tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7530605854271670822024-02-23T08:56:42.775+00:00Gingle lists everythingLondon Eating. London Drinking. London Clubbing. Basically things to do in London. Free things. Fun things. Quirky things. This is what I do. This is what I will write about. This is my London blog.
I place things on the list, cross them off the list, and then replace them with more new things on the list. Join me in my crossing off fetish.Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.comBlogger531125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-64673407357107444222017-02-21T22:38:00.004+00:002018-04-10T23:24:10.696+01:00I have moved<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A little while ago I decided that to make the most of the Listings page I was trying to keep on top of, I should move to a better platform. And I've decided to move my blog posts there too. So, while it doesn't look like much is going on here, you can still find me writing. I'm just over here now... <a href="http://www.ginglelistseverything.co.uk/" target="_blank">Gingle's Lists</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Come say hi!</span>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-79588699358161246812016-12-08T12:49:00.001+00:002016-12-08T12:49:07.470+00:00Cellar Door, 10th November<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took me about five years to actually get to Cellar Door
and it was a total anticlimax. The space itself is pretty cool – it’s a
repurposed public toilet in the middle of Aldwych. You’d never know it was
there unless you knew it was there. Downstairs they make the most of the space
with mirrored walls – so much so I kept walking through thinking there was more
to it. There wasn’t. Luckily there were two seats along the side so we quickly
grabbed those and waited for the acts to start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will give Cellar Door the benefit of the doubt – maybe we
just chose a dud night. It was basically a guy on keyboard with a walkabout
cabaret singer doing numbers such as The House of the Rising Sun and In These
Shoes and moving around the audience giving them her most personal of
attention. I found it all a bit cringey and forced though perhaps I just wasn’t
drunk enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of drinks, we ordered ‘martinis’ – mine the Cool as
a Cucumber and Carolyn’s the London Calling. For martinis they were oddly
frothy and not particularly potent. Mine tasted nice enough – but was too mild.
Carolyn’s was similar – and more to her preference when it comes to strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had our cocktail and then made a sharp exit before the
singing started again! </span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/cellar-door-aldwych" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Cellar Door, Aldwych and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Cellar Door Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6116107/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/cellar-door?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Cellar Door"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=d1b1044520494be79b7ac375b1339eaf" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-78427674925146219752016-12-02T13:24:00.002+00:002016-12-02T13:24:31.736+00:00Dum Biryani House, 10th November<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was unexpectedly contacted by Dhruv, the man behind DUM
Biryiani, newly opened in Soho, inviting me to review the place. He said he
liked my blog – clearly he has good taste, which boded well for his new
restaurant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dum might sound like an odd choice for a restaurant name but Dum biryani is actually a specific dish native to <span style="background-color: white;">Hyderabadi</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. So, this is another of those ‘one
choice’ places, with either lamb or veg (mushroom, chickpease, and potatoes) biryani being
the two choices for mains. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With these there’s a handful of starters or sides
and we ended up trying all of them except the prawns because I have allergies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This may sound a little greedy but I had been waiting for my friend for almost an hour by the time she arrived, slowly being driven mad by the tantalising smells though somewhat soothed by the gentle Snoop Doog being played in the background. So by the time she arrived, I was starving, despite demolishing a plate of the masala nuts while I sipped on a cocktail. </span>W<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ith the spicy coating it was hard to tell what nuts they were but I definitely spied peanut and cashew and maybe one other. They are fried and coated with a homemade spice mix which was not afraid of some real heat and were completely moreish. Perfect snacking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were all gone by the time Carolyn turned up so we got some of the fried yoghurt (because it sounded so strange) and also the black chickpea salad. I wasn’t sold on the fried yoghurt, but I don’t actually like yoghurt anyway so perhaps that’s no surprise. I certainly preferred it in this form – it was a bit like fried cottage cheese/paneer and I loved the curry leaf sauce it came with. But not something I’d choose to eat again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chicken wings were superb. They must have come from some
mammoth birds and were piled high with grated, crispy ginger – not the sort of
thing to take a mouthful of on its own, as I did, but a fantastic kick when
eaten with the actual wing. These were plenty spicy but not so spicy it becomes
a challenge to eat. So, just right in my opinion. I would have happily eaten another plateful. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The salad was light and zingy, and did act as a refreshing
coolant to the wings I was eating alongside. I wasn’t sure about the firm
texture of the chickpeas, but again, full disclosure, I don’t generally seek
chickpeas out so I’m not their biggest fan anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so, soon after, the main event was brought out. At first
glance it looks like a pot pie, but no, underneath that (really rather tasty –
loved the nigella(?) seeds) was the biryani. This is superhearty. Mine had
chunks of lamb throughout and a big bit of lamb on the bone which fell off with
the merest prod. There was a lot of rice. A lot. You could easily share
this if you also want to have most of the snacks, or have one each and only share a couple of the starters. I would probably recommend the former, unless you happen to be eating with a veggie!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwKTJlpl5uRT3bb-9HuSzO197MuY7_AjFDeH06wzjnthdBePbTTofzWRJ8GK_ey1vefkpwCrqtn120gYwVu8DlNbZxAKwrne-A1OZin-89FLNUrqL_M-A1shyphenhyphenZguHMD014jWqYhg8SwJK/s1600/20161110_200150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwKTJlpl5uRT3bb-9HuSzO197MuY7_AjFDeH06wzjnthdBePbTTofzWRJ8GK_ey1vefkpwCrqtn120gYwVu8DlNbZxAKwrne-A1OZin-89FLNUrqL_M-A1shyphenhyphenZguHMD014jWqYhg8SwJK/s400/20161110_200150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The biryani comes with a couple of poppadoms, some raita, a
korma-esque curry and chili (with boiled egg if you get the meat version) and
an absolutely delicious chutney. Overall, the biryani was a little too… aromatic
for me. The flavour profiles weren’t quite suited to my taste. Sort of reminded
me of incense. However, that didn’t stop me eating as much as I
could until I was stuffed. It was still tasty, although the rice got a little
dry at times so I would suggest giving the whole thing a good stir so the meat juices can supply some moisture. Or maybe pour your curry into it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, we were way too stuffed for dessert and really
enjoyed the whole meal - I would, and have, recommended it to others. Especially for those wings. Oh, those wings!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/dum-biryani-house-soho" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about DUM Biryani House, Soho and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="DUM Biryani House Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18387666/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/dum-london?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Dum Biryani House"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=962d5536ed6c4b92b13e1977f3e1f785" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-19340338364295626822016-11-30T13:41:00.003+00:002016-11-30T13:41:35.476+00:00Star at Night (London Gin Club), 9th November<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t know why I was so taken aback by the amount of gin
the London GIN Club had but it was a little overwhelming – how was I to choose?
