The Sommelier (one of only 299 Masters of Wine in the world) introduced himself and how it would be a relaxed evening of wine comparison and tasting – it’s up to you if you prefer each classic region vs New world wine. With each new delicious dinner course, two mystery wines A & B were sampled, slurped, savored and compared before their grape and origin revealed.

The set menu included a tasty starter of beetroot & dill marinated salmon, cornish crab, pink ginger and coriander. The next three courses followed the same relaxed, yet informative setup as the wine master visited each table to discuss the intricate flavours of each glass. Further wine-tasting and other events to follow at the Wharf!

Retro Bistrot continues their popular Jazz nights this Tuesday, 29th May with a quartet that includes international guitarist Robin Banerjee, who played with Amy Winehouse and in classic venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and the Jazz Cafe. The band will be playing a blend of Jazz/Latin/Soul and Reggae takes on a mixture of original and arrangements of well-known jazz classics.

Retro’s Vincent Gerbeau: “We’re very excited to get a talent such as Robin to play at the restaurant. Our jazz nights are fun and informal with a great atmosphere and the passion of the musicians plays a big role in creating that relaxed feel”.

The now regular evening has been described as “Thoroughly enjoyable evening, great band, wonderful food, lovely people.” and “An excellent evening, good music, good food and good company.”. Clearly the award-winning Retro Restaurant is a perfect setting for dinner and jazz!

The Kings Head are just nearing the end of their special seafood week, have just started their new dine with wine menu, their next monthly live music is on June 1st and their summer menu will be launched on June 28th.

The Kings Head new fortnightly Quiz ‘n’ Chips quiz night starts this Tuesday 29th May at 8pm – it’s free entry, includes free chips and you can win big prizes! The terrace has been packed out lately with drinkers and diners enjoying the hot weather. Remember there is a garden at the back if the front terrace is full.

Red Peppers has re-opened after their extensive refurbishment – regulars are enjoying the fresh new look as they dine at this popular local restaurant.

La Cloche at The Lion have been hosting popular CineClub nights that have been selling out – check out their website for up-and-coming events including the next cinema nights for £15 per person that includes a glass of wine, canapés and a two course set dinner.

La Cloche also host a quiz night every Wednesday at 8pm, run by local journalist & author Sarah Onions. £1 entry per person with a maximum of 6 per team with bottles of wine, rounds of drinks and cash prizes to be won.

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy fine food in the recent hot weather, try one of Teddington’s best kept secrets – Shamble’s beautiful Mediterranean garden where you can relax and enjoy eating outdoors. Shambles also has a bowling alley and does a ‘cozze e bocce’ (moules and boules) if you book in advance. You can enjoy the brunch menu and a full English breakfast in the same surroundings for only £5.95.

Their ‘Best of British’ Diamond Jubilee Celebrations include a Soul & Blues Night on Friday 1st June and The Big Jubilee Lunch with Jazz on Sunday 3rd June – participating in the fourth year of the nationwide “Big Lunch”. Their nostalgic 50′s menu of family favourites (3rd-8th June) is all based on British produce and classics such as prawn cocktail, fish and chips with mushy peas, steak and London Pride pie and of course the entirely appropriate Coronation Chicken.

Throughout the week The Wharf will be supporting Shooting Star Chase’s Hampton Children’s Hospice with a ‘Best of British’ Prize Draw. Oodles of bunting will decorate the restaurant to enhance the atmosphere.

Moiduls Indian restaurant has hit the high street with a bang! The opening night on Thursday was clearly the place to be – the restaurant was packed with crowds sampling the Indian tapas menu and being serenaded by entertainer Paul Weaver who switched between Elvis, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner! The party spilled out on to the street and there are unconfirmed reports that a conga line may have formed at one point.

Diners were impressed with the food and with the restaurant which has had a glamorous make-over to suit the new cuisine. So impressed in fact that the following night (official opening night) was fully booked.

In addition to their popular Wednesday belly dancing extravaganzas, Diners Turkish Delight will now also hosting pizza evenings on Thursdays with Turkish toppings – Turkish sausages and Mediterranean vegetables, all stone baked with fresh dough. Also on offer is a weekly special Turkish dish starting this week with lamb shank and then Karniyarik (stuffed aubergines).

