All Aboard the Old Ship: Being a West Londoner, one of my favourite haunts, particularly in the summer months has to be along the Riverside at Hammersmith, come rain or shine I never tire of watching the river life go by. It’s the perfect escape from the city streets and well worth a leisurely walk […]
A Walk on the Wild Side at UKAI Notting Hill
UKAI Japanese Gastropub in Notting Hill Walking from Notting Hill Gate to the wrong end of the Portobello Road is something of a lesson in sociology. While The Gate itself is a little scruffy, just a few minutes away, the swanky stucco fronted buildings of the area around Pembridge Crescent and Kensington Park Road are […]
The Princess Victoria returns to West London
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 […]
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 […]
Peyotito, Modern Notting Hill Mexican
Peyotito – Contemporary Mexican Tapas and More: As an ex-West-Londoner, any return to my old stomping ground always leaves me nostalgic. The walk from Notting Hill tube to Peyotito took me past Notting Hill Kitchen (currently closed) and up to what was, when I last tried, one of London’s finest butchers – Provenance. I can […]
The Eagle Pub in Notting Hill – Review
The Eagle has landed… So many pubs have disappeared from our cities, towns and villages that being asked to review a new pub in Ladbroke Grove feels like a rare treat. I was on a Notting Hill staycation at the glamorous The Portobello Hotel so I trotted down the Grove for some dinner to The […]
The Italian Job – A taste of Italy comes to Notting Hill
The Italian Job, Notting Hill – Review: I’m always happy to hear about exciting new bars and restaurants, especially if they are local. All Saints Road in Notting Hill has for many years been a great destination for good food and cool bars for those in the know, so I was keen to visit the […]
Ping Pong – Westfield Shepherds Bush
Ping Pong’s new Innocent Indulgence Collection: Shopping In West London has never been easier; Westfield in White City has virtually every shop from luxury designer to high street standards all under one roof. I went for a shopping trip with my friend, which as we all know, can be an exhausting activity. So, tired, hungry […]
The Petersham Revisited
Location, Location, Location – Dining at The Petersham The Petersham dining room does have something of a strategic advantage – dining looking out through floor to ceiling windows, at the view of the Thames which inspired Turner to paint the meadows is always a joy. I last visted The Petersham in the summer, before the recent […]
Sugar Dumplin – Review
A Caribbean Food Fest at Sugar Dumplin: “Hey Fattie Bum Bum, Little Sugar Dumplin”- I’m old enough to remember Carl Malcolm’s 1975 hit. It was a blast of Caribbean sunshine from the past so with the winter weather kicking in it was great to be invited by Caribbean restaurant group Sugar Dumplin to celebrate […]