So many gins. ALL the gins. To be mixed with Fever Tree tonic (natch) and
interesting little garnishes – like plum, or tomato and coriander and served in
those gorgeous copa glasses that are like fish bowls. They were all priced at
£8.95 unless otherwise stated, and actually there were probably more that were
‘otherwise stated’ than weren’t, and they were generally all about £9.50. So I
chose the way any sensible lush would – by ABV.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first one I tried I thought had a bit of a peppery taste to it but what do I know, and my friend was
directed to the sloe gins they had on offer when she said she liked it sweet
and fruity. The Bathtub sloe was perfect for this – tasted like fruit punch
when mixed with tonic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For her next she had one from the Citrus section but this
was too much serious gin for her – not fruity enough. You get a bottle of fever
tree to split between you and before I knew it she had emptied pretty much the
whole thing into her copa. As much as I could, I did not fancy drinking just
straight gin so we asked for another and our request was graciously granted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to say, I thought the service was lovely - not overly
present but they kept an eye on you and menus were swiftly handed over when our
first drink was finished. And they seemed more than happy to chat through the
different types of gin they had on offer. Although one of the servers didn’t
know that Martin Miller was a partly Icelandic gin – tsk tsk. (This I only knew
from the <a href="http://ginglelistseverything.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/the-gin-off-graphic-bar-18th-july.html" target="_blank">Gin Off</a> at Graphic – excellent!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIJktCqCrREX-z7yhKd1kVPBjQmTewI1aG2Rxs1pCbWfH9z8Xpo1enz9qjomsjX1zbArSlKNs4GBR2jeJaTFZUwPGW1JrZI4M1oX87iaeduXACRzmkqnjOT4dJge_4QoF9KAUWfHk2mll/s1600/20161109_214603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIJktCqCrREX-z7yhKd1kVPBjQmTewI1aG2Rxs1pCbWfH9z8Xpo1enz9qjomsjX1zbArSlKNs4GBR2jeJaTFZUwPGW1JrZI4M1oX87iaeduXACRzmkqnjOT4dJge_4QoF9KAUWfHk2mll/s320/20161109_214603.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/the-london-gin-club-soho" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about The London Gin Club, Soho and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="The London Gin Club Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6126235/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/london-gin-club-at-the-star-at-night?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of London Gin Club at The Star at Night"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=8eeed2b8798b45d588ffacddcdfe96aa" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-45417536672741125452016-11-02T15:10:00.002+00:002016-11-02T15:10:30.420+00:00Where the Pancakes Are, 8th October<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weekends to me mean brunch, and brunch very often means
pancakes. The fluffy American kind (even though I’m a lover of the thin,
English kind too). When I saw Where the Pancakes Are had opened up I was
delighted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They’ve set up in the newly created area that is Flat Iron
Square on Bankside, where you can expect to find more foodie type places and
even a new venue called Omeara to make up for the shortfall in London from all
the ones we’ve recently lost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I headed there on a Saturday afternoon at about 1 and we only
had to wait all of ten minutes, if that, for a table (of course it is no
bookings). I think I was there in its first couple of weeks though so don’t
take that as gospel that you’ll always get seated so quickly! Especially now this
new area is becoming more widely known.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Choosing what I wanted was very difficult – the eternal
question of whether to go savoury or sweet reared its head. Eventually savoury
won out because I cannot resist having something with chilli in it! Rebecca, my
dining companion for the meal, had a sweet option. I had a 1,000-baby-greens and
added some more greenery in the form of avocado. My fluffy, squidgy pancakes
were piled with baby leaves, spring onion, a good dollop of avocado and
coriandier-lime butter. Fresh and lively.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Could have handled more chilli (as per usual).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0u3uDv6leGNRkdgXQ7kdh8vLlLx1rBLpBlkhkSo0RrSszYy6RzHBl_7BR_q_wyjhdR1xe0zrZyR-4trQK62EyNx9tHABZRBLoaGwwDu4FRhi0cT9goTwG0nnqZyIrVnXydpcqFW29UM0/s1600/20161008_134823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0u3uDv6leGNRkdgXQ7kdh8vLlLx1rBLpBlkhkSo0RrSszYy6RzHBl_7BR_q_wyjhdR1xe0zrZyR-4trQK62EyNx9tHABZRBLoaGwwDu4FRhi0cT9goTwG0nnqZyIrVnXydpcqFW29UM0/s400/20161008_134823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rebecca’s Hummingbird plate looked fabulous – cream,
cinnamon pineapple but the pomegranates, almond and coconut put me off stealing
any of it. She seemed very pleased with her choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtE3CRziiDoss_IJ-xwHbvNx36EebWXnaxDrgTpWTJRNrnN0bPkBdr34PYO3iFujXcC5XNzkG3ghIWPqfynCSDFf-qW19HnSFMBTOUwLDGW58kAeXlxZW3H-2Zk0EB4LkZSvU87uc077e/s1600/20161008_134828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtE3CRziiDoss_IJ-xwHbvNx36EebWXnaxDrgTpWTJRNrnN0bPkBdr34PYO3iFujXcC5XNzkG3ghIWPqfynCSDFf-qW19HnSFMBTOUwLDGW58kAeXlxZW3H-2Zk0EB4LkZSvU87uc077e/s400/20161008_134828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each dish comes with two or three pancakes and that’s
enough, although I probably could have squeezed in sharing a dessert version
after mine. The savoury dishes are towards the higher end of what I’ve paid for
brunch at other places (especially considering they’re pancakes which are
normally quite a cheap item), at £10-£12 with extras being another £2 or so.
But it doesn’t feel like a cheap brunch spot given the locale, and the types of
pancake on offer are a cut above your average lemon and sugar. I’d happily go
back. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtE3CRziiDoss_IJ-xwHbvNx36EebWXnaxDrgTpWTJRNrnN0bPkBdr34PYO3iFujXcC5XNzkG3ghIWPqfynCSDFf-qW19HnSFMBTOUwLDGW58kAeXlxZW3H-2Zk0EB4LkZSvU87uc077e/s1600/20161008_134828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/where-the-pancakes-are-southwark" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Where The Pancakes Are, Southwark and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Where The Pancakes Are Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18383570/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/where-the-pancakes-are?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Where the pancakes are"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=a7edafda780b4c63a9f63e4bf6fe72e4" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-42794521910425865622016-10-25T16:36:00.000+01:002016-10-26T13:42:03.956+01:00Souvlaki Street, 5th October<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I came across Souvlaki Street in a blog post by Little
London Observationist where she said she regularly indulges in their souvlaki
when she rarely visits the same place twice. I am much the same – even if I
really like a place, there’s always somewhere new to try! With this high
recommendation I thought I should seek them out forthwith, so I had a look at
their Twitter and figured out when they would next be popping up near me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They grill skewers of pork or chicken, sprinkle them with
herbs, and wrap them in thick pittas with tzatsiki, plus a load of fresh tomatoes,
paprika and onions. We added halloumi to get the ‘special’. And they are very
tasty. I’m not a huge fan of tzatziki so I found mine a little too heavy on
that – it was oozing out the sides all over the place. But I have to say, I
could have easily eaten one that was twice as big! One skewer is not enough!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AkBoIbtTqA4jFEWoPvh_n5bRA2pCKt6-xBCamyT9MKfSRtoe1slGZc4o8Aqz-MkiCWMmU3-Rb1-yyYnTfBqgYpd2uAaoyabihSruM7tTR2QvGIPBD95thctbfsVcE7MKQVApROrTMZul/s1600/20161005_122731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AkBoIbtTqA4jFEWoPvh_n5bRA2pCKt6-xBCamyT9MKfSRtoe1slGZc4o8Aqz-MkiCWMmU3-Rb1-yyYnTfBqgYpd2uAaoyabihSruM7tTR2QvGIPBD95thctbfsVcE7MKQVApROrTMZul/s320/20161005_122731.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-75535377124525567102016-10-14T17:35:00.004+01:002016-10-14T17:35:48.934+01:00Hill & Szrok and The Gibson, 28th September<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There’s very little point in going to Hill & Szrok if
you don’t eat meat. They started as a Butchery and cookshop in Broadway market
and their pub is pretty much an excuse to show off the meat they butcher.
Having said that, there are a few sides which are just as good to eat as the
meat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sautéed potatoes were gorgeously golden discs of salty
crunchiness and soft potato inside. Hispi cabbage which seems to be flaunting
itself all over town on many a menu was as good here as I’ve had elsewhere –
sprinkled with chilli to liven it up and apparently anchovy was also somehow
involved although I couldn’t spot where. Blended into the sauce it was dressed
with I imagine. It was a really delicious bit of veg. The salad we ordered was
probably unnecessary and barely got a look in after the cabbage and potatoes
were all done. It was crisp and fresh but rather too mustardy for me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEjqVkixnsiZZ0IYUJ4zsL7vPC0jB_YBd0TqsbDSAP6h0GXx14nV3UstoMEjl73GD4zvoHeQ4NkfR-bH9BVL9cLWCVOG-ZJciQ1zyGn-aPc6A0GYE49mmstPXIDBtq8ZoBE0mLIGqJMOF/s1600/20160928_190501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEjqVkixnsiZZ0IYUJ4zsL7vPC0jB_YBd0TqsbDSAP6h0GXx14nV3UstoMEjl73GD4zvoHeQ4NkfR-bH9BVL9cLWCVOG-ZJciQ1zyGn-aPc6A0GYE49mmstPXIDBtq8ZoBE0mLIGqJMOF/s400/20160928_190501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEDprELooP1wKtN0UX813wXDRFl0r8ApIz8nVot2vMve6ISTg4rZsLy6YiPZd0oudwHiPWjyi1L2Ag3Ym6hmY3TiSJ8q6oLoot4KyqFzxUSyY7LSde5-GCOVmpeH2TRF1Ei_Yc92RePw_/s1600/20160928_202541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEDprELooP1wKtN0UX813wXDRFl0r8ApIz8nVot2vMve6ISTg4rZsLy6YiPZd0oudwHiPWjyi1L2Ag3Ym6hmY3TiSJ8q6oLoot4KyqFzxUSyY7LSde5-GCOVmpeH2TRF1Ei_Yc92RePw_/s320/20160928_202541.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While not normally a fan of the pork chop I thought it stood
a good chance of being done well here, and I was right. Nice and thick it had a
good amount of fat on the edge (although some of that fat could have been a
little more melty than chewy) and wasn’t in the least dry. A chunky applesauce
accompanied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a white wine and a red wine over dinner. The white was
dry but had some personality to it and the red was a montepulciano which I know
is always a safe bet and had a pretty heady aroma. Our waiter was so sweet he
even offered to let me try the wines I was deciding between – how often do you
get that offered to you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really liked the set up too. I was worried the place would
be more restaurant than pub but they have delineated it so that seated service
is at the back and does feel more prim whereas the front is definitely a proper
pub where you can pop in for a drink without feeling any pressure to eat. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/hill-szrok-pub-shoreditch" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Hill & Szrok Pub, Shoreditch and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Hill & Szrok Pub Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18275787/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/hill-and-szrok?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Hill & Szrok Public House"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=eef4190dde4f4aaf975232b0f9576dd1" height="27" width="160" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After this we took a short walk up to The Gibson, a cocktail
bar I have been eying for some time now. It wasn’t quite what I expected – I
thought it was going to be more serious, classic drinks, instead they like to
surprise you with added extras and features. Some of them not altogether welcome.
