Tag Archives: review
Sickboy: Make It Last Forever at The Outsiders London, Greek Street
Maybe it had just been awhile since I had enjoyed the pleasure of viewing much work by street artist Sickboy, but his latest offering, Make It Last Forever on view now at The Outsiders London in Soho, seemed to pop with vibrancy while providing plenty of personal symbolism to ponder. Continue reading
Lovely Sunday Lunch at The Latchmere, SW11
Following a major reno, The Latchmere pub on Battersea Park Road has recently reopened under the guiding hand of the Renaissance Pubs group to offer a comfortable and attractive venue (think: Victorian minus any twee fittings) for all those pubby things we like to do as Londoners. Kemey and I paid visit a couple of weekends ago for one of our most favourite of pubby activities – Sunday lunch! – and were more than pleased with our experience. Here are some of the highlights. Continue reading
Get it Fast and Fresh at Vapiano Soho
Not the first (and probably not the last) Vapiano outlet to open in London, but the new Wardour Street location of this global restaurant group with its fast casual take on serving freshly made Italian cuisine was worthy of a visit and my recommendation. Continue reading
New Restaurant Review: INK, Bethnal Green
Definitely one of the most inventive and satisfying meals of the year, my dinner at newly opened INK was a sheer delight. Continue reading
Dorothea Tanning: Web of Dreams, Alison Jacques Gallery
American artist Dorothea Tanning, who died in 2012 at the age of 101, was a prodigious master of figurative art. Web of Dreams on show at Alison Jacques Gallery on Berners Street in Fitzrovia shares her raw talent and often playful approach in a delightfully presented exhibition presented in close collaboration with The Dorothea Tanning Foundation. Continue reading
Ai Weiwei at Lisson Gallery
Just opened at Lisson Gallery is its third solo exhibition of works by Ai Weiwei. Featuring a “monumental new installation of bicycles” alongside a number of “hand-carved, domestic-scale copies” of highly personal objects, the show offers some of the best contemporary art I’ve seen in quite awhile and was a real inspiration for me to view during last week’s private view. Continue reading
Pizza Union, Super Fast and Budget Friendly Pizza in Spitalfields
Kemey and I dropped by for a midweek early evening dinner at new(ish)ly opened Pizza Union near Liverpool Street for a taste of its “fire-baked” and “super fast” stone oven pizzas. And? We were pleased with this all day pizza bar’s no nonsense approach to offering customers something tasty and quick at a great price. Continue reading
The First Georgians Exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace (CheapOair)
To mark the 300th anniversary of the beginning of the Georgian era, a new exhibition – The First Georgians: Art and Monarchy 1714-1760 – explores royal patronage and taste during in the reigns of George I and George II as … Continue reading
Urban Massage ‘Home Delivery’ Massage Service for London
You know what I did all last week? Sat on my butt, dodged deadlines and tapped away on my MacBook trying to diminish a greater than usual workload. And that was pretty much it. To be sure, it was pretty boring but, in all honesty, not a terribly bad way to spend a week – I’m a writer by choice and certainly appreciate opportunities to make a little extra cash and contribute to some killer projects (all to be shouted out about soon). But, man, such a job can wreak havoc with my back and shoulders. So, when an offer came my way to review Urban Massage’s new “on-demand mobile wellness service delivering massages to home, hotels and offices by vetted, qualified and insured therapists who can be at your door/chosen location within 60 minutes notice,” I was like oooh yeah, please! Continue reading
Infinity Brunch at Aqua Kyoto
Upscale and great value in an elegant and easy to reach locale, the Infinity Brunch at swish Soho eatery, Aqua Kyoto, would be a wise addition to your bucket list of must-do London brunches. Continue reading
Theatre Review: Let the Right One In
Soon after its release to DVD, I saw (and loved) the original film version of the Swedish romantic horror story, Let the Right One In. What I enjoyed most about that movie was its moody tone and even moodier lighting. I don’t what it was like to watch in the cinema but it made for ideal at-home viewing. Newly adapted for the stage, LTROI is on now at the recently reopened Apollo Theatre (with refurbished ceiling) for a “strictly limited season” run. How does the stage adaptation compare to the movie and is it worth seeing? Well … Continue reading
App Review: Cruising with “Two Taps” from Addison Lee Minicabs
