. 20) and the chance to win tickets to the annual music festivalHard Rock Calling (24-26 Jun, p. 22).Tastes divineFrom 16-19 Jun it’s the return of that much-loved annual riot of flavours:Taste of London. This year the super-chefs involved in the food festivalinclude Gary Rhodes, Michel Roux Jnr and Alfred Prasad, while the rollcall of restaurants includes such delights as Club Gascon, Gaucho Grill,Gauthier Soho, Kai Mayfair, Le Gavroche, Cinnamon Club,Roux at The Landau and Yauatcha. The basic format remainsthe same: in return for ‘crowns’ (which you can purchasebefore and during your visit), you can sample as manyof the dishes and drinks on offer, until your happy andreplete tummy says stop. Extra treats this year includea British Airways feature, Taste And Flavour At 30,000Feet, the Taste Of Jamaica experience, and the SecretGarden, an über-exclusive VIP area hidden behind a mazeand filled with a cornucopia of exquisite food and exclusivewines. Adults from £20; child £12. Thurs-Sat 09.30-17.30;Sun 12.00-17.30.Regent’s Park, NW1. % 0871 230 7132.: tastefestivals.com/londonË Regent’s Park/Great Portland Street. Map A4.Spanish smilesTaste of London (above) isn’t the only foodie festival to delight us. Rioja Tapas Fantasticasreturns on 25-26 Jun, to once again highlight the delicious goodies available from theRioja area of Spain.Come and taste aspectacular varietyof red, white androsé wines whilenibbling on a diverseselection of tapasfrom London’s finestSpanish restaurants,plus dishes createdby chefs flown in fromSpain. Admission free;Sat 12.00-20.00; Sun12.00-18.00.Potters Fields, Tooley Street, SE1. : riojatapasfantasticas.co.ukË London Bridge. Map C9.100| visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | June 2011