Arthur Beale - Covent Garden WC2

In this age of either relentless chain shops or the slightly more preferable (but equally damaging to traditional businesses) "snazzification" of our inner city, it is unusual to find shops like Arthur Beale in key central London locations.  Like J P Guivier in Mortimer St, Arthur Beale on Shaftesbury Avenue is an old school shop, remaining wonderfully resistant to the vagaries of fashion and the changing retail nature of its surrounds.  Arthur Beale is a ship chandlers - selling rope, fittings and other nautical supplies - to be honest unless you are a serious boatsperson (see how PC I am?) there is not much point going inside, but like me you can be glad that a great shop like this is there, doing what it does and hasn't yet turned into a Starbucks.

Mike & Ollie's Supper Club - SE14

Unfortunately (or fortunately really) I was so intent on eating all the delicious food at Mike & Ollie's supper club on Wednesday night that I didn't take any photos other than this rather lovely snap of my friend Amelia with the first thing on offer, an amazing frozen strawberry daiquiri (which looked pretty and went down a treat).  This was actually my first ever supper club so I really had no idea what to expect but thought it might be quite awkward, eating at a fold up card table in someone's living room.  How wrong I was - Mike & Ollie's is held in a cool warehousey style apartment in SE14 (New Cross) and the room had two large trestle-type tables, each with 12 people on them and an ingenious method of sliding the food down the centre of the long tables on wheeled planks, negating the need to reach over and deliver the food to each person.  My attendance was all thanks to my friend Gen who booked it all.  The food kept on coming after the daiquiri - we started with a scrumptious (I am totally going to run out of adjectives in this post) small portion of pork belly, with perfect crackling and some sort of stewed rhubarb on top.  As Amelia is a veggo, Ben and I split her portion (bonus!).  This was followed by steaming bowls of mussels with chorizo and broad beans which were also super tasty.  We then had a cute apple sorbet palate cleanser served in a hollowed out apple and followed up with delicious new season asparagus with two buttery dips, one flavoured with anchovy.  Picking up warm, sweet asparagus spears (as a side bar - if any of you have seen the Aussie original version of Kath & Kim you may remember Kim on E saying she was Britney Spears' sister "Asparagus Spears"...one of the all time best comedic scenes ever) and dipping them in savoury butter, then shoving them down your gullet is not only delicious but feels kinda dirty...in a good way....but then maybe that's just me....  Anyway - by this time we were pretty full (especially  young Ben and I, having had extra pork) but we wolfed down the scallop dish (served in the shell) although I have no memory of exactly how they were cooked, just that they were tasty.  We had also by this time downed a couple of bottles of wine and were happily chatting away to our neighbours who, it turned out, made cakes to sell at music festivals - nice job right?  The only slightly bum note in what was a night of amazing food was dessert - lovely strawberries and sort of a creamy, custardy substance (which I liked) but served on a weird, hard biscuity thing which Amelia said reminded her of a ryvita.  However let's not dwell on that because the food at Mike & Ollie's was seriously good  - it would actually be incorrect to say restaurant standard because this was way better than a lot of restaurants, I would happily have paid more than the £35 a head for what was a brilliant five course meal with sorbet and daiquiri (wine was extra).  Mike (who presided over our table and was remarkably calm given how many hungry foodies he was serving) & Ollie have a stall at the wonderful Brockley Market (check out their website here - if you are in the market for some food porn, this is a good place to start your surfing).  There are some upcoming dates for June - you can book on their website here.  I am now not only a big Mike & Ollie fan but also love the whole supper club vibe (I know, I know - I am late to the party) - my only worry is that my first supper club has set the bar waaaay high.

