Mandira’s Kitchen at Home
Restaurant Quality. So many of us love the spice and complexity of authentic Indian food. Now we have an alternative to the local take-away. Mandira’s...
The Garden House Restaurant for Lunch
We had visited this delightful and intimate hotel before (read my reviews here). The Garden House is part of the Beaverbrook Estate and the smaller...
The House Stay on The Beaverbrook Estate – hotel review
We are blessed, in the Home Counties and Greater London, with a wealth of fine hotels. There are boutique hotels, glitzy city hotels, former ancestral...
Hawkers Bar and Brasserie: finer dining in Kingston – restaurant review
I live only a short bus ride, or an even shorter train ride, from Kingston. I am there very often for retail therapy at the...
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, London – Kingston Upon Thames – review
There is a new stylish hotel in Kingston and it’s a Hilton. But why Kingston Upon Thames? Well, it’s a good location for a decent...
The Garden House – a stay with friends – hotel review
The Beaverbrook Estate is vast. The main house (to be completed as a hotel of distinction later in 2017) is baronial. But there is another...
The Talbot, Ripley, to Stay – hotel review
Visitors to London are tempted to stay just in the city. There is plenty to see and do, so why roam? It’s the same for...
The Talbot for fine dining – restaurant review
The Talbot has history. It’s typical of coaching inns all over the country and this one, in particular, has a story – well, probably many....
CAU Kingston – restaurant review
People say it’s all about location. That’s probably true, as there is no finer spot than CAU in Kingston on a hot summer evening. Sitting...
Bel & The Dragon, Godalming – restaurant review
The town of Godalming is situated in the countryside in southern England but not far from London. Its narrow streets are lined with many historic...
Bel, the Dragon and the Village – hotel review
Sounds like the title of an improbable fable or fairy tale but here it all is and not far from London. Yes, there is more...
Warren House, Kingston – hotel review
We might be in London for a short holiday. We see the sights, monuments, museums. We shop till we drop and we are swept along...
Côte – Dinner in Kingston – restaurant review
This is a lovely spot on the River Thames and well patronised by shoppers during the day and socialisers in the evening. But despite its...
Brooklands Hotel for dinner – restaurant review
Brooklands is rather unique. It straddles contemporary design and the historic connections that its very name evokes. One might not be familiar with Brooklands Hotel...
Brooklands Hotel Surrey – travel review
I live in West London but whenever I consider a weekend break I turn right instead of left at the end of the road. That...
Carluccio’s Richmond for Dinner – restaurant review
I have had a coffee at Carluccio’s a time or two. Its branches are all bright with a contemporary Mediterranean air. Cool blue and turquoise,...
Thai Square – Richmond – restaurant review
Richmond is that leafy and rather posh terminus of the District Line. It’s got swanky river frontage, historic buildings and The Green skirted by homes...
Tandav Indian Restaurant, Sutton – review
The Kerala Group was started by Mr. Haridas, more than 30 years ago. Often described as impresario, restaurateur and philanthropist, he started his career at...
Massala Indian Dining, Surrey – restaurant review
Cobham, Surrey: a new magnet for those seeking a fine Indian dining experience. One looks at this green and leafy corner of the Home Counties...
Wagamama Richmond – restaurant review
Richmond, Surrey, is classy, there is no doubt of that. Its long riverside terraces attract those wanting a river view along with a glass or...