Tag Archives: review

Restaurant Review: Flesh & Buns … and Rock ‘n Roll

Carnivorous gnashing to a heavy metal soundtrack? Yee-aye-uh! Who knew going out for Japanese comfort food could provide such a rawkin’ good time? The folks behind Flesh & Buns apparently. Continue reading

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25% Off Flying Burger Company Premium Burger Delivery

Flying Burger Company is a burger-only/delivery-only biz. Right now it’s serving a small area of West London – W11 4, W14 8, W14 0, W6 7 and W12 8 – roughly Notting Hill and bits near High Street Kensington, Shepherd’s Bush, and Hammersmith. However, I reckon the concept is a smart one and has a good chance of taking off and successfully soaring. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see service extend across London soon. Continue reading

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Tilia: Christmas Nibbles Sorted

Started in 2011 and incorporating a “Five Point Selection Criteria to identify producers who display qualities that set them apart from the pack”, Tilia connects Londoners with some of the best local suppliers of artisan food and drink. Currently, Tilia is only a London only thing, but there are plans to expand. Continue reading

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Tasty Tales from the Italian Ham Highway: Udine

Udine is the hub and historical capital of the small Friuli Veneza Giulia province of the same name. With a sizeable university, it’s a lively setting with an interesting mix of people and pretty decent nightlife. If you’ve been to your share of checklist-y must-see Italian destinations (such as … oh let’s say … Florence) or you simply get a kick out off veering off the beaten path in an attempt to see what real life in a foreign country is like then Udine is a brilliant town to keep in mind. Continue reading

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Vegetarian Delights at The Gate in Hammersmith

A few weeks back, I attended the reopening of The Gate in Hammersmith after it had closed for a refit. It had been a few years since my last (and only other) visit to stalwart of the vegetarian dining scene, I was pleased to discover the same high standards and a still tasty menu. Continue reading

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Georgians Revealed at the British Library in London (OneTravel)

A newly opened exhibition at the British Library in London – Georgians Revealed: Life, Style and the Making of Modern Britain – takes an in depth look at the lives of people living in Britain during the Georgian era (roughly the early 1700s to … Continue reading

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Mamounia Lounge Mayfair Reopens: Swish!

About a year ago, I paid a visit to the then newly opened Mamounia Lounge in Knightsbridge. Just as it was launching, its sister outlet in Mayfair was closing down for a refurb. Last month, Mamounia Lounge Mayfair re-opened. With both Mamounias up and running, Londoners now have two swank reasons to enjoy a night out in Arabian style. Here’s a quick report from my recent visit to the re-opend Mayfair venue. Continue reading

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Whisky Wonderland – 2013 Jura Whisky Festival (City AM)

Waaaaaay back at the end of May I travelled up to the remote island of Jura to check out its annual Whisky Festival. This year’s event was even more worthy of red letters on the Jura calendar than usual, as the occasion marked 50th anniversary of the island’s distillery. Continue reading

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Wine of the Month by @willbedwards: 2011 Barda Pinot Noir, Bodega Chacra

Up and coming wine writer, Will Edwards is back with a second Wine of the Month review. A “relative newbie” to the world of wine, Will works in the Chelsea shop of independent wine merchants Lea & Sandeman where he loves “to hear what our customers are enjoying to drink”. With the festive season fast approaching, Will finds an intriguing choice from a rather unexpected New World region to share with us. Continue reading

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Two Exhibitions – Old and New – at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace (OneTravel)

Two seemingly tenuously tied exhibitions have just opened at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace – Castiglione: Lost Genius and Gifted: From the Royal Academy to The Queen – offering visitors a chance to see some of the Royal Collections … Continue reading

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Kamps: New German Backerei Café on Tottenham Court Road Near Warren Street

Kamps is a new German backerei café on Tottenham Court Road near Warren Street station. Stop by for a coffee (artisan wood roasted in Oxford) and a pastry, an especially budget friendly and tasty breakfast or a loaf of bread baked fresh in-store. Not yet open a full week with no marketing , the clean little shop is making fans quick. After my recent visit I can see why. Continue reading

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Georgians Revealed at the British Library

A new exhibition at the British Library ponders whether British folk – particular those in the middle classes – during the Georgian era were “tasteful and polite, or riotous and pleasure-obsessed”? The answer I came away with after attending the press preview was a little bit of both, depending on the situation. Continue reading

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Limited Edition Truffle Lusciousness at Coq d’Argent, EC2

An invitation to try a seasonal truffle menu led to me discovering what a crème brûlée is really supposed to taste like and where for an impeccable wine and dine in the City. Continue reading

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Would You Eat a Goanut?

