LONDON’S BEST EATS – A Lot of Chop

Room Service

There is a unique sense of surprise and elation when a friend pulls out a talent you never knew they had. I thought I knew everything worth knowing about my pal Temi when, out of the blue, he sat down to play the piano. Now, Mozart he wasn’t, but somehow his brief tickle of theContinue reading “Room Service”

The Ivy

The Cure are the most romantic and evocative group of all time. If you’re ever having one of those days where you’re feeling cold or heartless, stick them on, and you’ll find your soul right there. ‘A Letter to Elise’ is the most ambrosial melody you’ll find in four minutes. Whether he knows it orContinue reading “The Ivy”

Uchi

The stereotypical Western-Japanese restaurant was showcased in the early 90’s by Homer Simpson’s ill-fated visit to Springfield’s Happy Sumo. The staff, shocked at Homer’s loutish ways, personify Japanese restraint, masking their indignation as he eats everything on their menu. With the head chef distracted, Homer is mistakenly served the whole poisonous fugu fish. He isContinue reading “Uchi”

P.Franco

Jon Favreau’s Swingers is a coming of age film for my generation. It’s Clueless for dudes. Set against a backdrop of sleazy LA nightspots and sleazier Vince Vaughn lines, the film is ultimately about friendship, the male psyche and the healing of time. Heartbroken Mike is dragged by horny Trent from bar to bar, his loyal encouragement falling onContinue reading “P.Franco”

Brawn

I moved to Bethnal Green in 2010 when everyone was having ‘new-age- fun with a vintage feel’. ‘Being a Dickhead’s Cool’ was funny and vaguely informative. Seven years later it’s eerily nostalgic to watch: Today’s East London feels safer, more established and serious. At its heart though it’s still a glorious melting pot of people from Jerusalem,Continue reading “Brawn”

PattyandBun

1994 spawned an era of Britpop-infused excess in London. Back then eating out was not the preserve of the edgy cool youth (this would come later with wagamama). Either nothing tasted as good as skinny felt or you never really got round to eating. But whist Hirst and Moss were experimenting with sharks and orificesContinue reading “PattyandBun”

Trust in the Hawksmoor.

Last week Eminem’s acerbic verbal assault on the Tango-faced, fat president of The United States was widely endorsed by the media, Hollywood, blacks and whites. It restored some trust in celebrity culture and the power it can sometimes do for good. Trump-bashing is common. So why did Eminem’s excoriation of Donald’s Red, White and BlueContinue reading “Trust in the Hawksmoor.”

Cookhouse Joe

As a youngster things were simpler. There was Burger King, Wimpy, Pizza Hut and McDonalds. There was also a fucking spaceship on the motorway called Megatron where you ordered your food from a computer and a robot delivered it. Maybe this was just a dream, (then maybe it wasn’t). All exciting stuff regardless. But nowContinue reading “Cookhouse Joe”

Beagle

Hoxton tube station is Shoreditch’s Bermuda triangle if London cabbies are to be believed. And I’ve no reason not to trust them. Google may offer a simpler and more direct route than theirs but where’s the fun in that? Eventually we arrived at Geffrye Street under the railway arches and assured the cabbie this wasn’t aContinue reading “Beagle”

Bonnie Gull – Seafood Shack

Earlier this year I tried ‘herring – three ways’ while staying with friends in Stockholm for midsummer celebrations. It was a revelation. So good I literally and drunkenly made a song and dance about it. So where to take our Swedish aficionado pals in London? A new seafood shack, with head chef Luke Robinson (Fifteen) at the helm,Continue reading “Bonnie Gull – Seafood Shack”