The Menu - podcast cover

The Menu

Monoclemonocle.com
Our guide to the world of food, drink and entertaining, The Menu serves up interviews with the world’s most creative chefs, introduces the makers behind the scenes and the ingredients that will soon be landing on your restaurant table.
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Episodes

Eat your greens! Plus: the popularity of non-alocholic drinks

It’s only natural to spend time reflecting on your habits at the beginning of the new year – and that includes eating and drinking too. In this episode we speak to the author tracing the philosophy of food systems around the world and drop in to a mocktail bar in Canada. Plus: we sit down with the Danish “gastrophysicist” on a mission to get the country to eat more greens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 17, 202531 min

Food Neighbourhoods #417: Lagos, Portugal

We head to Lagos in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, a busy summer-tourist destination known for its golden beaches and limestone cliffs. Here, in the quieter months, Angelica Jopson takes us for a walk through town in search of the best spots to enjoy the local cuisine’s delicious simplicity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 14, 202510 min

‘Crumbs’, Kurze and ‘Money on the Wall’

We meet author Ben Mims to flick through his new book, ‘Crumbs’, which traces the history of cookies and biscuits from around the world. Also in the programme, Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff is in Tallinn to try a newly opened Dagestani restaurant, Kurze. Plus: Elna Nykänen Andersson heads to Stockholm’s Spritmuseum, dedicated to Swedish drinking culture, to learn about depictions of food and drink in Andy Warhol’s artwork. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 10, 202530 min

Food Neighbourhoods #416: Périgueux, France

Périgueux, capital of the Dordogne department in southwestern France, is renowned for a history that is just as rich as its food. From truffles and walnuts to foie gras and goats cheese, the hallmarks of Périgord cuisine are some of the nation’s most revered and can be found in local marketplaces alongside other delicious delicacies. Against the old town’s medieval and Renaissance backdrop, journalist and travel writer Tamara Thiessen embarks on a tour de taste. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Jan 07, 20256 min

The best of 2024, part two

Monocle’s Chiara Rimella looks back at a delicious 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 03, 202530 min

The best of 2024, part one

Monocle’s Chiara Rimella looks back at a delicious 2024. This week we reflect on our favourite drinking and dining books of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 27, 202430 min

Winter special

We celebrate the season with an episode dedicated to the joys of eating in winter. First up, we get the scoop on why a successful London restaurant is expanding into serving up ice cream. Then: we’re in Singapore to learn about the craze for hotpot at this time of year. Plus: we head to Lapland for some fine dining at Tapio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 202430 min

Food Neighbourhoods #415: Trondheim, Norway

We’re heading to Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim. Also known as the Viking capital, Trondheim boasts abundant culinary traditions, particularly at Christmas time. Monocle’s Oslo correspondent, Lars Bevanger, takes us on a taste-filled tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 17, 202411 min

Christmas special

We’re getting into the festive spirit with an episode dedicated to drinking and dining at Christmas. First up, we bring you a selection of must-have holiday treats from around Europe. Then: George Ruskin sinks his teeth into Lübeck marzipan. Plus: we visit London’s Smithfield Market to learn more about its annual jamboree. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 13, 202434 min

Food Neighbourhoods #414: Old Town, Kraków

If you’re thinking of a continental excursion this winter, one place to head for culinary delights is Kraków. This picturesque city is at its best when covered in a thick blanket of snow and what better way to warm up than with a comforting plate of traditional pierogies. Monocle’s Flynn Symonds shows us his favourite spots in the city. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 10, 20248 min

The art of winemaking

This week’s episode is dedicated to the art of winemaking. We speak to writer, restaurateur and wine lover, Dan Keeling, about his brand new book, ‘Who’s Afraid of Romanée Conti?’. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs heads to Walla Walla, the winemaking hub of Washington state, to learn more about the US’s second largest wine-making region. Then: Monocle sub editor and in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, crowns her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Dec 06, 202430 min

Food Neighbourhoods #413: Testaccio, Rome

When in Rome, there’s no shortage of culinary outposts. But one neighbourhood in particular is known for serving up the city’s best traditional dishes. Monocle’s Lily Austin takes us for a stroll around Testaccio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 03, 20249 min

Mangal II and ‘The World Atlas of Honey’

We sit down with Ferhat Dirik, the restaurateur behind London’s Mangal II, to learn what it takes to update a restaurant for a new generation. Also in the programme: we meet Marina Marchese to flick through her new book, ‘The World Atlas of Honey’, and pop open the lid on the sweet stuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 29, 202430 min

Food Neighbourhoods #412: Port Townsend, Washington

We’re heading to the salty shores of the Pacific Northwest, where a town famous for its boat building is also gaining a reputation as a dining destination. Monocle’s Seattle correspondent, Gregory Scruggs, took the ferry over to Port Townsend to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 202411 min

Scottish drinking and dining

We meet some of Scotland’s most exciting culinary creators. First up, co-founder of the acclaimed Inver restaurant, Pam Brunton, provides her take on modern Scottish cuisine and tells us about her new book, ‘ Between Two Waters’ . Then: we sit down with the head of mixology at Gleneagles to learn how he blends the hotel’s history into his cocktails. Plus: we visit London’s first dedicated Scottish deli. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 22, 202438 min

Food Neighbourhoods #411: Dalston, London

We’re back on familiar soil this week as we head to the East London neighbourhood of Dalston. This vibrant slice of the capital is renowned for its hole-in-the-wall coffee shops, high-end wine bars and some of London’s most exciting restaurants. Here, Monocle’s Hanna Pham shows us her favourite spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 19, 20245 min

Food in print

We flick through culinary magazines and newspapers for an episode entirely dedicated to food in print. First up, we speak to Joseph de Klee, founder of ‘The Pass’, a paper highlighting the best of London’s gastronomic scene. Then: we’re heading to the Finnish newsstands to meet the editor in chief of a long-standing food magazine, ‘Glorian ruoka & vilni’. Plus: Fernando Augusto Pacheco, host of ‘The Stack’ on Monocle Radio, picks out the best in food publishing from around the world. See omn...