If you’ve been paying any attention at all to this blog over the past couple of weeks, then you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been bouncing round between airports a lot more than usual (and having an absolute blast between each bounce). On the ground here in London, the new and improve iPhone app from minicab maestros Addison Lee has been significantly simplifying how I’ve been getting to and fro my flights as well taking a chunk of hassle out of more locally-minded jaunts around town. Continue reading
Dub Jam Jerk BBQ and Rum Shack, Covent Garden
Transforming a cloakroom into a “rum shack,” tiny 16-seater Dub Jam has opened near Covent Garden serving reggae, rum and Caribbean inspired dishes – all with a heaping side of Jamaican kitsch. The reggae? A selection of Trojan Record classics on … Continue reading
Souli: Friendly Marylebone Takeaway with a Fine Dining Focus
Open now for a couple of months, Souli is a small and attractive takeaway in the heart of Marylebone. I had an exceptionally satisfying lunch there about a week back, finished up by one of of the best espressos I’ve had in London this year. According to affable owner, Hella Souli, the concept behind her eponymous eatery is to offer “high end restaurant quality” food in an efficient and friendly cafe setting – fine takeaway if you will. Continue reading
Theatre Review: We are Proud to Present … Namibia, Bush Theatre
We are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884 – 1915 may be an exhaustingly exhaustive title to say (and even type) but it’s an otherwise invigorating piece of work to see performed. Continue reading
Beyond El Dorado: Going for Gold at the British Museum
Featuring more than 200 objects from the Museo del Oro in Bogotá, Colombia alongside dozens of pieces from the British Museum’s own collection, Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia at the British Museum strikes it rich with a mother lode of fascinating cultural artefacts and lots and lots of dazzling golden objects. Keen to see? You should be! But make sure to head over to the museum soon as the show ends in just a couple of weeks. Continue reading
Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story at London’s Natural History Museum
Last week I popped round to the Natural History Museum to catch the Britain: One Million Years of the Human Story exhibition and was so glad I did. It’s a great show chronicling human existence in Britain since the first people set foot here (or at least as far back as the evidence suggests). I recommend going as it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be wowed by the artefacts and items on display. Continue reading
Alma de Cuba – Cuban Coffee Delivered to Your Door
Once the undisputed king of caffé , the status and availability of Cuban coffee has steadily waned over the past half century – just as demand for coffee has continued to expand. Enter: Alma de Cuba, on a mission to “restore Cuban coffee – once the world’s favourite – back to its rightful position”. Revolutionary or just revolting? Here’s my take on this Caribbean cuppa joe. Continue reading
Theatre Review: The Golden Dragon at the Drayton Arms, SW5
Fancy a theatrical and thought provoking Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese takeaway? The Golden Dragon is a “dark modern tale of immigration” set in the kitchen of an East Asian restaurant as well as in the homes and businesses of some of its regular patrons. Just in time for Chinese New Year … German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig’s one act exacting contemplation of globalisation is on for a (very) short run at South Kensington’s Drayton Arms pub theatre. Continue reading
Sampling the “Thinwich” at Brick Lane’s Caboose
“Slow smoked grub” served from a “custom built railway cabin”? Sure, why not? I tagged along to a menu tasting at Brick Lane’s Caboose. Hosted by Warburtons – the UK’s leading independent baker – the event also provided an opportunity to have … Continue reading
Theatre Review: Orangutan Productions’ Othello at Riverside Studios
Now on at Riverside Studios, Orangutan Productions’ film noir take on Othello – Shakespeare’s tale of racism, love, jealousy and betrayal (and maybe in a word, paranoia) – engages and beguiles. I hit the press night staging of Othello: The Moor of Venice and found it a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a ‘school night’ which yielded an evening’s worth of entertainment that I could easily recommend. Continue reading
Ergon, Greek Deli + Cuisine in Marylebone
Ergon is a newly opened Greek deli and restaurant in Marylebone. Its menu features dishes designed by Dimitris Skarmoutsos, Greece’s best know celebrity chef. The shop sells products only from independent Greek producers. And, in the face of the the gargantuan econonomic meltdown, this startup business managed to expand across Greece and actually make a profit. Now with its Picton Place shop launched just before the new year, Ergon aims to bring an authentic taste of Greece to London. The reasons to visit are many. But if you need just one reason go, make a take home jar of the cod roe spread. That stuff is gorgeous. Continue reading