Bites: Kochhar joins the convoy out west

Is there no stopping Westfield, west London's new shopping mini-city, from becoming the capital's number-one foodie destination? Not content with having Croque Gascon, Wahaca and Searcys 1847 on site, this unlikely gastronomy mecca has revealed that Michelin-starred Indian chef Atul Kochhar is to set up shop with Atul's Kitchen, a more affordable strand of Benares in Knightsbridge.

Staying on the unlikely theme, Heston Blumenthal has finally unveiled his much-awaited debut Little Chef menu, at the motorway eatery's Popham branch. Diners can peruse a menu that includes braised ox cheeks, Hereford steak and Abbott Ale pie and chocolate truffle slice. Watch out for his TV show about it all next month...

Finally, with so much financial gloom around, this even more unlikely news is music to foodie ears: according to Harden's restaurant guide, the pre-Christmas quarter of 2008 has been a boom period for London restaurant openings. Who'd have thunk it?