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Reviews

Find my latest hotel, restaurant, and theatre reviews below.

Arcola Theatre •

Cutting the Tightrope: The Divorce of Politics from Art

We are living through a moment of horror. Brutality abroad in Palestine and the Global South is justified or ignored by our own government, while new police powers suppress protest at home. Globally far-right movements are growing and so too are Defence budgets. There is much to talk about.

But, readings, exhibitions, and shows are being cancelled. Some are silenced and some are unwilling to speak. And the Arts Council have started warning that ‘political statements’ made by individuals linked
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: Yaatra in Westminster is the tastiest Indian I've ever had

When every other person in London seems to have plans for Valentine’s Day, I highly recommend meeting your pal for an Indian next year.

That’s what I did, anyway. Except it was no ordinary Indian, it was quite possibly the tastiest Indian I’ve ever had.

Yaatra is located inside a Grade II listed Edwardian Old Westminister Fire Station in the heart of Westminster, a short walk from Victoria station.

While there are a number of set menus to choose from, catering for meat-eaters and vegans alike
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: The Piano Works, Soho

With the promise of singing waiters and a live band, my friend Aoife and I knew we had to pay a visit to The Piano Works.

We went to their restaurant in Soho which sits alongside the Gillian Lynne Theatre, making it the perfect place for a pre-show snack.

The menu is quite simple – there is a lot to choose from and something for everyone, but it’s not overcomplicated.

We ordered two Mango and Peach Margaritas as we pondered over what to eat.

The sweetness of the fruit and the agave syrup con
THE KNOW •

HOTEL REVIEW: The Angel, Abergavenny

Abergavenny - a quiet but bustling market town located on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (or Brecon Beacons National Park) - is best known for its annual food festival, which takes place during the second week of September. It’s also not very far from where I grew up, so when the opportunity to spend a night at The Angel Hotel - a 31-bedroom establishment in the centre of Abergavenny - came up in January, my mum and I jumped at the chance.

Being reminded of how friendly Welsh people are is
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: Humble Grape, Battersea

Humble Grape, Battersea’s favourite, sustainable wine bar, is located somewhere between the Northcote Road and Clapham Common.

Although it is humble by name, it’s certainly not humble by nature, and my friend Lorna and I had a very lovely time.

When we arrived at 6.30 pm, the restaurant was already bustling with dates, mates, and birthday parties alike.

The decor is rustic – think wooden tables and shelf upon shelf of wine bottles.

The ambient background music, hum of chatter, and low lighti
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: The Oystermen, Covent Garden

When you hear the people sitting next to you describe what they’ve just eaten as “the best meal they’ve ever had in London”, you know you’re in for a treat.

And a treat is exactly what Thursday evening was.

Despite the minus temperatures, my sister Lizzie and I wrapped up warm and headed to The Oystermen in Covent Garden – a seafood restaurant which prides itself on provenance, sustainability and old-school hospitality.

The restaurant, which is located on Henrietta Street, is a short walk fro
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: Dishoom, Battersea

Dishoom has recently opened its tenth branch in Battersea Power Station.

The restaurant was first opened in Covent Garden by Shamil and Kavi Thakrar in 2010 and a decade later, there are several branches across the country,

The group is inspired by the old Irani cafés which were popular in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, during the 1960s.

These days, Irani cafés have almost disappeared, but Dishoom pays tribute them and the food of Bombay.

Dishoom is a restaurant which to me, sat at home in Sou
North West Londoner •

REVIEW: Prawn on the Lawn, Islington

Meals usually fall into one of three categories: those which were fine but nothing to write home about, those which were good but not exceptional, and those which you will remember, and probably bang on about, for a very long time.

And I will be banging on about Wednesday, an evening which embodied everything I hoped a London life would be, for a long time.

Before I talk about Prawn on the Lawn – a gorgeous little seafood restaurant which is a stone’s throw from Highbury & Islington station, l
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: La Gamba, Southbank Centre

I spent my third year of university studying in Madrid, and I ate a lot of tapas. A lot.

To the point of overdoing it.

I am always on the hunt of where to find good tapas in London.

When the chance to try La Gamba – a riverside tapas restaurant at the Southbank Centre – appeared in my inbox, my friend Christian and I jumped at the chance.

As the days get shorter and deadlines loom, an evening at La Gamba was the perfect mid-week treat.

The atmosphere was bustling and the staff were lovely a
THE KNOW •

REVIEW: Purezza, Camden Town

As much as I’ve wanted to like vegan cheese over the years, it’s something that I’ve struggled to get on board with. So when the opportunity to eat at Purezza - a much-lauded, plant-based pizza restaurant - landed in my inbox, I was hopeful that my opinion could finally be shifted.

Back in 2015, Stefania Evangelisti and her husband Tim Barclay opened their Brighton restaurant - the UK’s first vegan pizzeria - with the determination to create a vegan menu which appealed to everyone.

Since then,
South West Londoner •

REVIEW: Bistro Bleu offers authentic and comforting French food

The 36-cover bistro, which is run by Parisian born general manager Reynald Tel and head chef Bernard Dumonteil, promises an authentic, comforting and seasonal taste of French cuisine with a British edge.

The entrance to the restaurant is separate from the pub, and the cosy restaurant is a pleasant surprise at the top of the staircase, particularly on a rainy autumn evening.

The restaurant was busy, the atmosphere jovial, and the deep blue walls contrasted with the mustard-coloured curtains, an
THE KNOW •

REVIEW: Karapincha, Vauxhall Market

Since Karapincha opened its first grab-and-go stall five years ago, it has gone from strength to strength. Known for its homemade, locally sourced and affordable food, it is now regarded as one of London’s top spots for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, with branches in Old Spitalfields Market, Vauxhall, Elephant and Castle’s Mercato Metropolitano and Canary Wharf. The latter site, which set up shop at the end of August, was the first restaurant in the UK to open within a tube station, with all the