Category: Food & Drink

Duel Purpose

I read in the FT three recommendations for places to eat outside in London; a timely feature as the weather warms up. One of their picks is Boulestin in St James’s Street (above) and, before you book a table, you might like my slant.

The Faultless Painter

An old friend told me this week that he is taking an evening course at the Slade School of Fine Art but The Faultless Painter doesn’t refer to him. It is the title of a poem by Robert Browning about the Renaissance artist, Andrea del Sarto.

Retail Travail

As more people shop online the retail sector in the UK is having to adapt.  I wonder if this trend is reflected in the shops around Barons Court station?

Royal Ginger (not Prince Harry)

Sensing the onset of a cold I have been self-medicating with draughts of the King’s Ginger. The King is Edward VII, who took over the reins from and reigned after his mother, Queen Victoria.

London House Prices

I’ll write those three most hated dinner party words again, “London house prices”.  Like Glenda Slagg in Private Eye, aren’tcha sick of ’em?

Marmalade Matters

You have twenty-two days to submit your entry to the International Marmalade Awards, held annually at Dalemain in Cumbria. Marmalade is submitted from all over the world, so don’t be put off if you don’t live in the UK.

Eating en Famille/Famiglia

The London restaurant scene is dominated by a small number of companies that own a  biggish selection of restaurants in central London that have appealing menus, slightly less appealing prices but are always reliable and with excellent service. Today I’m going to tell you about a few family owned restaurants.

Pickwick

At this time of year my thoughts turn to opening a bottle of something sweet. The approach of Christmas turns me into Mr. Pickwick.

Spottiswoode

Does London need a new £500 million concert venue? The rather ugly roundabout where the Museum of London is now (it’s moving to Smithfield Market) is the proposed site, located between the Barbican and St Paul’s. Maybe we would do better to stick to George’s long term economic plan and build flats and offices that… Continue reading Spottiswoode

How About a Bacon Butty?

I expect you have often seen this or similar. At least sixty-one were built and now thirteen remain. It is, of course, a cabman’s shelter. As originally they were parked on public highways and some still are, they could be no  bigger than a horse and cart.