While Boisdale says it’s in Belgravia, it’s also two minutes from Victoria Coach Station. But why quibble with this old Scottish establishment, destination cigar lounge, whisky bar, jazz club and comfort to wealthy barflies?
Crabby Aikens’ Winnebago
Despite reservations, Douglas Blyde found himself making the short journey past the ‘Sloany Pony’ for day one of two of Cloudy Bay’s pop-up Crab Shack on Parson’s Green.
Brasserie Joel
Despite criticism of the building it occupies, Brasserie Joël provided an authored insight into La Belle France, as Douglas Blyde found out…
Opera at Courtyard 51
The Covent Garden Strings are that rare thing nowadays, a musical comedy act and collective. Tonight Sid Bowfin, who is clearly channelling the spirit of Bill Hall the legendary comedy violinist, leads a crack team of four in a performance that mixes excellent fiddle playing with clever crowd control through smart ad libs and polished comedy routines.
Afternoon Tea at Dean Street Townhouse
At Dean Street Townhouse, you will find the afternoon crowd lunching alfresco, slowly 
displaced by more mature guests inside the restaurant as evening approaches; all well heeled of course.
The Lonsdale, 48 Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill
Some things, as good as they are on their own, don’t necessarily work in combination so, aware that our evening’s destination, The Lonsdale, specialises in steaks and cocktails, we had some doubts, but were naturally optimistic, off we went to the ever-popular Notting Hill. While their specialities of cocktails and steak aren’t an obvious fit, they do both to a very high standard.
The Chin-Chin Labs
‘Liquid nitrogen isn’t just a gimmick” says Ahrash Akbari-Kalhur as he pushes his safety goggles back onto his head with a gloved hand. ‘Chin Chin is all about flavour: we just want to make delicious ice cream. London’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream parlour has arrived at Camden Lock market
Cantina Laredo
I suppose the West End is full of these unauthentic tourist havens that people flock to for a quick-fix meal, as long as authenticity isn’t high on the agenda and so Cantina Laredo may fit the bill. But for people who know about food and expect quality and standards that match the steep prices that they are paying, I would give Cantina Laredo a miss.
NOW
NOW is that what I call Chinese? It’s Chinese street food for the masses, who probably didn’t know they wanted it until now, not living on Chinese streets themselves.They really do seem to want it NOW though; the queue is snaking out the door. There is no snake on the menu; no doubt someone thought that might not suit the tastes of a customer base largely dressed in Marks & Spencers’ suits.
The Burger Wagon -DIY Carpark
Burgers, it seems, are all the rage. My young friends tell me that Twitter is alive with people chasing ‘the best burger in town’ in the manner of obsessed birdwatchers. No sooner has one greasy Twitcher found a new burger outlet than a score of others, no doubt clad in fluorescent anoraks, hurry round as fast as their Oyster Cards will carry them.