Emily Steer

Screw the jingle bells. Burn the Christmas tree. Sack off the turkey. We all know who the real king of Christmas is – that lump of mouldy, heavenly dairy that waits to clog your arteries and giddy your brain post-dinner: stilton. Here are five excellent choices in town.   A photo posted by Neal's Yard Dairy (@neals_yard_dairy) on Dec 2, 2016 at 12:32am PST Neal’s Yard Dairy, Covent Garden You can’t go wrong with Neal’s Yard, but in their mass of options, there's the Colton Bassett stilton. It's fruity, creamy and veiny (‘ello ‘ello!) though less blue, and ripened for longer than Bassett’s usual offering – the recipe was created specifically for the cheese gods that are Neal's Yard. Although a well-known cheese, they like to keep things local, and the milk comes from five farms that are all within a 1.5-mile radius of the dairy. From £12.80 for approx 520g.   A photo posted by Fortnum & Mason (@fortnums) on Dec 7, 2016 at 6:39am PST Fortnum & Mason, Green Park If you want to feel truly posh this Christmas there is no better, nor snootier place to head than the Ritz’s minty green (almost) neighbour Fortnum & Mason. Obviously, its stilton comes in a wonderfully over-the-top jar. You can choose between Christmas Spiced, Truffle & Honey, Traditional Ported and plain old Potted. From £14.50-£24   A photo posted by The Muswell Hill Cheese Shop (@cheeseshopmuswellhill) on Nov 4, 2016 at 5:25am PDT Cheeses of Muswell Hill, Muswell Hill A recent Love London Award winner,

Eggnog may seem initially better suited to your local Starbucks than your classic London bar but there are actually plenty of alcoholic ‘nogs to get your festive cheer piqued. Here are four of them.    A video posted by HIX Restaurants (@hixrestaurants) on Dec 1, 2016 at 10:14am PST Hix Eggnog at Hix, Soho King of all things warm and British, Hix is offering the imaginatively named Hix Eggnog this Christmas. It's made from Clarence Court eggs, Somerset cider brandy, dark rum, sherry and a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg with milk, sugar and cream. Hix’s head bartender Dustin MacMillan acquired the original recipe from Mark Hix himself and says 'this is the good stuff which will instantly make you a believer in the power of the 'nog!'. £10.50, Mark’s Bar at Hix, 66-70 Brewer Street, W1F 9UP  Cold Cider Egg Nog at The Nightjar, Old Street Old Street’s Nightjar, known for its experimental, show-stopping cocktails, has added the Cold Cider Egg Nog to the menu especially for Christmas. Based on a hot cider eggnog recipe that goes back to 1904, Nightjar's version mixes Rémy Martin VSOP with ginger liqueur, egg yolk, maple syrup, grenadine syrup, apple and pear spread and grapefruit curd foam. Not quite fancy enough? The glass's rim is then painted with balsamic glaze, and the drink is garnished with mulled cider spice and a mini pancake cookie. £12, The Nightjar, 129 City Road, EC1V 1JB   A photo posted by Mahvish Gazipura (@mahvy015) on Dec 1, 2016 at 2:51pm PST Chai Eg

  Just because you live in a big city doesn’t mean you can’t go local. And what better time to support your independent London sellers that at Christmas? Whether it’s food, booze or silky treats, these guys can get your festivities off to a good start. Secret Smokehouse   A photo posted by Online / Wholesale (@secretsmokehouse) on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:05am PDT No more mass-produced supermarket smoked salmon for your morning eggs and champagne — you can buy a whole side of responsibly sourced, RSPCA high-welfare fish from Secret Smokehouse, traditionally oak smoked on site in their new London Fields premises. Perfect to see you through the festive season. And it tastes so good you might want to do away with the eggs altogether. Haddock, trout and kippers are also available for alternative festive breakfasts (who said you can’t wash kippers down with bubbles?). Hoxton Mini Press   A photo posted by Hoxton Mini Press (@hoxtonminipress) on May 19, 2016 at 6:17am PDT Just around the corner from Secret Smokehouse, Hoxton Mini Press is a local publishing house, focusing the majority of their output on London Fields and the surrounding area. The books are beautifully printed and make for excellent gifts. Seriously, who doesn’t want a pretty pink book all about bubble gum?  Silken Favours   A photo posted by ✌🏻️🍉🌵 SILKEN FAVOURS 🌵🍉✌🏻️ (@silkenfavours) on Nov 23, 2016 at 4:46am PST   Ideal for a present for a loved one – or indeed, yourself (you’ve been great th

