Originally published on Monday, 8th December 2008

Straight from the Chef's Table

Knives at dawn! UJ restaurant moles report from the frontline of London's restaurant scene.

Spotted

Restaurant designer David Collins playing cards with Janet Street Porter at his latest creation Bob Bob Ricard in Soho. He's clearly in a playful mood as the bar at BBR has a backgammon board floor. Game on!

London's cigar-smoking movers and shakers on the very secret heated terrace of the moment, The Garden Room at the Lanesborough hotel, enjoying snifters of the 1770 cognac that's just been cracked open - a snip at just £4000 a glass - and clicking their fingers for cashmere shawls to keep out the chills.

South Ken kids drinking cocktails from a teapot at Ghost Inc . Nope, not another prohibition reference but their Mad Hatter hot cocktail made with lemon infused  whiskey, honey liqueur and apple juice. One to warm the cockles of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Restaurateurs lining up to buy Mr Fay Maschler, Reg Gadney's paintings at his private view in Fitzrovia last night in the hope that Fay might be a little kinder to them if there's a 'Reg' on their wall. 

Overheard

Whispers that pals Guy Ritchie and Piers Adam are hatching to open an English pub, alla Punchbowl, in NYC so Guy can spend more time with the kids. Will they both develop transatlantic drawls or polish up their mockney even more?

Nick Jones is expanding his (and permatan Carey's) empire by opening Dean Street Townhouse Hotel next year. Jones has already started cherry-picking his staff from around town, starting with Bertrand Pierson, formerly of Plateau, who'll make an uber-charming GM. Mini-break in Soho anyone?

The forecourt at Bluebird always gets a bit festive at this time of year. This Christmas (on 10th Dec) they're setting up a Winter Ski Chalet, with fondue, glogg and mince pies for all. Leave your skis at the door.

On Trend

Hot for next year are aperitivo bars. Opening next week The Wine Theatre , brought to you by a crack team who've all done time at Harrods, will offer many of its 95 wines by the glass to accompany all manner of tasty Italian goodies, and busy boy Piers Adam plans to open a bar, inspired by the one at the Bulgari hotel in Milan, in Chelsea next year.

WIN

The Wine Theatre have a meal for two up for grabs; be one of the first to sample their authentic apertivos and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. : if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? 

Winner must claim their prize by end of January 2009.