I had a shaky start when I ordered the Tiger balm and what was set down was a
huge glass with (I thought in the half light) Bombay mix pinned to the
side. Before I reached in to get a few,
the waiter explained they were worms! I literally yelped and shrank away,
banishing them from my sight. My date was braver and tried one – said they
tasted a bit like candied ginger. I would not be persuaded. The chunk of
tamarind that it came with was also odd to eat and after one bite full of seeds
I abandoned it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCDvnGeh-UkrraFpEvydFEzRQJ68X-8OwymqoxTV90x9ukEQ4xqO7rttKmdSPd_fgkYSGNIbywFJoo8QOuBB-I5AEA9BIBoe8iESw30hU71byS__F6cS0zFLDFBoPoAvTHaowCJvDagpz/s1600/20160928_205506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCDvnGeh-UkrraFpEvydFEzRQJ68X-8OwymqoxTV90x9ukEQ4xqO7rttKmdSPd_fgkYSGNIbywFJoo8QOuBB-I5AEA9BIBoe8iESw30hU71byS__F6cS0zFLDFBoPoAvTHaowCJvDagpz/s320/20160928_205506.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My companion had ordered
the Dry Gibson which came with pickled black eyed peas and a spoon to scoop
them out with. That was delicious. They managed to make what is basically a
glass full of gin completely moreish. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnsvKC8zjG4gsp8L1sqAp9vxVZXmnVABmHZNBJF3ej3OsIy3lTRgK_AixsMfHxXLS7QmMji9Tv0iiteeHIIRe-R0_VVtnxPQPYTOVrbElg_SAptYKx4ZHH6cbKDnvsW8WaqlDp6lniSMO/s1600/20160928_205910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnsvKC8zjG4gsp8L1sqAp9vxVZXmnVABmHZNBJF3ej3OsIy3lTRgK_AixsMfHxXLS7QmMji9Tv0iiteeHIIRe-R0_VVtnxPQPYTOVrbElg_SAptYKx4ZHH6cbKDnvsW8WaqlDp6lniSMO/s320/20160928_205910.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My second drink was more like a dessert
than a drink (well it was called a Tiki toffee pudding), topped with a thick waffle, with the glass encased in chocolate. But
I went back to savoury with my last drink. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We both had Asian-inspired drinks to finish – my 'Big in Japan' was topped with warmed wasabi peas and my companion had his 'Way of the Dragon' served in a teapot (dragon-shaped of course) which blew smoke into his glass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But anyone can come up with fun things to do with cocktails.
The main thing about this place is that each one tasted as good as it looked
and I would have been as happy with them even without the bells and whistles.
They’re just my kind of drinks – strong enough you taste the alcohol, with the
extra ingredients smoothing and rounding it out.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The number of drinks on the menu is ridiculous so you could
easily come back again and again to work through all their inventions. When we
went, we even had a bit of jazz being played on the piano, which was a nice
surprise. And, unlike Nightjar down the road, you would actually stand a chance
of getting a seat on a weekday – when we went at 8:30 on a Wednesday there were
but a few others there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/the-gibson-strand" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about The Gibson, Strand and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="The Gibson Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18393319/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/the-gibson?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of The Gibson"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=d3a2da05953c4c3a8ba042975d810731" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-19665559487975877572016-10-06T12:26:00.001+01:002016-10-06T12:26:53.645+01:00Fanny Nelson's, 22nd September<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a plan. I would try three libations of each sort on
offer – one cocktail, one wine and one draught beverage. But best laid plans
and all that… I did not stay long enough to complete the mission. Nor was I
able to try as much of the food as I would have liked. But I was there long
enough to realise that the Fanny Nelson is a charming, cosy little pub which
manages to be perfect date material but also seems to have a very healthy
handful of locals – both of the hipster and genuine East End local variety, who
all seemed to know the bar staff by name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I ended up having was the Jamonero - dark rum, peach, red wine and yellow chartreuse. Which, it turns out,
had only just been added to the menu. The barman was very keen to hear my views
upon tasting it as he’d come up with it. It had quite a sweetness to it,
reminding me of a punch, which was fine to start but I couldn’t drink it all
night. It so happened he agreed but he said he thought he had a more sour
palate than most. I guess I do too…</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sipped at the dinky drink but before long decided I should
try some food. I had been told the duck and the steak were very good, but I’d
seen how much steak you got and wasn’t hungry enough for that so I did have the
duck breast. It was cooked to pink in the middle sections though the ends ended
up well done. It came with a beetroot hummus and a sort of couscous crumble all
atop almond yoghurt which was too tangy for me and which I avoided.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qkD5BsJ4pqC7ptJeT96mfD0W885MPI4XBOPM1ygvaDDt9GpFA28Oi4occtkKEyLtuPn26bGToCgetKB4NIm_jGO0494AwFBZGtkiftWGKE1CZAYbzNmhsoUly5oimDm-qj2rfPPtPHRw/s1600/20160922_203428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qkD5BsJ4pqC7ptJeT96mfD0W885MPI4XBOPM1ygvaDDt9GpFA28Oi4occtkKEyLtuPn26bGToCgetKB4NIm_jGO0494AwFBZGtkiftWGKE1CZAYbzNmhsoUly5oimDm-qj2rfPPtPHRw/s400/20160922_203428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww_AJ2aIM52IKS6nceUkjgwr0ev7IhRxwIa-Miy0iTDSsUga-qnR3YsvuySJVfsoFAZrNELQ75NaIObutKlC3pzw9qyKpw0SmiyHntPKAtHHX-G4NZmGBns4S8eGQafq3BPiyrQskp83F/s1600/20160922_204108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww_AJ2aIM52IKS6nceUkjgwr0ev7IhRxwIa-Miy0iTDSsUga-qnR3YsvuySJVfsoFAZrNELQ75NaIObutKlC3pzw9qyKpw0SmiyHntPKAtHHX-G4NZmGBns4S8eGQafq3BPiyrQskp83F/s400/20160922_204108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alongside the duck I had to have a glass of red, of course.
Having unexpectedly dined on my own up to this point, I decided I had spent
enough time in this pub and left for elsewhere. So I only managed two out of the three drinks. I can’t
wait for an excuse to go back and try more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BpfVL4p-4ocjw1TJd-T0JZh7oxbR-w1WEHXAHl_DKBkkAGCaPiIOkLi2-vnhgViEhtHhWQvt5-qoVRdCEJLqFJHGwWSnsDJFyQ_s1i0Csgowgna5LDIEKVAp6DAWR9nkYDUWffL6awXo/s1600/20160922_192020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BpfVL4p-4ocjw1TJd-T0JZh7oxbR-w1WEHXAHl_DKBkkAGCaPiIOkLi2-vnhgViEhtHhWQvt5-qoVRdCEJLqFJHGwWSnsDJFyQ_s1i0Csgowgna5LDIEKVAp6DAWR9nkYDUWffL6awXo/s320/20160922_192020.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/fanny-nelsons-strand" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Fanny Nelson's, Strand and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Fanny Nelson's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18390698/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/fanny-nelsons?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Fanny Nelsons"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=4ee9007218c64a3689382e2270634c10" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-20825357013136096702016-09-29T13:42:00.001+01:002016-09-29T13:42:29.487+01:00Padella, 19th September<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been itching to get to Padella. I never used to be a
huge pasta fan, but ever since having some silky smooth and buttery pasta at
Vasco and Piero, I have been searching for other Italian places to give me the
same experience (preferably for less money).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Padella is the fast-serve pasta place from the guys behind
Trullo. It’s small and trendy, and doesn’t take bookings so queuing is the
name of the game. Unless you can get there early. At 6 pm on a Monday we could
have waltzed in except for the fact that one of our number was late and they only seat complete parties. As the
clock ticked by to 6:30 we were getting antsy – we had an Escape Game to get to at 7:30 and were running out of time to eat! We were considering suddenly saying we were only a four after all but the girl seating people took pity on us and let us have a table as long as we ordered for our friend while we waited. Luckily, just as we sat down, she turned up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The good thing about this place is that pasta is a quick
dish to make and even the one which required a bit of a wait (mine) was only 15 minutes or so. We
were in and out in half an hour! Which might be slightly annoying if you had
queued for over an hour in the first place but really suited us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The butternut squash and sage butter ravioli I think spoke
to most of us, with all of us considering it at some point. That was partly why
I ended up choosing the cacio e pepe so that we didn’t all have the same
thing. Plus cheese and pepper are two of my favuorite things. The Late One had
slow cooked tomato sauce and my friend Amy tried crab for the first time, in
linguine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had some beautiful bread with olive oil and
creamy, squidgy burrata drizzled with even more olive oil and a plate of the spinach, anchovy and chilli to entertain us during the short wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When our plates arrived, I cannot pretend I did not have
