Following the Camberwell original and its Tooting sibling, wine bar/restaurant Good Neighbour have opened a third site on what has become a foodie hotspot, Peckham Rye. Taking the site of what was formerly the lovely Pedler who are relocating eastwards, it has big boots to fill. But from my visit on its opening evening, Good … Continue reading Good Neighbour
For my first indoor dining treat post-lockdown, back to Mayfair but this time just off Bond Street. Department store Fenwick has launched a new “wellness” concept space in their basement – the buzzword of the day (or the past year or so it seems) – featuring a sustainable food market, beauty and of course activewear … Continue reading 123V
Dinner in Mayfair feels like an aptly luxurious postcode to welcome in the gradual easing out of lockdown and the arrival of Spring/Summer 2021. Though securing an al fresco booking in London right now is close to impossible – think a month-long lead in time, on top of limited choice and finding spots with heated … Continue reading Fallow
At the time of this review’s jaunt, eating out in the then new normal (with its 10pm curfew) meant 6pm reservations (even on a Sunday evening), travelling to Seven Sisters to #supportsmall and cubicle dining. Though an unpromising combination, I was willing to bite the bullet and commute up to the ends of the Victoria … Continue reading Chuku’s
Trying out “Nue Ground” in what has become the “new normal” seems apt. Particularly given the ethos of this place, located on Clapham Old Town’s neighbourhood street of Abbeville Road. Appropriate for the “new normal” (whatever that is), at its core is sustainability, ethical sourcing and healthy, fresh produce, without compromising on taste and at … Continue reading Nue Ground
Having visited Sri Lanka in February 2020, I can confirm that Sri Lanka is totally deserving of its title as “pearl of the Indian Ocean”. But as the victim of a 20-year civil war, a tsunami, terrorist attacks and now, of course, the coronavirus pandemic, the island has suffered from a drop in tourism. Since … Continue reading Sri Lanka: a whistlestop guide to a paradise island
Tourists rarely spend time proper in the capital, instead hopping to the south coast or heading straight up to the Cultural Triangle. Yet Colombo has a lot to offer: new cafés, fusion restaurants, hip hotels and independent boutiques are sprouting up all over its 15 districts. With its palm trees, restored colonial buildings, action-packed markets … Continue reading Colombo
Ulagalla: Though guests only tend to spend two or three nights at Ulagalla by Uga Escapes, using the hotel as a base for exploring the Cultural Triangle (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya), it’s worthy of a week-long stay in its own right. A stay here feels like a total retreat. Set in 58 acres of lush … Continue reading Cultural Triangle
Santani: Located high up in totally remote mountains around Werapitiya, Santani is around an hour’s drive from Kandy and so a good base for seeing this beautiful city and its impressive Temple of Tooth. The windey drive up to Sanatani is totally worth it and you won’t regret the detour. Occupying 48 acres of tea … Continue reading Kandy and Tea Country
Why House: Located outside of Galle Fort and a short tuk-tuk ride away from Wijaya Beach, Why House feels very bijou chic. Minutes away from the Sri Lankan town of Unawatuna, you’re immediately transported as soon as the gates open into a world of colonial elegance, set in three-acre tropical gardens. Welcomed with a glass … Continue reading Galle
Yumtini 