Negronis really are the best cocktail out there. 100 percent booze, eye-wateringly dry and often requiring a golf-ball-sized ice cube and a stylishly cut glass – you will always look cool drinking one of these bad boys. But if you’ve already drunk too many and are looking for something a little different, check out these 'gronis with a kooky twist.    Negroni Sbagliato at Polpetto Negroni die-hards may balk at the idea of bubbles, but they are a spectacular addition and can really lighten up a negroni. Polpetto’s Negroni Sbagliato (£8) uses two of the classic ingredients, Campari and Martini Rosso vermouth, and trades the gin for a splash of prosecco.   A photo posted by Bar termini (@terminisoho) on Jul 20, 2016 at 10:25pm PDT The Negroni Rosato at Bar Termini  This tiny Soho bar does a damn good negroni. Their list includes four house creations, which come in pre-mixed bottles and are poured out into cold small stem glasses – with no ice. Glassware novelty aside, these twists on the Italian classic are truly fantastic, though the Negroni Rosato (£7) has to be the best of the bunch, made with a rose petal infusion. The Coffee Negroni at The Old Shoreditch Station As if a pure-spirit drink wasn't enough to get you hyped up for a night out. Nope, you definitely need a shot of caffeine in there too. The Coffee Negroni (£8.50) uses Campari and vermouth with orange- and coffee-infused Ketel One vodka. Not one for the purists.      A photo posted by corbey73 (@corbey73) o

Reaching for that tenth tub of ice cream this week? August in London can make us all go a bit excessive – who doesn't want to consume copious amounts of cow product in the (semi) blistering heat? But if you're looking to cool down without feeling quite so guilty about it, why not go for a dairy-free alternative that you can pretend is good for you? Here are the best creams and sorbets that are totally free of animal products, and rather tasty too.   A photo posted by Riley's Cuisine (@rileyscuisine) on Aug 16, 2016 at 1:15am PDT Yorica Yorica opened earlier this year to much excitement; they claim to be entirely allergen-free. Situated on Soho’s Wardour Street, the parlour makes its ice cream with rice milk, and are not only free from dairy, but also nuts, eggs and gluten… what’s left? There’s a range of ice-cream bases – from simple Good Vibes Vanilla to the more unusual bubblegum or beetroot and chocolate – all of which can be fancied up with various sprinkles and sauces. 130 Wardour Street, W1F 8ZN.   A photo posted by Snowflake Gelato (@snowflakegelato) on Aug 8, 2016 at 3:51am PDT Snowflake Gelato Snowflake caters for all sorts, but those hoping to avoid the creamy stuff should look to their sorbet or vegan ranges. The vegan line is made from soy or rice milk, and follows the parlour's commitment to all-natural ingredients. That doesn’t mean these are boring. Chocolate, peanut butter, coconut and banoffee flavours all feature on the menu. They have also recen

Oysters and bubbly is proper grown-up food. But, if you’re not feeling particularly flush, it can feel like an adult luxury more suited to the upper echelons than the everyday worker bees. Drop that thought right now: you can have your oysters and eat them too (all for under £12). Make a date with these five spots.    A photo posted by Graham Blower (@grahamblower_chef) on Jun 5, 2016 at 7:05am PDT HIX Oyster and Chop House, Farringdon Farringdon’s HIX Oyster and Chop House sure feels luxurious, but they have the common man in mind, and they know he likes to devour oysters. Head over daily between 4pm and 6pm and you can enjoy Hix’s top-class oysters for a mere £1.25 a pop with a decent glass of Prosecco Rustico or a Hix Fix cocktail. It's bound to get your night off to a good start, and there’s nothing better than fizz in daylight hours. Oysters, £1.25 each. Prosecco Rustico, £7.50 per glass, Hix Fix, £7.50. Wright Brothers, Soho Wright Brothers, Soho’s famous oyster house, also understands the merits of a good extended happy hour. During theirs (Monday–Friday between 3pm and 6pm) you can get oysters for as little as £1 each. £7.50 will get you a glass of Italian Fiol Prosecco in the sunny courtyard. Oysters, £1 each. Fiol Prosecco, £7.50 per glass.   A video posted by Sutton and Sons (@suttonandsons) on May 27, 2016 at 11:11am PDT Sutton and Sons, Stoke Newington For a more down-to-earth experience, head over to Stokie’s Sutton and Sons, where you can get three

