Review by Sabine Koch – aka the bee Andrew Scott has been a champion of contemporary theatre for all of his career. I have been fortunate enough to have seen him in three productions and there was no way that I would miss out on him finally tackling the Bard. Contrary to other plays, I […]
Movie Review: Berlinale 2016
March 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
In February there is one unmissable thing in Berlin – the Berlinale. As usual, this film festival is about being eclectic and not all about ‘the competition.’ So the 16 films our reviewer, Sabine ‘Bee’ Koch, got to see, ranged from Japanese thrillers, Iranian ghost stories and the very first queer movie – 1919’s silent […]
#Restaurant #Review NOPI – Five Years On
March 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Front of house can make or break a restaurant. A cheery welcome wins hearts, but not this time on going into NOPI. Much lauded for its food and founders’ back story, the Soho outpost is a busy, shiny shrine five years on – and you still need to make a reservation. So we did. Tellingly their website reports “salads […]
REVIEW: Motcombs – London Belgravia’s Most Famous Restaurant
October 12, 2015 by 2 Comments
This gem of a restaurant in Belgravia is the perfect old school classic. Hearty greetings from the locals at the bar, slipping down below the iconic neon sign into a large, but intimate basement dining room aglint with crystal and decked with art for superb grub and bubbles is a rather special and, sadly, disappearing experience. Motcombs, now Belgravia’s […]
THEATRE: Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre London
August 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
To be or not to be. Well, it might be, and there’s the rub. Benedict Cumberbatch be praised, that rare thing a great actor with a star presence, beautifully lit. Reciting some of the most famous lines in theatre. One fluffed line in 1408 of them. What a stunning preview performance from him. The characters grow in the play, gaining […]
REVIEW: Caterina 55 brings Ligurian cooking to Moorgate
February 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Caterina 55 brings the home-made taste of Italian Ligurian cooking to Moorgate, London. A generations-old cafe from that region has been brought bang up-to-date in a fast food format with some nice touches like beer on tap, pH balanced water for a true Italian coffee and healthy cakes on display under the glass counter. It’s quite a […]
Hakkasan Honours Chinese New Year Wishing Tree Tradition
February 13, 2015 by 1 Comment
For this Chinese New Year, Hakkasan, one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, is honouring the Chinese wishing tree tradition by offering a family feast and collecting written wishes from diners to hang on the lattice screens in the restaurant. The wish collection menu runs from Sunday 8th February to Sunday 1st March at £88.88 per head. Hakkasan’s […]
How to do the Berlinale – an insider’s tips
February 11, 2015 by 6 Comments
Some advice from a seasoned veteran on “How to do the Berlinale” It’s February in Berlin and that means The Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, known as the Berlinale, and it’s dominating the face of my town writes Sabine Koch, guest contributor. During the 10 days of films, parties, markets you can get a glimpse of the world of […]
MOVIE: Love Is Strange
February 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Four decades into their relationship, Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina) can finally marry. However, their vows are tested shortly afterwards when George loses his job and the couple are forced to live apart. Separated and suddenly reliant on friends and family, George and Ben must navigate a new world. From writer and director […]
Pachamama
December 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
A pink neon ‘A’ marks the spot. Confusingly so, for a new Peruvian-inspired restaurant called Pachamama. It’s a new incarnation on, let’s call it the lower slopes of Marylebone, Thayer Street. Founded by an anthropologist with an eye for branding and the chap who used to run the same spot when it was known as […]
