All posts filed under: London

Happiness at 30

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It has been so long since I last posted, I almost wondered whether I might have forgotten how to use WordPress. So far, so good. I’m here. I’m writing. And it feels good. I’m currently in the midst of a week of reflection. As I approach the big 30, I am looking back at my 20s in wondrous amazement of everything that has happened in the last decade. I’m not here to dwell on the negative, I am here to celebrate the positive. I arrived back in London in March after a year and a half hiatus, following an awful break up and a very unsettling thrust into abnormality. I am extremely happy to say, however, that after three and a half years, the enthusiasm and passion for life that I once had has returned. 2016 has been an odd year. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one to say that. I just had the added bonus of unsettling myself and moving back to a big city that is hard to settle in …

Aquum, Clapham

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What Aquum has re-launched as a late night drinking, dining and dancing destination. Where 68-70 Clapham High St, London SW4 7UL Experience It was my first visit to Aquum which has been completely refurbished into a modern, vibrant restaurant – turned late night bar. It was the type of place you could imagine ordering shots and dancing until the early hours. I was joined by an old friend Lucinda who within minutes was speaking to a handsome man at the bar. I left her to it while I pondered over the menu. My first drink of the evening was a Greek Negroni. A thirst quenching blend of Campari, Bombay Sapphire, sweet vermouth, and made Greek by the addition of Skinos Mastic liqueur. The liqueur made the usually bitter cocktail sweet enough to be palatable for the rest of the evening, so I ordered another. The food menu offered contemporary Greek dishes which features sharing plates, fresh salads and grilled meats. Lucinda and I sampled a few sharing dips with sourdough bread. If you are familiar …

Indigo –Street Food of India

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What fusion of authentic sub- continent dishes A Experience Indigo in Shoreditch, prides itself on bringing the authentic vibrant and colourful heritage of India’s cuisine to Shoreditch and on Thursday last week, I had the joy of confirming they really should do. As soon as I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and chose a seat in the window, so to watch all the revellers from Richmix Cinema next door coming and going and the city coming alive for the weekend. As it is BYO and I was trying to be good, I ordered a sparkling water, proud of myself for not ordering one of the delicious looking lassis or non-alcoholic cocktails. Think subtle mango delight, rather think grenadine and orange. Jack arrived and we started to review the menu, which along with having all of the must have favourites, had a number of dishes which quizzed us to prompt the waiter on A: what they were and B:which was best. He suggested we ordered one from each section and as they all look great and …

Balan’s Soho Society Celebrates British Food Fortnight and Their Beautiful Refurbishment

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What To celebrate British Food Fortnight we were invited along to Balan’s Soho Society to indulge in all things British! Experience Everybody loves locally sourced food, other than the fact it is fresher and is better for your local economy- there’s something satisfying about knowing that the radish you are nibbling on was grown just down the road. It also helps when we are lucky enough to have some of the highest quality food produced right at our doorstep. On Thursday evening we were treated to a delicious array of locally sourced food (and drink!) at a newly refurbished Balan’s Soho Society. We began our feast with Scottish smoked salmon supplied by legendary East London smokehouse Foremans (served with wasabi and said radish). This was followed up with Cornish crab (also from Foremans) – this was a highlight for me – deliciously light and rich all at the same time. We then transitioned from the sea to the land with a mouth-watering Cod fishcake (South Coast fisheries) served with a perfectly poached Woodlands Farm egg …

Coin Laundry

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What Laid back neighbourhood bar and restaurant, Coin Laundry, serves up proper comfort food, 70s revival cocktails and a big fat slice of nostalgia. Where 70 Exmouth Market London EC1R 4QP Experience Perched at the top of Exmouth Market sits 1970’s inspired restaurant, Coin Laundry. The restaurant boasts nostalgia-inducing culinary delights and retro classic cocktails. I met my friend Sophie on Saturday afternoon to give their new cocktail menu a whirl. “What do you mean 70’s? Like pineapple on a stick?” “Exactly, Soph”. I was expecting extravagant Retro Bar-themed decor, but was pleasantly surprised to find a spacious subterranean bar with subtle references to 70’s design. The room felt contemporary, less Bee Gees, more Rolling Stones. The cocktail menu was a joy to ponder. Apart from a few well known classics, the menu featured a host of real original flavour combinations I was excited to try. First up, some bubbles. The Flipper blends apple sorbet, prosecco and lemon in a wide champagne coupe with jelly accompaniments. Sophie and I agreed that we had never tasted …