Where to Eat with Kids: Santa Maria Pizzeria, Kew

I’ve written about Santa Maria before: my first visit to the Ealing branch in 2019 and to the Kew branch earlier this year. But when I took the grandsons to Kew in July, there was no kids’ menu … then last Monday, my son suggested we all went to Kew Gardens for a walk in […]

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Restaurant Review: Brindisa, Richmond upon Thames

I’ve been to Brindisa’s branch in Richmond a number of times since my first visit in August 2022 for lunch. It’s become one of my very favourite restaurants. Set on the riverside close to Richmond bridge, it has the most wonderful setting with views across and down the Thames. The first time I went, on […]

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Santa Maria Pizzeria, Kew

It’s school holiday time and it’s always lovely to take the grandsons out for a treat. Today’s outing was a little last minute so we weren’t going to venture far. The family are coming and going a bit during the holidays and are briefly home for a few days. Looking at the weather forecast, I […]

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A Taste of Twickenham 2023

There had been posters in the windows of shops and restaurants for weeks advertising A Taste of Twickenham – a foodie trail and chance to find out about some of the other things the town had to offer. I made a mental note of the date, let the family know, and told the two eldest […]

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Gail’s Bakery, Twickenham

When Gail’s opened in Twickenham a few months’ ago, I thought, That’s nice, but have to confess I wasn’t especially excited as I already had favourite places to buy good bread and have a coffee and pastry in the morning. There are a few Gail’s around – there’s one in nearby Richmond and I’d seen […]

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Rincon Bar Espanol, Richmond upon Thames

It’s a bank holiday weekend here in UK and remarkably – for we are renowned for our bad holiday weather – the temperatures have soared, there are no clouds for the sun to hide behind and in London (more specifically Richmond) yesterday we hit 32C. It was hot. On Richmond Green crowds squashed tightly into […]

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R & H Cafe Gallery, Richmond upon Thames

It was ages ago that my friend Jay told me about the Persian cafe on Richmond Hill and I was immediately keen to try it. Persian food really appealed. However, I rarely walk up Richmond Hill as it’s in the opposite direction to the centre of the town as I make my way in from […]

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New Year’s Eve Dinner at Masaniello

When I knew that my lovely friends Linda and George would be in London for Christmas, visiting from Spain where they live, and staying with me for a few nights over new year, I suggested we went to Masaniello for a new year’s eve dinner. It was an obvious choice for me: Masaniello has become […]

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Valentino’s Ristorante, Isleworth, TW1

People are surprised, indeed even shocked, when I tell them that my book group meet once a week. Most book groups meet once a month to discuss a novel, so for most people the idea of having to read a book a week is a bit much. But then I explain it’s not quite like […]

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Hollyhock Cafe, Terrace Gardens, Richmond

There are places I go to for great food or great coffee, and there places I go to because the setting is so fantastic. I’ve always loved sitting on the covered terrace of Hollyhock Cafe in Richmond’s Terrace Gardens with its view over the Thames. Like so many things, a once frequent habit of heading there at […]

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