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Marshall Manson

@marshallmanson.bsky.social
611 followers 316 following 91 posts

Author of Professional Lunch newsletter. Chair of Corp Affairs practice at FleishmanHillard. Communications, marketing, and leadership. Also into wine, history, travel, and occasionally politics. professionallunch.substack.com

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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
Reminder: I’m doing a Substack Live with food writer Andy Lynes tonight at 6p BST. Please do join us for good chat about restaurants, great lunches, food writing and a lot more. And it’s a busy week! (1 of 3)
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
This week’s update includes a disappointing experience at much-praised Wildflowers and a better evening at Saint Jacques. Critics have first visits to the new Ukrainian spot in Shoreditch. Jay Rayner found a good place near Albert Hall, finally settling London’s most difficult dining conundrum.
professionallunch.substack.com
Tree Trouble. Miss at Wildflowers. Hit at Saint Jacques. Critics & More.
Rayner finds a great place to eat before a show at Albert Hall. Grace backs Ukrainian.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
I love counter dining. And Kiln offers greater counter dining with a Thai kick. The Soho join is the subject of my review this week, and the product of a fantastic lunch with the excellent @baldflavours. Is it for professional lunch? Absolutely.
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Kiln
Quick hit: Counter dining for the modern age.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Last time I went to High Road Social, it was a shambolic disaster. Would it be any better this time around? Find out in this week’s update. Plus another really poor celeb guest review in the Observer and some other updates. professionallunch.substack.com/p/my-return-...
professionallunch.substack.com
My Return to High Road Social. Would it Still be Shambolic? Plus Critics & More.
Hello, everyone.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
This week, I get a little personal, exploring my family connection with Gleneagles in Scotland as I review The Andrew Fairlie and throw-back gem, The Strathearn. Link in the first reply. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Reviews: The Andrew Fairlie & The Strathearn at Gleneagles
World class, featuring the best of Scotland by land and sea. Plus a classy throw-back with great food where everyone is welcome.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Market volatility and macro economic mayhem have officially surpassed my economics expertise, acquired through undergraduate courses in micro and macro economics. 😁
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
After 17 years living in London, I finally made it to the River Café. Plus a fun charity event at Marceline and an interesting week for the critics, with the Independent launching a new feature and the Observer’s celeb guest review thing not working. professionallunch.substack.com/p/croque-com...
professionallunch.substack.com
Croque Comp. Dead on Friday? A Hit on the River. Critics & More.
New posh vs. cheap feature from The Independent. Lander loves Polish. Preston bites bagels. Ivers hates NY.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Fantastic tacos and an authentic Tijuana experience at Homies on Donkeys in Leytonstone. My review this week… professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Homies on Donkeys
Fantastic tacos with a sense of humour.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
It’s AngloThai this week, which I found inventive and surprising. There are bursting flavours and just the right amount of spice. And it’s all intensely colourful. Plus, the £55 lunch tasting menu is affordable for a professional lunch. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: AngloThai
Fresh, zingy, and different, Chef John Chantarasak plots his own appealing course.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Milestone AI moment: I participated in a conference in Paris in person but in French. I don't speak French. I kept up thanks to live translation in Teams. It wasn't perfect, but it was incredible. Even as societies break into smaller bits, we still find ways to overcome barriers that keep us apart.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Claire is discoverer of great wines, supplier to great restaurants, warm, witty, driven, determined, and brilliant. It was a pleasure to have a chance to Chat Over Lunch with her. professionallunch.substack.com/p/chat-over-...
professionallunch.substack.com
Chat Over Lunch: Claire Thevenot
Wine detective and Master Sommelier, her relentless drive helps fill our favourite restaurants with some of their best and most interesting wines.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Today is the first anniversary of Professional Lunch. I can’t believe it’s been a year. More than 64,000 visits and nearly 700 subscribers. I’m grateful to everyone who has subscribed, shared, and commented. And if you haven’t, please do subscribe! professionallunch.substack.com/p/a-year-of-...
professionallunch.substack.com
A year of Professional Lunch. Keller makes an omelette. Another fake controversy. Critics & more.