The Ship - Wandsworth SW18

Ah The Ship - this place should have actually been my first post for the blog as I have been going to this pub for years (as long as I have lived in Wandsworth) but for some reason I didn't write the post back in 2009, then I had a brief falling out of love (more below - it was very brief!) and then we moved a bit further back into the wilds of SW18 and so I wasn't going there as much...anyway I'm getting ahead of myself, let's start again.  The Ship is a wonderful pub, definitely in my Top 3 (if not the top actually) in London and has been serving thirsty punters since the late 18th century.  The problem to all but locals is finding the place.  On the banks of the Thames, right next to Wandsworth Bridge, tucked in between a massive development of modern flats and a concrete works, situated on the somewhat confrontingly named Jews Row (one of my American friends couldn't believe there was a street called this!), The Ship's location does not seem immediately appealing.  However for me, keen student of Wandsworth history, this little enclave is really interesting.  Pier Terrace, which connects Jews Row and Wandsworth Bridge, retains some of its original cobbling and there was once a street of terraced housing running all along it, part of an extensive network of two up two down terraces that were demolished to build the Wandsworth roundabout and one way system.  The Other Half and I used to live in nearby Eltringham St which is a weird remnant of this long gone network of streets - which was one of the reasons we loved it there and also the reason for my fascination with what this area used to look like (as recently as the 60s).  The Wandsworth Garage is about the only other reminder of the pre-roundabout days.  The Ship is definitely worth seeking out - equally brilliant whatever the season, in the warm (ha!) summer months, the pub really comes into its own with a huge outdoor space between the pub and the river and a fantastic BBQ on offer (as well as an outside bar).  The food is really great at The Ship - particularly in the restaurant area - I remember when we first visited years ago we couldn't believe that food of that quality was being served in our

local pub.  Given London's current obsession with burgers, The Ship's version deserves special mention - it is a fine specimen (as you can see) and outranks (IMHO) some of those that London's burger cognoscenti rate more highly.  The Ship are also famous for their Scotch eggs - drool away here.  The staff are great (one of our favourite waiters in all of London works in the restaurant) - this is a really friendly pub.  So why did I fall out of love with it?  I am so reluctant to even mention this, because it was a small blip in an otherwise unblemished record and the management were so good in their response....anyway, here goes.  The Ship, being in SW London and literally just over the river from Fulham, does attract its fair share of rugger bugger types - not that there is necessarily anything the matter with that (the church of London Stuff is a broad one) however it does mean that at certain times (big rugby matches the obvious example) The Ship can get over-run with very drunk, very boisterous Hooray Henrys and Henriettas.  Which is fine in the bar - because you can (as we did on this one particular day) scuttle, like the middle-aged reformed party people we are, to the restaurant area to escape the revelry.  However on the day in question, which unfortunately was the day we were taking some north of the river friends for their first visit to the much raved-about Ship, we had a large table of braying, pissed up youngsters at the table next to us.  Throughout what tuned out to be a pretty painful dinner, male members of the next door party ended up on top of their table, constantly banged into our table (albeit with very well-spoken apologies delivered each time) as they got up for frequent trips to the loos and generally made it a pretty rubbish night.  I was jacked off that the staff did not tell them to can it or move them into the pub - the (good) problem with the staff at The Ship is, they're just all way too nice and I'm sure they just wanted everyone to get along and have fun.  I felt like the king of the party poopers but decided to write on of "those" emails to The Ship and to their credit they got back super fast offering to refund our meal (an offer which we didn't take up) and give us another meal for free - which the Other Half and I did take advantage of.  Which all in all is the perfect response really.  So in a weird way, my brief falling out of love with The Ship made me love them more than ever.  Anyway - as I said this was a brief one week blip in almost 7 years of wonderfulness.  If you live anywhere near Wandsworth Bridge or indeed you just want to hang out at a mighty fine pub and eat some of the best pub food you'll find anywhere in London, head on down to Jews Row in SW18 and have a Scotch egg or three for me.

NEWSFLASH - Caravan to open in King's Cross

The wonderful Caravan in Exmouth Market is soon to have a sibling - a new Caravan is planned for the Granary development at King's Cross.  Planned to open mid to late July, this is great news for the residents of N1 and for London in general!

