Tag Archives: islington

Kanada-Ya Adds Gyoza to the Menu

The tonkotsu ramen specialists at Kanada-Ya have added gyoza to the menu. Already a fan of all the other delectable morsels served at this Japan restaurant’s three London outlets, I was keen to have a taste of the most recent addition as soon as possible. Continue reading

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Save a Crust and Keep on Saving

My Save a Crust collaboration with the North London Waste Authority is done. But before you pack up and go please allow me one last chance to butter you up with a cheap and cheerful conclusion to this miniseries. Continue reading

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Save a Crust and Bake a Scrumptious Bread and Butter Pudding



Okay folks, here’s my attempt at baking bread and butter pudding based on lessons taught by Chef Mark Borrell during the NLWA’s free cookery workshop last week at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School near Archway Station. Continue reading

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Save a Crust and be a Better Cook in North London for Free

I’m wising up to waste and helping get the word out about the North London Waste Authority’s Save a Crust campaign. It’s a fun and yummy way to reduce waste and be a better cook! Continue reading

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The Good, the Bad and the Skinny Kitchen

I had lunch at The Skinny Kitchen in Islington recently. My experience mixed but overall positive. Here’s the skinny on my lunch at The Skinny Kitchen. 

 Continue reading

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Save a Crust and Reduce Bread Waste in North London

I’m wising up to waste and helping get the word out about the North London Waste Authority’s Save a Crust campaign. It’s a fun and yummy way to reduce waste and be a better cook! Continue reading

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Best Breakfasts and Brunches of 2018

Welcome back to the Best of 2018. Here’s a plateful of hearty recommendations for breaking fast in London and elsewhere, and in this case elsewhere means San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, Dublin, Edinburgh, Milan and Hiroshima.
Continue reading

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Best Cafes of 2018

Excellent coffee is crucial, particularly when I’m travelling. Having comfortable places to drink it is a big deal too. So are competent and affable baristas. If you can throw in reliable WiFi and an outlet to keep my laptop and phone charged while I drink coffee, you’re golden. This list of three London espresso bars and six more in Chattanooga (Tennessee), Greenville (North Carolina), Köln, Liverpool, Pittsburgh, and Zurich met all my requirements and shined the brightest for me in 2018. Continue reading

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Preview: Organ Reframed at Union Chapel

Organ Reframed is a festival of new music and cross-collaboration for organ. Returning for its third year with a weekend of live performance, film and discussion at Union Chapel near Highbury & Islington Station. Continue reading

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Kanada-Ya | #TCTalks Episode 15

Japan’s legendary Kanada-Ya has just launched its third ramen bar in London. This one’s on Upper Street near Angel Station. I think the generous bowls of ramen served at Kanada-Ya’s St Giles High Street and Panton Street branches are some of the yummiest things to slurp in town – and are well worth braving the sometimes rather lengthy queues to have. I love the classic tonkotsu (pork bone broth, chashu pork belly, wood ear fungus, seaweed and spring onion) with my noodles served “hard” (there’s a choice of soft, regular, hard and extra hard) with loads of grated sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Continue reading

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Kanada-Ya | #TCTalks Episode 15

Japan’s legendary Kanada-Ya has just launched its third ramen bar in London. This one’s on Upper Street near Angel Station. I think the generous bowls of ramen served at Kanada-Ya’s St Giles High Street and Panton Street branches are some of the yummiest things to slurp in town – and are well worth braving the sometimes rather lengthy queues to have. I love the classic tonkotsu (pork bone broth, chashu pork belly, wood ear fungus, seaweed and spring onion) with my noodles served “hard” (there’s a choice of soft, regular, hard and extra hard) with loads of grated sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Continue reading

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Best London Restaurants of 2017

Londoners, did you dine well in 2017? I sure did – especially at five particularly amazing London restaurants. Continue reading

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HotTug London

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a HotTug comes to London. Yes, a floating hot tub. It’s basically bathception. Continue reading

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Michael Thompson’s Fodder at Borough Wines & Beer

If you’re like me and find yourself channelling your inner child in a candy store upon entering a wine shop, Borough Wines & Beers won’t disappoint. After shaking off the rain droplets and calming my breath post my mad dash into their Islington shop, I warmed in the rather intimate store. Perusing the shelves lined with British red and whites, I indulged my current natural wine obsession whose flavour ever evolves once the cork has been unscrewed. I’d describe it as a luxurious walk-in closet, which simply adds to the charm and intrigue of what lies below … Continue reading

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Salt Beef Bagels, Iced Coffee and More at Mercer & Co, Chapel Market

At £3.90, a recent late breakfast/early lunch of hand carved salt beef with mustard (I went with American) and a pickled gherkin on a bagel was minimal money went spent for a mightily meaty and thoroughly filling meal. Continue reading

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Trawler Trash

Trawler Trash is a new Highbury restaurant that wants to bring the “trash” from the trawler to its patrons’ plates with a menu focused on lesser known fish and seafood. Continue reading

