A new restaurant dedicated to the ancient Chinese communal dining activity known as ‘hot pot’ has opened in the heart of Chinatown. The appropriately named Hot Pot, a Bangkok-based chain, has opened this first London outpost on Wardour Street. Hot pot is a process of cooking ingredients in a boiling broth, then seasoning them with aContinue reading “Cook your own dinner at Hot Pot in Chinatown”
Tag Archives: London
Mercato Metropolitano: the Italian-themed foodie space in Borough
Pictures don’t do Mercato Metropolitano any justice. Neither does its website. Nor does its unassuming entrance, which is merely lit up by a string of fairy lights come nightfall. You’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there… And that would be a shame. What is it? Mercato Metropolitano is an Italian-themed casual foodie space slash indoorContinue reading “Mercato Metropolitano: the Italian-themed foodie space in Borough”
Build your own cheeseboard at Vivat Bacchus
If cheese makes you happy, you need to try the ‘Cheese room experience’ at South African steak restaurant and wine bar, Vivat Bacchus. At its two branches in London Bridge and Farringdon, you can go into the special cheese room with an expert and build your own cheeseboard (from £14.90). What makes this experience so great isContinue reading “Build your own cheeseboard at Vivat Bacchus”
Time to play at the board games café
Fed up with hearing about gimmicky hipster cafés? Me too. But here’s one without the gimmick that’s worth hunting down: London’s first (and only) board games café, Draughts. If the thought of Monopoly, Cluedo, Hungry Hippos, Articulate, Scrabble, Game of Life and 400 other games excites you, you’re well overdue a visit. This place isn’tContinue reading “Time to play at the board games café”
Tired of adulting? Head to the grown-up ball pit bar BallieBallerson
When you feel tired of adulting in London, there’s an amazeballs place you should go. It’s where you’ll find all the big kids (note: actual kids aren’t allowed), and it involves a DJ, retro-sweet-themed cocktails and, most importantly, a ball pit for grown-ups… Very fitting for a #throwbackthursday, this bar and underground ball pit goes byContinue reading “Tired of adulting? Head to the grown-up ball pit bar BallieBallerson”
Flat Iron Square: the new foodie spot near Borough Market
A new food and drink market has opened its doors near London Bridge, and is just a short walk from rival Borough Market. What differentiates this vast space, however, is that it is open from Monday to Sunday, 10am until late and there is ample seating, making it a good spot for lunch, dinnerContinue reading “Flat Iron Square: the new foodie spot near Borough Market”
Malaysia Fest is back in Trafalgar Square this Saturday
Malaysia Fest, UK’s largest celebration of Malaysian cuisine and culture, returns to Trafalgar Square this Saturday. The free festival is on from midday to 10pm, and a large part of it will be taken up by a Malaysian food market, with approximately 20 restaurants offering a variety of dishes all priced around the £5Continue reading “Malaysia Fest is back in Trafalgar Square this Saturday”
On cloud nine with candy floss and ice cream in Covent Garden
After the hype of ice cream cookie sandwiches (Blu Top, Chin Chin Labs) and ice cream macaroons (Yolkinmacice), now Londoners can get soft serve ice cream – basically posh Mr Whippy – served in a candy floss cloud, thanks to new dessert cafe Milk Train. Located just behind Covent Garden, Milk Train offers three flavoursContinue reading “On cloud nine with candy floss and ice cream in Covent Garden”
Beer and Buns in Liverpool Street
Japanese beers (and sake) and fluffy buns (and wings) are the order of the evening at Beer & Buns. And they come with an extra side of fun – foosball and pinball tables… and sake bombs. Sake bombs (pictured left) require a little bit of explanation – a shot of sake arrives balanced on chopsticks aboveContinue reading “Beer and Buns in Liverpool Street”
Scoffing sourdough pizza at Franco Manca
It comes as no surprise that sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca has been named the best Italian restaurant in the UK by Yelp users. It was only earlier this year that I was introduced to the restaurant myself – yet it’s rapidly become one of my favourite places to eat out, and I’ve been ravingContinue reading “Scoffing sourdough pizza at Franco Manca”
Refuel at Pump Shoreditch
