The Grey Horse is one of south west London's most enduring music venues, with a mix of musical genres; blues in the front bar on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon (free) and acoustic, indie, punk, blues, or rock in the back room on most [more...]

Once a pub called the Red Cow (the Stranglers played there, and AC/DC, and the Wire and the Jam ...) it was rebuilt in the 1980s and while the front half remained a pub (owned by Fullers brewery), the rear half became a Thai restaurant. [more...]

Between road and riverside path to the south of Kingston's centre, the Riverside Vegetaria serves imaginative vegetarian dishes with a South Asian slant (but not exclusively so). Even the beer and cider are organic. Main courses are [more...]

A lesser-known Richmond Sunday lunch spot, the White Swan is a pleasant place to while away an afternoon. Near the river but sufficiently far from it to avoid the worst of the crowds, for some reason it describes itself on the website [more...]

It's big, it's comfortable, it's on two floors. Lovingly run by Mitch and Siobhan, the Masons does you fine ales, good food, music and a Thursday night comedy club. Plenty of space, old-fashioned decor and clubland seating.

In the shadow of Lots Road power station lurks underground a hidden but vibrant jazz club. Nothing swanky, just a stage, tables close together, and jazz, man. You know it ought to be smoky, and it is (just not in that way, not any [more...]

Oh all right - not that palace, so there's no need to break out the tiaras just yet. But the Tea Palace in Notting Hill serves what may be the hippest afternoon [more...]

Okay, I'll admit it - this is the first hotel I ever got taken to for afternoon tea (it was for my 21st birthday... er, quite a while ago) and it was a complete surprise. Thus, Brown's Hotel own [more...]

The Ritz - the very name is synonymous with indulgence. So, if you want to indulge yourself - or someone very special - what better way to do it than by taking them out for afternoon tea at the spectacular Palm Court at the Ritz hotel? [more...]

It's been years since I've been able to drink coffee but when I did, I loved the beans sold by the Monmouth Coffee Company. I'm glad to see that they appeared to be thriving - they now have two more locations (in Borough and in Borough [more...]

It's not often I find myself recommending a loo. And I'm not now, not really. But a loo is where Wild At Heart started - in a shop attached to the designer loos on the 'Turquoise Island' in Notting Hill. Now they have three locations [more...]

At Kenneth Turner you'll find flowers with style and elegance, but also a range of gifts, home accessories and even fragrances, making this a great [more...]

For flowers with more than a touch of class, try Edward Goodyear in Victoria. Whether you want to pick up a bouquet on the way home or to plan flowers for a wedding, you'll find all you need here.

Chocology have a simple mission: bring the best chocolate from around the world to Britain... and boy, do they manage it! You'll find the best from Belgium, France, Switzerland, Denmark - and yes, Britain - in their shops, so what are [more...]

Indulge yourself with some of Hotel Chocolat's divine chocolate - everything from dark and bitter and good to the sweetest milk chocolate. Filled chocolates too... go on, what's a few hundred calories between friends? (Oh, and about [more...]

Gorgeous chocolates, gorgeously presented. Whether you want to treat yourself or a loved one, Rococo Chocolates is a great place to start looking. You'll find [more...]

Paul A. Young makes chocolates like no other. Some of his creations are his take on fairly standard ideas (eg the slow roasted brazil nut bar), some are intriguing [more...]

If you think mainstream theatre is all musicals, tired farces and pompous interpretations of Shakespeare, try the Royal Court - where innovative new writing is the order of the day. Be prepared to be surprised.

Absolutely delicious Thai food, served in pretty surroundings by friendly staff. Those are three reasons I rave about The Thai Garden Cafe on Museum Street. And if you want two more, it's right by the British Museum... and incredibly [more...]

Located in Alfie's Market in Church Street NW8, Tin Tin Collectables specialises in men's and women's clothing, handbags, costume jewellery and cufflinks.