FOOD & BOOZE NEWS
KOCHHAR LAUNCHES NEW COLONY
Busy times for Atul Kochhar, the celebrated chef in charge of the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, Benares. Having just re-opened that venue following a fire and extensive refurb, he’s now overseeing the launch of Colony Bar & Grill, a restaurant inspired by the days of the British Raj that opens next week. The emphasis is on dishes designed to be shared, with options including veal fillet and cheek with a spiced chilli sauce and coriander chips, or roasted mallard breast marinated in lindi peppers and stone moss, served with spiced lentil stew. There’s a plush cocktail lounge, and there’ll also be afternoon tea and bento-style lunch boxes available. 7-9 Paddington Street, W1U 5QH, www.colonybarandgrill.com.
SOHO’S NEW INDIAN TAKEAWAY
Indian food of a different style is on the menu at Mooli’s, a newly-opened Soho café specialising in wrap-style “mooli” sandwiches. The star dish is the goat mooli, cooked Punjabi-style with cumin, coriander, chillies and cinnamon, with potatoes sauteed with dry mango. 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ, www.moolis.com.
WAITROSE BRINGS IN STAR CHEFS
If you’re too busy to head out for regular fine dining meals, fear not – Waitrose is pushing the ready-meal envelope, having got chef of chefs Pierre Koffmann –?who caused a sensation last year with his pop-up restaurant at Selfridges –? along with Bryn Williams of Primrose Hill’s Odette’s and Arbutus’s Anthony Demetre – to devise its latest range, named “Menu From”. Duck leg confit, navarin of lamb and pork osso bucco are all on the list.