What's on the menu – 'Remarkably sophisticated' food at Rogan's Mr Cooper's
Simon Rogan's new Manchester venture, Mr Cooper's House, features a distinctly non-conformist international menu that is remarkably sophisticated for the prices, says Tracey Macleod in the http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/travel/wheretostay/northernengland/article3975437.ece" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Independent](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/reviews/mr-coopers-house-and-garden-restaurant-review--the-midland-hotel-has-been-reborn-as-simon-rogans-gourmetghast-9062737.html).
But despite this, Macleod says she left the restaurant "genuinely undecided" as to whether she liked it. "One thing is clear, Rogan doesn't do bland," she adds. "When he and his team hit Claridge's later this year, it promises to be quite a show."
Bobby Chinn's new restaurant the House of Ho, London W1, is reviewed twice this week, and neither is a ringing endorsement.
Writing in the [Evening Standard](http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/fay-maschler-reviews-house-of-ho-9060755.html), Fay Maschler praises the nimble, cheerful and well informed staff, but says that unfortunately the cooking is "tame and underpowered".
Meanwhile Emma Sturgess, writing in the [Metro](http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/16/the-house-of-ho-needs-more-herbs-more-freshness-and-more-balance-4264134/), describes the Old Compton Street restaurant as more a case of Ho Hum.
Across town, [Metro's ](http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/16/enjoy-a-tasty-tart-at-fortnum-mason-tea-salon-in-newly-gentrified-kings-cross-4264169/)Andy Lynes establishes that the gentrification of London's King's Cross is now complete with the arrival of Fortnum & Mason Tea Salon.
The [Guardian's](http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/18/the-gannet-glasgow-review-marina-oloughlin) Marina O'Loughlin tries the Gannet in Finnieston, Glasgow, to see if the local buzz is justified.
Michael Winner regarded Patio as a great restaurant, and the [Telegraph's ](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/restaurants/10561321/Patio-London-restaurant-review.html)Matthew Norman finds that while the quality stodge might not be to all tastes, nowhere else in London can you eat half as well for so little money.
A failed booking at a nearby Chelsea restaurant by his [Sunday Times](http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/Magazine/article1362914.ece) column editor sees AA Gill visit Riccardo's - and he's not impressed.
Guy Dimond checks out Blanchette for [Time Out](http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/blanchette) and finds a delightful "rus in urbe" in Soho.
[The Times'](http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/magazine/article3973813.ece) Giles Coren visits Lost & Found in Birmingham where he says the excellent service is let down by the food.
Grace Dent is left bamboozled by the tapas with a British twist at Drakes Tabanco, London W1T - in the [Evening Standard](http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/grace-dent-reviews-drakes-tabanco-9064177.html).
HOTELS
Glengorm Castle, in Scotland, is a Mull hotel offering a homely feel, comfortable beds, superb breakfasts and fabulous views of the Sound of Mull and Ardnamurchan, finds the [Sunday Telegraph's](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotel/126022/Glengorm-Castle-hotel-Mull-Scotland-review.html) Fiona Duncan.
Islington Country House Hotel is a grand manor house, set in Dartmoor National Park, that offers a luxury hideaway and quirky encounters with nature, discovers Georgia Pettipher in the [Express](http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/travel/454547/Review-of-Islington-Country-House-Hotel-in-Dartmoor-National-Park).
The Light ApartHotel in Manchester is a celeb-hideaway and a great value for money choice for the city centre, says Tom Chesshyre in the [Times, but the very best rooms are pricey.
Visit Guide Girl for a round up of UK restaurant and hotel reviews from the last seven days