Hutong, London – reviewing the mile-high lunch club

Being the incessantly hungry, weak willed, food-obsessed strumpet that I am, I’m constantly on the look out for the chance to visit and eat in new and exciting places. One such opportunity came recently when I saw the chance to have lunch at Hutong and I grabbed it so tightly it almost came off in my hands. I do love a drink at a bar in the sky and sitting on the 33^rd floor of the Shard, Hutong has always been the sort of place that I visited for expensive cocktails on friends’ notable birthdays to enjoy the view of London as it stretches out in front of you. But not that day – that day Mrs P and I were there to find out exactly what happens when you eat lunch at an altitude that could give a mountain goat a nose bleed.

London’s Newest Rooftop Bar – Skylight, Tobacco Dock

If you haven’t already seen, I’m a big fan of London rooftop bars; there’s a great collection of bars and restaurants with sterling views of the capital, but there’s a new kid on the block that offers something a little different.

Dinner at Islington’s Fuel, with Jack Monroe; The Harrowing Poverty Truth This Winter

There is no denying it – I am *incredibly* privileged here at TwoMenAboutTown; from trips to Dubai, to beautiful hotel stays and sampling the finest gastronomic delights up and down the UK, I get to do some very cool stuff. When the invite came through to attend London’s newest pop-up, Fuel by celebrity-chef Jack Monroe, you would correctly assume that I was looking forward to an evening of gluttonous consumption before lazily sneaking off into the night in a food-based coma.

I was therefore not prepared for an evening that would open my eyes and leave me aghast of a crisis of epidemic proportions, with a lasting impression of wanting to do more to help and put my privilege and platform to use. There’s no such thing as a free meal, after all, right?

Suave and Sophistication at The Ned, London Hotel – Review

The Ned, London’s new £200m hotel, opened its doors earlier this year within the former grade 1-listed 11-storey Midland Bank headquarters, designed in 1924 by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens, located adjacent to the Bank of England. I’ve been walking past The Ned on my commute for the past few months and have wanted to pop in, but a recent opportunity to stay was something I leapt at the chance to experience having heard many marvellous things about the place.

The Bacon Cheeseburger… Donut?

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of a good burger; Honest Burger, Dip & Flip, Patty&Bun, Burger & Lobster, MEATliquor, Prime Burger and even the occasional Five Guys all get my business when I’m out on the hunt for a mouthwatering burger. A seeded-bun or soft brioche, a good cheese and a thick and juicy beefy patty is an award-winning combination, so generally speaking, it really upsets me when this tried and tested formula of absolute life-winning substance is messed with (of course the Bagel Burger being a major exception to this rule).

I was frankly AGHAST to hear that Maxwell Bar & Grill in Covent Garden was potentially creating a huge crime against food – a culinary Frankenstein, if you will – by merging two (arguably) superfoods – the humble bacon cheeseburger and the doughnut. I really wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Quirky, Fun and Alternative Things To Do In London

Regularly I find myself asked for tips of things to do in London, many Londoners surprised by the quantity of new and cool things to see and do (and occasionally, drink) that are popping up across the capital. Most things include drink now I think about it.

It’s certainly true that there’s no end of London attractions to tick off; the Natural History Museum, Tower of London and Madame Tussauds but to name a few, but I figure you haven’t clicked on this expectantly to be presented with things you could easily find in Auntie Gloria’s well-thumbed guidebook to London. No, you want your snazzy socks blown off, the kind of hipster alternative hangouts that you see on your slightly-cooler friend’s Instagram feed – well, look no further you lucky devil, here’s my alternative list of top things to do in London!

The Secret to FREE DRINKS in London!

We love a drink here at TwoMenAboutTown – well, drinks – but even more so when they’re absolutely free! And even better, this post contains a code so you can get your first drink on us and the good people at Drinki!

Afternoon tea… on a London Routemaster bus?

I’m a big fan of quirky and unique experiences. It won’t come as a surprise that I’m a big fan of food, particularly afternoon tea. I also love London and exploring it. So you’d naturally assume that a combination of these things through the medium of a traditional London Routemaster bus would be a real winner, right?

London By Helicopter: The Ultimate Way To See The City?

We don’t do half measures here at TwoMenAboutTown, especially when we are out and about exploring London, the more ostentatious and luxurious, the better; we love a good vantage point too, evidenced mostly by the fact that you can find me most weeks enjoying a beverage or two in one of London’s rooftop bars. Well my friends, what gets more ostentatious and luxurious than a sightseeing helicopter flight over central London?

RobsRibs, my blogging-partner-in-crime, jokes that I am a die-hard playboy wannabe, so I may as well live up to that reputation, right?

Dinner at the OXO Tower Brasserie – Review

I’ve wanted to dine at the OXO Tower for as long as I can remember, an iconic foodie-destination and major landmark of London’s South Bank; I was naturally chuffed when the opportunity to visit the OXO Brasserie presented itself and I got myself up there. With bells on.

Dining In The Dark at Dans Le Noir, London; A Super Sensory Experience?

Never before have I heard the question “is that the table leg, or you?” (giggle) so much in one sitting; I knew from the outset that Dans Le Noir was going to be a memorable experience.

London rooftop bars you need to visit; Bars, Cocktails and Nibbles with a view

In case you haven’t worked it out, we are rapidly approaching summer, y’know that hot yellow thing in the sky that makes us rush out to our BBQs, green open spaces and the alcohol aisles in the nearest supermarket. For us Londoners, this means, where beer gardens are at a bit of a premium, it’s time to head to the roof and get drinking!

Rooftop bars are very much on-trend right now no matter what the weather and fortunately London is blessed with many of them; who doesn’t love a gorgeous view over a tasty beverage or two? Now, I’ve been a top sport and have drank my way around researched London’s top rooftop hotspots to share my favourites with you, you good people. It was tough, but somebody had to do it.