What we’re reading
Published 16 October 2026
A first look at ATLAS James and Maria Close
Food and travel writer Andy Lynes journeys north to Co. Durham to get a first look at ATLAS James and Maria Close, the follow up to the ambitious chefs’ former restaurant, Raby Hunt (rated ‘exceptional’ in the Good Food Guide). Will ATLAS reach the same heights?
Cloth Cornhill review – ‘London’s oldest chophouse is back and it’s grand’
Giles Coren is the first through the door at Cloth Cornhill, a reboot of what was once Simpson’s Tavern. “It is not the same. It is not part of a glorious and unique continuum. It is not ridiculously cheap. It is not simple and honest and Cockney in any way.” But is it any good?
‘Vertical drinking’ and NIMBY wars: what the hell happened to Soho?
Hard to believe there were once 30,000 people living in Soho (there are now closer to 2000). This article brings a bit of balance to the whole brouhaha around licensing laws and the locals. Says Leslie Lewis of The French House: “We’ve been through two world wars, this pub. So hopefully we can get through the silliness to come.”
How the humble steel plate became a covetable “chrome” design object
Stainless steel and chrome is everywhere right now. The formal and aeshetic case for the modish material, presented with cultural context. “Something is ordinary at home, gets picked up abroad, comes back with a design label. Steel has been in Indian kitchens forever. Nobody in Mumbai calls it a trend.”
