Classic French fare in Islington at Bistro Sablé The rain was bucketing down when I arrived at Bistro Sablé feeling as damp as the weather. This restaurant was previously a gastropub called The Smokehouse, and its owners, Noble Inns, have recently transformed it into the sort of brasserie you would be happy to stumble upon […]
Cafe East Phò
Vietnamese home cooking comes to Central London Recently opened in Holborn, Café East Pho is a popular restaurant that has its origins in Deptford. It opened in South East London in 1997, when Madam Ngoc opened a small café, bringing authentic Vietnamese cuisine to her diners. In no time, her phò broth, simmered for 12 hours, […]
Bertrand’s Townhouse
New boutique hotel in Bloomsbury If you are looking for a boutique hotel bolthole in central London, look no further. Bertrand’s Townhouse is a 4-star, 43-room hotel around the corner from the British Museum. It opened in mid-December 2025 following an extensive refurbishment, replacing a hotel that had previously operated in the building. Being Grade […]
Broken Glass – Young Vic
Arthur Miller’s play resonates with our times Arthur Miller’s Olivier award-winning play, Broken Glass, does not appear regularly on the London stage. It played at the National Theatre in 1994, at the Tricycle (now Kiln) in 2010 and in Watford in 2018. The current run at Young Vic is bookended by the brilliant production of […]
Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold – NEON at Battersea Power Station
A visit to Ancient Egypt through 180 objects Visitors to London have a unique opportunity to see an exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts gathered from museums and sites across Egypt. On loan from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, 180 priceless artefacts, many of which have never left Egypt, are on display in a beautifully curated […]
The Kensington Hideaway Hotel
Boutique hotel pays homage to Kensington’s literary history Newly opened following a multi-million-pound renovation, The Kensington Hideaway is a 59-room, four-star boutique hotel located on Kensington High Street. Its excellent location is one draw, while the beautifully refurbished interior is another. I was invited to review the hotel as it opened. Being the first person […]
Beatriz González – Barbican Art Gallery
‘Art says things that history cannot’ explains González Beatriz González, who passed away in January 2026, sadly did not live to see the opening of her first retrospective show in the UK. She had, however, previously walked around the rooms of the Barbican art gallery, discussing the layout of the show, and asked whether the […]
Bird Grove – Hampstead Theatre
Finding a voice amidst societal expectations Bird Grove is the story of a young woman, fascinated by books and ideas, who breaks free of societal expectations to pursue a career as a writer. That writer was George Eliot, but she does not yet assume that identity in the course of the play. Written by Alexi […]
Treehouse Manchester
A treetop getaway in central Manchester Walking into the lobby of Treehouse Manchester, I imagined I had entered a magical forest. The walls of the hotel were clad in thin tree trunks. The check-in desk was located in a wooden cabin. Plants hung from the ceiling, and greenery and potted plants covered every surface. One […]
Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen-Hayward Gallery
Threads of Life meets Heart to Heart in double bill show There are many galleries and museums showing women artists this year, with the Hayward Gallery opening with a double bill. Chiharu Shiota and Yin Xiuzhen share an interest in memories and produce sculptural pieces that are adventurous and experimental. Their works invite viewers to engage […]