Originally published on Friday, 27th March 2009

Golden Tickets & Silver Linings

Fay Maschler launches her own festival and savvy restaurateurs beat the crunch.

Overheard
An exclusive little crowd of the restaurant world's great and good were caught gathering breathlessly at The Ivy Club last weekend to be briefed on the details of the very first London Restaurant Festival, the brainchild of the queen of critics, Fay Maschler, which will take place 8-13th October. Ooops, we let the cat out the bag!

That charming yet eternally sneaky Carlos Almada of retro diner Automat has quietly started opening his Berkeley Street Manhattan-style restaurant from 10pm Thursday-Saturday. Formerly a private space for the bad and the beautiful, and still without a name, the place now gives mortals the chance to shmooze. Very Waverly Inn.

Spotted
Have you got a golden ticket? Well you're in with a chance of finding one if you purchase a Purple Dragon chocolate bar from Rococo, and it could win you a year's membership to the Purple Dragon members club for adults and their offspring – think bouncey castles and Chablis on tap. Almost like a modern-day Willy Wonka's.

Now you no longer have to trek to Piccadilly to have tea at The Wolseley (sorta). The venerable grand café has just launched a line of teas, coffees and other gourmet goodies exclusively at Selfridges. Time to whip out that silver tray from great aunt Maude that you've never had the excuse to use.

All good things in life deserve a master of ceremonies. So if you have a sommelier to introduce you to the complexities of wine, why not a 'Frommelier' to tutor you in the appreciation of fine fromages, which is what Jean Claude Ali Cherif does at Le Breton Bouchon. We're holding out for a cupcakelier.

On Trend
Since Little Bay profited unexpectedly from their 'Pay What You Like' strategy, other canny restaurateurs are getting in on the act. Hawksmoor have downsized their delectable steaks and 'ultimate' burger for a lunchtime bargain; Hix Oyster & Chop House have introduced magnums of wine (so you can feel decadent whilst spending less); and Rosa's Dining Room is texting select customers to let them in on their occasional set menu deals. Who said it wasn't a time of plenty?