food envy. My plate seemed like a very small portion of ugly worms. Pici is a
pasta I hadn’t had before and is, apparently a thicker, tube like form. Looked
gross. But tasted very nice. Just cheese and pepper could have been a bit
claggy and overly stodgy but it wasn’t at all. Each, chewy piece of pasta was nicely coated but there was no excess. I do wish the portion had been
maybe a quarter to a third bigger though.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHZq0zWDuf6f6s6KDdIgIvV1VZq2INyDEQQpc8xS6c9WKQ_q7aSqE_mJ552Z4DK0-Wde0csfjExxatTxS8njC85mduXGtzP17fLUaPHvQ4PLu0Muy8kA3qOjhWh_YN-suGbzGEJXP4CxQ/s1600/20160919_185023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHZq0zWDuf6f6s6KDdIgIvV1VZq2INyDEQQpc8xS6c9WKQ_q7aSqE_mJ552Z4DK0-Wde0csfjExxatTxS8njC85mduXGtzP17fLUaPHvQ4PLu0Muy8kA3qOjhWh_YN-suGbzGEJXP4CxQ/s400/20160919_185023.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a taste of the tomato dish – as tomatoey as you could
wish, and also a bit of the ravioli which instantly filled my mouth with the
saginess of the butter. Lovely.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel like Padella is more of a lunch place, although if
you wanted you could make more of a meal of it by ordering pretty much all of
the pastas on the menu and treating it a bit like tapas. And look! Pasta is an anagram of Tapas. Can’t be a coincidence…</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/padella-london-bridge" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Padella, London Bridge and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Padella Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18227013/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/padella?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Padella"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=4ed471f85bfa4719abf5a991bb0e465a" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-76686305228390508002016-09-19T13:45:00.002+01:002016-09-19T13:45:17.378+01:00Walluc, 1st September<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, that was the worst meal I’ve had in recent memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn’t think you could go far wrong with dipping things in
melted cheese but Walluc is here to prove otherwise. I had high hopes –
suspecting that it might be a rather overlooked gem on Redchurch street, being
forsaken for all the hipster places springing up all around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a ramshackle
kind of place, and I’m never entirely sure of its opening hours so I suspected
a quirky personality that I could really bond with lay inside. We walked past
in June on a First Thursdays walking tour and it was rammed and buzzy,
further adding to my hope. However, when we went, we were the sole customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGxrPpRcpyLYGWUepoBXzk7adYV-1QGpt8G64UhpvWJm3FVhPpHpATL3BK4mH8aEi5RbPMDg3RY-ki9Hqo4bbRKtcISSXFEQ7M3bTgqnV7St83ONCeIx-t8iKrIAxUk_2_i7vli3hc8ps/s1600/20160901_214802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGxrPpRcpyLYGWUepoBXzk7adYV-1QGpt8G64UhpvWJm3FVhPpHpATL3BK4mH8aEi5RbPMDg3RY-ki9Hqo4bbRKtcISSXFEQ7M3bTgqnV7St83ONCeIx-t8iKrIAxUk_2_i7vli3hc8ps/s400/20160901_214802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is only one option on the menu to eat – fondue. This
is served with boiled potatoes (undercooked) and bread (comically stale and
hard). Four tea lights were brought out and a stand set over them. Then the pot
of cheese was placed upon it and given a stir. Stirring was essential as it was
so lukewarm to begin with it started to set almost immediately. We ate as
quickly as possible but still ended up with basically a lump of gooey cheese in
the bowl before too long.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3qpI-7sxvVACHyrOfPMHVjko0DB02nkHO7W22tCj68fg2V_FC9Ja_2XNT1Y-wbjy5uLvvc46CNGF-H8upfUS_WKZKeTh5xkV-8Z9PcTZxHOhYB_7EY7ucfGZSUMdNsID8IKL1GKViJrd/s1600/20160901_220320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3qpI-7sxvVACHyrOfPMHVjko0DB02nkHO7W22tCj68fg2V_FC9Ja_2XNT1Y-wbjy5uLvvc46CNGF-H8upfUS_WKZKeTh5xkV-8Z9PcTZxHOhYB_7EY7ucfGZSUMdNsID8IKL1GKViJrd/s320/20160901_220320.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst4zn5AVy33nNlIFBUPEsiMzpDHekCjgUXYfcgMXdM_-mBo-xpF43HuuVYMi4ThDeQocvFuyRyp0d5ejtpwN-VbDDg0d4gbKN7Iu9hJOHDz-s5DJzGWEwRXbpnZZ-dlICsIhxqxa3kmTV/s1600/20160901_220340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst4zn5AVy33nNlIFBUPEsiMzpDHekCjgUXYfcgMXdM_-mBo-xpF43HuuVYMi4ThDeQocvFuyRyp0d5ejtpwN-VbDDg0d4gbKN7Iu9hJOHDz-s5DJzGWEwRXbpnZZ-dlICsIhxqxa3kmTV/s400/20160901_220340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best I can say about this is that at least it is not
expensive at £13 for two. And to give them some benefit of the doubt, perhaps, for two people, they just couldn’t be arsed
to make an effort with the food and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">looked upon us as an opportunity to
get rid of their leftover product. <a href="http://ginglelistseverything.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/androuet-5th-october.html" target="_blank">Androuet</a>, however, is similarly priced and is streets ahead in terms of, well, everything. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/walluc-bistrot-shoreditch" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Walluc Bistrot, Shoreditch and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Walluc Bistrot Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6124205/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
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<br />Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-71303378159573468662016-09-16T13:41:00.001+01:002016-09-16T13:41:18.143+01:00Dusty Knuckle and SK London Fields, 30/31st August<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two days off mid-week meant getting lunch from places I
wouldn’t ordinarily be able to get to. First up – Street Kitchen. I’ve tried
all their different places I think – the airstream, the sandwich place in
Broadgate Circle, plus when they’ve popped up in other places. Of course I had
to try their hatch in London Fields.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were predictably good. The special was lamb with crushed
potatoes and roasted veg with pesto. They offer 'slow food fast' and this was as good as I have come to
expect. Slow cooked lamb that broke away easily when nudged with my fork.
Plenty of potatoes and roasted carrot and courgette providing sweetness.
Not exactly the most summer-centric meal to have on what was a lovely sunny day
but plenty tasty nonetheless.</span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/street-kitchen-hackney" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Street Kitchen, Hackney and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Street Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18258716/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On day two, I went over to Dusty Knuckle in Dalston and had
porchetta in brioche. While it tasted nice, the experience of eating it wasn’t
that pleasant. It was absolutely stuffed with different things, which made the
bread horribly soggy and all just seemed to fall out all over the place. There
was fennel, kohlrabi, red cabbage, plus the tomatoes the pork was cooked in and some ogleshield cheese. The bread didn't really stand a chance against all of this, and as a result it was hard to get a mouthful that contained most of the ingredients. I was mainly picking individual bits out, or scooping them up where they fell. Which isn't the ethos of a sandwich. </span><br />
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Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-9655400868742054422016-09-14T12:09:00.002+01:002016-09-14T12:09:23.978+01:00Whirl-y-gig, 30th July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whirl-y-gig, being very much of the <a href="http://ginglelistseverything.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/planet-angel-12th-september.html" target="_blank">Planet Angel</a> style of
raving, was therefore, of course, an incredibly fun and friendly night. Borne
out of a dancing self-expression event for the Association of Humanistic Pscyhology, they outgrew them and now
host an almost monthly clubnight in London and their own festival
Whirl-y-fayre. It has a bit of a festival feel to it – like <a href="http://ginglelistseverything.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/wonderland-5th-december.html" target="_blank">Wonderland </a>– lots
of decoration and colours everywhere. They try to keep the music eclectic but
dancey. This didn’t work for me quite so well as it meant they chopped and
changed styles, so you didn’t know if you would like what was playing one song
to the next. And the sound levels in the Camden Centre, I felt, were woefully
low. You could easily have a conversation at the back of the dance floor, which
is not what I want from my raves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I had a brilliant time. When the music I liked was
played, it was great, and I have to say it did veer towards my style of thing
as the night wore on. Everyone seemed so up for it and so happy to mingle and
chat to people they didn’t know. I lost track of the number of people I
befriended. They have interesting bits and pieces around - such as a board to stick messages on (someone wrote something very kind about me!) which makes the night feel a little more interactive and encourages getting to know people. I came away from the
