by | December 23, 2012

Nothing sticky about The Jam Cupboard

It’s probably clear by now to my readers that I’ll do almost anything for a free meal. And that I also fall pretty easily for a good name.  So when the editor of West London Living asked me to review The Jam Cupboard, I immediately agreed based on a novel name and a free meal.

The Jam Cupboard, Rydges Hotel, SW7

My guest was equally keen.  After all, a South Kensington address isn’t to be sneezed at.  We both, however, turned out of the tube station the wrong way.  That is, towards Bailey’s Hotel and the swish end of Gloucester Road.  Realising that the street numbers and my nose were not aligned, I made an about-turn and soon found Rydges Hotel, 61 Gloucester Road SW7.

The press release (kindly sent to me by the PR) describes The Jam Cupboard as ‘stylish’ and ‘laid back’.  An odd description for a restaurant with such a cute, cozy-sounding name, I thought.  Anyway, it is neither.  In fact, it lacks any atmosphere, style and, if anything, feels stiff and uptight.

my dirty Martini

Determined to have a good time, my guest and I ordered a cocktail. An apple and cinnamon martini for her and a dirty one, as usual, for me (£9 each). Seeing as the waiter had little to do other than take our order, we pushed on and made our choices from the uninspiring menu.  I started with warm asparagus tart (£8.50) followed by slow cooked beef cheeks in red wine juice with mash potato (£16.50).

To be honest, the food was fine.  It certainly wasn’t a disaster but, if ever this is a true sign, I am desperately trying hard to remember anything remarkable about it as I write my review.  And absolutely nothing springs to mind.  I am wondering whether the morgue feeling in the restaurant (I should add that it was a Tuesday night) had an effect on the taste of the food?

the sticky toffee pudding followed suit

We shared a dessert, a sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. And it followed suit.  We could have been anywhere eating anything and if Rydges Hotel want anyone other than desperately hungry, time-pressured business guests to eat in their recently refurbished utterly soulless Jam Cupboard, they need to make a much bigger impression.

The Jam Cupboard 61 Gloucester Rd, SW7  020 75848100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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by | December 21, 2012

Life of Pi 3D review: The Tiger who came to Sea

My sister in law looked visibly shocked the first time I had the ‘zoo conversation’ with her. How could any woman who calls herself a mother REFUSE to take her Smalls to the zoo? Well, if you hate the concrete jungle that they call London Zoo and you don’t have any sort of affinity towards animals, it’s easy. With her annual membership to the animal home in her hand, we agreed to differ and my Smalls are left not knowing a Komodo dragon from another big, fat, heavy lizard.

Pi with Richard Parker, the Bengal lion

Pi with Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger

the book: Life of Pi

the book: Life of Pi

But Ang Lee’s adaptation of the fantasy adventure novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel did draw out a little animal empathy in even me. And a whole lot of admiration and wonder too as I marveled at how Lee has transformed the seemingly unfilmable novel into a true magical vision.

Life of Pi never did have an easy ride. The novel was rejected by at least five London publishing houses before being accepted by Knopf Canada in September 2001. The following year the UK edition won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and I remember, at that time, almost every passenger on London Underground clutched a copy.

almost alone in the Pacific Ocean

almost alone in the Pacific Ocean

Mr Lee has spent four long years working on this masterpiece. Piscine ‘Pi’ Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry with a zoo-keeping father, finds religion a little more than interesting. But, it is this believing and intense curiosity (we are lead to believe) which keeps him alive for 227 days at sea. Shipwrecked, stranded on a small rescue boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he has only the company of a Bengal tiger to keep him sane.

I desperately wanted to leave the big American cinema with a little more belief in God. Just to see if it worked. I’m not sure I have done, but the story of human resilience and animal companionship has reminded me that strength of mind and friendship are powerful tools in the face of adversity. The twist at the end does throw into question how much of the story has been embellished by the storyteller to add a little more depth and meaning. After all, it is a fantasy adventure and storytelling has long been recognised as a means of survival. Perhaps, with humans as boat companions, the tale was too tall and by substituting in animals, it is easier to digest this truly magnificent cinematic experience.

Do see it in 3D on the largest screen possible.

The Life of Pi is out in cinemas from 20th Dec 2012.

