Randomness Guide to London

Hello RGL community. I got back from a three-week holiday Down Under on Saturday (it was lovely!) and I've been a bit jet-lagged since, and a bit busy at work too, hence the delay to this post, a very special episode of the Randomness Guide to London.

You'll be aware of the news. Therefore the first thing to mention is that after this post RGL will take a break for a while. Most of us are now working from home, and avoiding going out as much as possible (some entirely). The latest government and Public Health England advice has been to avoid group socialising and non-essential travel, so it's likely that many of the pubs, bars, restaurants and cinemas will be closed at this point, and given the way things have progressed on the continent, it feels like only a matter of time before that is enforced more strictly. We cannot in all good faith, as of Wednesday 18 March, advise you to go out to any of the places on this list either; if they are still open, you will have to take that decision yourself, but find ways to support them however you can.

The list below was compiled on Sunday, and even in the few days since then, the public health advice has taken a much harder line.



With all that in mind, the featured article is Restaurante Santafereno, SW9 8PR, a popular restaurant in the Brixton Market supporting the Colombian community. Perhaps make it a place to visit when we are able to move freely again.

There's an update to Sala Piquin, also in Brixton Market, formerly Casa Morita. It's moving from just Mexican to regional fusion, with friendly staff, so why not help them out with a visit when it's safe again to do so.

Two reported temporary closures (that aren't related to coronavirus) are: Mirch Masala in Norbury (for hygiene reasons); and Joy King Lau in Covent Garden.

Well, that's our last update for a while. We don't know how long things will go, but it's likely to be for at least the length of the Summer, which is sad. Some places are still offering takeaways or deliveries so please do your best to support small businesses wherever you can in any way that is safe to both you and them, and spare a thought for those businesses who were gearing up to open or rebrand or refurbish in March and beyond. More than that, spare a thought for the many people working in the hospitality and tourist industries who will find life much harder now. Life will get hard for a bit, before things look up.

Hello! And sorry for the slight delay posting this update; all my fault.



This week's featured article is Addis, N1 9DT. It's an Ethiopian restaurant at the bottom of Caledonian Road, with plenty of options for veggies and vegans. Looks like everything was excellent, though you might want to think carefully about ordering falafel.

There are three new entries: a Turkish bakery and cafe called Tuana near Archway; Mi Rancho, a Colombian eatery in Nag's Head Market, Holloway, offering tasty street food in an unpretentious setting; and Black Cat Cafe, a vegan cooperative cafe in Lower Clapton.

Reported permanent closures are La Fermata on Tower Bridge Road, and Verru in Marylebone.

Finally, happier news, the old Duke of Edinburgh pub in Wanstead has been rebranded as The Duke and reopened. Looks promising.

Sorry for the gap in service, as kake has been rather busy. However, I'm helping out and will run through the weekly updates.



The featured article this week is The Railway Bell, TW12 2AP, a Good Beer Guide pub in Hampton.

Since the last update the following pages have been added: The Railway Tavern Ale House, a reopened pub just near Dalston Kingsland with six ales and Thai food; The Breadroom, a cafe in Brixton Market; The White Swan, a Wetherspoon's at Highbury Corner; The Kentish Canteen, a cafe in Kentish Town; Ye Olde Swan, a Greene King pub, and The Red Lion, a slightly better pub, both in Thames Ditton (technically in Surrey); Pizza Napolitana, a takeaway in Croydon; Restaurante Santafereno, a Colombian restaurant in Brixton Village; Moyo-Ma, a Nigerian restaurant in Walworth; Tap East, a microbrewery and bar in Westfield Stratford City (E20); Cook Il Kwan, a Korean restaurant in New Malden; and The Anthologist, a bar in the City. Phew!

Reported closures are: Positively 4th Street, a New York-style bar near Euston; The Queen Dowager, a Young's pub in Teddington; Somers Town Coffee House, a gastropub between the British Library and Euston; and Avella's Cafe, a sandwich shop just off the top of Regent Street.

Future updates should be a little shorter, as we'll try to keep them regular.