Archive | February, 2012

Midweek Dinner: Chicken Shish at Meze Ocakbasi

By on February 29, 2012 in Food, Midweek Dinner

In the light of E.mono and Lahore Masala mania we thought we’d tempt you kebabrazeee folk to try Meze Ocakbasi on our very own vibrant Crescent. Yes, we’ve talked about this place before, but only recently have we started to eat in, armed with a cost-cutting BYO bottle of red. The above shish, which comes [...]

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Wednesday Picture: Claudius Ash false-teeth factory, Anglers Lane

By on February 29, 2012 in Wednesday Picture

Longterm readers may remember our quiet love for Anglers Lane, the curving road leading south-west from Nando’s which, in Victorian times, was the haunt of fishermen. An imposing building, once the excellently-named Claudius Ash & Co (manufacturers of false teeth), dominates much of the street. Look closely as it’s generally considered an outstanding example of [...]

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Life Tips #6: Clare Davidson, Voice Coach

By on February 28, 2012 in Life Tips

1. It’s essential to love what you do. I meet such varied people, from politicians and priests to corporate high flyers and of course actors; in fact, anyone who needs to use their voice in public. My work is a constant source of fascination, and I love seeing the vocal process helping people in their [...]

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Why It Matters: ‘Many Cultures, One Community’

By on February 27, 2012 in Why It Matters

In many respects Kentish Town is typical of other London neighbourhoods in that its population and infrastructural development expanded exponentially from the mid-19th century into the 20th century – but it’s also unique in terms of what has been preserved. Our project – Many Cultures, One Community – hopes to give history walks, recording and [...]

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Free Weekend? Explore Egyptian North London

By on February 24, 2012 in Free Weekend?

If you fancy a touch of the exotic this weekend, here’s how to evoke the tastes, sounds and smells of the Nile – whilst on a budget, and remaining resolutely north of the Thames. #1. Walk like an Egyptian in Little Cairo The most authentic Arabic eateries in North London lie, unsurprisingly, between Regent’s and [...]

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Kentish Town Vodka. It Tastes Better From A Suitcase (Trust us.)

By on February 23, 2012 in Drink

On a blustery winter’s night we huddle largely unnoticed in a corner of The Oxford. The gentleman with purpose in his eyes slips a battered suitcase onto the table, clicks it open and begins. He is William Borrell, purveyor of some very special spirits. And although the vodkas he proceeds to serve from beautiful bottles [...]

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Midweek Dinner: Oxtail Stew at The Vine

By on February 22, 2012 in Food, Midweek Dinner, Midweek Dinner

We’ve eaten a couple of times at The Vine again recently, and are happy to report that, after the odd hiccup last year, it seems to have found its stride, and is road-blocked now at weekends with buggies, wine-gulping parents, and ankle-biters of various sizes and volumes. Above is our favourite seasonal dish: beautifully slow-cooked [...]

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Wednesday Picture: Les Toilettes at Guanabana

By on February 22, 2012 in Wednesday Picture

Regular readers may recall that Mrs Kentishtowner, on an evening out, is sometimes more stimulated by the lavs than the food itself. Not that we’re insinuating Guanabana’s quirky Latin American-meet-Camden cuisine is substandard (in fact, we were pleasantly surprised by a starter of sprouts with chilli and anchovies, and a tender goat curry) but there’s [...]

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Life Tips #5 – Maggie Gee, 63, Author

By on February 21, 2012 in Books, Life Tips

#1. It’s not about the carriage you go round the village in is it? In August 1983 my boyfriend Nick and I, after six months together, decided on a Cambridge registry office. I couldn’t face organizing a wedding – it was about us, after all. I wore a Victorian nightie, Nick wore cheesecloth pajama trousers. [...]

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Why It Matters: Rio’s – Kentish Town’s great leveller?

By on February 20, 2012 in Why It Matters

My real name might be David but, using the nom de plume Jenbel (don’t ask), I got myself into a spot of bother with Mrs Kentishtowner after challenging a review of The Lion & Unicorn – whilst accidentally coining the phrase Monoclesque Stylism. Enough about that already but, in a roundabout way, it did get [...]

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