Tag Archives: reviews

Scents of Summer Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane

A new limited edition Scents of Summer afternoon tea is available now and running until the end of September at the Wellington Lounge of the Intercontinental London Park Lane. The colourfully presented tea features a bouquet of delicacies created by the hotel’s Executive Chef Ashely Wells in collaboration with Edward Bodenham, 9th generation of the world’s oldest family-run perfumers Floris. For a taste (and whiff) of the joys of summer, this afternoon tea offers a luxurious opportunity to while away some and come out smelling like a rose! Continue reading

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Yummy Sophistication in Swish Digs: Yauatcha City, Broadgate Circle

The new 7,220sqft semi-circle restaurant echoes the swankest of design elements of its flagship Michelin starred sister site in Soho – only in shinier new Broadgate Circle digs for easy access to Liverpool Street passers by and for City workers keen to flash cash in tasteful (and tasty) surroundings near their offices. Continue reading

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Whaam Banh Mi, Great Windmill Street, Soho

Man oh man, I love banh mi and the recent years proliferation of places stuffin’ full and thick across London is a delicious thing indeed – and one that just got tastier with the launch of Whaam Banh Mi. Continue reading

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Lunch at The Angel, City Road/Old Street

A few years ago I used to live just down the road from The Angel. Back then, like so many other things hovering near Old Street Roundabout, the pub was a very different place to what it is now. Following a major sprucing up, the once scruffy old boozer has reopened as a really rather clean and cosy place to have a drink. It’s still a good pub to keep in mind for enjoying a proper pint (now with a craft beer selection), you just don’t need to worry about your shoes sticking to the floor anymore. Continue reading

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Brunch … Busaba Style?

Busaba Eathai: it’s one of those go-to restaurants in London that everybody seems to like and a lot of people absolutely love. Now the dozen-strong group of popular Thai eateries aims to broaden its appeal even further with a new brunch menu. Continue reading

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Maze Grill, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea

Another week, another chance to visit another Maze Grill in Chelsea. Or so that’s how things have shaped up here on this blog with Leila Duke’s review last week of Maze Grill Park Walk and now my own write up of another recently opened MG in Chelsea – this one on Royal Hospital Road. Continue reading

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Something for Everyone at Maze Grill, Park Walk

Leila Dukes takes a considered view in her delectable review of Gordon Ramsay Group’s new Maze Grill Park Walk in Chelsea. Continue reading

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Recipe Kit Delivery Service Marley Spoon

Recipe kit delivery service, Marley Spoon, came knocking at my door recently with a couple of ready-to-cook meals for me to try. It was all yummy stuff, healthy too, and really easy to prepare. I was impressed with the service and the quality of the food. If you’re short on time but keen to have a home cooked meal, give ‘em serious consideration. Continue reading

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Shake Shack Westfield Stratford City

Shake Shack launches its second London eatery with a new restaurant opening 20 May at Westfield Stratford City. Guess who got to sample some classic Shack favourites alongside some new and exclusive to Stratford menu items this afternoon?! Don’t hate the player, folks. In fact, don’t even hate the game. Just get over there starting tomorrow for some of East London’s best best burgers, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, frozen custards … Continue reading

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Dammann Frères Teas at the Sofitel London St James’s Rose Lounge (espressoCrazy)

Man cannot live on coffee alone. And as much as I tried (often succeeded) in doing so, I must admit it’s nice to have a cup of something else every once in a while. Horses for courses and all that … Continue reading

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Beany Green at Broadgate Circle

Based on the throngs (moving through a swiftly served queue, mind you) of folks showing up for lunch at the Beany Green flagship café at Broadgate Circle on the sunshiny weekday when I dropped by last week, this newly opened City worker pit stop for Aussie coffee and clean-minded food hardly needs an endorsement from me to ensure steady patronage. Still, I was impressed with just about every aspect of my visit and could see why everybody else seemed so keen for Beany Green bites. Continue reading

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La Vie en Rose Afternoon Tea at the Sofitel London St James

On now and running throughout May is a new floral-inspired La Vie en Rose afternoon tea at the Rose Lounge at the Sofitel London St James hotel. I got a taste of this limited run luxury a couple of weeks back and very much enjoyed it. Here’s a waft of what made it such a treat for me. Continue reading

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Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House

There’s a whole lot of photography on view now at Somerset House with the 2015 Sony World Photography Awards exhibition with a good assortment of eye catching and poignant works to see. Continue reading

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A Simple Space at Udderbelly Festival: No Frills Just Thrills and Simply Amazing Acrobatic Stunts

Wow! I was blown away at last night’s press preview performance by A Simple Space, a no-frills show direct from Australia which “champions the incredibly artistry of the human body over traditional circus gimmicks.” Continue reading

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The George Foreman Grill “Evolves”

The George Foreman has grown up; the new “Evolve” model is described as “the next generation”. New features such as a deep bake pan mean you can easily create so much more than the toasties, paninis and grilled meats associated with the earlier versions. It’s now possible to cook small stews, casseroles and even pizzas using the grill. Continue reading

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Piadabar: New Italian Takeaway in the Heart of Soho

Piadabar is a new Italian takeaway on Bateman Street in Soho that serves authentic piada (Northern Italian flatbread), traditional cheeses and cured meats, amazing homemade desserts, excellent espresso and more. It’s a brilliant spot to drop by for a quick sandwich or snack – whether on your way to work in the morning, during lunch or even after a late night out playing weekend warrior (Piadabar is open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights). Continue reading

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Tredwell’s by Marcus Wareing

