Category Archives: Dining

Pearl of Brunswick

Our Oddities Christmas Lunch took place yesterday at Brunswick House in Vauxhall (London), a completely new venue for us. The theme was Fizz and Fortified. The restaurant, which I’d been desperate to try for some time, really nailed it for … Continue reading →

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Tuscan Raiders

There’s a group of aficionados of all things Toscana which meets several times a year to drink frankly far too much wine in impressive restaurants. It has been a while since I’ve been able to join them, so I was … Continue reading →

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A Different Market Tavern

In England at least, a market tavern tends to be a noisy pub selling warm beer with generous amounts slopping onto a sticky floor. Old Spitalfields Market has Taberna do Mercado, a very different proposition, and as we are not blessed … Continue reading →

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It’s a Wonderful Life

I’m of an age, well, not too old, where I still remember as teenager sitting around with friends listening to vinyl, discovering together a passion for bands we’d never heard before. I guess people with a passion for all sorts … Continue reading →

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A Sporting Chance

When a friend suggested a group of us wander down to Seasalter for the Tasting Menu lunch at The Sportsman it was impossible to refuse. Not only has Stephen Harris created a menu which the Daily Telegraph described as “no … Continue reading →

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Keeping My Chinato Up

I have a mate called Warren. Some of you may know him. He’s the guy who organises the occasional Spice Oddities spin-off we have at the India Club on The Strand, and the Fish ‘n Fino lunches at Masters’ near … Continue reading →

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Five Men, Seven Wines, Typical Tuesday

When 28-50 was simply one exciting new restaurant for wine lovers, albeit in a dark basement off Fleet Street, I used to dine there fairly regularly, lunch and dinner. But after the Marylebone branch opened I kind of gravitated there, … Continue reading →

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More Than Just Cordial

I enjoyed a tasting event at Elderflower Restaurant a few weekends ago (see here), but until Saturday night I hadn’t dined there. That was soon put right, four of us enjoying a meal of a standard high enough that I … Continue reading →

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Solent

Elderflower Restaurant, on the cobbled street leading to Lymington Quay,  is gaining a very good reputation under chef Andrew Du Bourg (previously Head Chef at Chewton Glen and Club Gascon) and wife Marjolaine. They provided the canapés and crudités for … Continue reading →

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Chop Chop – Post Haisma/Le Grappin Lunch

Nine winoholics, or at least that’s how one sometimes feels in failing to follow the “Dry January” dictat,  had a table booked at Quality Chop House on Farringdon Road for a post-Vinoteca tasting lunch (it is work, you know). As … Continue reading →

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