restaurants

The line at Holbox during the midweek lunch hour has become a cultural sensation, a queue of locals and visitors trailing past the automatic doors and around the parking lot like devotees angling for the latest iPhone series or limited-release sneakers. Believe the lauds, including ours when we named Holbox as The Times’ 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Gilberto Cetina’s command of mariscos is unmatched in Southern California – his ceviches, aguachiles and tostadas revolutionary in their freshness and jigsaw-intricate flavors. The smoked kanpachi taco alone — clinched with queso Chihuahua and finished with salsa cruda, avocado and drizzles of peanut salsa macha — is one of the most sophisticated things to eat in Los Angeles.

Holbox could be considered for the top ranking on its own strength. But in a year when disasters tore at our city, honoring the power of community feels more urgent than ever. Cetina’s seafood counter doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. Holbox resides inside the Mercado La Paloma in South L.A. The mercado is the economic-development arm of the Esperanza Community Housing Corp., a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that counts affordable housing and equitable healthcare among its core missions. When the mercado was in the incubation stage, Esperanza’s executive director Nancy Ibrahim interviewed would-be restaurateurs about their challenges and hopes in starting a business. Among the candidates was Cetina’s father, Gilberto Sr., who proposed a stall serving his family’s regionally specific dishes from the Yucatán. Their venture, Chichén Itzá, was among the eight startups when the mercado opened in a former garment factory nearly 25 years ago, in February 2001.

Step into the 35,000-square-foot market today, and the smell of corn warms the senses. Fátima Juárez chose masa as her medium when she began working with Cetina at Holbox in 2017. Komal, the venue she opened last year with her husband, Conrado Rivera, is the only molino in L.A. grinding and nixtamalizing heirloom corn varieties daily. Among her deceptively spare menu of mostly quesadillas and tacos, start with the extraordinary quesadilla de flor de calabaza, a creased blue corn tortilla, bound by melted quesillo, arrayed with squash blossoms radiating like sunbeams.

Wander farther, past the communal sea of tiled tables between Holbox and Komal, to find jewels that first-timers or even regular visitors might overlook.

Taqueria Vista Hermosa, run by Raul Morales and his family, is the other remaining original tenant. Order an al pastor taco, or Morales’ specialty of Michoacan-style fish empapelado smothered in vegetables and wrapped in banana leaf. The lush, orange-scented cochinita pibil is the obvious choice next door at still-flourishing Chichén Itzá, but don’t overlook crackling kibi and the brunchy huevos motuleños over ham and black bean puree. The weekends-only tacos de barbacoa de chivo are our favorites at the stand called Oaxacalifornia, though we swing through any time for the piloncillo-sweetened café de olla and a scoop of smoked milk ice cream from its sibling juice and snack bar in the market’s center. Looking for the comfort of noodles? Try the pad see ew at Thai Corner Food Express in the far back.

The everyday and the exquisite; the fast and the formal (just try to score a reservation for Holbox’s twice-a-week tasting menu); a food hall and sanctuary for us all. Mercado La Paloma embodies the Los Angeles we love.

Historic chippy on Sharrow Vale Road gained its distinctive name from locals during World War One and continues to gather large queues all these years later

Sheffield boasts one of Britain’s oldest fish and chip shops, and potentially one of the world’s, with punters regularly forming queues stretching beyond its entrance.

Established in at least 1895, the chippy on Sharrow Vale Road remains amongst the original fish and chip establishments still operating today. Two Steps amusingly earned its moniker from locals during the First World War when, as multiple fish and chip outlets appeared in the vicinity, it stood out as the one requiring ‘two steps to get in’.

The informal name swiftly became its official title, distinguishing it from rival establishments. Historical records suggest it was initially opened by a gentleman called James Boulton, appearing in the 1895 trades directory as a ‘fried fish dealer’, according to The Star.

Throughout its history, the cherished establishment has passed through various owners, with Laggy currently at the helm, having served patrons for the past two decades. Before him, the longest-serving proprietors were Nan and Graham, who dedicated 34 years working behind the historic counter.

