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SEX AND HUMOUR

There are many reasons why sex can be sublime: the gratification of lust, the exquisite sensation, the beauty of your partner,experimentation but I would say that humour would not feature highly in people’s list. This is a shame as some of the funniest remarks in my life have been made during [...]

November 7, 2013 // 0 Comments

VLADEK SHEYBAL

Many years ago I was at the Regents Park Open Air theatre when I recognised the actor Vladek Sheybal who played Kronsteen the chess grandmaster and sinister enforcer in From Russia with Love. Whenever I watch arguably the best of the Bonds I see Vladek Sheybal and the chanteuse Lotte Lenya playing [...]

November 6, 2013 // 0 Comments

THE MONSTROUS REGIMENT

When I was a young man, there was a glib and mildly amusing review of the readership of the national newspapers doing the rounds. You may remember it – let’s see if I can: ‘THE TIMES is read by the men who own or run the country; the DAILY TELEGRAPH by those who would like the country to be [...]

November 6, 2013 // 0 Comments

MENTAL ILLNESS

The other day I was chatting to a good friend of mine who is a counsellor for Samaritans. This worthy organisation recently celebrated its 60th birthday . I am amazed and impressed in equal measure how my young upbeat friend can devote one night a week to listening to those, as she puts it, on the [...]

November 6, 2013 // 0 Comments

Malmaison Newcastle

  For a relatively recent hotel the Malmaison can claim to be defining and historic. It kick started the Quayside revival of Newcastle one of the most popular quarters to party in England and it redefined the notion of a metro hotel. Gone are The Gideon brown bible, teas- made, Colby trouser [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard – Goodmans

There are 3 things initially to say about Goodmans. Firstly, it is extremely expensive, secondly the steaks are sublime, thirdly the chain is a runaway success. It’s unusual to start a review with a cost warning but would be diners should know that a starter , two steaks and decent bottle of [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard – the Royal China

Husband Ollie and middle son Humph have been perturbed by the form of Chelsea where they have season tickets. I gather from their conversations that the Special One might mot be so special with their worst start in years. Chelsea were playing Fulham last Saturday and the idea was to have dinner [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard – 28/50, Marylebone Road

Us restaurant reviewers generally adopt a low profile.We avoid openings and book incognito. Nonetheless warmth of reception is an important ingredient of a successful restaurant so when Ed of 28/50 Marylebone Lane hailed me warmly I was touched. 28/50 is part of the texture chain and they have [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard – the Tyddyn Llan

It’s been a stressful time in our household. Our middle son Tarquin is leaving the coop to read environmental sociology ,at Leeds Uni , whatever that might be and husband Oliver worries the young Turks in the bank are trying to get him out. So when I suggested to Ollie we take time out in [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard – the Garden Cafe, Regents Park

A picturesque location and friendly service does not transform the food but it can the mood. To be fair the Garden Cafe does not have gastronomic pretensions but rather to serve tourists and park visitors all day. I’ve been visiting it for years often with my Godson and my late mother. [...]

November 5, 2013 // 0 Comments

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