Often before heading to a restaurant for the first time I’ll have a look online at existing reviews about the place to know what to keep an eye out for and maybe to avoid. For my Sunday lunch visit to Marcus Wareing’s “Modern British” Tredwell’s, I should have just avoided reading the reviews all together and let my gut (which is now a good bit larger after my Tredwell’s meal) guide me in the right direction. Continue reading

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A Myriad of Marks: Dragica Carlin at Lollipop Gallery

Bubbles and bulk white walls greeted me, as The Lollipop Gallery provided its typical minimalist space to showcase the art. Set across two floors of industrialist space with plank wooden floors and the smell of sawdust, the intimate gallery has the feel of wandering into a painter’s study, rather than an exhibition of work. That personal tone was further set by there being no plaquards asride any of Carlin’s pieces, no Titles or information on mediums, a rare treat that invited guests to use their senses to understand and analyse the abstract works. Continue reading

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El Pirata of Mayfair Celebrates 20 Years Serving Authentic Tapas

Anchored for two decades in Mayfair with an admirable reputation, El Pirata has long been regarded as a regular favourite among the locals and a safe bet for out-of-towner’s seeking a more than decent meal. Slow sailing me, I’ve intended to visit this popular tapas bar for ages but only recently set a course in its direction, where I discovered a menu full of treasured Spanish dishes. Is El Pirata worth considering for your next port of call? Aye, Cap’n. Continue reading

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Meaty New “Bunsmiths” BBQ Menu at Sebright Arms: Oh Hell Yes!

Pub grub never looked so mouthwateringly mountainous! A new (not pop-up) menu at Sebright Arms pub off Hackney Road brings some of the finest “low and slow BBQ cooked meat served fresh and fast in delicious buns” to the table to be washed down with something sudsy from one of London’s more carefully considered lists of craft and quality beers. Continue reading

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The Real Greek Soho? It’s Real Good!

Maybe it’s just been a long time since I last visited one of the eight or so Real Greek restaurants around town, or perhaps this group of all rounder Eastern Mediterranean-style taverns has recently upped its game. Whatever the case … Continue reading

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Lunch at The Pig

Oozing with ye olde English shabby chic charm without coming across as twee, the look and feel of this “restaurant with rooms” very much did it for me. I could have staged a “you-can’t-make-me-leave” sit-in at the hotel’s ultra cosy lobby bar; I got a mini recharge from my brief amble through the kitchen garden and surrounding grounds; I would have loved to try a post-lunch treatment at the spa across the pond in the garden or maybe an expert-led forage in the forest for wild mushrooms.
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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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Eastern Exchanges at Manchester Art Gallery

I had a splendid afternoon crashing the press preview of the newly opened Eastern Exchanges: East Asia Craft and Design exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery yesterday. More than a few standout pieces – as well as a chance to peek at a couple of other shows now on and to have a look at the gallery’s impression permanent collection – made my northward daytrip well worth the time on the train. Fans of design would do well to follow suit before the show closes at the end of May.Continue reading

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Anish Kapoor at Lisson Gallery

Now open to the public, an exhibition of new works by celebrated sculptor Anish Kapoor at Lisson Gallery is very much worth taking a good long gander at. 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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London’s Finest Chocolate (OneTravel)

… the proof is truly in the truffle. Here’s a cream-of-the-crop list of some of London’s finest of the fine chocolate shop offerings. And just in time for Valentine’s Day too! Read my complete post at the OneTravel blog.

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A Couple of Foodie Movie Previews: Jiro Dreams of Sushi + Forks Over Knives (Great British Chefs)

Over the holidays, I previewed a couple of foodie flicks that are due to be released soon in the UK: Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Forks Over Knives. Upon first glance, the two movies might not seem to have a … Continue reading

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Best Restaurants of 2012 – Everywhere Else

Yesterday I published my list of ten best London restaurants for 2012. Today, I’m sharing a list of some faves from trips beyond the M25. I didn’t get out of town as much as I would have liked during 2012. … Continue reading

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10 Best London Restaurants of 2012

2012, what a delicious year for London! This city – this big old convoluted mess of a city – kept improving its flavour profile and coming up with new and better ways to offer locals and visitors alike more choice … Continue reading

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Five Great Korean Restaurants in Central London (CheapOair)

Here are five of my favorite Korean restaurants in London listed in alphabetical order. I couldn’t possibly arrange a list in any sort of ascending or descending order of quality; they’re all good! The list is hardly exhaustive as I’m … Continue reading

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London Goes Scandinavian (OneTravel)

If next time you find yourself doing something especially fashionable in London and for a split second you forget where you are and start wondering if you’re actually in, say, Malmo or Reykjavik, you’d be forgiven. London, it seems, is … Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Here’s a quick list of some really good stuff I’ve come across lately but for whatever reason didn’t make it into their own blog posts on here, my tikichris-to-go Tumblr blog or one of my client blogs. Bo Ningen: Wow. Japanese psychedelic rawk-n-roll. … Continue reading

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Amazing Autumn Recipe: Paul Heathcote’s Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan and Truffle Oil

Without ever having visited his restaurants or sampled any food actually prepared by him, I think I’ve started to become a serious fan of Paul Heathcote. Back when this year’s so called summer was in full swing, I followed his … Continue reading

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Santa’s Lap: Harden’s London Restaurants 2010 (Londonist)

Santa’s Lap: Harden’s London Restaurants 2010 Londonist, December 17, 2009 3:00 PM Now entering their second decade publishing these pocket-sized guides to London and the UK, their rating system seems as tried and true as ever. The 2010 guide features … Continue reading

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