Another Ill-Advised Hashtag Hits London’s Restaurant Scene

Wine is a girl, apparently — but only on 8 March

Another day, another questionable campaign hashtag on the London restaurant scene. Duddell’s, the high-end London Bridge dim sum restaurant, is “celebrating women in the wine industry” on International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March, with a menu of wines produced by “powerful females,” hashtagged #WINEISAGIRL. “The title of the selection [#WINEISAGIRL] is maybe a little bit sweet and controversial,” admits sommelier Izabela Pi. “However I wanted to show that women are a strong and growing part of the wine industry, being influential as consumers and producers.” Girls are not legally permitted to drink wine.

Chef’s Table star Asma Khan partners with Jinjuu for ‘KorIndian’ dinner

Judy Joo, chef-patron of Carnaby Street Korean restaurant Jinjuu, will be teaming up with neighbours Asma Khan of Darjeeling Express (and Chef’s Table) and Mira Manek of Chai By Mira for a one-off “KorIndian” dinner, also being held to mark International Women’s Day. Tickets for the event cost £35, including a welcome cocktail.

Brew Dog eyes airport expansion

Brew Dog, giant manufacturer of ‘craft’ brews and outrage, wants to extend its reach airside. Retail chief executive David McDowall told London’s Casual Dining Show that the company, which already has a site at Edinburgh airport, was looking to open “more in the UK and something in mainland Europe”. Last month it acquired the Birthdays site in Dalston as part of its ongoing plans for a London-wide string of “BrewPubs” [Big Hospitality].

Two London favourites set to close

A pair of very different but esteemed London restaurants look set to disappear. Wild Honey, Anthony Demetre’s lauded, standard-setting restaurant, will reportedly close on March 1 after 12 years in Mayfair. That situation is ongoing. Neighbourhood restaurant Aside, which opened in Peckham in autumn of last year and served one of London’s best Sunday roasts, is ‘closed until further notice’ its owner announced on Instagram.