At the rate restaurants are shutting their doors these days, it probably makes sense to open one without the goal of keeping it in business. So it should be no surprise that London's buzziest new eatery isn't really a restaurant at all, but more of a pop-up art installation.

Flash is a three-month-only dining spot that recently opened in a room-within-a room, set inside the Royal Academy of Arts. It quickly became this winter's hottest lunch ticket.

From the team beyond ultra-hip non-restaurant Bistrotheque, Flash's lavish dining space is dominated by the 1,200-crystal "psychedelic Death Star" chandelier, which should give you an idea of the over-the-top atmosphere. Oh yeah, and there's food too: High-end plates like duck confit are washed down with cranberry-tequila drink concoctions.

Related Stories:
· Flash [Official Site]
· New London Restaurant: Tibits [Jaunted]

[Photo: Flash]]]> BS 2008-12-26T11:30:37-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/10/9/175250/937

With its rich bangers-and-mash and bacon-and-toast traditions, England was far from the first country to get on board the vegetarian bandwagon. But the Swiss are looking to teach Londeners a thing or two, by exporting their popular vegetarian restaurant, Tibits, which opened a location in the West End last week.

The menu is all-organic, seasonal and natural, but don't look for tofu-wrapped anything: Tibits brags that 90 percent of customers are non-vegetarians.

The Asian- and Indian-tinged salads and sandwiches are tasty enough to lure the meat-eating crowd, and a lengthy list of cocktails helps, as does a selection of organic lagers, specialty coffees and Indian teas.

Related Stories:
· Tibits [Official Site]
· London Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Tibits]]]> BS 2008-10-10T12:30:42-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/