When was the guide established?
Square Meal was launched in 1990 as a guide to City restaurants but has since expanded to cover the whole of London and selected restaurants around the UK.
Who created it and why?
City professionals Mark de Wesselow and Simon White realised there was a niche for a restaurant guide for the Square Mile, hence the name.
What method of rating does it use?
Own team of reviewers plus 20 freelance reviewers and 104,000 subscribers who “write in regularly,” says editor Gaby Huddart. Square Meal operates a star rating system ą readers’ favourite restaurants get one star and top-performers two stars.
How does a venue get included in the guide?
Square Meal aims to be “the most comprehensive guide in London, although we exclude restaurants that we feel will have no appeal to our audience of professionals.”
If I want to be included, who should I contact?
Gaby Huddart, editor, Square Meal at editor@squaremeal.co.uk.
Is there any payment required to be included?
No.
What is the size and make-up of its readership?
104,000 ABC audited subscribers receive the publication for free but have to meet set criteria. The guide is sent to business addresses only, which have to be in Greater London. A few copies are sold in newsagents and on Amazon.co.uk.