Hôp Namô, Box Park, London

Hôp Namô is run by husband and wife Colin and Linh Vu as a deliberate and very successful attempt to bring modern Vietnamese food to an increasingly appreciative audience. ‘Vietnamese with a modern twist’ is their slogan, although they are keen to emphasise that they fully acknowledge the traditions of their country’s cuisine.

Negotiating the Wine List – how to be hip before you sip

In truth, the event will please anyone with an interest in wine, not just those who have sat basting in beads of their own sweat whilst studying the wine list on dates of yore. Thierry is a character as well as an expert and the private dining room at Angelus is a relaxing environment. Thierry famously considers sommeliers as ‘salesmen of pleasure” and the food, wine and conversation at the press dinner suggest he at least is living up to his own billing.

Waring deep fill sandwich toaster

I got my first sandwich toaster for university, my mother feeling that I would otherwise starve. In fact I had already mastered the art of making spaghetti Bolognese as well as curry/stew (one contained curry powder, one didn’t) so I was quite safe. All I recall about using the toaster at university are clouds of acrid cheesy smoke on the staircase by my rooms and the college porter giving me a lecture on fire drill.

Green Masala Chicken Biryani

Biryani is the quintessential Pakistani comfort and celebratory food. To my family, Biryani means sleepy hot afternoons and Sunday lunches at my grandmother’s…and on the flip side it reminds me of lavish colourful Pakistani weddings and long festive Eid (religious day) lunches.

The Best of British Cheeses

Both traditional and modern British cheeses are up to the task of satisfying our demanding, modern palates. I was pleasantly surprised by the textures and intensity of flavours from these modern varieties and will definitely be more inclined to choose locally in the future.

Royal China, Queensway

All the staff we met had a smile and a friendly air about them and it didn’t seem forced. They were quick to refresh our crockery in the face of my messy eating and swift to top up the tea. And that’s about all I want. I certainly don’t want the American ‘Hi my name is Greg and I’ll just perch my resting actor’s buttocks on the table next to you and simper’ style of serving.