Cafe Kitsune (All Consumed)

Neil and Chris meet up at Cafe Kitsune in Knightsbridge for an upscale start to a recent Sunday morning podcast recording. While there they marvel at the Japanese-French cafe’s pastries and the drinks (miso rice pudding brioche with a chestnut matcha latte, anyone?). They also chat about other recently nosh enjoyed. Chris brags about the new bike he just bought and where he’s cycled in search of great art and coffee. 

All that plus a few great film and TV recs and more!

Listen now:

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Five Good Things | #5GoodThings

  1. Pizza;
  2. Bike rides; 
  3. Winter sunshine; 
  4. Art exhibitions; 
  5. Matcha.
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Occupied City

In a recent episode of the All Consumed podcast, I sang high praises about Steve McQueen’s new feature-length film, Occupied City. Follow this link to hear those thoughts:

Now that the film out and being screened, I thought I’d take a moment to say just a bit more about it with the aim of making sure it’s on folks’ radars. 

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Five Good Things | #5GoodThings

  1. Got a new bike!
  2. Taking the new bike for a ride on a crisp sunny morning; 
  3. Catching up with old friends; 
  4. Devouring a plate of pie and mash; 
  5. Remembering that I have this series of posts to help boost my mood and course correct my attitude.
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Forno (All Consumed)

New year, new episode of All Consumed! Neil and Chris meet up for an early m/’orning chat at celebrated East London bakery, Forno, where they wag chin about resolutions, art, stuff to eat, the remnants of an execution from the Spanish Civil War …

Listen now:

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Resolved | 2023 Resolution

So, here we are at the end of 2023. Was my new year’s resolution resolved? It was!

Maybe not quite how I had envisioned it would be back in January or yielding exactly the same sort of feelings of accomplishment that I had anticipated – but, yeah, I did it, and I feel really good about it. Moreover, I’m pretty sure I’ll continue to build on what I gained from my experience this past year. 

My resolution was to start blogging regularly again. Check! I didn’t write massive loads of great literature, but I wrote considerably more than I would have if I had not committed myself to the resolution. I learned stuff too!

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Qima Cafe (All Consumed)

Neil and Chris manage one more episode before Christmas hits while enjoying some coffee at Qima Cafe, the UK’s first tree-to-cup cafe. Chris shares some easterly lunch tips for Barking and Hackney Wick. Neil shares his five must-hear Christmas songs along with some must-see seasonal flicks. Chris’ festive season media consumption is a decidedly shorter list.

Neil discusses the ultimate opportunity (or was it a curse?) that came his way recently when an editor offered to send him on his dream trip. He wonders if any listener ever were offered the chance to go anywhere in the world and do anything there, where would you go and what would you do?

NOTE: Every time Chris says “Jerk Spot” he means “Jerkpit”. The restaurant is definitely called Jerkpit (not Jerk Spot). Sorry!

NOTE: There are a few F-bombs dropped in this episode.

Listen now:

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New Viva! Cookbook: Everyone Can Cook Vegan

Tis the season to be vegan? You decide. But for those who are, a nifty new cookbook from vegan charity, Viva! would be a right tasty Christmas present. 

The book, Everyone Can Cook Vegan, features more than 100 recipes designed with even the least experienced cooks in mind. The recipes are by Vegan Recipe Club’s Maryanne Hall, a plant-based chef with experience working in vegan restaurants, Demuths Cookery School, and more. 

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Supernova + Dunkin’ (All Consumed)

After a several-weeks hiatus, Neil and Chris are back from their trips to the States and finally ready to record a new episode of All Consumed, during which they mostly chat about what they did (and ate) while away. 

Be aware: there are some especially immature jokes that might be best suited for mature audiences only.

Listen now:

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Cocktails and Curiosities: Unveiling London’s Trendy Drinking Spots

Welcome to Cocktails and Curiosities – the ultimate guide to London’s most fashionable drinking destinations by Bloc; Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a curious drinker, this guide will take you on a journey through the city’s most innovative and stylish bars. We’ll introduce you to mixologists who create bespoke cocktails from rare and exotic ingredients, and take you to hidden gems where you can drink under the stars or in intimate speakeasies. So grab a drink, relax, and let us take you on an adventure through London’s vibrant drinking scene. Let the good times roll!

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Not Much to Say | 2023 Resolution

It’s been a few months since posting anything in my 2023 Resolution series. At first blush that might seem bad, but I actually reckon it’s good. 

I’ve been so busy meeting the goal of the resolution that I haven’t needed the time to try to find motivation. 