Al Borgo recently launched their new season menu that adds to their reputation for fine Italian food. This includes pan-fried scallops with mushrooms, speck and puff pastry parcel stuffed with scamorza cheese, home-made potato gnocchi with sun-dried tomato pesto and buffalo mozzarella and for dessert Zabaglione flavoured Panna Cotta with a wild berry sauce Their set-dinner menu is still as popular as ever at £17 for 2 courses and 3 for £21.

Shambles have their first batch of summer truffles on their specials menu and shouldn’t be missed – this also recently included scrambled duck eggs on toast and grilled squid with garlic. Once the weather finally clears up, don’t forget that you can enjoy the sun in their leafy garden for breakfast, lunch or dinner (also Sunday roast dinners).

As a TLC Family member, you’ll have access to exclusive local discounts which are listed on their website along with information on what products and services are available locally, details of classes and activities for children and party venues.

The idea for TLC Family was born after Felicity and Kat found it difficult to find out local information for families in one place and they wanted to incentivise people to further support our local community.

To celebrate the launch of this service, the introductory joining fee is only £26 for a year’s membership. Once you receive your loyalty card, you can start spending and saving straight away!

You’ll receive your TLC Family loyalty card, a free copy of Baby London magazine from their sponsors and additionally the first 300 Founder members will receive a complimentary goody bag.

Businesses in the discount scheme will display a sticker on their window – already on board are: Cook, Diners Delight, The Nearest Cafe, La Bottega, The Happy Potter, The Loft, It’s a Wrap, KC Pharmacy, The Orange Tree Clinic, Desi Fontaine Studios, Zeldaland Florists, Teddington Photographic, Teeney Weenies Play Cafe, Caterpillar Music, BabySteps courses, Jamie McKenna Window Cleaning, Park Lane Stables and The Teddington Arms.

First off, “Poetry in motion”: a bustling kitchen behind the scenes at Retro Bistro’s most recent Jazz Night with Goodstuff band.

A Back to the Future Delorian was spotted this week at Teddington Studios – as you might guess from the license plate, it is being used for filming Keith Lemon’s new Jim’ll-Fix-It style show LemonAid which starts airing tonight at 6:15pm. Photo: Andrew Clough.

A glimpse of the filming in action from the nearby Haymarket offices. Photo: Lynsey Row. Keith and crew have also been spotted in nearby Anglers pub for lunch and was happy to have his photo taken with fans.

Teddington Tigers Under Under 9′s team celebrate becoming champions. Photo and proud dad: Richard Keogh.

Mollie’s Easter Egg Hunt with chocolate eggs hidden by the Easter bunny amongst daffodils in full bloom – captured in Bushy Park’s Woodland Garden by photographer Jess Morgan.

One of many great sunsets we have been experiencing lately during the hot spell. Photo: Mike Pearce.

Just as the warm weather is appearing, river visitors will be glad to hear that the Flying Cloud Cafe by the Lock is re-opening from next weekend (31st March). From 10am until 5pm daily you will again be able to enjoy the river view as well as homemade cakes, ice-creams and hot and cold drinks.

Mothers Day saw a big boost for local retailers – many restaurants were filled with well-wishing famililes on the day, flower shops such as newly opened Jo Butler Flowers did brisk business and La Casa Del Habano in particular almost ran out of chocolate supplies! They are re-stocked now and shelves are also filled with high-quality Easter eggs and treats.

The empty unit that was previously Elli’s Fine Foods is to now be taken up by a solicitors – the landlord wasn’t keen on having another food outlet in this space after a string of these. Work still continues on Teddington Cafe (previously 130 Litho printers) – expected to open in about a month.

Retro Bistrot is now offering Sunday roasts on their a la carte menu with beef and lamb roasts available. The Wharf new fresh spring menu that includes seasonal dishes is now being enjoyed by diners at the popular river-side restaurant.

A family party day will be held in Hamptons International this Saturday, 24th March To celebrate the opening of this new office – from 11am to 4pm there will be face painting, balloons, tea and cake. This Sunday, The Orange Clinic (above KC Pharmacy) have an open day 11am-4pm with 20% off all treatments.

