A DARK INFATUATION

Emma Cline's debut novel was one of those books that I read more words about before it was even released, than there are words in the novel itself.

So much hype - how to live up to that sort of pressure?!

Thankfully Cline did not falter and also did not seem all that bothered by the attention.

And "The Girls" is a masterclass in modern fiction. 

It astounds and it captivates. 

But actually at times, it makes you feel quite uncomfortable, more so for the fact that you're not sure why you feel uncomfortable.

The raw portrayal of each character and the frank description of each harrowing moment, combine to form a fiction that reads like a poignantly truthful diary.

One girl's account of her summer holidays is I guess how you'd strip it back to its barest bones.

But it's so so much more than that. Trust me.

If you're after a brilliantly powerful read, check out my review over on Riddle.

The Girls by Emma Cline

A CENTRAL LONDON SANCTUARY

There's nothing worse than Monday morning blues.

That is until you've just got back from a week's holiday...and you have post-holiday and Monday morning blues...then it's really bad.

But every teeny tiny cloud has a silver lining.

And I'm here to tell you about a new central London hangout that'll solve all your summer-in-the-city woes.

Tucked away just behind Marble Arch is the haven that is Bernardi's and its accompanying bar, the Dog House. With a duck egg blue awning and tables littering the pavement, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were miles away from central London.

No mean feat when you have the end of Oxford Street just around the corner.

If you're on the look-out for a momentary but delicious escape, check out the rest of my review.

Bernardi's & The Dog House

62-64 Seymour Street

W1H 5BH

TAKING IT OFF THE STREETS

So we all know how amazing street food is, right? We know how cool it is exploring the markets on a weekend, choosing a little bit to eat, musing over how delicious it is and how incredible that they made it right there.

But then you have the struggle. 

How on earth do I eat this? 

If it's something with a fork then you need both hands so then if you have a bag it's stressful. If it's some sort of sandwich/bun/pizza slice then you'll probably get it all down your front or the wind will blow your hair so it enters your mouth just as you take your first bite. 

Now I might sound like a terrible cynic but we all know that eating street food on the actual street is much more uncomfortable than the idea originally seems. 

And this is where Gyoza Bar comes in. It has taken the notion of street food, all the flavours and Japanese wonders, and put it in the comfort of a restaurant.

It's ideal.

Read the rest of my gushing review over on Riddle magazine.

Gyoza Bar

63-66 St Martin's Lane

WC2N 4JS

MURAKAMI

So I seem to have found myself with one of the best jobs around...writing reviews.

I absolutely love it! Not least because I get to explore new places and try things I wouldn't usually try. But I also get to write an entire piece that is just my opinion...no writing to a template or in a publication's voice. 

And those of you who know me, know I'm partial to a little opinion sharing.

I have total freedom to pass comment on what I'm experiencing, kind of like what I do on the blog...but with tighter grammar, less rambling and a whole lot more fancy adjectives.

My latest adventure was to a new sushi restaurant called Murakami which recently opened in the West End.

Now I am a huge sushi fan but unfortunately it usually manifests itself as a quick bite at Itsu or as part of a supermarket meal deal.

So it was a real treat to be able to go to a fancy restaurant, eat absolutely incredible sushi (seriously, it was unreal) and gossip away the evening.

Thanks Murakami for having me. 

And guys, go get yourselves down there.

Check out review for Riddle Magazine over here.

Pic Murakami

LIQUID GOLD

On a balmy, Spring-like evening (yes this was a few weeks ago now) I headed down to the newly opened Vaudeville Club to party the night away with a gaggle of girls.

We dressed to impress and descended into a basement, where we posed beneath neon signs, drank liquid gold and sang along to Blackstreet's No Diggity.

Sounds heavenly, right?!

Read all about my evening over on Riddle Magazine where I discuss the pros and cons of the VIP table and what it feels like to be part of an exclusive guest list for the first, but hopefully not the last, time.

Vaudeville Club

1-3 Trebovir Road

Pic @ivrashton

WHY EAT SALAD?

Um yes to that. If chocolate is salad, then I can eat as much of it as I like, right?!

Well I mean everything in moderation but not salad, surely not salad. 

Those leaves that contain basically nothing but water and air.

Tasty only with a good dressing drizzled over them. 

Just the naked leaves?!

Not really my cup of tea.

Chocolate that takes on the guise of a vitamin though?

Now that, that is something I can get behind.

Check out my latest (and first!) review for Riddle Magazine, which sees me raving about the simplicity of a chocolate bar full of vitamins, right over here.

I'm just kicking myself that I didn't think of it first.

Pic from *WELL SAID* on @ivrashton Pinterest