Popcorn chicken, bubble waffles, chilli cheese fries… street food is made seriously fun at Pump Shoreditch. The mini street food market square, which is housed on the site of a disused petrol station on Shoreditch High Street, sees vendors rustle up tasty and eclectic delights from small colourful huts all day (11am-11pm). Fill your arms with all theContinue reading “Refuel at Pump Shoreditch”
Take yourself back to Asia at East Street
I felt like I’d been transported back to the bustling streets of Bangkok when I entered East Street. Illuminated signs screaming “Asahi” or “Coca Cola” hang from the restaurant’s ceiling, jostling for attention, while a fragrant spiced aroma – reminiscent of the faraway street food bazaars of Asia – fills your nostrils. East Street serves up a variety ofContinue reading “Take yourself back to Asia at East Street”
A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho
Word on the street is that Said serves up one of the best hot chocolates in London. It’s true. A cup of heavenly thick, rich molten chocolate, it is best devoured with a spoon. The taste of pure, melted, quality chocolate comes through with every mouthful – and between them it’s so satisfying to dip and swirl a spoon in theContinue reading “A chocolate lover’s paradise: Said in Soho”
Bar spy: The Blind Pig, Soho
You might have walked right past The Blind Pig before without batting an eyelid. It’s one of those unmarked speakeasy-style Soho bars hidden behind a secret door. The mystery! Search for an optician’s sign, and below it, a door with a knob resembling a pig’s head. Got it? You’re in, if you’ve made a booking thatContinue reading “Bar spy: The Blind Pig, Soho”
Tapas at José Pizarro in Liverpool Street
It’s a Tuesday evening at José Pizarro’s all-day tapas restaurant in Broadgate Circle and there are suits aplenty. Detracting slightly from his cosier Bermondsey outposts, José and Pizarro, the Spanish chef has created this restaurant, his third, in a sleek, airy style, so it matches the City worker crowd well. An extensive wine list featuringContinue reading “Tapas at José Pizarro in Liverpool Street”
Play ping pong at The Bat and Ball bar in Stratford
A new ping pong bar has taken up residency in Westfield Stratford – and it’s got an atmosphere as cool as rival chain Bounce. The premise is fun and simple at The Bat and Ball: play table tennis while sipping on beer and munching on chicken wings (or cocktails and pizza!) in a giant gamesContinue reading “Play ping pong at The Bat and Ball bar in Stratford”
Slurp noodles at the new Ichiryu Hakata Udon House
A brand new “Udon House” has opened its doors on New Oxford Street. Ichiryu, the brainchild of Take Tokumine, the CEO of Shoryu and Japan Centre, prides itself on its thick, chewy white udon noodles, which are handmade on site and served up either hot or cold with toppings such as prawn tempura, fishcakes and beef. The menu also features sushi, tempura (cod,Continue reading “Slurp noodles at the new Ichiryu Hakata Udon House”
Can you keep a secret? Weekend film club at The Soho Hotel
There’s nothing better than kicking back for a movie on a Sunday afternoon – except, perhaps, doing it in style. Think comfy leather seats, free popcorn, and drinks delivered directly to your seat… Intrigued? A well-kept secret is that The Soho Hotel runs a fantastic ‘Weekend Film Club’ where you can watch the latest releasesContinue reading “Can you keep a secret? Weekend film club at The Soho Hotel”
Pop up selfie-service café: smile for free breakfast in Covent Garden
Turn your morning frown upside down for London’s first selfie-service café, which will be offering a free breakfast in exchange for a smiling selfie next week. Each morning from 7.30am to 11.30am on Tuesday 6th October to Thursday 8th October, Londoners can pop in for some steaming hot porridge or fluffy pancakes and ‘pay’ forContinue reading “Pop up selfie-service café: smile for free breakfast in Covent Garden”
Roof walking: climbing up the O2 arena in Greenwich
“Nobody likes a cry baby,” jokes Ross, our climbing instructor, “so if you feel nervous, just hold it in, OK?” We’re about to clamber over the roof of the O2 arena in Greenwich, and Ross, our Scottish accented, bearded guide, has us chuckling from the off, which pretty much sets the tone for the next eightyContinue reading “Roof walking: climbing up the O2 arena in Greenwich”
/// The Curious Londoner 