We were thrilled to be invited to the launch of Searcys 1847's new St Pancras Grand restaurant, in conjunction with GQ.

You know the usual thing with these types of affairs - you get a glass of champagne that is replenished before you get a third of the way down and then to soak it up you get 3 tiny hors d'oeuvre, so after a couple of hours you can't see straight.

The launch party at St Pancras Grand was different: the food, whilst still bite-sized, was absolutely amazing and there was plenty of it. It was quintessentially British food: bubble and squeak, fish and chips, roast beef and yorkshire pudding, as well as classic favourites such as oysters, smoked salmon.

Duncan Ackery, CEO of Searcys 1847, has selected an expert team, passionate about innovation, quality and service. Critically acclaimed, Billy Reid, is the executive chef. Having previously worked his magic at L’Escargot, the Vineyard at Stockcross and The Belvedere, Billy comes with excellent credentials and forms a formidable duo with Tom Aslanian managing the front of house.

How do we know all this? Well, we've had a long relationship with Searcys and have recently redeveloped a suite of sites for them including St Pancras Grand and 40|30, the restaurant at the top of the Gherkin (see McD's earlier blog).

www.searcys.co.uk

We build a fair few sites that facilitate all kinds of user generated content, but we wanted to share an absolute jewel with you!

We designed and built a competition microsite for Cartoon Network's Ben10, a program about 10-year old Ben Tennyson, who discovers a watch-like device with mysterious powers which allows him to transform into 10 different alien heroes. 

We created a site where users uploaded video impressions of their favourite Ben10 alien, either by recording entries using a webcam or uploading the video file straight from their camera or mobile phone.

In the words of Aidan, aged 5, from Sheffield, "My best alien is Heatblast because he's great at shooting fire at rocks!" And then Aidan himself shoots fire into the corner of his garden from his very own human fingertips! How he does this we are still trying to figure out ;) but we suggest that if you are ever lucky enough to meet awesome Aidan, you are don't get on the wrong side of him!

Check out Aidan's entry in the Ben 10 Gallery now!

If you wanna know more about Ben10, then check out the Ben 10 site on Cartoon Network.

We recently worked with Cartoon Network on another site, Sonic Chronicles:The Dark Brotherhood, where users have to search the site for Sonic the Hedgehog characters in order to win cool prizes!

This week we have launched our microsite promoting Bus Superside advertising for CBS Outdoor. The concept is pretty simple, whack whatever the hell you like on the side of a big ol' London double-decker and send it to all and sundry! The highest rated advert will feature as a Superside on a REAL BUS... the stitch up potential is immense!

Your "artwork" integrates with a real video of a bus rolling down Camden High Street so its quite a shock when you first see it. I can say that with authority after Jenny prepared this delightful number above for me (note to all: do not take her on at pool when there is a wager in the air!)

So far we have had a (possibly not entirely genuine) marriage proposal, a request to find Trevor Eve look-a-little-likies (Shoestring was class!) and a memo from the boss...

Check it out - www.talktothetown.co.uk