Perhaps you're coeliac and can’t eat gluten. Perhaps you’re going bread-free for a while. Perhaps, just perhaps, you ate a pizza at midnight and you’re looking for a brunch that offers more than various egg-on-toast options. We've got you, London. Here are six places worth visiting for a gluten-free feed.    A photo posted by A Spoonful Of Sugar (@spoonfulsugar) on Apr 4, 2016 at 1:59pm PDT Duck & Waffle, Moorgate If you can ever get a table at this spectacular, and very popular 24-hour food joint (maybe book a post night-out table and then refuse to leave?) go for one of the imaginative brunch options, like the yellowfin tuna with watermelon, black olive and English mustard or the confit duck with egg, hazelnuts and hot sauce. Oh, and snack on a few of the bacon-wrapped dates while you’re at it.  Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY   A photo posted by ☕️ Coffee (@coffee) on Mar 18, 2016 at 5:34pm PDT Workshop Coffee, Clerkenwell Workshop does a lot of great bread-free egg options, and you can find simple but hearty plates, including poached eggs with morcilla sausage and fried potatoes and baked organic eggs with chorizo and feta. Does a damn good hot beverage, too.  27 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1M 5RN Caravan, King's Cross Everything in Caravan is delicious. Everything. Expect to be satisfactorily filled here, with options such as the quinoa and buckwheat grain bowl with avocado, soft boiled egg, carrot, spinach, pickled cucumber, yoghurt, harissa and s

  A photo posted by Nightjar (@nightjar) on Jul 17, 2015 at 2:55am PDT   It’s finally April, the sun’s made a few brief appearances and the daffodils will soon be in full bloom. It's time to stop and smell the flowers at these fine boozers serving some pretty epic blossom-based cocktails. Nightjar Nightjar is known for its highly experimental drinks list and many bar-infused spirits. Those hoping to go wild should aim for the Amsterdam Cocktail – a bold mix of tulip essence, poppy (so far, so floral) and – wait for it – gouda cheese foam. This concoction is held together with vodka, ale and hemp syrup, Grand Marnier liqueur and lemon. £9 per person, minimum serving two. 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB. Barsmith Farringdon-based Barsmith infuses its own botanical, plant, fruit and spice spirits. Go for the ‘nectarine elderflower’, which is used in the Basil Fawlty (ba-dum tsh!), a mix of dry gin, cranberry, lemon and basil, and the Bellini Flower, a combination of peach purée, stone fruit bitters and prosecco. All cocktails £8.95. 18-20 St John Street, Farringdon, EC1M 4AY.   A photo posted by @69colebrookerow on Dec 11, 2015 at 5:17am PST 69 Colebrooke Row Located in Islington, 69 Colebrooke Row favours short and snappy combinations on the most part. Of the florals on offer, you’d be well served picking the Black Rose – black rose liqueur and champagne — or the Silent Neon Flower, which brings together gin, ambrette seeds and jasmine. £10.50 each. 69 Colebrooke Row, N1 8

While we often look for novels to take us to a place far, far away, some books can help us to rediscover the magic of our own city. So, if you’re looking to take your mind on a trip around London town, where do you begin? Try out these recommendations for starters:    A photo posted by Kirsty Hamilton (@hamiltonesque) on Feb 14, 2016 at 2:09am PST Soho If you fancy slipping into long-lost Soho (more precisely, 7 Meard Street), visit the world of one-time Soho-ite Sebastian Horsely. His book 'Dandy in the Underworld' comes loaded with prostitutes, brothels, drug-taking and more prostitutes. This is an egocentric love letter to a filthy Soho by way of Quentin Crisp’s 'Naked Civil Servant'. Or by contrast, try Ian McEwan’s 'Saturday', which speaks of a London just forming, the comfortable Fitzrovia-based middle classes living in the shadow of terrorism-paranoia.    A photo posted by @emilylevy94 on Mar 20, 2015 at 3:57am PDT East When Monica Ali published 'Brick Lane' in 2003 the street was just at the beginning of its boom in popularity. The book charts Nazneen’s move from Bangladesh to east London, throwing the focus on the communities who gave this street its buzz.  In 2007, Xiaolu Guo published 'A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers'. What better cliché to represent the changing face of east London than the Hackney-dwelling bisexual veggie who heroine Zhuang falls in love with?   A photo posted by Victoria (@bobinsandrobins) on Feb 28, 2016 at 3:56am PS

