Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill – hotel review
London is indeed one of the world’s great cities. It’s a magnet for tourists from every corner of the globe. They come to visit famed...
Kebabs and Tikkis by Tarla Dalal – review
I can understand why Tarla Dalal is such a very popular writer in India. She sells more books than any other author of any genre....
Castle House Hotel, Hereford – review
I confess, this isn’t a part of the country I know well. OK, it’s true, I am a city sort but I am increasingly charmed...
the bell at skenfrith, Monmouthshire – hotel review
the bell (note the corporate lower-case letters) at Skenfrith, Monmouthshire could easily be overlooked. You need to know it’s there and it’s worth the drive...
On a Stick by Matt Armendariz – review
It’s a book to bring a smile. Food served on skewers: mouthwatering titbits stuck with delicate picks or substantial chunks on batons. Everything here is...
The Phoenix – Geronimo Kitchen – restaurant review
The Phoenix is an attractive and traditional pub. Just the sort that tourists long to find and locals want to have as their local. These...
Triphal Indian Restaurant – Southfields – review
Sarkhel’s was a celebrated Indian restaurant in Southfields, between Wandsworth and Wimbledon. That restaurant has now closed but it’s a strange irony that some of...
Opera Tavern, Covent Garden – restaurant review
Opera Tavern was built in 1879 by the then celebrated public house architect George Treacher. Those were the days when there was a traditional pub...
Inamo Techno Restaurant, Soho – review
Wardour Street is celebrated as one of London’s night-owl alleys. Its selection of clubs and eateries is legendary so it’s no surprise that it also...
MasterChef at Home – cookbook review
Yes, it’s true. I hate to admit it. I know I am alone with this one. I am not keen on MasterChef. There, I have...
Loose Birds and Game by Andrew Pern – review
Loose Birds and Game! Well, that’s a book that’s sure to be popular. Aging and anorak-clad men will be leafing through this volume and might...
Namaasté Kitchen, Camden – restaurant review
Namaasté Kitchen is the new restaurant concept from The Salaam Namaste Group. This latest venture is just a few yards from Camden Town Underground station...
Portal Portuguese Restaurant, Clerkenwell – review
Portal is a Portuguese restaurant but it’s far from the sunny climes of Iberia. The nearest Underground station is Farringdon which means ‘fern-covered hill’, and...
Whisky & Cheese Matching at the Athenaeum – bar review
This was our first visit to this most charming of central London hotels. Its location is hard to beat, being on Piccadilly and between Green...
The Commonwealth Kitchen at the Commonwealth Club – restaurant review
There is something rather appealing in the prospect of being a member of a prestigious club. Many of us are members of fitness clubs but...
Café Spice Namasté: Cookbook by Cyrus Todiwala – review
There is an Indian restaurant just a stone’s throw from Tower Bridge. A red brick building, imposing steps to self-important doors, stained glass, high ceilings...
Bento Love – Easy Japanese Cooking by Kentaro Kobayashi – review
All of my regular readers will know the name Kentaro Kobayashi. I have reviewed another book of his which had its focus on Donburi, an...
Sofra Mayfair for Dinner – restaurant review
One always expects something a bit special in Mayfair. Some of the best and most iconic of restaurants can be found in that neighbourhood. There...
El Cantara, Soho – restaurant review
We all need to get away from time to time. The freezing and wind-swept streets of London encourage thoughts of distant lands, exotic fabrics, tooled...
The Golden Book of Baking by Rachel Lane – review
Here it is. The Golden Book of Baking. A chunky golden ingot of a book. A gleaming brick of a tome. Another metallic and gift-quality...