Nov 15, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #410: Cusco, Peru

We head to the ancient city of Cusco in the Peruvian Andes to wander its breathtaking (literally) cobblestone streets, and taste both its traditional delicacies and contemporary cuisine. Here, Monocle’s Elna Schutz takes us on a gastronomic tour of what is considered the oldest living city in the Americas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 20247 min

‘Cooking for People’, Estonian wine and The Newt

This week, we sit down with Mike Davies, the chef at the helm of one of London’s most celebrated gastropubs, The Camberwell Arms, to leaf through his new seasonal cookbook, ‘Cooking for People’. Then, Petri Burtsoff heads to a Luscher & Matiesen winery on the Estonian island of Muhu to taste some of the nation’s unique tipples. Plus: Monocle’s Monica Lillis is in Somerset to learn more about the hotel and country estate that’s committed to the land and local culinary traditions. See omnystud...

Nov 08, 202437 min

Food Neighbourhoods #409: Vaxholm, Sweden

We head to Sweden, the home of cinnamon buns, or ‘kanelbullar’, to meet award winning home-cook Lina Walstrom. Monocle’s Tamara Thiessen heads to meet her in Vaxholm to learn how to make this staple Swedish treat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 05, 20247 min

‘Hokkaido’, Ben Slater and our Wine of the Month

We leaf through a new cookbook by Tim Anderson dedicated to the cuisine of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Also in the programme, George Ruskin meets chef Ben Slater to learn about the art of food styling and our in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, crowns her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 01, 202433 min

Food Neighbourhoods #408: Oslo, Norway

Norway’s capital is not to be overlooked if you want a taste of the best that the Nordics have to offer. Much like its people, Oslo’s culinary scene is not brash or showy, so its most notable restaurants and bars can be easy to miss. Here, Monocle’s resident Norwegian, Gunnar Gronlid, helps us uncover some of the city’s best spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 20247 min

Umami

This week’s episode is dedicated entirely to umami. First up, we sit down with Christopher Beckman, whose new book dives into the history and potency of anchovies. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent, Aarti Betigeri, tastes Australia’s divisive spread, Vegemite. Plus: we unearth the bountiful possibilities of cooking with fungi with Sam White, executive chef at Fortnum & Mason. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 25, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #407: Taormina, Sicily

We swap city life for the hilltop town of Taormina in Sicily to soak up the last of the season’s sun. George Ruskin takes us on a tour of this elegant destination’s best culinary spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 20248 min

Happy Endings, Butcheria and Japanese food replicas

This week, we delve into the pleasure of ice cream whatever the season with founder of Happy Endings, Terri Mercieca. Also in the programme, Monocle’s Copenhagen correspondent Michael Booth meets chef and butcher, Michael Museth, at his restaurant and shop, Butcheria, dedicated to delivering high-quality-meat products to the city. Plus: Mae-Li Evans visits a new exhibition at Japan House London, ‘Looks Delicious!’, all about the art of hyper-realistic food replicas in Japan. See omnystudio.com/l...

Oct 18, 202433 min

Food Neighbourhoods #406: Hudson, New York

Today we’re heading upstream to Hudson, a leafy town north of New York, to sample its culinary delights. Monocle’s Anita Riotta takes us on a tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 20248 min

Santiago Lastra, fresh-herb foraging in Finland and Lulu’s

This week, we welcome chef Santiago Lastra back to the studio to discuss his new London opening, Fonda, inspired by Mexico’s laidback eateries. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff meets Finnish chef Sami Tallberg to learn about the transformative flavours of fresh-foraged herbs. Plus: Monica Lillis heads to Lulu's, a South London neighbourhood restaurant taking the area’s culinary reputation to the next level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 11, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #405: Marseille

Today, we’re heading to France’s oldest city, Marseille. Known for its sunshine, sea and saffron, this melting pot of a port town seamlessly blends French, Italian, Mediterranean and North African cooking traditions and rituals. Here, Sarah Grice takes us on a tour of her favourite spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 08, 202412 min

Condiments

This week we whip out jars and bottles for an episode entirely dedicated to condiments. First up, we sit down with the authority on the subject, author Claire Dinhut – also known as Condiment Claire – to talk about her new book. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs meets the founders of KariKari Chilli Crisp in Seattle to learn about the global craze for spicy sauces. Plus: Sebastian Stephenson heads to Highbank Orchards to taste its award-winning cider vinegar. See omnystudio.com/li...

Oct 04, 202434 min

Food Neighbourhoods #404: Herne Hill, London

Today, Monocle’s Monica Lillis heads to the leafy suburb of Herne Hill in South London to sample its artisanal bakeries and cafés, sit down at some of the area’s best restaurants and tour its stalwart Sunday market. Take a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 01, 20248 min
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