There is a real buzz about the new restaurant moving into the space left after the departure of Scarpetta. Owners of Moiduls currently operate several popular restaurants in Hampton Wick and Twickenham and will be opening this new Indian tapas venture in Teddington within a few weeks (latest estimate is for 26th April but may be slightly earlier).

Every shopping area in Teddington seems to be getting a new cafe – former football coaching club at 192 Kingston Road and rumours of new cafes on both Waldegrave and Stanley Road have been circulating.

Permission to change the shop at 150 Stanley Road to residential has been granted for so one less shop will be available here.

As well as grooms Wear, Highland Wear, Evening Wear and Top Hat and Tails, Jo McLaren Formal Wear, Waldegrave Road, have new stylish slim fit ‘Prom’ suits in stock which can be hired for the increasingly popular American-style school Proms.

They also have an outfit builder app on their website where you can browse the full hire range and apply it to a virtual model.

The company is currently recruiting to fill a variety of positions for the new restaurant. As with all Carluccio’s, management positions include incentives such as trips to Italy as part of the package!

The reasons for the closure of Belmont Bakery have recently become clear – the owner has been fined £10,000 for hygiene breaches and ordered to pay £6,000 in costs for the case. The bakeries in this small chain have now been closed after a bankruptcy notice was served in November. Food hygiene regulations were found to be seriously breached after surprise inspection following a tip-off by a resident.

Ellis’s has left the high street and are now concentrating on private catering and cakes for special occasions. This newly launched business will launch in February. This unit won’t be empty for long though because in it’s place “Teddington Cafe” will be opening in 6 weeks.

The lawn-mower shop on Stanley Road has now disappeared as mysteriously as it opened and Midnight Movies on Kingston Road is now also closed. Oakleys furniture store looks like it now has new owners and has been rebranded “Furniture Outlet” – with mostly the same stock on sale.

“Higher Space” has opened in one of Teddington’s oldest buildings, above BoHo boutique, offering various treatments and classes including yoga, meditation, reiki healing, chakra balancing, acupuncture and various types of massages. Contact higherspace@rocketmail.com for more info or to book any treatments.

If you haven’t yet done so, you can visit the Teddington Constitutional Club as a guest. The club is a hidden gem on Stanley Road, just off Broad Street. The private club has many amenities include a large bar, lounge area, function room (for hire), pool table, dart board and three full-size snooker tables. Various events are held regular including DJ Ann Taylor’s Northern Soul Nites on Thursdays.

The Evening Standard starts off the praising with “a natural draw for the outdoors and arty crowd” and “a pleasant way to live the waterfront dream”.

Positive aspects of the area are listed including its rich history, famous residents, best addresses and also new housing projects being planned for readers thinking of moving to the area. Educational establishments are also applauded as well as the art scene, open spaces, travel connections and last but no means least shops and restaurants.

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As well as residents supplying the high street with a captive audience, NPL, Haymarket and Teddington Studios all create extra trade for our shops – a mixture of chains and independents. In particular TCS, Teds and Jenny Blanc are mentioned specifically as well as “a strong showing of Italian restaurants”.

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TCS has also made it into Stella Magazine/Telegraph’s “50 best fashion boutiques outside London” list.
“This wonderful white, two-storey shop is a destination in itself. Collections are chosen for their love-lorn look, and natural fabrics and muted colours abound, in sizes 8 to 18. Hand-made shoes by Marsell sit alongside niche labels like Lilith and the beautiful washed cashmeres of Kristensen du Nord.

Al Borgo, one of the strong Italian restaurants mentioned above has now been added to the prestigious 2012 Michelin restaurant guide. Undercover diners reviewed Al Borgo favourably with a two-fork “comfortable restaurant” award: “A refreshingly unpretentious and keenly run Italian restaurant that exudes warmth and bonhomie. Homemade focaccia and pasta are the highlights. Look out too for seasonal offerings such as the black truffle menu.” They join Retro Bistrot, Simply Thai and The Kings Head in being the only restaurants reviewed and listed for Teddington.