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The Devil’s Chair: Organic Signature Blend from Apostle Coffee

Family-run, UK-based, 100% organic and carbon neutral from the onset – there’s a lot to love about Apostle Coffee before even catching a whiff of the product. I’m pleased to report the coffee roasted in Shropshire by the bean-to-cup company is as delicious as their practices are sustainable and ethical.

That’s my hot take after brewing a pot of Joe from a gifted bag of Apostle Coffee’s award-winning organic signature blend: The Devil’s Chair. 

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The Wrath – Part 6 – Echoes of the Grove

Lily and Oliver, guided by The Wrath’s silent whispers and an inexplicable urge, ventured deep into the marshes in search of answers.

Meanwhile, Maya, the street artist who had set this extraordinary journey in motion with her mural, had also heeded The Wrath’s call. She on a quest to find the ancient grove that Mr. Jenkins had mentioned – supposedly the very place where the guardian of her mural had originated. Trees and shrubs seemed to part before her as she followed an unseen path, her connection growing stronger with every step. As she approached the grove, she sensed the presence of Lily and Oliver, two individuals who seemed equally compelled to explore the ancient woods.

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The Wrath – Part 5 – Storm and Sanctuary

On the edges of the Walthamstow Marshes, a tempest brewed. A fierce clash was imminent, pitting urban development against ecological preservation within the marshland. The tranquil sanctuaries faced obliteration by construction plans. Tensions mounted as construction crews confronted environmental activists and concerned residents.

Lily, the dedicated botanist, and Oliver, the tech-savvy urban planner, stood on opposing fronts of this tempestuous battleground. Lily ardently championed the preservation of the marshes, emphasising their critical role in the borough’s ecosystem. Oliver, equally passionate, underscored the necessity of urban development to accommodate the area’s burgeoning population.

Their disputes were fiery and unyielding, yet beneath the surface, an undeniable attraction simmered—a magnetic connection that neither could resist. As they locked horns over their priorities, their hearts yearned to draw closer.

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The Wrath – Part 4 – Harmony of the Wetlands

The guardian’s influence extended beyond the wetlands, fostering an unexpected connection between two unlikely characters—the young botanist Lily and Oliver, a tech-savvy urban planner with a vision for harmonious development.

Lily’s expertise in the natural world led her to frequent visits to Walthamstow Marshes and Wetlands. As she explored the rejuvenated ecosystems, she encountered manifestations of The Wrath—a shimmering storm crown, a whisper in the wind, and an electrifying presence in the air.

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The Wrath – Part 3 – Ripple Effect

Walthamstow Marshes had long been a sanctuary for both nature enthusiasts and urban dwellers seeking respite from the city’s hustle. But lately, something extraordinary was happening. The marshes seemed to come alive with a vibrant energy that even the most seasoned visitors couldn’t ignore.

As the guardian’s presence continued to resonate from Maya’s mural, the effects rippled through the marshes. Flowers that had long ceased to bloom sprouted vibrant petals, and the once-muted songs of birds grew more melodic. Walthamstow’s residents couldn’t help but notice the transformation taking place.

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The Wrath – Part 2 – The Mural’s Call

Weeks after Maya’s mural graced the brick wall near Walthamstow Marshes, an unspoken energy lingered around the artwork. Passersby found themselves drawn to the vibrant depiction of the guardian, its eyes seeming to follow their every move. The mural had become more than paint and brick; it was a living presence.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm hues across the marshes, Maya returned to her mural. Something compelled her, an invisible thread that tugged at her artistic soul. Armed with her paintbrushes and an innate curiosity, she stood before her creation.

The guardian’s eyes seemed to glimmer with recognition. Maya’s hand trembled as she reached out, her fingers inches from the painted figure. As if guided by an unseen force, she added delicate strokes, infusing life into the guardian’s expression. The wind picked up, rustling her hair and carrying with it the whispers that had become a part of Walthamstow’s fabric.

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The Wrath – Part 1 – Whispers in the Wind

The Waltham Forest district of Walthamstow woke to a peculiar shift in the air—an intangible change that rustled through leaves and danced with the scent of rain. It was as if nature itself held its breath, sensing something extraordinary. A soft murmur threaded through the wind, a melody of whispered secrets.

As the day turned to night, the mural glowed softly in the moonlight. The guardian’s eyes seemed to hold secrets—of ancient groves, forgotten energies, and a dance between the natural and the technological.

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The Wrath of Waltham Forest – Prologue – The Origin of The Wrath

Long ago, in the east London borough of Waltham Forest, a convergence of forces brought forth an enigmatic entity known as “The Wrath.” Born from the melding of nature’s fury and humanity’s technological impact, The Wrath emerged as a guardian of equilibrium, a living embodiment of the delicate balance between two worlds.