night with a huge smile on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLoMbuMsjIZgh9XN_cp8InVdXzTxUcgicsuYUQRrYzkaobAof5XRJHK-Iv2nXFSDE3DOgluw4U7ZUqit39vCLIXvuAy1Dd7l6r_L2JMmRAcEuQD7kV7oW_4m36IloDIPctNxYeHUhR2BX/s1600/20160731_031354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLoMbuMsjIZgh9XN_cp8InVdXzTxUcgicsuYUQRrYzkaobAof5XRJHK-Iv2nXFSDE3DOgluw4U7ZUqit39vCLIXvuAy1Dd7l6r_L2JMmRAcEuQD7kV7oW_4m36IloDIPctNxYeHUhR2BX/s400/20160731_031354.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They finish each night with a parachute – you know, like
when you were at school. This does feel a bit random as you all just sit
underneath it and natter to yourselves, but the visuals are really quite cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzKWXGxUFSG_d9Nt5Cu1QztL83vBFHTvdkS5pXqYyWJ0vIfrg3SHL04Uq6tYAtHldMoiuSGua9vXQm-Ea6BLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One other small niggle would be that it ends at 4 am which
is, of course, far too early. But there are always afterparties…</span></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-2238223506515321572016-09-09T13:07:00.000+01:002016-09-09T13:07:38.120+01:00Boceto, 29th July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Boceto, the guys behind Three Eight Four and Seven at
Brixton have made the schlep North of the river to Mare Street, an ideal
location for their kind of thing. Having been to Three Eight Four and quite liking
it, I expected to like Boceto too. It has more of a food focus then 384 but
some interesting drinks too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I did like it, in general. Unfortunately it was rather
marred by having the worst tortilla my little mouth has ever endured. It was so
so dry, clearly had been sitting out all day. Not one little ounce of moisture
in it and very little flavour. Seasoning was AWOL. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lnl5Q_kqLrIwAW8HmfI1TPabqIj2mAdw0QrSKLzZexopd7j8XPbBpXaOr48AP2-58w73yKZaBpYnZ4NQgCTkQWeQfp4rC9gpKYuVNJa9s9Ps7VDecpNvDNgk8LB8i1Pe27W6uVjDhj5D/s1600/20160729_211906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Lnl5Q_kqLrIwAW8HmfI1TPabqIj2mAdw0QrSKLzZexopd7j8XPbBpXaOr48AP2-58w73yKZaBpYnZ4NQgCTkQWeQfp4rC9gpKYuVNJa9s9Ps7VDecpNvDNgk8LB8i1Pe27W6uVjDhj5D/s400/20160729_211906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, the lamb that I had was pink and tender
and the steak my date had was the same, with a yummy chimichurri sauce that was
just the right amount of in your face with its heat (though too much for my companion - what a wuss!).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJBf7N7p0eYwSCPPns_JHWcblSdE5StrhxSGCjykVr2E-34MTRrSn0wGlBfW9UYzRfsPS3giDDG1dP86OJwiJziMGWKOL8SDVf0V8WQJ4gQGwy5WBgYZw24x6pQH2x-mJkF9mWe9e0Pwb/s1600/20160729_211109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJBf7N7p0eYwSCPPns_JHWcblSdE5StrhxSGCjykVr2E-34MTRrSn0wGlBfW9UYzRfsPS3giDDG1dP86OJwiJziMGWKOL8SDVf0V8WQJ4gQGwy5WBgYZw24x6pQH2x-mJkF9mWe9e0Pwb/s400/20160729_211109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pan con tomate was absolutely loaded with 'tomate' and was
a pretty filling accompaniment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W1zZqKSdHnX02DGMTteDJWca2eswwbdnUw9CAPWmjA43mZNXQJJH_bgj9D9uzZ-LBLkqVk2eGaJpqZh0JxWbpSeHEN3LKxzGAhWFKWN2aYt7ijEPkP3SSqTuyxsLQu0_ROfrW1cbGkWw/s1600/20160729_211237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2W1zZqKSdHnX02DGMTteDJWca2eswwbdnUw9CAPWmjA43mZNXQJJH_bgj9D9uzZ-LBLkqVk2eGaJpqZh0JxWbpSeHEN3LKxzGAhWFKWN2aYt7ijEPkP3SSqTuyxsLQu0_ROfrW1cbGkWw/s400/20160729_211237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a slight twisting of my arm I decided to have dessert
and of course had to try the churros as they were in keeping with the Spanish
theme. I’m no churros expert but these were… alright I guess. Didn’t have me
professing any great love for them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TjTaOeICwuGpvX0udiB7ljrHxfmD-PRuhfty_gGNhPY1g6URYRiQd-QS3vktdSe9_N9rhRsIHWNE2u5AX8n9eJQKWF3nPL51JmWD-DkUE5uvbSZIyDnTqtxd2CHL6g_Di6M8aY66-q3z/s1600/20160729_214859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TjTaOeICwuGpvX0udiB7ljrHxfmD-PRuhfty_gGNhPY1g6URYRiQd-QS3vktdSe9_N9rhRsIHWNE2u5AX8n9eJQKWF3nPL51JmWD-DkUE5uvbSZIyDnTqtxd2CHL6g_Di6M8aY66-q3z/s320/20160729_214859.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I was with someone who doesn’t drink, I limited myself to
just the one cocktail – Mother’s Ruin, which had been imported from their Seven
branch. Quite fun to pour yourself and a light and summery drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih37SChR3GX3UJrgxwVipNzOIOLHdFcXfkK1vXivHk0-e0jYjSYbdrphKzGwdRmRlTgKHVjjLzVSpFOm7waC7qWBOzAy1TLonp6BLftQ1uKTGiQy_cgQOoMRm6QhRfrSHD6EMZtwoK8qX/s1600/20160729_205514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih37SChR3GX3UJrgxwVipNzOIOLHdFcXfkK1vXivHk0-e0jYjSYbdrphKzGwdRmRlTgKHVjjLzVSpFOm7waC7qWBOzAy1TLonp6BLftQ1uKTGiQy_cgQOoMRm6QhRfrSHD6EMZtwoK8qX/s320/20160729_205514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The place has a really casual vibe and I’d be happy to pop
in for a drink again but probably wouldn’t bother too much with the food. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/boceto-hackney-london" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Boceto Hackney, Strand and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Boceto Hackney Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18378186/minilink" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/boceto-hackney?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Boceto Hackney"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=689949884c7140a69cbb6d132c0113df" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-65373499635452526542016-09-08T11:30:00.000+01:002016-09-08T11:30:06.067+01:00KaraUke, 21st July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">KaraUke was a little shambolic but I think that’s part of
its charm. No formal screens with the words lighting up as you go for KaraUke.
Not even printed sheets of paper to sing along with a la Hip Hop Karaoke or
Reggaeoke. No, you can hold an iPad and sing along to that, while the words are
put up on a screen behind you so the audience can sing along, but the entire
song is displayed at once which makes the words rather difficult to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was also surprised that the ukulele band was in fact a
proper band – not only were there several uke players but there was a bass
guitar and a drum set. I was a little disappointed at first as it wasn’t quite
as quaint as I was expecting but it was pretty cool to have a full band
supporting you and made for a rounder sound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They hold karaoke on the Tamesis Dock which has to be one of
the quirkier pubs/venues around – a permanently moored boat decorated in a
lively manner. In fact, I was chatting to a friend of the band and she said
none of them live anywhere near it but they love it too much to switch to a
different venue. The karaoke is held in the belly of the boat which made for a
slightly stifling evening but it didn’t seem to mar people’s enjoyment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are no prizes but every performer gets a badge.There’s
clearly a few regulars as jokes were made about the number of badges ‘Pete’ had
accumulated and whether he could make it through the entire song menu in a
year. That would be quite a feat but not as daunting as you might think as it’s
limited to about 50 songs. There are a few classics and also songs they clearly
just like (Tenacious D has two songs on there which you don’t find in most
karaoke songbooks). The opening singer for tonight delved right in with one of
these actually – Fuck her gently. In fact, thinking about it, there was quite a
lot of swearing in the evening. That one... I did Creep... and another girl did
Fuck you by Ceelo. It’s that kind of crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They do two sets which have 9 singers each and while they’re
not short on volunteers this seems about right and a few people were even able
to sing twice. Quality was… variable… but
your own backing singer is there to help anyone out and carry the tune if it ever falls off
a cliff. Everyone is encouraged to sing along and many people were dancing
around too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And all this for FREE!! Of course, they do very much
appreciate donations and dedicate a bit of time sending round the ‘begging
bowl’ as they do have rehearsal space and expenses and tings to deal with. Any
monies they receive are well deserved.</span></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-73812480329289677402016-09-07T12:00:00.000+01:002016-09-07T12:00:29.297+01:00Tombo Poke and Matcha bar, 19th July<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tombo Poke and Matcha bar is a cute little café in Seven
Dials bringing the Hawaiian cusine to your lucky faces.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NPyWAjMVHJPo360cV2XJDke-6O9d9c18ag6ZHQ6xvujKLDtgCe39SUl1WXfpddqTZVGPjV6j3VfHg5NszH9gwA31fAZffdvP9DQKrUSd2-cIGAQSFKdw6p58qmvuEs-o6s8YFXAFSXJ_/s1600/20160719_190945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NPyWAjMVHJPo360cV2XJDke-6O9d9c18ag6ZHQ6xvujKLDtgCe39SUl1WXfpddqTZVGPjV6j3VfHg5NszH9gwA31fAZffdvP9DQKrUSd2-cIGAQSFKdw6p58qmvuEs-o6s8YFXAFSXJ_/s400/20160719_190945.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was invited along with a friend for a light dinner, which could
not have been more perfect for the warm and sunny day we were experiencing.