Upon assuming control of the chippy, he sought to implement several crucial modifications, prioritising the sourcing of premium ingredients. Despite evolving fashions in the fish and chip industry, he revealed to The Star that he categorically refuses to offer the notorious battered Mars Bar.

The owner explained: “It ruins the oil, and I don’t agree with it anyway. It’s a heart attack on a plate.”

One recent visitor described their visit as nothing short of “fabulous”. The satisfied customer wrote on TripAdvisor: “I travel a few miles to get to this chip shop. It has amazing staff, and the owner is fab. Will not swap this chip shop for any other.”

Another loyal customer shared: “Have to say this place is by far the best chippy in town! I’ve been a regular visitor on Fridays for almost 20 years, and this place is often busy, with the queue stretching out the door, even in the rain. Well priced, and they don’t skimp on portions. I can rarely actually finish my tea. Good mix of all your chippy favourites.”

Following their experience at the legendary establishment, one reviewer declared it “the best fish and chips by far”. They elaborated: “Very good quality, perfectly cooked and incredibly generous portion size. All items are competitively priced, and the staff service and management attitude in resolving any issues are impeccable.”

Pinpointing Britain’s definitively oldest fish and chip shop proves tricky, with several contenders competing for the accolade. Rock and Sole Plaice in Covent Garden, London, stakes its claim as opening in 1971, making it the capital’s most venerable chippie still dishing up its time-honoured recipes.

Meanwhile, another establishment literally rebranded itself as ‘The Oldest Fish and Chip Shop in the World’ on Sandy Way in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Yet it shuttered permanently in 2016, potentially elevating this Sheffield favourite to the position of Britain’s longest-surviving fish and chip shop still trading today.

Clockwise from top middle: Tacos from Marvito, beef tartare from Monsieur Dior by Dominique Crenn, smoked bologna sandwich and fries from Mario’s Butcher Shop, spicy albacore with onigiri and seared scallops from OyBar, and a fish sandwich from Bopomofo cafe.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times, Ron de Angelis / For The Times, Philip Wang)

This seaside town has been crowned the UK’s chip shop capital after research found the seaside town has 93 fish and chip shops – the highest concentration per capita in Britain

Locals in this coastal resort understand perfectly what it’s like having an excellent chippy right on their doorstep – because they’re literally scattered everywhere.

Following thorough analysis by Suomikasinot, researchers identified Britain’s chip shop capital by calculating the number of outlets per 10,000 inhabitants. The findings revealed that Scarborough topped the list, boasting the nation’s highest density of fish and chip shops, cementing its reputation as a must-visit location for true food enthusiasts, according to reports.

It comes as little shock that a seaside destination claimed pole position, but during the study period, Scarborough boasted a remarkable 93 fish and chip establishments. Residents enjoy an embarrassment of riches, with a fish shop on practically every street corner, and this particular feature attracts countless tourists to the region.

Taking the crown as TripAdvisor’s top-rated destination for delicious seafood is the Lifeboat Fish Bar. Frequently seen with customers queuing outside, the eatery is a traditional family-owned establishment positioned along the seafront, near the lifeboat station. One delighted diner said: “Looked on TripAdvisor for the best-rated fish and chips shop in Scarborough, and this was the one. We arrived just after it opened at 12pm and were so glad we did, as we were lucky to get a table. (People started queuing outside.)”. “The food was delicious; the light bite of fish and chips was the perfect size, and the kids’ portions weren’t far off. Great price, service and food. Will definitely go again.”

Another highly regarded spot is Catch 55, which operates as both a restaurant and takeaway, featuring prominently among the town’s top fish and chip establishments. A recent diner commented: “Friendly welcome to the restaurant; immensely enjoyed our fish and chips and local beers. The homemade tartare sauce was delicious, accompanied by haddock cooked to perfection. The restaurant being clean and tidy made this a pleasurable experience – thank you we will be back!”.

Beyond its excellent selection of chip shops, Scarborough boasts plenty of attractions for those seeking a coastal getaway. The beach alone is a major draw for UK holidaymakers wanting to enjoy some sunshine, and rightly so – its vast sandy shoreline provides stunning vistas.