Grace gets Arthurian. Lander strolls memory lane. Ivers goes for wings.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
As a big fan of Thomas Keller, I loved sitting down to Oysters & Pearls in my first course at Row on 5. The restaurant is a gem, with a sense of humour, meticulous attention to detail, aspiration, and luxury that even Keller could admire. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Row on 5
Wit, stories, accessible luxury, technical brilliance, meticulous attention to detail, and fantastic experiences that Thomas Keller would admire.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Big news in this week's update as both Jay Rayner and Tim Hayward step down from their critics roles at the Observer at the FT. Plus a great piece about eating left handed, and a particularly good week from other critics. Please do check it out, and please subscribe if you haven't already.
open.substack.com
Rayner & Haywood Sign Off. Perils of left handed dining. Hit in Islington. Critics & More.
Ivers Skofs in Manchester. Hayler buys a House. Giles sells the Cotswolds.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
When the Dining Room at Goring re-opened last near after a major refurbishment, hardly anyone reviewed it. I thought the Michelin-starred royal favourite deserved some attention. If you’re looking for a setting for professional breakfast, drink, or dinner in a rich, classical setting, it’s great.
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Dining Room at The Goring
Following refurbishment, the place favoured by royals continues hitting the heights.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
PowerPoint's grammar checker believes I should replace "jacket potato" with "baked potato," and I don't even know where to start with that. AI-driven homogeneity on the horizon? Or can I teach PowerPoint to advise for obscure languages and dialects, like Geordie?
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
In my update this week, I dig into the news that Matt Abé will be leaving Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to open a new fine dining spot in the Le Gavroche space. There’s also a review of the Anchor & Hope in Southwark and some thoughts on restaurants requiring pre-payments to reduce no-shows.
open.substack.com
Pre-Pay Trend. Me in GQ. Matt Abé gets Gavroche. Guide Review, Critics & More.
Rayner doesn't worship Gilgamesh. Hayward follows that cab. Ivers scores the hardest seat in London. Preston loves Dom's Subs.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Me in GQ. No not because of my good looks. But I was very pleased to be asked to contribute some words to GQ’s round-up of the most interesting Michelin star places announced last week: www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best...
gq-magazine.co.uk
The best Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK to try this year
Over two hundred restaurants in the UK and Ireland were awarded stars last week, including 22 newbies, Cardiff's debut, and the first vegan restaurant. Here's our pick of the best.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Some fascinating outcomes in last week’s Michelin announcements. I reflect on that — and my predictions — in this week’s update. Spoiler: I didn’t do that well with my predictions. I’ve also got a new feature. Check out this week's update here: professionallunch.substack.com/p/new-michel...
professionallunch.substack.com
New Michelin Stars, Me in GQ, Critics & More
Ellis in bar horror. Preston loves Scottish food. Hayward feels snobby. Sitwell goes solo for vegan.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Leadenhall institution Luc’s in the spotlight for my professional lunch review this week. Traditional city brasserie vibes, great wine list, and solid food with choices for everyone. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Luc's Brasserie
Leadenhall Institution is optimised for a professional lunch.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
With new Michelin stars for UK being announced tonight, I offer my predictions, and I’d love to hear yours in the Comments. My boldest stab: Row on 5 straight to two stars. Second boldest: Roe in Canary Wharf wins a star. professionallunch.substack.com/p/michelin-s...
professionallunch.substack.com
Michelin Star Predictions. Critics & More.
Ellis moves to French House. Preston questions The Brave.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
A flawless experience at Josephine Bouchon for this week’s review. Where have you experienced perfection? professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Thanks to a lovely dinner in the Painted Hall at the Old Naval Hospital in Greenwich, I explore zero waste a bit more this week. I also return to Roe, and there’s a funny review from Tim Hayward about struggling to book at Ambassadors Clubhouse. Enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/professi...
open.substack.com
Deeper into Waste. French Win French Cooking Comp. Hit at Roe. Critics & More.