I went on a lark to check out a gimmick and got hooked on an excellent seasonal menu at what might be London’s most underrated restaurant. What’s a goanut you ask? It’s a gourmand gateway to a fine foodie feast. Try it at the Brasserie at the Tower Hotel. Continue reading

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Theatre Review: Richard III at Nottingham Playhouse

With only a week left in Nottingham before it moves on to York, here’s my review of the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal’s joint presentation of Shakespeare’s tragic story of a conniving and paranoid king, Richard III. Continue reading

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Two Exhibitions, One Gallery: #LostGenius and #Gifted at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

Two seemingly tenuously tied exhibitions have just opened at The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace – Castiglione: Lost Genius and Gifted: From the Royal Academy to The Queen – offering visitors a chance to see some of the Royal Collections oldest and most recently received works. Continue reading

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Delicious Italian Seafood Menu at Pescatori, Charlotte Street

It’s been a few weeks now since I enjoyed dinner at Italian seafood restaurant, Pescatori. I haven’t forgotten how lovely it was though. Indeed, I’ve been waiting for the right time to publish my review so it didn’t get crowded out by other posts about places receiving more than an equitable slice of momentary hype. So with little happening in the tikichrisosphere today, here’s my review of fantastic Fitrzrovia restaurant, Pescatori. Buon appetito! Continue reading

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“Free From” But Still Flavourful Food by Orgran

I recently got hold of a range of “free from” products by Orgran. The three products I sampled – Buckwheat Pancake Mix, Buckwheat Pasta Spirals and Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce – were gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, yeast free, soy free and vegan … and still right flavourful too. Nice thing is, all those missing ingredients hadn’t been replaced with a lot of unpronounceable crap created in a lab. Instead the products provided me with a few back-to-basics meals that left me satiated without feeling bogged down. Continue reading

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Theatre Review: The Barrier at Park Theatre, Finsbury Park

The Barrier explores what happens when cultures clash and the values of people living side-by-side diverge by pitting two sets of neighbours in the Stamford Hill area of contemporary Northeast London against each other. Continue reading

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Gastro Pub Perfection at The Only Running Footman, Berkeley Square

If you’ve been following this blog recently you’ve noticed I’ve been on a winning streak hitting a string of terrific restaurants around town. I’m happy to add one more to the list – the evocatively titled gastro pub, The Only Running Footman, as another great example of London dining at its best. Continue reading

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Shake Shack Brat Burger and More: Shacktoberfest

It’s October. Need an excuse to stuff your face? How about the limited time only Shacktoberfest menu at Covent Garden’s Shake Shack? You can even take home your very own Shake Shack beer stein for your gourmand efforts. Here’s my take on the Shake’s autumnal offering. Continue reading

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Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern at The London Edition

Exquisite flavours in a lavish setting – Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern at The London Edition Hotel is designed to dazzle. Continue reading

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Lunch at Lima: Wow.

Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez’s much lauded London outpost, Lima, has just received its first Michelin star – and the first one ever granted to a Latin restaurant in Europe. Guess who was lucky enough to enjoy a leisurely lunch there the day after the big announcement? Yep. And I loved every last bite of my experience too. Continue reading

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Crown & Shuttle Pub in Shoreditch Ups the London Burger Ante

New(ish) Shoreditch High Street pub, Crown & Shuttle, has recently launched a new burger menu big on flavour and full of umph. I dropped by yesterday for lunch and found my burger and the venue to be well worth a recommendation. Continue reading

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Like Sunday Lunch for a Tuesday Tide Over at West Cornwall Pasty Co

So I was running around all over town yesterday without a chance to stop for a meal. At one point, I found myself at Waterloo Station (en route from Mayfair to South Bank with Soho, Camden and back home to Hackney lined up after that) and went with an old reliable for my din-din on the go: a pasty from West Cornwall Pasty Co. Continue reading

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Check Out Spianata & Co for a Tasty Lunch with Roman Style

Last week I had a fantastic lunch at Spianata & Co. The Roman bakery and paninoteca has been in London for a number of years, but I’m just now getting wise to its tasty range of freshly made sandwiches, pizza rossa and more. Continue reading

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Theatre Review: When Midnight Strikes, Upstairs at the Gatehouse

If you’ve ever been in a room with more than one Manhattanite, you’ll recognise the tone of this musical and the acerbic banter bounced between its characters. Indeed, I was half surprised for there not to be a sea of yellow cabs swarming the streets of Highgate as I left the Gatehouse pub humming after Friday night’s stellar performance of When Midnight Strikes. Continue reading

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Review: Sincerely, Mr Toad at Greenwich Theatre

Last night I caught the London premiere of Sincerely, Mr Toad at the Greenwich Theatre. Having toured around the UK with a well received stint at this year’s Fringe, the new musical examines the life of The Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame, his icy relationship with wife Elspeth and the tragic early death of their son Alastair – and how these and other factors shaped Grahame’s imagination and writing. Continue reading

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All Day Soho Dining at Damson & Co on Brewer Street

Two current trends in the London dining scene at the moment are creating all-day-dining menus and adding a gratuitous “& Co” to the end of your business’s name. Newly opened Damson & Co twirls a double braid of zeitgeist to offer the constant flow of Soho shufflers a handy little place for a full-on dinner or a dabbling dash with libation – be it booze, fresh juice or quick shot of espresso. Continue reading

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Theatre Review: Dirty Market’s Oxbow Lakes

That was some seriously fucked up shit. And if you know me at all, then you know that by “fucked up shit” I mean you should totally check this out. Fancy a bit of creeped-out absurdity with your surrealist theatre? Oxbow Lakes is for you. Continue reading

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Jubo (Blue Tomato)

Newbie fast-gourmet outlet Jubo – located at the Bedroom Bar in Shoreditch – wants to bring this K-style treat along with the concept anju to the London table. Continue reading

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Fine Dining at Quantus in Chiswick, West London (OneTravel)

Another great restaurant to add to my growing list of London’s best is Quantus. Offering an exquisite menu of modern European cuisine with a strong Latin influence and a wine list that’s inspired and rather Latin tinged as well, this local west London fine dining establishment is a great option for foodies foraging around West London in search of excellence. Service at this lovely little Chiswick local is formal and prompt yet exceptionally friendly, and the prices are a huge relief. Continue reading

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Tilia: Online Home Delivery Service of Artisan Food and Drink. Try it and Love it!

Tilia is a new online home delivery service connecting Londoners with local suppliers of artisan food and drink. At the moment, it’s a London only thing, but there are plans for rapid nationwide expansion. I recently gave Tilia a twirl. Completely impressed, I loved everything aspect of my experience. Indeed, I’m keen to try the service again (and again!) and can wholeheartedly recommend it as an incredibly convenient way to get top quality grub to your table. Continue reading

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Dining in Chiswick, West London (CheapOair)

Situated in a leafy and somewhat suburban area of West London, Chiswick is a family friendly community with a village-y feel. It’s also a fantastic destination for some of London’s best restaurants with one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the entire city. From Michelin stars to whoopie pies and just about everything delectable in between, Chiswick is home to a variety of restaurants and food shops for just about any occasion. Here’s a list highlighting but a few of the excellent eateries around Chiswick. Continue reading

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Best Fish and Chips in London? The Perkin Reveller at The Tower of London

For a touristic all rounder wedged between The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, the Perkin Reveller dishes out a quality dining experience and an excellent introduction to the best of British fare. Continue reading

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