Boutique Hotel in South Kensington – The Ampersand When you visit a city like London you want to be close to the action – to the culture, the shopping, the restaurants – all the things that make a city’s heart beat… Invited to review The Ampersand, I was aware of the typographically influenced name but no […]
Ceru – A Permanent Home for a Levantine Favourite
A Spot of Sunshine in South Kensington – Ceru: Last week was my third visit to Ceru. Each time, I’ve been to a different location – a pop-up in Fitzrovia, another on Bankside and finally, a permanent location in South Kensington. It’s a big transition, from pop-up to permanent, somewhere you hope your customers will […]
North Indian Restaurant in South Kensington – Thali
Thali – A hidden gem in South Kensington: South Kensington isn’t somewhere that immediately springs to mind for good Indian food. In fact, when I lived down the road, in West Brompton, I despaired of finding a good Indian restaurant and instead used to visit Taiwan Village to indulge in hot, spicy Taiwanese dishes. If […]
Comté and Beer in South Kensington
Comté Cheese and Beer Tasting at La Cave á Fromage: I’ve been eating Comté on a regular basis for several years. I love its complex nuttiness (takes one to know one) but knew nothing of the 1000 year history or provenance of the cheese; so the opportunity to be taken through the varying ages of Comté by […]
Brasserie Gustave – Traditional French Dining in London
Paris, London – Brasserie Gustave in South Kensington: Almost equidistant from South Kensington and Gloucester Road tube stations, the Institut Francais and nearby Lycee Francais mark out a part of London sometimes called the ‘French Quarter’. Walk due South for 8 minutes or so and you’ll find Brasserie Gustave, on the corner of Sydney Street. […]
Sicilian Hospitality in South Kensington – The South Kensington Club
The South Kensington Club – Tasca Day: Having lived just down the road from South Kensington, I was intrigued by an invitation to the South Kensington Club. Despite the tube strike, I decided that a special Sicilian lunch with Tasca wines and the opportunity to see around the club was one not to miss. So, […]
Drama and Delights – Afternoon Tea – Ampersand Hotel
Ampersand Hotel – Science Afternoon Tea I suspect I am nothing more than a big kid at heart. Revisiting the Ampersand Hotel for afternoon tea recently with friend and Theatre specialist Natalie York, we both looked at the menu – and despite the thirty year gap both decided that we should order the ‘Science Afternoon […]
One Foodie’s Bucket List – Dinner at Racine, South Kensington, London
“Foodie Bucket List” Dinner at Racine with Kenwood: Guest feature by Natalie York. I’m not sure what would be on my foodie bucket list, Christmas trifle definitely, and maybe dinner at Tonkotsu, it’s such a matter of personal taste I imagine coming up with something to please everyone would be a nightmare. But that’s […]
The Royal Albert Hall – Coda Fine Dining Restaurant
Fine dining at the Royal Albert Hall Coda Restaurant – and Elvis Costello: I didn’t actually expect elegance at the Royal Albert Hall. I suspect I am too used to promming – turning up during the summer months to sit on the floor and stare up at the orchestra (or just at the weirdly […]
Blakes Hotel Review
Blakes Hotel for Lime & Tonic: A blast from the past, Blakes Hotel was for many years on my mother’s unrequited wish-list. She and my father traveled regularly overseas and usually stayed at a very nice hotel just up the road near Gloucester Road tube station. But, my mother loved a touch of glamour and […]