Tim struggles to book. Nick basks in Basque. Ellis hates Dad. Jay goes to heaven.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Would you eat a fish head at a Michelin-starred restaurant? I did, and it was wonderful. All part of the fantastic set-lunch trend that’s making Michelin-caliber meals more accessible and frequent. The Ninth is a great choice for a professional lunch. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: The Ninth
A Michelin star place in Charlotte Street that you could visit once a week.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
In this week’s update, I defend the prospect that Michelin-caliber fine dining can be fun, following an attack from William Sitwell. In the Critics Wrap-Up, Giles Coren uncorks a strange, Trumpian attack on Eater London and, by implication, Vittles. professionallunch.substack.com/p/michelin-m...
professionallunch.substack.com
Michelin Man Down. Big Mexican Miss. Spanish Hit. Critics & More.
Giles writes like Trump. Tom is fond of Fonda. Jay finds Hanoi in Islington.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Exploring the wonders of Tuscan food and wine during a weekend in Florence, including some specific recommendations for your next trip. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekend-in...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekend in Florence: 5 Reviews
Regional Tuscan cuisine at its finest, from big slabs of steak to amazing pasta, delightful wine, and tasty sandwiches.
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Reposted by Marshall Manson
James Whatley @whatleydude.com · 20/01/2025
My friend @marshallmanson.bsky.social writes about lunch - a lot. This week, he let me write about one of my favourite lunches last year: Festive lunch on the British Pullman. professionallunch.substack.com/p/pullman-de...
professionallunch.substack.com
Pullman Delights. A Miss in Soho. Smithfield News. Critics & More.
Tim reviews McDonald's. (Really.) Ellis misty at the Regency. Grace butchers Toum. Charlotte goes to the Lyonnaise.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
@whatleydude.com headlines todays Professional Lunch weekly update with a great piece about his experience on the Pullman train. professionallunch.substack.com/p/pullman-de...
professionallunch.substack.com
Pullman Delights. A Miss in Soho. Smithfield News. Critics & More.
Tim reviews McDonald's. (Really.) Ellis misty at the Regency. Grace butchers Toum. Charlotte goes to the Lyonnaise.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
I’ve never been happier about my choice to never download Tik Tok, create an account, or visit the site. On the other hand, banning it still dumb and incredibly shortsighted.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
My friend was shocked I’d never been to Farmer J. But I have now, and really enjoyed it. Professional Lunch from concept to Field Tray. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Farmer J
Designed specifically for Professional Lunch, it really delivers.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
🎉 My Professional Lunch newsletter just surged past 500 subscribers, and I wanted thank everyone who has subscribed! 🥂 If you haven't subscribed yet, I hope you will. Here's my London quick reference guide, and you can subscribe via the same link: professionallunch.substack.com/p/quick-refe...
professionallunch.substack.com
Quick Reference Guide: London Restaurants for Business Eating & Drinking
This is a list of my preferred spots in London.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
I filled up our bird feeder yesterday, and it's down by a third just 24 hours later. The ground is frozen, and it's very cold. Look after your feathered friends.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
For this week’s review, I ponder whether Sushisamba is the perfect spot for a healthy professional lunch. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Sushisamba
With sumptuous decor and great food, it's easy to see why it's gone global.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
On Meta fact-checking story, two questions that need more attention: 1. How much of this decision is about cost-savings for Meta? I understand they spend hundreds of millions a year on it. Is this partially about freeing up capital / reducing costs? (1 of 3)
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
For this week’s Professional Lunch update, I check in on the UK’s calorie count mandate. There’s also a great (and amusing) piece from the NYT forecasting food trends for 2025. professionallunch.substack.com/p/calorie-co...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
Happy New Year!! For this week’s reviews, I wanted to take a look at some American places that are making a buzz and contributing to a wider USA-focused food trend in London. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
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Reposted by Marshall Manson
American Association of Wine Economists AAWE @wineecon.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Which Alcoholic Drinks Will You Have on New Year's Eve 2024? U.S. versus UK. In the U.S., 31% want to stay non-alcoholic, only 22% in the UK. Except for cocktails and shots, the UK shows higher values in every other alcoholic drink category.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
It’s year-end wrap-time for Professional Lunch. My favourite meals and biggest laughs of 2024, plus some priorities for 2025. A pleasant read to speed your Twixmas. professionallunch.substack.com/p/best-of-20...