MEATMarket - WC2

Having fallen for the messy deliciousness of Yianni Papoutsis' burgers at #meateasy in SE14 early last year, I faithfully followed them to their first permanent home at MEATLiquor in Wellbeck Street in January.  MEAT Liquor kinda did my head in (in a dirty, sexy, scary way) and was probably one of the least relaxed, yet completely delicious meals I had had in a while.  So of course as soon as I heard about MEATMarket, Yianni's latest burger joint, I

couldn't wait to check it out.  Situated on a mezzanine overlooking the tacky Jubilee Market Hall just next to the Covent Garden piazza (which in a weird way really works as a location - I felt like I was at a fun fair) the first thing that struck me was that here I was, ordering a Yianni burger with no queues, which got delivered within 10 minutes to our table which we had scored easily (at #meateasy the other half and I waited 2 hours for our burger and had to lunge on the first vacant table and at MEATLiquor we queued for 20 minutes outside in a London winter).  The second thing that struck me was that, unlike at MEATLiquor, I didn't feel like a deranged maniac was lurking around each corner or that I would find a sex club in the basement (and yes, perhaps you detect a slight note of disappointment...).  The last thing that struck me was that these burgers were still f*cking awesome.  My friend Don and I also ordered some amazing sides, including poppaz (cheese stuffed, breaded and deep fried jalapenos).  From what I hear the evenings get busy, although not quite to MEATLiquor levels - I am keen to try out the alcoholic milkshakes very soon.  As an added bonus for me, since my work has moved offices, MEATMarket is now a short 5 minute stroll away - so I plan to eat here...a lot.

Grind - Battersea SW11

Fans of Grind Coffee Bar in Putney (and I am one) will be pleased to know that Grind has a little sister in Battersea.  Somewhat oddly situated in the Plantation Wharf development on the river, this is nevertheless a lovely little cafe.  We actually used to live just around the corner - so I'm not dissing the area (Battersea love) but Grind is tucked away in a primarily residential development.  Anyway - I hope the many local residents discover and hang out at Grind because these guys do the cafe thing really well.  Top notch flat whites made with London Coffee Roasters beans, yummy food and friendly antipodean service - a winning formula in my book.  I love the fact that the SW coffee scene is expanding and that places like Grind are branching out into new locations.  The only thing that would improve Grind Battersea?  Being open on the weekend - then I could visit more often.

Burger & Lobster - Clarges St W1

I had been wanting to go to Burger & Lobster for the longest time.  Then, a few weeks ago, after I had been thwarted in my attempt to see the Hockney exhibition at the RA (I got there later in the day when the queueing time went down from two hours to one hour) I had the brilliant idea of ducking round the corner in Maytfair and trying out Burger & Lobster.  Whilst there are apparently queues (always in London, the queues...) at lunchtimes and particularly in the evening, on this Saturday afternoon it was actually pretty easy to get a table, although I chose to sit up at the bar and ended up having an instructive lesson on gin from the friendly barman.  I knew what I wanted - the lobster roll - but the burger and the lobster itself both looked good as I saw them being bussed by.

The lobster roll was everything I had hoped it would be - sweet toasted brioche, lots of succulent lobster with just the right amount of mayo and some chives sprinkled on top.  This was a rich, luxury sandwich (and so it should be at £20) but totally worth it.  Accompanied by a small, zingy salad and some great chips, this was a great lunch and I happily munched my way through it feeling pretty good about life.  I can't wait to go back and try the burger - it has also had good wraps and I do love a good burger - again my expectations are pretty high given the £20 price tag, but I suppose this is Mayfair...