These impressive views can also be appreciated from the Observation Ferris wheel. The 105ft tall attraction is complemented by an 18-hole mini golf course, ideal for families seeking entertainment before tucking into fish and chips. One visitor described their beach experience, stating: “Lovely beach in a traditional old English seaside town. Clean sand and all facilities close by – bars, chip shops, amusements, toilets, seaside stuff, etc. Very picturesque and photogenic place.”

Coming in second as the most densely populated fish and chip hotspot was East Lindsay, home to beloved seaside resorts like Skegness and Mablethorpe. This district boasts 89 chippies in total, roughly translating to one for every two miles of its coastline. Following closely behind is another coastal gem, the ever-popular Blackpool, securing a spot in the top three with a total of 84 chip shops. The research revealed that the majority of these prime locations are coastal towns, offering fresh fish to numerous establishments.

However, inland areas such as Rossendale and Burnley also made the list.

HAVE you ever holidayed in Spain and wondered if you’re saying the right thing or if there’s an easy way to order at a restaurant? One language expert has the answers.

James Smith, who has been teaching Spanish for years and now runs Learn Spanish with James, has revealed to Sun Travel his top tips from ordering food to the lesser-known spots to visit in Spain.

When it comes to speaking Spanish, James says while you might not be an expert (yet), there’s no harm in trying.

Talking to Sun Travel, James said: “People make mistakes in English everyday, but when it’s in a foreign language they worry about sounding silly.

“In Spain they’d just be happy if you try, and you’ll get much better service if you’ve made an effort to speak Spanish with them rather than the expectation for them to speak English – that’s when you start getting free shots to the table.”

Here’s one way to do this in a restaurant, rather than just speaking English more loudly and slowly.

James explained: “In order to sound quite colloquial, in Spain, you can say ‘me das’ or ‘me pones’ followed by what you want to ask for which is a very Spanish thing.

“It means, ‘can you get me this?’ – in English we’d say ‘can I have?’. On its own if you say it without the context of food it would mean ‘you turn me on’. But you’ll hear it all the time in restaurants and it doesn’t mean that.

“So for example you can say, ‘me pones un café con leche por favor’ – and always remember to say thank you afterwards.”

When it comes to pronouncing words in Spanish, other top tips include pronouncing ‘ll’ like ‘y’ – which will come in handy the next time you order a tasty paella.

Another example is that a ‘z’ is actually a ‘th’ sound and so is the letter ‘c’.

When it comes to holidaying in Spain, most Brits will head to restaurants for fresh seafood and patatas bravas – but there’s one Spanish classic that James warns against ordering a lot of.

James explained: “I would say anywhere you’re going where you have tapas as your main meal, you’re probably going to get ripped off.”

He continued: “You’re meant to have small tapa with a drink – it originates from people trying to stop flies in the alcohol, so they’d give you a ‘tapa’ which means lid in Spanish and put it on top of their glass.

“It’s only meant to be a small dish but now people have jumped on that and charge £15 for tapas when in reality, it was a freebie with a drink. I never have it as a main meal.”

Another sign of an inauthentic restaurant, according to James, is if there are pictures on the menu – or you see Spanish cuisine alongside egg and chips.

If you want some good recommendations but aren’t sure where to find them, then James says just ask.

He told us: “I always ask the hotel staff for a place to go and eat where tourists usually don’t go and they’re more than happy to help you.”

Most Brits head to the likes of Barcelona and Madrid, but aside from the major cities, where would James suggest to visit?

He said: “The Hanging Houses of Cuenca, which are just outside of Madrid. I would say like always look for these kind of day trips when you visit like the main cities.

“Toledo is another one, in the south of Spain, and Cádiz has the best beaches in Spain.”

James has been learning Spanish since he was a child, having taken an interest playing football in rural Spain.

He then studied the language at university before heading off to Buenos Aires and Costa Rica.

Now, he runs Learn Spanish with James suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced speakers – by signing up you can get a free email series with tips on how to learn the language.

Check out Learn Spanish with James and you can also keep up with James on TikTok.