Poke, if you don’t know, is basically a sushi bowl. Diced chunks of raw fish sit on a
salad, the construction of which is up to you if you like, or you can go for
one of Tombo's signature bowls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX6uq7dv7GqyrEWa2tWQECkEEgbjrfcoZAPuI0fMQQYdCYObHr5wVFvZjbHlrPTi1p7wYkAm1vCbNi7NnZEXxseunIb7LWY2pl6HdHSodvCos_j2xRDVwPMGjovfpl6VT9wZ1Wzw31ZoA/s1600/20160719_190914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfX6uq7dv7GqyrEWa2tWQECkEEgbjrfcoZAPuI0fMQQYdCYObHr5wVFvZjbHlrPTi1p7wYkAm1vCbNi7NnZEXxseunIb7LWY2pl6HdHSodvCos_j2xRDVwPMGjovfpl6VT9wZ1Wzw31ZoA/s400/20160719_190914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just look at these bowls of sunshine and deliciousness! It
was really very difficult to whittle it down to one sauce, one ‘mix-in’ and two
toppings. I started with a base of courgette noodles and added tuna, avocado
(of course), spring onion, sahimi and crispy shallots with a ponzu soy on the
side. My friend went down the black and white rice route with salmon, nori, and
sriracha mayo. Both dishes a joyous little meal and I will happily come back to
try more combinations. Lovely idea!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/tombo-poke-matcha-bar-soho" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Tombo Poke Matcha Bar, Soho and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Tombo Poke Matcha Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18353161/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/tombo-poke-and-matcha-bar?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Tombo, Poke & Matcha Bar"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=773a0686618e4104994ccb4d287cc0d8" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-61655053289265563182016-09-06T12:27:00.002+01:002016-09-06T12:27:11.866+01:00The Gin-Off, Graphic Bar, 18th July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to get absolutely trollied on whimsical,
inventive and tasty (for the most part) cocktails on a Monday then the Gin-Off
is your man! Happening throughout the year, 16 gins compete against each other
to make it into the Gin-off final by coming up with clever and creative ways to
imbibe this particular liquor, and I was invited to the final heat.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I went, the gins being showcased were Boodles, Sipsmith
(they get everywhere), Tarquins and Martin Millers. I really wanted to like Martin
Millers, as it is a blend of England and Iceland, two countries dear to my
heart, but unfortunately I have to say their concoction was the worst cocktail
I have ever had. Actively unpleasant to drink, I was a brave soul and finished
it nonetheless. Milk and gin do not make good bedfellows. It did, at least,
come in cute packaging but I am not a fan of a paper straw – so soggy so
quickly.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Far and away the best cocktail of the evening came from
Boodles who had somehow turned a cocktail into a quintessentially English
curry, complete with political commentary on the recent Brexit result/fiasco. I
didn’t expect to like it to be honest, but the savoury, fragrant spiciness was
incredibly moreish. And extra bonus points for the properly spicy lime pickle!
Unsurprisingly, this cocktail won hands down. Well deserved.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoTaY2N4EOZjVHDnqJUXl3bP4TbVkYKMXCV72VnWPE907VVqgYXXatHkJUW4nrSXAI-urdOIed-pylD3cWNv3xgbi_O30mD_Au8y8ye2XlxQefSEy2YmOwkG9WLQ9GF0WKfNw71YzxFiY/s1600/20160718_194158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoTaY2N4EOZjVHDnqJUXl3bP4TbVkYKMXCV72VnWPE907VVqgYXXatHkJUW4nrSXAI-urdOIed-pylD3cWNv3xgbi_O30mD_Au8y8ye2XlxQefSEy2YmOwkG9WLQ9GF0WKfNw71YzxFiY/s400/20160718_194158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other two also rans were nice enough. Tarquins served up
little ‘ice creams’ which were as fun to watch created as they were to drink.
And Sipsmith went down the most traditional route, serving up test tubes of
their concoctions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as the cocktails started being lined up, everyone
went for it, meaning we drank four deceptively strong cocktails within an hour.
Little wonder then, that at 9 pm when all the drinks were sampled, the party
was going OFF. The music was turned up and people were dancing. It felt a
little surreal to be honest but really good fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep an eye out for the next one, or if you can’t wait, they
do a Gin Social every Monday where you can have a welcome G&T, a tasting of
that months Gin and a Gin cocktail of their own creation for £5. </span></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-91378677381175194372016-08-17T16:46:00.001+01:002016-08-23T12:45:58.945+01:00Circus, 12th July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought Circus was going to serve up something along the
lines of the London Cabaret Club – a show that was fun, but inoffensive, not
too risqué. But Circus is an altogether racier night. Not so at first, when a
duo dressed in polka dot swimsuits a la 50s pin ups did an aerial hoop
performance against a backdrop of doo wop music. But each act got naughtier and
sexier, culminating in a fire-eating performance to Welcome to the Jungle,
where the fire eater whipped out her tatas and set her pasties alight! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJJ7dypI4gtT6AMuyAay-yQcpgTMg1NxRqGGFD39yW69GflbcVo41-djPPt_DmywtItycKlQPUdx3BEI62GhS5AXmWtScJWkoBk24TKAehfrAW5EVlLuxXAYJAvsliVxs-zuprkZ8qPKM/s1600/20160712_205008_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJJ7dypI4gtT6AMuyAay-yQcpgTMg1NxRqGGFD39yW69GflbcVo41-djPPt_DmywtItycKlQPUdx3BEI62GhS5AXmWtScJWkoBk24TKAehfrAW5EVlLuxXAYJAvsliVxs-zuprkZ8qPKM/s320/20160712_205008_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was impressed by every act and enjoyed the soundtrack of
uncensored hip hop and Missy Elliot tracks so I was, I must admit, a little
surprised that the food more than passed muster. The place serves pan-Asian
food – so you can have dim sum, or sushi/sashimi or tempura, and then most of
the mains have an Oriental flavouring to them. I was invited to dine here and
we had one starter, main and dessert each. I was stuffed to the gills
afterwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First I had the chicken truffle shumai with yuzu ponzu. These
little parcels were packed with chickeny goodness and were quickly devoured. My
friend Sam had the black cod tempura with a tequila salsa which really had a
boozy bite to it. The light batter and delicate flesh melted on your tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next I had the black miso cod – amazingly sweet flavours
with firm fish flesh. And a very generous amount!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnAj3c818LPuvRxPbp09FuA2vh8Zz2wOQXo9Y0GBb0jpLvMUUwSq_UlWMrYI1fuMZBWK5LRX9YUKulkeIowWU8XTPH_Azmf9_WWpl0kFEV3iqdLXo8gssl0TqLuhuDmnjGAFP3m5W-gzG/s1600/20160712_200113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnAj3c818LPuvRxPbp09FuA2vh8Zz2wOQXo9Y0GBb0jpLvMUUwSq_UlWMrYI1fuMZBWK5LRX9YUKulkeIowWU8XTPH_Azmf9_WWpl0kFEV3iqdLXo8gssl0TqLuhuDmnjGAFP3m5W-gzG/s400/20160712_200113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam ordered the New York Strip which you could cook to your
liking because it came served on hot (very hot) rocks sizzling away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For sides you can have smoked aubergine, steamed rice or
baby bok choy. We had one of each and that smoked and sweet aubergine is the best
aubergine I’ve ever had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dessert was good but I think I went for the ‘too safe’
option of a chocolate fondant so I wasn’t wowed by it. It oozed as it should
have done but yeah, not much else I am tempted to write about it. Sam’s yoghurt
cake, however, was definitely different and therefore stood out. Slightly dense
and sweet. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The overall experience definitely had the wow factor - it would be an excellent treat for a date, or a close friend. And definitely one to put you in a sexy mood...</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/circus-covent-garden" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Circus, Covent Garden and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Circus Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6107254/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/circus?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Circus"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=c7ba9f32abaa472380ec6e9891e86cd3" height="27" width="160" /></a>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-70957946677521596612016-07-29T13:45:00.001+01:002016-07-29T13:45:22.962+01:00Sager + Wilde Paradise Row, 1st July<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Way back in 2013 I think it was, Stephen and I spent an
evening under the Arches in Bethnal Green – firstly having a few small plates
at what was then called Mission – Sager + Wilde’s newest place, then a cocktail
at the Craft Cocktail Co.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both have just recently been rebranded, and I was invited
along to try the new Sager + Wilde Paradise Row. Being a warm, though rather
wet at times, evening, we sat outside and enjoyed several dishes from their
bar snack menu along with a few beverages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Should you want to sit inside and make more of a meal out of
it, they do a four course set menu as well for £42.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My eyes honed in on the bread with cultured butter – thick
slices of dense and chewy bread with butter to die for, the culture providing a
pleasant tang. While deciding what to order, we noticed the couple next to us
being brought a huge fried glob of something stuck together. What is that, we
wondered. It was the whitebait – fried with seaweed and bean kakiage. All at once, it
sticks together and you peel off chunks to eat a bit like you would an onion
blossom. I enjoyed the veggie part of this, which was sweet, the batter being
light and like tempura, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat the whole whitebait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stephen couldn’t resist having the clams with peas and flowers. A
little heavy on the pea, perhaps, this was the prettiest dish by far, and
Stephen said it was great. I did have one bite and the light flavours of the
pea and flora seemed to combine well with the subtly briney clam, but I am still yet
to be convinced on clams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘My’ dish was the iberico pluma – pork, with broad beans and
herbs. It was supremely soft, being served in that new-fangled way of cooking it
quite rare. Stephen wasn’t so much of a fan but I thought it was cooked
delightfully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if there's a sandwich on the menu you know I'll want to try it. This one was mortadella in a roll, slices hanging out of a sweet roll with a nice garlicky butter in it. Difficult not to finish this in two bites. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We’d had a cocktail each with our dishes, but moved on to
wine while we considered whether to have anything else. Our friendly waitress
brought us two types to try – Sager + Wilde’s own Syrah, and a French number. I
liked the Syrah, Stephen preferred the French one so we had one of each and
ordered the two cheeses they had on offer. One was a crumbly yet full of
flavour Lancashire, which came with almost equally crumbly oat crackers, the other
was a pungent and intoxicatingly strong soft cheese – St Cera, which we spread
over chunks of (slightly too) grilled bread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though ‘Mission’ seems to have upgraded itself to more
of a restaurant, it still feels like a neighbourhood place that you could drop
into for a drink or a few small plates without having to make a big deal of it. Has to be said that the staff were very friendly and there was very little to-do when I split an entire glass of red wine, mainly over Stephen, but also partially over the ground. They were quick to offer lots of reassurances that it *probably* would come out of his nice new jeans... (it did).</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/sager-wilde-paradise-row-bethnal-green" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Sager + Wilde Paradise Row, Bethnal Green and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Sager + Wilde Paradise Row Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/6125366/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/sager-and-wilde-restaurant?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Sager + Wilde Restaurant"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=400108c7a1154dd295ba4fa39fe67808" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-50560778852009743082016-07-28T13:13:00.001+01:002016-07-28T13:13:06.659+01:00Heist Bank, 28th June<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m not entirely sure who the audience for Heist Bank will
be but whoever it is I think will very much enjoy the place. It’s in a bit of a
no man’s land next to the Paddington basin, and is the newest bar from the
people behind Coin Laundry, who, it turns out, have several other places in
London including Ask for Janice and Graphic bar, both of which I like very
much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The place isn’t aiming for haute cuisine – the mainstay of
its menu is pizza. There were four different kinds available to try at the
launch I was invited to and I tucked into three out of four – I couldn’t bring myself to try the
one loaded with mushroom (mushroom – bleugh). And loaded it really was. Same
with the crushed pea, goat cheese and radish. These ones were more like having
a load of topping with a little bit of pizza, rather than having a pizza with
some toppings. For me, it was too much. Much too much. I had to break down the
huge block of goat’s cheese and there was so much crushed pea it was falling off
everywhere. Luckily, the meat lovers fare better and have a more balanced slice.
