The Newman Arms – Traditional Tap House in Fitzrovia: While ale may originally have been consumed simply because unadulterated water in England was unsafe to drink, there’s no doubt these days that it’s often far more of a craft product. Yet despite, or perhaps because of the growth of the gastropub, the traditional British pub […]
Vijays Bar & Lounge, Fitzrovia
An exclusive drinking den in the heart of Fitzrovia – Vijay’s at Lokhandwala: Vijay’s Bar & Lounge, tucked away up a small staircase on London’s Charlotte Street, above Indian restaurant Lokhandwala, was inspired by an infamous Mumbai gangster Vijay. A real hidden gem, the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of London’s busy streets, […]
Senor Ceviche – How charming to meet you in Fitzrovia
A Peruvian in Fitzrovia – Senor Ceviche: I have a confession to make about Peruvian restaurants; until a couple of years ago, I had no idea that Peruvian cuisine had become so popular in London. Asked to attend a Pisco Sour evening in one on Frith Street, I bowled into the first Peruvian restaurant that I […]
Bon Vivant – French restaurant review
This new restaurant in the heart of Bloomsbury offers diners an authentic experiénce française. With the UK bracing itself for an upcoming Brexit, 2017 may seem a strange time to open an unashamedly European restaurant in the heart of the capital, but Bon Vivant hopes to add a little joie de vivre at a time […]
Samarkand – A Silk Route Menu in Fitzrovia
Cocktails and Dinner at Samarkand, Charlotte Street: I had no idea what to expect from Samarkand. A look at the map shows Uzbekistan as a landlocked country, north of Afghanistan. Once part of the USSR, the country, and Samarkand in particular, is known for its Islamic architecture. Uzbek cuisine is new to me, though a […]
Ahi Poké – Review
Hawaiian Food in London – Ahi Poké: I love investigating different food cultures so when the invitation came to review Ahi Poké – a new, casual all-day restaurant serving Hawaiian raw fish salad bowls – it was a no-brainer. Poké is a Hawaiian culinary staple consisting of raw, chopped and marinated Ahi tuna, topped with rice and vegetables that developed in the […]
Ichiryu Hakata Udon House Review
Udon House in Oxford Street – Ichiryu: Ichiryu is the newest venture for entrepreneur Tak Tokumine, who founded Japan Centre in 1976. A Hakata native, Tak takes pride in being able to bring a piece of his hometown to London, allowing people from all walks of life to appreciate authentic high quality Japanese udon. Coupled […]
The Marquis Cornwallis – Food and Drink for the Bloomsbury Set
The Perfect Bloomsbury Watering Hole – The Marquis Cornwallis: I find myself in Russell Square at least twice a month, sometimes twice a week, attending meetings in the University of London buildings. In these meetings we attempt to workforce plan for the NHS, look at the education needs of the workforce, and enhance leadership capabilities […]
Dining with Mrs Dalloway
Almost Al-Fresco in Bloomsbury at the Dalloway Terrace: The upper middle-class Bloomsbury set, an intellectual group was an informal network of artists, critics and writers who lived in Bloomsbury, WC1. One of the members, Virginia Woolf, was author of the novel Mrs Dalloway, who lends her name to the newly opened Dalloway Terrace. The book […]
The House of Ho, Fitzrovia
A Vietnamese Feast in Fitzrovia at the House of Ho: Vietnamese food is one of my favourites, so I was pleased to be invited by the House of Ho to experience its new menu and cuisine in its new premises in the heart of Fitzrovia. The original House of Ho restaurant in Soho is still […]