Our tale begins in an ancient grove nestled deep within a wooded area of Waltham Forest, a place where nature’s energies intertwined with the echoes of human progress. It was here that a forgotten wellspring, once fed by the mingling of rain and sacred streams, awakened in response to London’s burgeoning advancements. The wellspring’s dormant energies merged with fragments of discarded technology, forging a union that defied time and understanding.

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Introducing The Wrath: Chronicles of a Guardian Unveiled  

Welcome to The Wrath, a new series that I’m ‘cowriting’ with ChatGPT. Basically I’m coming up with suggestions for a story I might like to read and letting the AI generate much of the content. I tweak and edit and publish the content and then publish as posts on this blog.

Publishing the series seemed like a fun idea after a session of goofing around with the chatbot and becoming genuinely intrigued with what I was reading. I was curious to see what might happen next in a story based on my prompts and what the bot was feeding back to me. I hope find the results as intriguing and fun to read as I do.

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Coming Soon – The Wrath of Waltham Forest 

Hey folks! I’ve been dabbling in fiction for the first time in a long time – science fiction to be exact with a twist of fantasy. The result is a story about a monster lurking in the woods and marshes around the east London borough of Waltham Forest. I’ll post the story soon as a limited series here on this blog. So please keep an eye out.

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NomNomNom – Cookery School at Little Portland Street – 2023 Reunion

Once upon a time, I used to take a lot of photographs. I mean a lot a lot of photographs. This was the late noughties, a window of transition from film photography to mobile phone photography when the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) was considered by most folks to be the best way to capture an image for posterity. This transition turned out to be a short-lived era but one long enough for me to learn how to shoot pretty well with a DSLR and start building a career as a freelance writer and photographer. That career lasted for about 15 years. 

Back then, I bounced around to all sorts of events across London with a camera slung round my neck almost like a fashion statement. One of those events was a cook-off competition for charity called NomNomNom.

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At Home (All Consumed)

A new episode of All Consumed, during which the following occurs:

– Chris raves about a couple of London street food vendors.
– Neil marvels at a couple of upscale London restaurants.
– Both look forward to some upcoming adventures in the US.

Listen now:

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Don Papa Rum Seven-Year-Old Limited Edition Eco Canister

Distilled in small batches from sugarcane grown on the Philippine island of Negros Occidental and aged in ex-Bourbon American oak, Don Papa Rum Seven-Year-Old is an excellent rum. With a pronounced vanilla profile and a hint of tropical spice (and maybe some citrus and honey), it’s worth seeking out for its elegant flavour alone. It’s a good value drink as well, with quality rums with similar flavour profiles sometimes costing considerably more in price.

Now with Don Papa’s new limited edition “Eternal Spring in Sugarlandia” gift canister, when you treat yourself and others to this delicious Philippine rum, you also help support key conservation and regeneration efforts on the island Negros Occidental. Known locally as Sugarlandia, Negros Occidental is the home of Don Papa.

€50,000 worth of the proceeds from the purchases of this gorgeous limited edition Don Eco Canister with 70cl bottle of rum will be donated to a number of charities in the Philippines to help with conservation.

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Poon’s Wontoneria (All Consumed)

Neil and Chris experience a moment of wonton abandon at the wonderful Poon’s Wontoneria on Charlotte Street. Reveling in the moment, they chat about two individual trips recently taken to Shrewsbury – and how much they both loved this historic market town.  In fact, their brief conversation about Shrewsbury could serve as a pretty decent guide for anyone planning a foodie tour of the town – as could Neil’s recs on where to eat elsewhere in Shropshire. Chris raves about the delectable food he enjoyed during his own tour of the beautiful Isle of Man.

All that and much more in this episode of All Consumed!

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Oops! | 2023 Resolution


In the last post for my 2023 Resolution series, I started envisioning the rest of year – and then nothing! It’s been nearly two months since then without any followup or much activity at all on this blog. Time’s slipped away from me. Oops!

Even though I haven’t done much blogging or added any resolution updates in a while, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about this blog and my resolve to do more with it. It’s been on my mind a lot actually.

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Chettinad Restaurant (All Consumed)

Neil and Chris catch up at south Indian “village restaurant” Chettinad off Tottenham Court Road to record this episode of All Consumed. After enjoying a delicious meal, Chris talks Luddites and the antiauthoritarian spirit of Nottingham as Neil speaks to the joys of old school dining. Neil does Barbie; Chris does Oppenheimer. A number of other recs on what to see, eat, drink and read are shared, including Neil’s opinion on the best way to spend £28 in London at the moment.The duo ends the show pondering why anyone ever would want to teach their granny to suck eggs.