The Italian sausage was a juicy number, and the lamb, feta and rocket was not a
bad appropriation of a lahmacun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were plenty of tasters on the menu to try. Others being passed around included an olive and
cheese curd pastry which was utter gooey, chewy deliciousness and some spicy
nduja croquettes which were pleasant but I wished they’d had a bit of the
actual meat inside rather than it being all creamy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0wM7-UwaXqQN62IE_4hBZZBu_uCPih-4kiDaMikkqpuxneYes5eFzRSCsvGaCqqnZL44jKCewy837o5jWuJw2FXVfefgDbYokG-1Y_WF0jUzUcYPwNuzKKZmwP9AnKOzpIll_kBhP-_N/s1600/20160628_191150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0wM7-UwaXqQN62IE_4hBZZBu_uCPih-4kiDaMikkqpuxneYes5eFzRSCsvGaCqqnZL44jKCewy837o5jWuJw2FXVfefgDbYokG-1Y_WF0jUzUcYPwNuzKKZmwP9AnKOzpIll_kBhP-_N/s400/20160628_191150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They had two special cocktails to try – a floral
take on a French 75 using their own house-infused gin, and an ‘Off the Wagon’
which was a very summery way to enjoy whisky – blending it with orange. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt it was my duty to try out some of the other cocktails
on the list too. I can confirm the peach bellini, scofflaw and bramble are all
great. I also tried the Delicious Sour which was too
sweetly peachy for me. It was even more peachy than the peach bellini!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wines by the glass are all the same price – a policy I
commend, and which means you can get a viognier or a malbec for the same price
as the pinot or merlot you normally drink cos it’s cheap!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And they have plenty of different beers on offer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems like a great after-work set up, with plenty of
space so a whole team could go down for a few together. There’s even a karaoke
space perfect for when you’ve all had one too many…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/heist-bank-paddington" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Heist Bank, Paddington and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Heist Bank Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18218798/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/heist-bank?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Heist Bank"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=a8d9c761f77645238736c6d6cf440212" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-39749972055214570332016-07-26T12:34:00.002+01:002016-07-26T12:34:23.056+01:00The Good Egg, 12th June<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Squeaking in in the nick of time, Stephen and I got a table
at The Good Egg for brunch. Not that I would have minded tucking into their Middle-Eastern-inspired main menu but the place is called The Good Egg and it felt
wrong not to be having a dish with egg in it somewhere. Stephen had them baked
with chorizo and I had them fried on a brisket hash. And I had a
Bloody Mary because brunch. Of course it had to be the Red Hot with gin,
pastrami spices, tomato juice & lemon and it was very pleasing, if not particularly
hot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each dish was hearty to say the least. Huge chunks of pastrami brisket were in mine, along with plenty of potatoes and some refreshing pickle to cut through the fattiness of the brisket. Stephen thought my eggs were overcooked but I liked them verging on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(but not quite)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">solid. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHb88hrTGtUN6hziuPofyKjmi-mOrCc3BHVTEX9QGEBeMDkeK2oQehewZy6mxf0vPKgSDUgRg4OAfoznByxwtOCVk6XN9YzqunEynIgHYAtJlN7a-kg21ySxWQrdB_rdaAcEljlPF9kMD/s1600/20160612_154356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHb88hrTGtUN6hziuPofyKjmi-mOrCc3BHVTEX9QGEBeMDkeK2oQehewZy6mxf0vPKgSDUgRg4OAfoznByxwtOCVk6XN9YzqunEynIgHYAtJlN7a-kg21ySxWQrdB_rdaAcEljlPF9kMD/s400/20160612_154356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen's Shakshuka was stuffed chorizo in its tomatoey, warmly spiced bath. I wanted to get something different to him but did have a little food envy as he scooped it all up with his bread. I managed to try one or two mouthfuls but was so stuffed from my own I didn't need to pester him for more. Didn't even try the good-looking babka on the counter so will need to come back at some point for that!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQNV4jlb0UURe3lqaUOwiCbdja8lW2Bc07RJIcnxiUQknPWNm94l8FAC_zbygGv5TMv0SsGbkymxi256QRBbD_xY8CkWIuCVTzNnB7Xduzm5mtEyf2Jr33GwpEHXMcDeBSzUVfcRh0EFJ/s1600/20160612_154343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQNV4jlb0UURe3lqaUOwiCbdja8lW2Bc07RJIcnxiUQknPWNm94l8FAC_zbygGv5TMv0SsGbkymxi256QRBbD_xY8CkWIuCVTzNnB7Xduzm5mtEyf2Jr33GwpEHXMcDeBSzUVfcRh0EFJ/s400/20160612_154343.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/the-good-egg-stoke-newington" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about The Good Egg, Stoke Newington and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="The Good Egg Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/17858451/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/the-good-egg?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of The Good Egg"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=ba3324401223423cb457433282f6f1a2" height="27" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-13399217899842475062016-07-18T00:24:00.000+01:002016-07-18T00:24:02.974+01:00Disco Yoga, 9th June<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having not done yoga for so long I can’t remember the last
time, I was a little nervous about signing up to yoga of the disco
variety. Yes – disco yoga. Bit of an
oxymoron? Well, it worked surprisingly well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, they had started doing it last year in a place that
only held 10 people but it was so popular they had to expand. Despite Disco
being quite an upbeat genre, this class was quite relaxed and I would say acts
as the perfect introduction or reintroduction to yoga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’re encouraged to go glam and wear your sequins and
glitter – if you don’t have any on before you get there, a glitter station is
there to kit you out. And you get to pick a cocktail to sip on at the end of
the session. I chose the Yogi Pear which was
served in a carved-out pineapple and was absolutely delicious – the perfect
pick-me-up after all that strenuous stretching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, after you’re all glittery and have taken your places on
your mats, the class begins. All the while disco has been pumping out and this
continues throughout as you’re taken through various poses. Most people these
days seem to have a passing acquaintance with yoga and will be familiar with
some of the terms even if not how to do the poses they refer to – there was a
lot of downward dogging I’m sure you’ll be happy to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of the poses were held for an agonizing amount of time
and at about three points in the sessions we paused for a ‘dance party’ where
we got to shake it all out and dance to the disco. At this point the music was
more energetic but it undulated throughout the event – there are more chilled
out disco songs than you might realise.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found the whole thing really enjoyable and quite relaxing
and a good boost to motivating me to get back into my exercise. If you like the
idea of yoga but feel that it maybe takes itself too seriously then try this
one out for sure.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-31837818513384474562016-07-14T13:16:00.001+01:002016-07-14T13:16:07.455+01:00SS Atlantica, 28th May<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been wanting to go to SS Atlantica for yonks –
probably since I set up my Meetup group four years ago, but as it’s a
once-a-year deal, getting to it proved tricky. I always seemed to have plans by
the time they released the date. Not so this year.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So on a balmy evening we dressed in our finest evening wear
and boarded the SS Atlantica for a jaunt along the Thames or two. We sipped
champagne and enjoyed the views, and then spent some time in the belly of the
boat drinking in the live hot jazz and taking part in illicit gambling. Which
was all very fun. But this entertainment was short lived and soon it was
general drinking and dancing and I must admit, we got a little bored by it. At
midnight the boat docked to let people off who wished to disembark early (the
night finished at 2 am) and most of my crowd agreed we should have got off at
that point rather than go another lap onboard. While being on the Thames is
always nice, I’m not sure it was worth the slightly elevated price compared to
other B & H events, and I don’t think I’ll bother with it next year.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-55618272218474746902016-07-13T13:12:00.002+01:002016-07-13T13:12:38.868+01:00Club Rub, 21st May<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So many fetish events, each offering something slightly
