GOOD KAI

Selection of Tacos, Lupita Mexican Restaurant Lupita is like an up market Taqueria, a place that serves 'authentic' Mexican street food but in a vibrant, bustling atmosphere. Lupita, along with most places in London you can be accommodated very well with no bookings but there can sometimes be a wait, great if they have a bar but Lupita don't - so..., as in any 'eatery' (-that 'word' is for you Giles Coren) with half a reputation for good food, be prepared to wait (we waited 20 mins). You can always make good by ordering a drink in the meantime and perusing the menu. Campechano, Grilled Steak topped with puffed pork crackling - Lupita, London Guacamole, corn chips & Margarita - Lupita, London If you're anything like me and love warmed soft mini tortillas with an assortment of different meats, sauces, flavours and textures you will be in heaven here. Just don't be a numpty like me and order everything your eye fancies because they a...

Wood Fired Suckling Pig It's been a crazy few months with the World Cup Rugby based in Twickenham and as a consequence dining out has been erratic but I figured I'd upload a medley of some of the places we ate at along the way. With the rugby finally over I can get back to some sort of normal routine, but it kicked off with England having an early exit from the competition. A shame that, that evening we went to a dinner party and had an amazing suckling pig with some friends who cooked the pig in their outdoor wood fired oven. Incredible flavour and meat falling apart. I took along a warm kumara salad with feta cheese and sweet balsamic that same evening - see below. All in all it was sad to see England out so early but I was delighted The All Blacks proving why they deserve to be world champs again and winning the final convincingly. Warm Kumara & Fig Salad with Goat Cheese, Outdoor Wood Fired Oven with the Suckling Pig While the rugby was on I finally ate at...

Octopus with capers and chorizo with potato - Barrafina, Soho, London If you've ever been to Barrafina before and haven't bothered organising a table anywhere else, you'll find it really hard to resist getting the nearest cab and high-tailing it to one of their three eateries to enjoy some of the best tapas around. We'd just finished watching the latest round of pool matches for the Rugby World Cup in a great little Irish Bar - Philomena's, with some of London newest tech stars -  Kimono . It has to be said that Barrafina is one of the 'no reservation' restaurants where yes, you will find yourself questioning why on earth you'd decided to stand in a queue under bright lights, in a cramped space with people literally eating in front of you, just to get some solace of warm food. However, if you persevere and exercise a little patience, maybe enjoy a Rioja or two while you wait, you'll be ushered up to the next available seats at one of UK's b...

The Kilner Drink Dispenser What's the best thing about Christmas? It could be opening presents on Christmas morning, bratwurst and beer at the Christmas markets in Hyde Park or family and friends on Christmas day. Whatever your favourite thing, I'm not sure about you, but I always spend plenty of time cooking and preparing for the Christmas dinner and these kitchen must haves definitely make that Christmas period easier and extra special. These are proper great gifts for him and her foodies and not one rubbish filled Hamper in sight! Buy for  £ 107.00 1) Wusthof Kitchen Knives I have a set of four Wusthof knives and sharpener but this starter set of three is a bit easier on the pocket. They are pricey but last forever and these knives are also used by Michelin chef Raymond Blanc - even though he wont actually mention this. Amazon sell the above set of three  £ 107.00 Top French Chocolate from - Valrhona Buy for  £15.00 ...

Delicious Ales and cocktails It's not everyday you get a Michelin trained chef turn their hand to manufacturing craft beer and cocktails, one who literally forages food from the paddock to the plate. Alex Lewis has taken it upon himself to harvesting his pickings whether it be from Douglas Fur to make pine oil, or pulling up field mushrooms for his 'Snack, Land or Sea' menu. It seems Alex who started Earth Ale Brewery is passionate about all things nature and this theme runs throughout an evening where I'm given the chance of discovery through his 8-course dinner menu at The Bedford pub in Balham. Rice Cracker with lettuce, Tom Yum(?) and smoked paprika The menu is to be paired with a selection of beers and cocktails, created by Earth Ale themselves. I'm excited for both the food and drink and am definitely intrigued about how it will pan out. I will disclose that this meal was complimentary - but as you are about to find out I am always honest with my ass...

People with moral judgement sometimes take the pleasure out of drinking wine, at the end of the day it is really your own taste that matters.

Ben Thanh, York St, Twickenham Ben Thanh are relatively recent arrivals to the restaurant scene in Twickenham and have only been serving authentic Vietnamese Pho (pronounced 'fuh') for less than a year. It is a welcome addition to the town and if you have never tried Pho (a more-ish noodle soup that can be served with meat, tofu or seafood) it is well worth a try. Pho from Ban Thanh Twickenham Checking your options you will find that some of the food at Ban Thanh in fact is quite healthy, but is also very satisfying. For anyone who is on a diet and struggles trying (like me) to keep the calories down when going out to a restaurant for a meal it is perfect, for example the summer spring roll is lettuce based (no carb), with prawn (bit of protein), but has strong herbaceous flavours so you don't feel like you're going without (going without food always makes me hangry). Beef Wrapped in Wild Betel, Ban Thanh Twickenham The night we were there it was a week ...