The Princess Victoria: Imagine your favourite local pub shutting down unexpectedly. That’s what happened a few months ago in Shepherd’s Bush, but hoorah! The Princess Victoria, built in 1829 and one of the original ‘gin palaces’, has recently reopened having undergone an extensive refurbishment by new owners Three Cheers Pubs. The even better news is that it’s […]
The Duck and Rice – A Pre-Christmas Chinese Feast:
The Duck and Rice, Soho: When I first worked in London there was a small Chinese cafe on the way from Leicester Square Tube to Lisle Street where our offices were based. It had a Chinese typewriter in the window – a mysterious device that came with ‘gears’ to allow the character sets to be […]
Returning to my Manor – The Manor Arms in Streatham
To The Manor Born! Whilst born in Clapham, and living in Norbury throughout my childhood; I went to school in Streatham, and spent many evenings during my latter teens in a bar called the Grape Affair (long gone). I went away to university in Birmingham, and then lived in various places, but returned to Streatham […]
The Pickled Hen – Marylebone
The Pickled Hen Gastropub: Sitting in the Marriott Hotel behind Marble Arch The Pickled Hen is a largish Gastropub with an attractive white tile and wood interior and an intriguing all-day food offer. The menu has a modern European slant and ranges from a complete meal to sharing plates ideal for a visit with friends, family […]
The Bickley – a fine local in Chislehurst
Chislehurst Caves and The Bickley: I have to admit to not visiting Chislehurst since I was quite a small girl when we were taken on a school trip to see the Chislehurst Caves. I remember being disappointed at the time as I had anticipated seeing stalactites and stalagmites in the caves, and instead was faced […]
Royal Oak – Review
Twickenham’s New Community Pub – the Royal Oak: A couple of months ago I reviewed The Eagle pub in Ladbroke Grove, part of the burgeoning Hippo Inns group, who are creating community pubs with good nosh and freshly brewed Truman beer straight from glorious copper tanks above the bar. I enjoyed my night at The […]
The Crown and Greyhound Dulwich
The Crown and Greyhound re-opens – it seems you can teach an old dog new tricks When I started working for King’s in 1999 all the support functions, such as Finance and HR, were based at East Dulwich Hospital, and the Crown and Greyhound in nearby Dulwich Village was a firm favourite for after work […]
Barbecue in St Bart’s!
A taste of England with a nod to America’s Deep South. On a hot summer’s night, I’m unwinding in St Bart’s. Not the Caribbean island, but a welcoming cool pub in the heart of London. I’m here to sample the new barbecue soul food menu featuring the finest fresh and sustainably sourced British meat, (as […]
The Duke of Sussex at Waterloo
A Hippo in Waterloo – The Duke of Sussex: I was hoping that I’d find some link between the Duke of Sussex and the Battle of Waterloo or even the station. In fact, the only connection I can find between the Duke and Waterloo was that he was one of the subscribers to an epic […]
The White Bear, Kennington – Review
Kennington’s Theatre Pub Gets a Refurb – The White Bear: South of the river, but not so far that you might catch a cold, The White Bear, Kennington is best known to me as a fringe theatre venue. It has a fabulous programme of shows, with tickets usually under £15. And, if you go along […]