For more on Spain, one presenter from A Place In The Sun moved to the Costa del Sol where she spends evenings on the beach – but there’s a catch.

Plus, check out the 15 holiday habits Brits need to ditch from dodgy sangrias to pints of lager.

The line at Holbox during the midweek lunch hour has become a cultural sensation, a queue of locals and visitors trailing past the automatic doors and around the parking lot like devotees angling for the latest iPhone series or limited-release sneakers. Believe the lauds, including ours when we named Holbox as The Times’ 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Gilberto Cetina’s command of mariscos is unmatched in Southern California – his ceviches, aguachiles and tostadas revolutionary in their freshness and jigsaw-intricate flavors. The smoked kanpachi taco alone — clinched with queso Chihuahua and finished with salsa cruda, avocado and drizzles of peanut salsa macha — is one of the most sophisticated things to eat in Los Angeles.

Holbox could be considered for the top ranking on its own strength. But in a year when disasters tore at our city, honoring the power of community feels more urgent than ever. Cetina’s seafood counter doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. Holbox resides inside the Mercado La Paloma in South L.A. The mercado is the economic-development arm of the Esperanza Community Housing Corp., a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that counts affordable housing and equitable healthcare among its core missions. When the mercado was in the incubation stage, Esperanza’s executive director Nancy Ibrahim interviewed would-be restaurateurs about their challenges and hopes in starting a business. Among the candidates was Cetina’s father, Gilberto Sr., who proposed a stall serving his family’s regionally specific dishes from the Yucatán. Their venture, Chichén Itzá, was among the eight startups when the mercado opened in a former garment factory nearly 25 years ago, in February 2001.

Step into the 35,000-square-foot market today, and the smell of corn warms the senses. Fátima Juárez chose masa as her medium when she began working with Cetina at Holbox in 2017. Komal, the venue she opened last year with her husband, Conrado Rivera, is the only molino in L.A. grinding and nixtamalizing heirloom corn varieties daily. Among her deceptively spare menu of mostly quesadillas and tacos, start with the extraordinary quesadilla de flor de calabaza, a creased blue corn tortilla, bound by melted quesillo, arrayed with squash blossoms radiating like sunbeams.

Wander farther, past the communal sea of tiled tables between Holbox and Komal, to find jewels that first-timers or even regular visitors might overlook.

Taqueria Vista Hermosa, run by Raul Morales and his family, is the other remaining original tenant. Order an al pastor taco, or Morales’ specialty of Michoacan-style fish empapelado smothered in vegetables and wrapped in banana leaf. The lush, orange-scented cochinita pibil is the obvious choice next door at still-flourishing Chichén Itzá, but don’t overlook crackling kibi and the brunchy huevos motuleños over ham and black bean puree. The weekends-only tacos de barbacoa de chivo are our favorites at the stand called Oaxacalifornia, though we swing through any time for the piloncillo-sweetened café de olla and a scoop of smoked milk ice cream from its sibling juice and snack bar in the market’s center. Looking for the comfort of noodles? Try the pad see ew at Thai Corner Food Express in the far back.

The everyday and the exquisite; the fast and the formal (just try to score a reservation for Holbox’s twice-a-week tasting menu); a food hall and sanctuary for us all. Mercado La Paloma embodies the Los Angeles we love.

A BUSTLING area in London is set to get a massive £10billion makeover.

The site of a historic events and music venue in West London is set to undergo a £10billion redevelopment.

Work on the 44 acre site, where Earls Court Exhibition Centre used to be, is expected to begin next year, which is more than a decade since the famous venue was first demolished.

Once complete, the development will have 4,000 homes, 232,000sqm of workspace, three cultural venues and 20 acres of public space, including green spaces.

The three cultural venues will play into the site’s history of performance and there will also be a number of fixed and pop-up venues, as well as shops and restaurants.

Earlier reports and plans for the project also included a park with a climbing structure, slides and seating areas.

And a ‘flower amphitheatre’ is part of the designs – though it is unclear whether these features are still included in the plans.

Eventually, there will be over 1,000 trees at the site by 2041.

During the first phase, 1,300 new homes will be built across six buildings, which includes a 42 floor skyscraper.

Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is leading the project, which has taken four years to plan.

The Earls Court Exhibition Centre used to be a major events venue, which was closed in 2014 and then demolished.

It originally opened in 1937 with an Art Deco design and used to host lots of events like the British International Motor Show and concerts including Pink Floyd and David Bowie.

The development will also be well connected, with three Tube stations and London Overground services nearby, as well as bus routes and pedestrian and cycle paths.

Construction is expected to begin at some point in 2026.

Rob Heasman, chief executive of ECDC, said: “Our plans will restore Earls Court as a global destination, a place for ingenuity, and for the extraordinary.

“Projects of this scale require ambition, partnership and patience to bring forward, and our ambition has been shaped by four years of engagement, listening and working in collaboration with our community.”

Jamie Ritblat, founder and executive chairman of Delancey, said: “It will create 23,500 jobs across the country, a new centre for the UK’s climate innovation sector, c.4,000 new homes and benefit the UK economy by £3 billion per year.

“Three new cultural venues will reinstate Earls Court as a destination people gravitate to for unparalleled performance and experiences, and the social and economic impact will be felt strongly throughout the local economies.”

Earlier this year London was named TripAdvisor’s best destination in the world… so here are our top picks for pubs, bars, hotels and attractions.

And here’s everything you can do at one of London’s most popular attractions before it closes ahead of £240million renovation.

Plus, London’s best family attraction that ‘feels like it was created for kids’ to get huge new nature playground.

A well-known estate agent has listed the best high street across the entire UK, and the lesser-known spot came out on top for its restaurants, shops and houses.

This picture-perfect market town has been crowned as home to the UK’s best high street by estate agents Knight Frank.

The property experts took a look at some of the streets that offer the most charm – and it turns out they found a true gem.

Situated in Buckinghamshire, along the banks of the River Thames, the town of Marlow is bursting with character that draws plenty of people into the area, keen to witness its thriving high street.

Matt Davies, partner at Knight Frank, explained to TimeOut: “We tend to see a slightly younger buyer base in Marlow, driven in large part by its outstanding educational institutions, including grammar schools such as Sir William Borlase’s.

“This often draws buyers towards the west side of town, to be within easy reach of these highly sought-after schools.”

It was described to be both “charming and lively” by the estate agents, two characteristics which have garnered it plenty of attention from home-hunters in an area commutable to the capital.

Over the years, its prettiness has attracted all kinds of famous faces, having had residents such as English novelist Thomas Love Peacock and poet T.S. Eliot, and even author Mary Shelley, who finished writing the masterpiece Frankenstein while living locally.

To buy in the area, according to Rightmove, people can expect to pay roughly £720,850, which was the overall average last year. Although, in that same year, buyers could expect to be paying around £929,115 for detached properties.

Alongside its impressive portfolio of properties, the area is proud to house a number of Michelin-starred restaurants and cosy pubs. One of these eateries even belongs to celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, who is the proud owner of the pub, The Hand of Flowers – the UK’s only public house with two Michelin stars.

The Coach is one of those Michelin star spots that is much-loved by locals and visitors alike. A recent review on TripAdvisor states: “Our first visit to The Coach, Marlow; will hopefully not be our last. The food was delicious, and the service and staff were extraordinary.”

It continued to read: “Helpful to the extreme. Professional, certainly. I would highly recommend this restaurant/pub. If you are near or in the Marlow area, be sure to pay a visit. You will not be disappointed.”

Meanwhile, The Hand & Flowers offers a more “relaxed” pub environment, with five-star delicious dishes. One pleased customer shared: “How refreshing to be able to enjoy this standard of food and service in such a congenial setting without having to put on fancy clothes!

“This was our first visit and, from the outset, the staff were not only super pleasant and helpful, but they also seem to perform as a well-oiled machine. The total makes an experience which feels more relaxed than other Michelin-star places.”

Marlow, being a town that sits along the Thames, also offers tranquil river walks. The town is sandwiched between Reading and Windsor, so there’s plenty to explore nearby and is completely surrounded by the sweeping countryside of the Chiltern Hills.