If you need a break from the norm but can't hack the airfare, it might be time for a staycation. Hit up one of these reasonably priced hotels to get a new experience of the Old Smoke.   A photo posted by Josephine Aarkrogh (@josephineaarkrogh) on Jan 25, 2015 at 9:58am PST The Hoxton Holborn This beautiful hotel is packed with restaurants and bars, with Hubbard & Bell, Chicken Shop and Holborn Grind all on site. Not far from Covent Garden and Soho, its 174 rooms feature modern interiors (wooden floorboards, dark leather and intricate wallpapers) so you can live it up like a tourist in W1. Prices start from a very reasonable £79, too. 199-206 High Holborn, WC1V 7BD.   A photo posted by TORSTEN ULRICH GALTS (@torsten.galts_photographer) on Jul 25, 2015 at 1:45pm PDT Qbic Some years ago you could easily rent around Brick Lane. No matter: there are still plenty of trendy – and affordable – places you can stay in the area, even if only for one night. The Qbic hotel is walking distance from Aldgate East station and offers rooms from £68. And if you like creative interiors, the rooms here are completely potty. Imagine the maddest Ikea designs, with luminous walls. One room has a floor-to-ceiling print of a dog wearing sunglasses looming over the bed. Somehow, it works. 42 Adler St, E1 1EE.   A photo posted by Jessica van Vliet (@jessicavanvliet) on Mar 11, 2015 at 1:18am PDT The Victoria Inn Peckham's Victoria Inn does a great Sunday roast, boasts 18 cosy rooms and is

Bored of lobster? Had enough of quinoa? Eaten so much kimchee that you’ve turned orange? Fear not – 2016 has brought with it a whole new set of food trends – it’s time to jump on the bandwagon.   A photo posted by Smith & Sinclair (@smthandsnclr) on Jul 22, 2015 at 7:20am PDT   Boozy sweets You may think you had your fill of boozy sweets at Christmas (I’m still eating some of mine for breakfast), but you need to make room for more because they’re big this year. Smith & Sinclair are leading the way, creating edible cocktails with over 32 different drinks brands. Stocked in Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, these adult ‘penny sweets’ are free from preservatives, dairy and gluten – could they be more on-trend if they tried? Lasagnancino Novelty balls are always fun, and this time it’s lasagna and arancini that are getting a fusion. Served up in such accessible London spots as Vico, Arancini Bros and Pizza Locatelli, lasagnancino consist of layers of egg pasta, beef ragu and mozzarella, all wrapped up in a crispy fried risotto ball.    A photo posted by Saison Man (@saison_man) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:01pm PST Pigs' ears If you’re looking to be really freaking trendy this year, just nibble on a pig’s ear. Nose-to-tail dining has been popular for quite some time, but it's the ears that are currently popping up on rather a few menus. For proof, check out, St John’s pig-ear salad and the crispy pigs' ears at Duck & Waffle.    A photo posted by @mildredsrestaurant on

If you like cheese an awful lot, you'll agree that the majority of so called 'cheese boards' in London establishments can do one - especially if their selection tastes like it came straight from your local supermarket. But here are the few places around town that understand the needs of a true fromage fan. La Fromagerie  If there was a crack den for cheese lovers, The Fromagerie would be it. If you fancy eating in, the café offers the chance to try their selection in-situ, along with a strong selection of wine, biscuits and spreads. Small £8.95, large £13.75, 2-6 Moxon Street,London W1U 4EW.  Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels   Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels It would be foolish to suggest that we know cheese better than the French (they wouldn’t take it too well), and you don’t get more French than the ECC-founded Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels in Covent Garden. Serving up cheese from Spitalfields merchant Androuet, these boards (well, plates) don't come cheap – but you can expect such delights as 36-month Comte and Bleu D’Auvergne. Three cheeses £14, five cheeses £19, 8-10 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP.   A photo posted by Amanda Rogers (@moorogersfoodstylist) on Dec 11, 2015 at 2:07pm PST Provisions  Newly opened on Holloway Road, a cheese board at Provisions comes straight from their shelves, with cheese plates and wine available every evening amongst their stock of fromage and wine. Prices vary, 167 Holloway Road, N7 8LX.   A photo posted by Nazila (@nazilam) on Dec 8, 2015