A Prophet with a Palette: George F. Watts
Before art was branded, filtered, or farmed for clicks, one man insisted it was a…
Author Douglas Blyde
Athenian Alchemy at CTC Urban Gastronomy
In a quarter of Athens away from selfie-stick-wielding tourist groups and stalls peddling suggestive souvenirs,…
The Cosseting Constant: A Toast to LPM London
There is something deliciously reassuring in the knowledge that, while the world burns through trends…
An Edinburgh Sanctuary: Gleneagles Townhouse
When in Edinburgh, which Sir Walter Scott called ‘yon Empress of the North,’ one does…
The Unlikely Publican
Douglas Blyde plays mother as he meets playwright turned pub landlord, Sean Mathias… I meet…
Metaxa: The Spirit of Athens
Metaxa – the smooth Muscat brandy born in Athens in 1888 – seems to be…
Winter in Mauritius
Although a magnet for sand dwellers, Mauritius is also a fine source of cultural nourishment,…
Four Seasons Prague
A deep assembly of intangible voices throttles my slumber, merging momentarily, with the memory of…
RAW Fayre: Western Slovenia
“Outsize ants crawl over crazy paving at the Klinec homestead’s terrace. The vista in their midst – Medana’s vineyards…” Ahead of London’s RAW fair of ‘natural wines’, Douglas Blyde visits participating country, Slovenia.
Fiery Elements at L’Anima
Beyond plate glass, which reflects strings of LEDs in trees and a surging line of well-chilled commuters decanting into their offices, is L’Anima’s beautifully-composed dining room.
Runnymede-on-Thames
“Air, water and road traffic flies, floats and rolls beside the strategically located Runnymede-on-Thames hotel. Although its face is arguably blighted – the blank facade from 1974 oddly leaves the impression of a slap head forehead…”
Mixing Martini, Shabani Style
“A school drop-out from Kosovo who washed pots at an Angus Steak House on landing in London in the mid-90s, Shabani went on to produce ‘Konik’s Tail’, regularly voted a leading brand by both press and his peers.”