Uncle Vanya at the Vaudeville
In what appears to be a season of Chekhov fluttering through London’s West End, the latest production boasts an impressive cast on stage…and in the stalls, it would seem…
Author Alex Larman
Don Giovanni at the ENO
“I saw a man synonymous with the blackest of black arts. A charmer, of course, and charismatic with it, but a figure so mired in treachery and deceit that one’s blood runs cold to see this shameless exhibitionist let loose upon the world.”
Mari Vanna
“There have been several Russian restaurants opening in the capital over the past few years, the latest and most elaborate of which is Mari Vanna, named after a legendary wise woman…” Larman, Larry and Jonesy seek wisdom from a corner of Mother Russia now residing in Knightsbridge…
The Crown Amersham
“Having had a simply ghastly European trip a couple of weeks ago, which made us feel that we and ‘abroad’ were destined to be strangers for the near future, we fancied somewhere quintessentially English, but with a twist.”
The Draft House
One cannot fault Charlie McVeigh’s attitude towards beer, and the places that sell the fine hop-laden stuff. After associating himself with countless high-end venues, most notably Rowley Leigh’s Le Cafe Anglais, he has opened a trio of establishments in southwest London that aim to provide interesting and reasonably priced food with a staggeringly ambitious range of beers.
The Old Bristolian
Bristol had changed. An influx of investment into the city centre had seen the depressing Broadmead area revitalised (a Harvey Nichols was now there!) and there were countless new places to visit and enjoy…
The Brompton Bar & Grill
Coalescing into a trend at the V&A end of Old Brompton Road is the French brasserie-cum-bistro. There are three notable examples: Henry Harris’ excellent Racine, Marlon Abela’s Cassis and, last but certainly not least, the Brompton Bar & Grill.
La Pergola, Rome
La Pergola, the only three Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome, and one of a mere eight in all of Italy, has a substantial reputation to live up to. Alex Larman and the Holy Roman Empress went to test the water…
Debauchery in Dorset
A group of adventurers, drinkers and bon viveurs gathered for the trip down to Lyme Regis for a foraging expedition with chef extraordinaire Mark Hix and a whisky dinner hosted by Talisker…
Le Pont de la Tour
When Jonesy drops one an email, one tends to sit up and take notice. More often than not, they offer tidings of comfort and joy. However, this one was laconic: “Larman, old chap. Cookery class at Le Pont de la Tour.”
The Artichoke
Alex Larman and She Who Must Be Delayed escape London’s grey vistas and sloughs of despond, for a jaunt out of town to the leafy domain of Amersham and a dining destination called The Artichoke…