ASK shows new ideas in revamp

DAVID RIVERS eats at ASK in Gloucester Road, Kensington SW7 4SF Tel: 020 7835 0840 Go to: www.askitalian.co.uk

FRESH from a new makeover of its South Kensington restaurant, ASK Italian has added some fresh new dishes on its revamped menu.

The market for Italian chain restaurants is certainly not lacking in competition right now, so it comes as no surprise the Gloucester Arcade restaurant has moved to get ahead.

And some of its ideas are certainly in tune with modern food trends – most notably pizzas featuring new toppings including pulled beef and seasoned pork.

To start, my friend Joe and I chose the meatballs (£5.95) and Melanzane Al Forno (£5.85).

The breadcrumbs covering the beef and chilli meatballs were particularly delicious, and a welcome addition to a dish normally served without a coating.

And the aubergines in the Melanzane dish, covered in a rich tomato sauce, was also a promising starter, especially when, as requested, the waitress showered the dish in cheese.

Moving on to its particularly large menu, featuring more than 10 new dishes, Joe chose the Seasoned Pork

Pizza (£12.95) while I had the Beef Tortellini (£13.25). In tune with food trends, particularly east of the capital, the shredded pork is a lovely topping and one I’d recommend, although the more expensive tortellini, though coming with a pleasant red wine, rosemary and cream sauce, did not quite live up to its price tag. Upon arriving, it became apparent that the new Chocolate Etna (£6.75) was the dish I simply couldn’t leave without trying. While it’s sometimes easy to write off staff favorites as unjustified hype, this gorgeous dessert certainly does not belong in that category. A cup shaped chocolate shell covers fantastic layers of soft chocolate, made all the more delicious by the toffee sauce smothering the dish - easily the highlight of the night. Though a bill surpassing £80 might seem a little steep for a chain restaurant, there are features to ASK Italian that merit an evening here. Its new menu is an infusion of Italian cooking and modern, fashionable ideas that work well in standing out in a hugely inflated market.

Play by Kate Atkinson

SEE a fascinating contemporary drama in Chiswick.

Elizabeth wants to start again. But will the past let her? Even if it’s someone else’s past?

In her forties, Elizabeth is a recently separated historian, moving into a Victorian house to start her life afresh. But besieged by a host of invaders – family and friends, builders and woodworm, even a ghost – Elizabeth finds herself drawn into a past that has strange parallels with her own life. What: Abandonment by Kate Atkinson Where: St Michael’s Centre, Townmead Road, Chiswick, SW6 2SR When: Wednesday July 13 to Saturday July 16, 7.45pm Cost: Tickets cost from £7 to £9 Call: 020 7731 8747

CheersC to vegans

Enjoy the 4th annual London Vegan Beer Festival in Hammersmith!

Beer lovers and plant-based foodies are set to enjoy a gorgeous day out this summer as the fourth annual London Vegan Beer Festival returns. Festival founder and host Sean O’Callaghan, known to thousands of readers as blogger Fat Gay Vegan, has coupled with riverside pub The Old Ship to bring West London a unique event featuring dozens of cold beers, mouth-watering vegan food and beautiful views of the Thames. London Vegan Beer Festival at The Old Ship Where: The Old Ship, 25 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9TD When: Saturday July 16, from 11am Cost: Tickets cost from £5 Call: 020 8748 2593

Inspired by heroes anda heroines

ENJOY an evening of dance celebrating the world’s late greats – from authors to musicians, from actors to artists, The Joyce Butler School of Dance celebrates some of the world’s late greats.

In this, the 81st annual show, audiences will enjoy a range of dance from ballet to tap to modern and other genres in a colourful show.

Proceeds from this event are donated to Cancer Research UK.

What: Dance to the Late Greats at The Beck Theatre Where: The Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, UB3 2UE When: Saturday July 16 and Sunday July 17, 2pm and 7pm Cost: All tickets cost £12 Call: 020 8561 8371

Practise the tree under one

E ENJOY some free exercise and peaceful stretching in the park!

Why not relax and enjoy a free outdoor community yoga session in Eastcote?

People are advised to bring their own yoga mats for this beginner’s yoga session, perfect for if you’ve never tried the activity before. What: Yoga in the Park event with Hot Yoga House Where: Woodlands Avenue Field, Eastcote, HA4 9QX When: Saturday August 14, 2pm to 3pm Cost: Free Call: 020 8429 8017