August, 2012

Cheeky Coffee: Truffles Deli, Dartmouth Park

It’s all too easy to neglect K-Town’s upper reaches, but Dartmouth Park has a lot going for it and not only a slowly fading history. Head over to – in estate agent parlance – ‘Dartmouth Park Village’, and you’ll find a solid local boozer, a cluster of newsagents, a butcher, vet and a liberal smattering [...]

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Community Pinboard: Ice Cream & Dandies, Veg & Ale

1. Indulge in an Ice Cream Daydream. Like some kind of crazy-beautiful gelato Willy Wonka fantasy come true, the King’s Cross Ice Cream Festival really does take place at Granary Square all weekend. The best ice cream purveyors from around London will be showing off their chilly creations and the entire manufacturing process will be [...]

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Wednesday Picture: Sainsbury’s 140 Years of Progress in NW5

The impact of World War II is deeply etched into the patchwork fabric of today’s London. The post-War years saw environmental and cultural changes that still echo all around us. And this amazing photo of J Sainsbury’s brand spanking new Kentish Town ‘self-service’ concept store, taken in 1955, neatly captures the essence of those times. [...]

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Reading Festival 2012: Reviews from Two Perspectives

Among the thousands at Reading Festival over the weekend were Kentishtowners Susie and Jon. Each viewed the event from a rather different stand point. In the left column the music-loving parent, on the right the Reading regular.  

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Secret Camden: Thanh Binh, Vietnamese, Chalk Farm Road

I love, love, love Vietnamese food. I’ve frequented restaurants, supper clubs, cooking classes – the lot. So when I moved to Kentish Town I was itching to check out the local Vietnamese fare. Having met Binh, the owner of Thanh Binh on Chalk Farm Road we were encouraged to check out her restaurant. We were [...]

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Life Tips Special: Green Your Gaff with Jon Cowdrill

Last month we talked about turning off your appliances. Today? I want you to insulate your gaff. I know I sound like a right nag but I can’t stress the importance of insulation. And it’s even more important as we come into autumn and then winter. Most housing, particularly the older kind has very poor [...]

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Morocco, Part 2: Marrakech to the High Atlas

Last week you may remember we travelled from Tangier to Fes. A seven hour train took us on to Marrakech. Having visited regularly at the turn of the millennium, I was cautious about returning to this now rather hyped city post-Easyjet. Yet, despite the initial shock at seeing the slickness of the revamped main square [...]

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Kentishtowner Kitchen: Killer Cookies

No anchovies this week. No avocados. But, unfortunately for my waistline, lots of baking, from breads, cakes and buns to the odd little tart or two. Being the new girl in the office it’s been a good way to win over the editors. Ahem. So this week I thought I’d really try and impress with [...]

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Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

How To Do Notting Hill Carnival Right: 10 Unusual Tips

I love Notting Hill Carnival. With abandon. There’s something about dancing in the streets of this great city that gets me every time. I’ve sought out good parties all over the world, but this annual hometown bash is The One. Our Carnival might have proud Caribbean roots, but it’s the London influences that lend its [...]

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Review: Dirty Burger Kentish Town

Yes, we reported on the Soho pop-up, and then the wild giveaway last Friday lunchtime, when meat-hungry queues snaked around Highgate Studios. But we were keen to swing by again last night to do a proper review, now Dirty Burger is finally open for business in its Kentish Town home. (Never let it be said [...]

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