different, but mostly to the same fun and friendly naughty crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so I went to one of the longest-running fetish events last month,
Club Rub – also touted as one of the friendliest. It’s certainly one of the
smaller ones, held upstairs at The Garage, making it quite intimate and meaning you can chat to people quite
easily. (I rather enjoyed being at a kinky party while there were people in the very same building beneath likely having no clue as to what was going on above them.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were celebrating their 19th birthday and it really did feel like
a birthday party for the hostess, the lovely Miss Kim – a doyenne on the fetish scene – and her friends. For the
special occasion there was an Animal theme, and the end stage, normally
reserved as the play area, was decked out with a paddling pool and dog bowls
containing doggie treats for the pet play people that had been hired for the
occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also had the wonderful world pole dancing champion doing several pole dancing shows throughout the evening which were truly
outstanding. How she can manipulate her body around that pole, sometimes
hanging vertically beside it, was jaw-dropping.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So there was perhaps less play going on at Club Rub (and
certainly no sex) but it was a lot of FUN. Slightly unusually for events of
this ilk, the music was fantastic – slightly mainstream dance tracks that you’d definitely
recognize if you like that kind of music and that would probably sound familiar
even if not, and people actually did take to the floor to dance. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well done Miss Kim - keep it up!</span></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-46798087720771566822016-07-04T15:46:00.003+01:002016-07-04T15:46:22.042+01:00Date Lab, 10th May<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Date Lab aims to take the psychology behind why people end
up with matches at traditional speed dating and mess with it to level the
playing field. So there are some rules to abide, and things are done a little
differently to shake things up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Women cannot wear red and are encouraged to wear black and
something that shows off their figure. Men should dress smartly but not
ridiculously slow. The amount of time you spend talking to the member of the
opposite sex is short. Very short. Unnervingly short. It is only three minutes
and by the time you’ve sat down and said hello you feel you’ve barely said
anything before you have to move on and start again. It certainly keeps you on
your toes and goes far too quickly for you to really make any judgments about
anyone, let alone write them down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But you don’t have to – yet. Another one of their rules to
be broken is that instead of just getting one shot at someone, you speak to
them twice. The first time, the men stay in their seats and the women move
round. Turning another speed dating paradigm on its head. But for the second
round women get to rest their feet and the men come to them. And, I suspect, we
had a little longer to chat. This makes sure the power dynamic stays even, as
apparently when you’re the stationary one, you are more critical of the people
coming to you to be passed judgment upon. Makes sense I think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In case you run out of things to say, they helpfully provide
conversation starter questions. At first we weren’t sure if we were supposed to
be using them or not but realized that they weren’t mandatory. Sometimes we
used them, sometimes we didn’t. Sometimes I was very grateful for them, even if
I did end up answering the same questions a couple of times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems to be a generally accepted truth that more women
sign up to speed dating events than men, for whatever reason that is. And that
when men sign up the calibre is… let’s just say… uneven. Well, I don’t know how
they did it but Date Lab managed to get the basement of The Coin Laundry (a bit of a retro-themed new bar in Exmouth Market) full of people who were pretty
much all the right side of attractive, and mainly a young, 20sish kinda crowd.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t go to speed dating to find the love of my life. I go
for something fun to do, hopefully to chat to some entertaining people and if
anything else happens it’s a bonus. I did actually get a few matches out of the
event… they boast a 90% success match rate…but none have turned into anything. Perhaps
that just means I need to return. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753060585427167082.post-14620666590833926092016-06-30T17:03:00.001+01:002016-07-01T15:58:42.771+01:00Rudies, 9th May<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rudies…. A message to you Rudies…. And that message is: Nice
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a Monday I went down to sample a new jerk chicken joint
in Dalston. Two days after my superb fried chicken meal at Chick ‘n’ Sours
might have been overkill but I figured the two types of cuisine were different
enough that I wouldn’t suffer chicken fatigue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just to make sure, we started with some fried calamari with
a coriander and lime dip. Oh my. I would say these were the best calamari I
have had. The batter was so light and crisp with the squid being a little chewy
within, but not at all rubbery. The pop you got from the dip was incredibly
moreish – this is a spicy one! Great start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H1nPNvASr8eHDF-60fjS6CouQ_2Jv13zoGYK4gwAPO2IXdiiAn9PmPbmmWNclPicSbzVjSR-j5GrLvNEo8Mu63G3O80OjUq-JoKxVOeMF9b_uTGcRiW_v702gazwjlwOAP9kRaOcEAQ5/s1600/20160509_195813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-H1nPNvASr8eHDF-60fjS6CouQ_2Jv13zoGYK4gwAPO2IXdiiAn9PmPbmmWNclPicSbzVjSR-j5GrLvNEo8Mu63G3O80OjUq-JoKxVOeMF9b_uTGcRiW_v702gazwjlwOAP9kRaOcEAQ5/s200/20160509_195813.jpg" width="112" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Mondays they do 50% off the half jerk chicken, so who’s
gonna order anything else? Jerk chicken it was. I am certain I can polish off
half a chicken whenever I used to order from Nando’s but these ones must be
more plump than others as I was struggling to finish it. Of course – we also
had sweet potato fries and an avocado, mango and onion salad to contend with
too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sweet potato fries were pretty good and the salad which
was a little superfluous was fresh and sweet. The chicken came with a sauce of
your choice and not only did papaya sound the nicest it was also the hottest.
The chicken was nicely charred on the grill (although seemed to take so long to
come out we actually thought they’d forgotten about us) and had solid jerk
flavours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIdWseWVRngtAX0cRQvGP3QNH0XJSoGkJOWvcp44UEIp0cdOnckX8654V3epJVLvMXX4mjRdqvQN0Lx-5sAbuKBIWuopzAAXvYYRekHMvoBW7AlTDDWy5B5Z5Qxz5I2sLOfJT39tcRNVa/s1600/20160509_204959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIdWseWVRngtAX0cRQvGP3QNH0XJSoGkJOWvcp44UEIp0cdOnckX8654V3epJVLvMXX4mjRdqvQN0Lx-5sAbuKBIWuopzAAXvYYRekHMvoBW7AlTDDWy5B5Z5Qxz5I2sLOfJT39tcRNVa/s400/20160509_204959.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3uw_sjHQCGLBj9c-VI5NbSt0_T18uAtTuI75FGGEbFUgmRbEsHzwzy7bnCGE_jipEeK_8-XIJhqkNBu977guxJTRM_iUawaSA3Nt8gLgMfscGe4tZ85NijNNiTjY_1mrNEOdEEIJiR9z/s1600/20160509_205012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3uw_sjHQCGLBj9c-VI5NbSt0_T18uAtTuI75FGGEbFUgmRbEsHzwzy7bnCGE_jipEeK_8-XIJhqkNBu977guxJTRM_iUawaSA3Nt8gLgMfscGe4tZ85NijNNiTjY_1mrNEOdEEIJiR9z/s400/20160509_205012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, I couldn’t not try a cocktail. The Governor General
which was rum orange curacao, vermouth and sorrel. A subtley Caribbean
influence, though there was nothing subtle about the amount of alcohol in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKcM9H699tPn70SCBz7TNODvuAExPr-MmEczLF4MzGYBYW_uf36sGtKSD57lNSPhslnFYd3YtQwQ3SVssMLj1-TMZ0cbMIUFedejwj12UScr0WYXY4PFcvjCMeCpvBtEyiOVgApUSnXqc/s1600/20160509_195039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKcM9H699tPn70SCBz7TNODvuAExPr-MmEczLF4MzGYBYW_uf36sGtKSD57lNSPhslnFYd3YtQwQ3SVssMLj1-TMZ0cbMIUFedejwj12UScr0WYXY4PFcvjCMeCpvBtEyiOVgApUSnXqc/s320/20160509_195039.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An all-round enjoyable meal out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/london/rudies-1-dalston" target="_blank" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Rudie's, Dalston and other Restaurants in London"><img alt="Rudie's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/18170257/biglogo" style="border: none; height: 34px; padding: 0px; width: 104px;" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/rudies?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Rudie's"><img alt="Square Meal" height="27" src="https://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogSMBig.aspx?restaurant=0e4fc91efdf9441cade736dbd3614014" width="160" /></a>Ginglesnuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00254189538193183395noreply@blogger.com0