 

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by | December 19, 2012

Memories of Vingt-Quatre (VQ)

a re-branded Vingt Quatre now VQ

Sometimes memories are best left as images from the past.  I remember many a hilarious night (early morning) spent at Vingt-Quatre, 325 Fulham Road.  The legendary 24-hour diner was a perfect option when going home just didn’t seem  fair.  Screams of delight as we bumped into familiar faces and a non-negotiable buzz for all who were desperately seeking a midnight feast.

comfort food (apple crumble) at VQ

However, fast-forward too many years and, it is without the beer goggles that, I was asked to review VQ (renamed following a full refurb) as it hopes ‘to attract more than just the late-nighters’ in its latest guise.

the best bit, the smarties with the bill

I picked out my guest perfectly.  Until recently, she has been a late night/late morning party girl and has only been halted by nipperdom.

To be fair, at 8pm on a Monday night we shouldn’t have expected a full house.  But it was very empty and, in fact, rather soulless.  The interior could have been so much more interesting and the menu a little less diverse to make it all the more appealing.  Opting for the chicken milanese with tomato and rocket salad (£11.50) and 8oz sirloin steak with fries (£17.95), we were somewhat underwhelmed.  However, the apple crumble and custard (£5.95) we shared was a great comfort-food option and our smartie treat (a signature of the café) with our bill, was the absolute highlight of our meal.

There’s no doubt that VQ will always be an ideal hangout for those looking to party into the wee hours.  The waitress told us that there is usually a queue down the road past 11pm.  But, would I choose to have a mid-week dinner there? Not without my beer googles.

Vingt Quatre  325 Fulham Rd, SW10

 

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by | December 19, 2012

Clearly not a Bigoodi

Bigoodi, Parsons Green

Bigoodi, Parsons Green

More than 6 weeks ago I was approached by the owner of a PR agency asking if Mini would like to review a hair cut at their client, Bigoodi.  The press release describes Bigoodi as ‘the UK’s number one kids concept store’.

bows at Bigoodi, SW6

bows at Bigoodi, SW6

In reality, it is a toy shop with a few designer clothes for those wishing to spend more than average on their darling’s attire.  It also boasts a hairdresser or two to cut their hair while said darlings are utterly absorbed by the surrounding TVs, car/airplane chairs and general materialistic kids’ heaven.  Glancing quickly online, I did express some concern that my not-particularly-sophisticated 8 year old might not be so impressed by the babyish gimmicks.  But, I was assured by the PR that Bigoodi caters for up to 15 year olds!

salon or shop?

salon or shop?

So I booked her in for first thing in the morning (well, 10am is first thing when we are school holidaying) before realizing that it was more than a skip and a jump from home.  But I’m a firm believer in not letting PRs down –  as well as dead keen to make sure the Smalls leave our neighbourhood whenever possible.  Life outside of North West London is always worth the trip.

Re-reading the press release I noticed that the owner of the PR agency was also the owner of Bigoodi.  Not a bad move, I thought.  (Back in my Matthew Freud days, he would often have some involvement (ie cash) in a new client and set me to work on the PR.)  In fact, it can provide a great editorial result as the PR knows exactly how to play into the journalist’s hands.

Mini and her mane

Mini and her mane

Back to Bigoodi.  When we arrived (I must admit we were 10 minutes late due to the distance travelled), the salon/shop was completely freezing.  The PR refused to acknowledge that sub-zero temperatures might be uncomfortable for those with wet hair.  And then the wet hair became an issue too.  The hairdresser explained that they don’t like to wash the childrens’ hair.  Now, Mini has a mane thicker than any horse so there is absolutely NO WAY you could cut her hair dry.  From here on in, things pretty much went down hill.  I could bore you to death by recounting the entire shambles of the experience but Mini might read this in years to come, completely putting her off hairdressers in general.

Bigoodi and the REAL hairdressers next door

Bigoodi and the REAL hairdressers next door

Let’s just say this.  I ended up trying to dry her sodden clothes with hair dryers (they clearly don’t wash the kids’ hair because they can’t!).  The hairdresser they had organized for us to review was brand new to Bigoodi and was nothing better than inept and, when I asked to speak to the owner, she was nowhere to be found.  And, believe me, I kept calling and emailing for a full 48 hour period afterwards.

As we left (looking for a coffee shop to get warm), Mini noticed a ‘real hairdresser’ next door to Bigoodi.  ‘Next time, Mummy,’ she shivered, ‘let’s just go to a normal hairdresser’.  I whole heartedly agreed.

Mini’s hair cut would have cost £25 at Bigoodi 52 New Kings Road, SW6

 

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