Verdene E5, Clapton

Four  years ago a friend moved to Clapton, and spent a considerable amount of time and effort trying to persuade me to open a sherry and tapas bar there. It wasn’t to be. It was nothing to do with the area. Finance, capability and a million other factors were all far bigger issues…. 

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Tincan London

[First published in Fish on Friday. To read more about my Tincan experience, see this article in Munchies.]

Last week, a new restaurant launched in London’s Soho: Tincan. A restaurant selling only tinned seafood. No kitchen, no chef – just waiters to lift a pricy pilchard from its tin, and take it to the table. … 

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St John Banquet at Wilderness Festival

When Thomas and I got married earlier this year, my brother voiced two fears. Firstly that we’d suddenly become really middle-aged. And secondly, that we’d become really comfortable with each other, and contentedly flabby.
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Review: The Old George

The Old George, 379 Bethnal Green Road

This post starts with a sad story. A few months ago, Thomas and I went to try out a recently-renovated pub nearby, The King’s Arms. It used to be a proper local’s pub. But the new management took down the traditional swinging sign. They switched the pub tables outside for expensive benches, stripped out the interior and crammed the back bar with craft beers. Now The King’s Arms pitches itself as a “stylish modern take on a traditional pub”.… 

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