The Murals of W1

I have always loved a mural and there are two in my beloved Soho & Fitzrovia that have always appealed to me.  Not because they are particularly beautiful, maybe because they are eye-catching, but I think mainly because they formed a back-drop for some key moments in my life.  I have done a lot of living in these areas, my life has taken all sorts of turns and at the risk of getting too deep (queue soundtrack) I feel like W1 is where I became the person I am today.  Anyway, blah blah blah - back to the murals.  The first is on the corner of Carnaby and Broadwick Streets and is know as "The Spirit of Soho".  Completed in 1991, this shows St Anne (so featured because of St Anne's church in Wardour Street) overseeing various Soho luminaries.  As an added bonus, on the hour 3 of the figures wink, drink and blow kisses.

The second mural is on Tottenham Court Road, at the back of the rather un-prepossessing open space know as Whitfield Gardens.  I think I particularly like this one because my first London job, at a music dot com in Charlotte St, was just round the corner.  I loved that job and I have to admit I felt pretty damn cool at the time (ahh youth) - I felt like Fitzrovia was my 'hood and so I always liked this mural, celebrating the area.  It's looking a little tired these days, with some graffiti spoiling the bottom portion but it still stands out and I hope they keep it there.  If you are interested in Fitzrovia, I can recommend a book called "Characters of Fitzrovia" - essential reading for Fitzrovia-philes.  So next time you are sauntering down TCR or sashaying down Carnaby St, take a moment to admire (or not) these two fine examples of street murals.

Newsflash! St Ali & Sensory Lab become Workshop Coffee

Fans of St Ali in Clerkenwell and Sensory Lab in Wigmore Street will now be dirnking fine caffeinated beverages in Workshop Coffee, the new brand.  Check it out here.

Damson Cafe - St Giles High St WC2

As the time approaches for our office move to Central St Giles I am starting to work out what my closest coffee locations will be.  Luckily for me, my current fave Nude Espresso in Soho Square is still relatively close, plus Monmouth and Wild & Wood are but a hop, skip and a jump away.  I was really excited when Flat Cap kindly located their new cart in the grounds of St Giles church and thought that was definitely going to be my closest location for that emergency caffeine hit.  But I was wrong people!  Winning the race by a matter of metres is newcomer to the London coffee scene, Damson.  A cute little cafe on the corner of New Compton St (those of you who are used to sashaying down Old Compton St may not realise there's a "new" one too) and St Giles High St, Damson is on the site of the old Panchetto Bistro, a pretty standard cafe who did a better than average fry-up.  Damson is a really lovely cafe and the flat white I had there last week was spot on.  My sis and I also shared a delicious raspberry muffin thingy which we both agreed was the perfect size and consistency for a muffin - which means the exact opposite of those gross, tumorous looking things you get from Starbucks.  So check out this lovely new cafe - I can't wait for the office move to happen so I can become a regular!

Brockley Market - SE4

So after wanting to go for some time we finally made the trek (3 trains - not sure we did it the most efficient way) to Brockley to check out the Saturday market.  Running from 10am to 2pm in the Lewisham College car park, this is a real local gem.  I had heard lots of good things about the market, in particular from some faithful blog scouts, Ben and Gen.  It was a magnificent Saturday when the other half and I made the trek from the SW to the SE and by the time we reached Brockley station we were starving.  First stop was the wonderful Browns of Brockley for a flattie - it was so hard to resist the yummy food on offer there but we had come to Brockley Market to eat and I wanted an empty stomach to fill with market treats (that sounds kinda icky - sorry).  With the Spring blossom coming out and the sun shining, Brockley looked its best and the streets we walked through to get to the market were really lovely, by the time we reached our destination we had made plans to move to Brockley.  It felt so peaceful and the streets lined with large red brick Victorian houses were as nice as you'd get in more "sought after" areas (and a lot less hectic).  At the risk of sounding twee, our stroll also included a friendly cat sitting on a gatepost who rolled over to have its belly scratched.  Anyway enough Brockley love, on to the market.  First impressions were that it was