professionallunch.substack.com
Best of 2024, To-Do for 2025, Disappointments, Critics & More
Grace looks forward to AI. Andy wrapped up in Cord. Tim contemplates attire.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
Bored on Boxing Day? This week’s Professional Lunch review is from Llewelyn’s in Herne Hill. Great for a winter lunch or an excuse to escape from your house. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Llewelyn's
First rate place well worth a trip to Herne Hill, whether you live nearby or far away.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
For this week’s review, I travelled across Greater London to Liverpool, and had the single best bite I’ve eaten all year. This was a really good one. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Need your view: Do think “American” food is a trend in London right now? If so, why? (I’ve just noticed Angry Crab Shack expanding, Dave’s Hot Chicken opening, and a new American place on Kingsway, among other things. That follows arrival of Popeye’s and Wendy’s earlier this year.)
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Mark Bowden (author of Blackhawk Down, among others) goes deep into the increasingly antique U.S. armaments and ammunition manufacturing system to explore why it's so hard to ramp up production for 155mm shells. Fascinating long-read. Gift link to the Atlantic thanks to @padsky.bsky.social
theatlantic.com
The Crumbling Foundation of America’s Military
The U.S. failed to produce weapons and ammunition fast enough to supply Ukraine. Could it equip its own armed forces in the event of war?
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Glad to release FleishmanHillard UK’s Corporate Affairs Trends for 2025. It’s designed for anyone doing comms with an element of corporate, public affairs, reputation, crisis, or risk mitigation. Each trend includes practical, actionable recommendations. fleishmanhillard.co.uk/2024/12/corp...
fleishmanhillard.co.uk
Corporate Affairs Trends for 2025 - FleishmanHillard in the United Kingdom
We’re pleased to share our latest 2025 Corporate Affairs Trends Report. Using data and research, our team has forecast key trends for 2025 that corporate affairs leaders and anyone doing communication...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
This week’s update includes a “miss” recounting one of the worst dining experiences that I’ve had in a long time. professionallunch.substack.com/p/regency-ca...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
This week’s Professional Lunch review focuses on pasta-powerhouse Padella. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
professionallunch.substack.com
Weekly Review: Padella
Travel to Italy without leaving London.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
I adore Venice, so I’m mostly sharing this FT guide to authentic places in that great city so I can find it later. But if you’re heading to Venice, you might find it useful. www.ft.com/content/36e0...
ft.com
FT readers: your favourite off-the-beaten-track eateries and bars in Venice
Top tips on authentic places to dine and drink in La Serenissima
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
For my restaurant review this week, I check out Ibai, the new Basque steakhouse in the City, and I can report that it’s tailored for a professional lunch. professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
52 Things that @tomwhitwell.bsky.social learned in 2024. One of my favourite lists of the year.
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
For my restaurant review this week, I head to A. Wong, the two Michelin starred Chinese place in Victoria. It was outstanding. You can read the whole review here: professionallunch.substack.com/p/weekly-rev...
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Marshall Manson @marshallmanson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Lots going on in this week’s Professional Lunch Monday update. Big news for FT Food and Dining. A window into Masterchef. And how a three-star place in the US deals with rude customers. Plus critics wrap up and more. professionallunch.substack.com/p/me-in-the-...
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