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Adam Rawson’s #Rawmen Pop-Up Ramen Bar

No noodling around here, Adam Rawson is back at Borough Wines & Beers’ Brewery Below with a “Rawmen” pop-up ramen bar. Continue reading

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Highbury Music Venue The Garage Relaunches

New owners DHP Family (Oslo in Hackney and Rock City in Nottingham) are relaunching the famed (and infamous) music venue this month. Updates include a new sound system, decor and bar; a revamped intimate gig space upstairs; and an all-day café and bar on the ground floor. Continue reading

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Sakura: Adam Rawson Japanese Pop-Up at Borough Wines & Beers

Sakura refers to the celebration of cherry blossoms in Japan. It’s also the name of a pop-up at the Essex Road outlet of Borough Wines & Beers featuring an outstanding assortment of dishes by Chef Adam Rawson paired with sake, beer, wine and cocktails – and like Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, this beautiful opportunity will be gone before you know it. Continue reading

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Lie Lie Land Stencil by Bambi

Remember when President Chump and Prime Minister Theresa Maybe were caught holding hands as they took a walk together at the White House? Maybe they’d just come from dancing cheek to cheek around the Oval Office? Or at least that’s how street artist Bambi imagined the pair in her new Lie Lie Land stencil on view in Islington. Continue reading

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Paul A Young Christmas Truffles | 10X10 with tikichris

I’ve teamed up with Paul A Young Fine Chocolates for a tasty in-shop offer: for every £5 spent at one of Paul’s boutiques, you’ll get a free truffle from his Christmas collection. Continue reading

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The Islington Townhouse

A fine meal in a fun setting was had recently at The Islington Townhouse. Continue reading

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Eat Ethical Chicken at H.en, Upper Street

Now that H.en has opened in Islington, the next time you’re schlepping down Upper Street hankering for some chicken, you won’t need to fly the coop. Continue reading

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Genuine Pizza at Zia Lucia, Holloway Road

Just a stroll stroll from Highbury Corner, newbie pizzeria Zia Lucia offers diners a menu of Neapolitan style pizzas baked in wood-fired oven alongside a variety of other southern Italian faves. And if my recent lunch there is any indication, it’s a welcome addition to the London pizza scene! Continue reading

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Win 2 Free Tix to #DeepSouthFarEast Pop-Up

Exciting! Tickets to #DeepSouthFarEast – my pop-up team up with Malaysian Home Cooking chef Vi Vian Woo at the Ninth Ward bar in Clerkenwell – are selling fast. But check it out: The friendly folks at Tabl, have two tix set aside to give away for free. Continue reading

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#DeepSouthFarEast Supper Club | 10X10 with tikichris

Next on the roster of 10 events to mark my decade in blogging, is another tasty team up. This time round, I’m collaborating with one of my favourite supper club chefs, Malaysian Home Cooking superstar Vi Vian Woo! Together, Ms … Continue reading

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Co-Hosting a Luau with That Hungry Chef | 10X10 with tikichris

A full flavoured Polynesian BBQ with a spicy South Asian kick – this festive fusion of cultures promises guests the chance to experience an array of exotic dishes made with tropical spirit and fine dining finesse. Continue reading

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Best London Pop-Ups, Takeovers, Supper Clubs, etc in 2015

Dining out – and even eating in – can mean so many different things these days. Some of my favourite London meals of 2015 didn’t occur at a traditional restaurant or via a kitchen with a permanent address. In a … Continue reading

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Win Two New #MojoRisin Aromatic Chilli Relishes from That Hungry Chef

Looking for something to spice up the summer? How about a couple of jars of instant yum? I’m offering one lucky reader the chance to win two new palate pleasing and oh-so aromatic chilli relishes from That Hungry Chef. Continue reading

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That Hungry Chef Supper Club

I don’t attend all that many supper clubs and can recall more mediocre or actually disastrous experiences at them than list any exemplary clubs doing anything all that interesting. However, I still love the concept and when it works it’s a wonderful way to dine. So, it is with pleasure that I recommend the delicious and convivial dining on offer by That Hungry Chef. Continue reading

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Riverford at the Duke of Cambridge, Britain’s Only 100% Organic Pub

The Duke of Cambridge – Britain’s first and only certified organic pub – has teamed up with Riverford (aka the organic veg box folks from Devon) to “champion seasonal produce” and offer Londoners an ethical and healthier option for quality pub grub. I dropped by the Duke earlier this week for a low key Monday lunch – and very much enjoyed the experience. Continue reading

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New Restaurant Review: United Ramen, Upper Street

Ramen, ramen, ramen, ramen! Talk about a soup du jour! Londoners are slurping up this Japanese dish at a decidedly trendy rate. Newest noodles on the scene are those on offer at United Ramen, where I had a right tasty meal last week. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: New North Road

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Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. RHS Chelsea Flower Show Did you … Continue reading

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