If you are still in the party mood afterwards then head on over to the Teddington Arms for their Halloween fancy dress party – there will be spooky monster mash music and prizes for the best costumes. Also at the same venue, fans of coffee and cakes will be are welcome to attend a free lunchtime tasting session at the TA on the 1st November (1-2pm) – supplied by local businesses Cakes by Trudi and Zabu Coffee.

The Bloated Mallard has recently branched out in to Hampton with another pub of the same name and is also hosting new events such as a speed-dating evening on Friday 4th November. This initial one is for the age group of 25-35 year-olds at 7:30pm and costs £20.

On bonfire night itself, Collis School are also providing their usual mixture of entertainment and fireworks including fairground rides, hog roast, hot dogs, and crepes. This event will run from 5-7pm on November 5th 2011.

On the following day, Sunday 6th there will be a fireworks display at The Anglers from 7pm with outdoor food and treats.

The League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital and the General Practitioners from the area are inviting the community to attend a public meeting to discuss the possible future of the Hospital on Thursday 10th November.

At Teddington Baptist Church at 7pm, participants will discuss concerns about the future of the hospital (now potentially at risk again) which has been a cornerstone of Teddington community since it was opened in 1928. The hospital is now under ownership of Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

On Friday 11th November wine expert Adrian Garforth will be hosting a special wine-tasting masterclass at The Wharf.

Adrian is one of only 300 Masters of Wine in the world and working with a special menu created by ex-Mosimann’s chef and Chef Proprietor of The Wharf, Ray Neve, the carefully selected a range of wines will compliment the dishes perfectly. Tickets are £55 which includes a 4-course dinner and all wines for tasting.

St Mary With St Alban church are putting on a one man show with a local professional Actor Paul Alexander. The ‘The Life of St Francis’ play will be held on Saturday 19th November, 7.30 pm in the church’s parish hall (tickets £10).

To mark the occasion, owners will be dishing out 20% off all food orders on Friday and Saturday 28th-29th October (cafe-only). Also being handed out will be raffle tickets to customers for a chance to win a free breakfast or dinner. Kids can join in the fun too with sweets, balloons and face-painting.

Current owners Filiz and JJ are the third owners of Diners Delight and have been welcoming diners with a smile and warm greeting at this popular destination for breakfast-lovers for over five years. The cafe has existed in Church Road under this name for 20 years.

See here for more info if you’re interested in finding out more about Diner’s Delight including their infamous belly-dancing evenings!

The party was lead by Peter Andre, along with his parents and brother, PA and support team – all of whom where in the area after for Peter’s interview with Piers Morgan as part of the new series of Life Stories (currently being filmed at Teddington Studios).

The party thoroughly enjoyed a relaxed late-night dinner at the restaurant, chatted to staff and were more than happy to have a quick pic taken.

Peter with owner Marco and Pete’s mother

If you haven’t been already, Al Borgo is a well-kept secret for fine food-lovers that serves some of the best Italian food in the area – authentic Italian cuisine is cooked to perfection by experienced chefs and staff are always on hand to advise the best wine from their tremendous wine menu. See here for TT review.

Peter’s party had a combination of starters to share:
Grilled tomino cheese with speck and “tigella bread”, Culatello ham, Baby octopus in a light chili tomato sauce and Seared beef carpaccio with rocket salad, pecorino cheese and balsamic vinegar reduction.

Also these mouth-watering mains:

• Home-made meat ravioli served with butter, sage and pancetta, one of our signature dishes
• Home-made tagliolini with langoustines and rocket salad
• Pan fried seabass fillet in white wine sauce, served with potatoes and green beans
• Pan fried pork fillet with plums and walnut sauce, served with sautéed potatoes
• Special of the day, which was Home-made Chestnut and ricotta Ravioli with a pumpkin and speck sauce

Also in other restaurant news, Ristorante Sorrento has been attracting hordes of diners after opening last week. Over the weekend they have been offering huge discounts to entice diners back to the restaurant and if you’re passing, pick up a leaflet outside that you can use to get 25% off your total bill (until the end of October). The restaurant has been full to capacity so ensure you reserve your table beforehand – tel 020 8977 4757.