Listen now:

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Tonkotsu Soho with Emma Reynolds (All Consumed)

For this episode of All Consumed, Neil and Chris are joined by a guest – Emma Reynolds of Tonkotsu – who graciously hosts them at the Soho branch of her still growing portfolio of ramen bars.

After slurping down some of London’s tastiest noodles and munching through a delectable assortment of Japanese treats from the Tonkotsu menu, the trio chat about all sorts of fun stuff they’ve got up to recently.

Emma also reveals some insider restaurant news, including where her next outlets will open and which popular London eateries the team at Tonkotsu is planning to collaborate with.

Listen now:

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Lunchtime Delights: Unveiling Liverpool’s Best Meal Deals with tastecard

Lunchtime Delights: Unveiling Liverpool’s Best Meal Deals

Liverpool’s vibrant food scene offers a plethora of options to satisfy your lunchtime cravings. From delightful Italian cuisine to mouthwatering burgers and comforting brunches, the city boasts a diverse range of restaurants catering to all tastes.

In this blog, we will explore some top lunchtime meal deals in Liverpool, featuring popular establishments such as Prezzo, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Brunchin’, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and ASK Italian. We will also highlight the value of tastecard as a valuable resource for accessing these deals and saving money, ensuring you can enjoy a delightful lunch without breaking the bank.

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ZENB: The UK’s First 100% Yellow Pea Pasta 

ZENB is an online plant-based food brand. Its key product is yellow pea pasta – the UK’s first pasta made entirely from yellow peas. 

The pasta comes in four familiar shapes – spaghetti, penne, fusilli and macaroni – as well as ZENB’s own Pasta Agile shape with precision-cut surfaces for al dente texture and absorption of flavour from whatever sauces your adding to your pasta dish. ZENB makes their own sauces (with flavours well worth absorbing) as well as a variety of instant noodle style lunch pots called Agile Bowls.

I received a range of ZENB products to sample recently and must admit I was impressed far more than I expected to be.

Here’s the lowdown.

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ICCO Pizza (All Consumed)

Neil Davey and Chris Osburn catch up at ICCO, the People’s Pizzeria, on Goodge Street. 

At this affordable Fitzrovia mainstay, the duo chat about recent travels – Thailand for Neil, Suffolk for Chris – as well as where to experience amazing art and eat delicious food right here in London. Chris explains how to ride around London (or anywhere really) on a new e-bike for £50 less than you might otherwise. Neil raves about a feel good film he reckons anyone would enjoy watching. 

The result? An enjoyable episode with some solid tips to help you enjoy your summer.

Listen now:

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Stephen Triffitt | Frank Sinatra’s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers | Cadogan Hall

A few weeks back, I attended a performance of Frank Sinatra’s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers by Stephen Triffitt with the Manhattan Swing Orchestra at Cadogan Hall.

The opportunity to enjoy acclaimed Sinatra tribute artist, Triffitt, work magic with what’s considered by many (including me) to be a masterpiece for both Sinatra and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in such a world class setting was a sheer delight, particular of the otherwise quiet Sunday evening when I attended the one-night-only event. 

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Rad Power Bikes £50 Discount with This Radvocate Referral Link 

Since publishing my Rad Power Bikes referral link post last month, I’ve taken my RadRunner Plus off road a couple of times. It handled the trails well, considerably better than I expected actually, and enabled me the chance to access a few wooded spots for some quiet reflection while communing with nature over lunch.

Walking to these places would have taken too long. Relying on public transport would have only got me half the way there. Driving would have taken about as long or longer than cycling, and I still would have had to figure out where to park – taking even more precious minutes away from my free time.

Buying this e-bike was one of the smartest investments I ever made!

Unlock £50 Savings When You Buy Your First Rad Power Bike

If you’re considering buying an e-bike, I highly recommend Rad Power Bikes. When making your purchase be sure to cut and paste this referral link for a £50 discount off your purchase:

http://rwrd.io/puihn0y?c

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Starting to Envision the Rest of the Year | 2023 Resolution

It’s been about a month since I checked in with this series, a mostly fun and fairly active few weeks with plenty of blogging. As I said in my last 2023 Resolution post, ‘I’ve got my mojo back.’

I think that still holds true.

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Five Good Things | #5GoodThings

1. Rode my bike a lot this weekend;
2. Saw some great art at some local galleries;
3. Work schedule has been reasonable for weeks;
4. Making my own smoothies for breakfast; and
5. New outdoor furniture my partner bought for our deck.

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