small but perfectly formed - given we were miles from the tourist hot-spots of Borough we didn't have to deal with the hordes (although if jokers like me keep writing about it it won't be long).  As much as we wanted to check out the fresh produce stalls, it had been a long time since we woke up, so getting some food tout de suite was priority numero uno (I do like to see how many languages I can fit in one sentence).  We decided to divide and conquer and split the proceeds - the other half went straight for Mother Flipper's burgers.  With high praise from burger aficionados like Young & Foodish I knew this burger would deliver and it did.  For me, the secret to a great burger is the bun - the patty goes without saying but the bun is key to take a good burger into the realms of greatness and the Mother Flipper burger got it spot on.  I am still dreaming of this burger 2 weeks later.  My side

of the shared breakfast was a slow cooked pork torta from Luardos, Mexican street food served from a bright pink van (called Mary - the van, not the torta).  Watching this baby being made was like food porn, good thing upon good thing kept getting piled on (check out the photo for an almost complete torta) - amazing slow cooked pork, black beans, homemade guacamole and tomato salsa and hot sauce - be warned, I said "medium hot" and it was pretty zingy.  This was messy but so friggin' delicious.

As we sat there in the sun, taking alternate bites from the burger and the torta, life felt pretty darn good.  We decided that we should walk a little to aid digestion and make some room for something sweet (sorry, I really do have to stop making digestive references, not sure what's going on with me tonight...) so we took a couple of turns round the market, checking out the amazing fresh local produce - as always I bought a jar of something that looked great but will probably sit in the cupboard gathering dust, but hey that's what farmers' markets are about.  I really wished I was pig enough to squeeze in a Scotch egg from the Scotch egg guy - but I couldn't and plus Ben had bought me one a couple of weeks before so at least I knew how delicious they were.  We ended up at a great cake stall and decided on the splitting option again, this time a perfect chocolate brownie and a millionaire's shortbread sold to us by a friendly young chap with whom I discussed the merits of different brands of gin, which is the sort of conversation I am always pleased to have.  We accompanied our cakes with a decent flat white from the Dark Fluid coffee cart.  By this point we were fit to burst so decided to call it a day.  I loved Brockley Market - the food of course, the environs definitely but also the people.  Brockley seems to do cool locals - for those of us from the leafy SW it was nice to have a break from the yummy mummies and the rugger buggers (not that I am dissing my 'hood - well maybe a little, but only because I love it really).  The Brockley locals looked like they could be architects or perhaps work at an indie record label rather than the hedge fund crowd - but mostly they just looked friendly and up for it and perhaps slightly hung over.  All in all a lovely day - I can highly recommend a Saturday trip to SE4, but just don't tell too many people about it.  After queueing for ages to get into the Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy this weekend and being told last Thursday night at Ceviche that we had to wait at least an hour for a table I have decided that there are just too many people in London so I don't want them all crowding down to Brockley Market because it's the "thing to do", so I probably shouldn't be writing this blog post, but I can't not, because it's just so lovely and my mission, nay - my raison d'etre - is to tell you about lovely, unmissable things to do in London and this, my friends, is one of them.

Space Invaders!

Anyone who has spent any time wandering around the streets of Soho and surrounds (and that is most certainly me) may have noticed these colourful little characters - space invaders made from tiles and stuck to the sides of buildings, on walls, usually high up.  Parisian street artist Space Invader (see what he did there?) was named as responsible back in 2009 but to be honest I think there may be some imitators, as some more seem to

 have been popping up lately.  I love spotting them - if you fancy going on a space invader spotting mission yourself, there us a long standing (sticking?) version above the archway leading to Greek St next to the Pillars of Hercules pub, there is one in Rathbone Place, one near where The End nightclub used to be

and another one on the wall of the Elms Lester Painting Rooms near Denmark St.  It's a bit like those stories about picking magic mushrooms - once you find one, suddenly they pop up everywhere!  I have only included a selection here - maybe I should start another Google map.  I hope it is Space Invader that is putting up the new ones - I love to think that he/she is carrying on their mission to invade Soho with these little critters.  Long live the space invaders!