THEGAYUK

Category: Lifestyle

  • RECIPE | Freekeh Za’atar Peppers

    Freekeh Za’atar Peppers

    Serves 6-8

     

    Ingredients.

    200g cooked chestnuts,

    roughly chopped 1 red onion,

    finely chopped 2 garlic cloves,

    sliced 6 sage leaves,

    sliced 1 tsp bouillon stock (added to 120ml hot water)

    2-3 pointed peppers,

    halved and seeded 250g freekeh (I use Merchant Gourmet and boil in the bag)

    Za’atar spice,

    2 tbsp 1/4 lemon, juice of

     

    Method.
    1. Preheat your oven to 200c / 180c fan / Gas Mark 6. Line a baking sheet with foil and place your halved and seeded peppers on top.

    1. Heat a little oil in a saute pan or similar, and begin to lightly fry the onion for a few minutes.

    2. On a low heat, Add the chestnuts and continue to cook for five minutes further.

    3. Add the garlic, sage leaves, and za’atar and cook out for one minute.

    4. Add the stock and reduce to lowest heat retaining a simmer.

    5. Cook the freekeh according to pack instructions (usually microwave 3 mins or on the hob in about ten).

    6. Stir in the cooked freekeh to the chestnut and onion mix and take off the heat.

    7. Spoon the mix into the peppers on the baking tray. Squeeze your lemon juice over the top of the now stuffed peppers.

    8. Cover the peppers with another piece of foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes, removing the foil for the last remaining minutes. The peppers at this point should just be starting to singe slightly but still retain their shape and a bit of bite. 1

    9. Remove from the oven, give a good dose of freshly cracked black pepper, and adorn in pomegranate jewels, serving with extra lemon wedges for the table.

     

    MORE: Vegan Recipes | Vegetarian Recipes | Salads

  • RECIPE | Dukkah Goats Cheese Salad with Raspberry Basil Vinaigrette

    Dukkah Goats Cheese Salad with Raspberry Basil Vinaigrette

    Serves 6-8 people

     

    ingredients.

    Goats cheese:

    4 teaspoons Dukkah spice (available at most supermarkets)

    35g plain flour

    35g panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs would work)

    1 egg, beaten

    4 x 100g goats cheese rounds

     

    Salad:

    70-100g rocket

    10 radishes, sliced

    10 sundried tomatoes, sliced (Check out our recipe for Slow Beau Tomatoes on TGUK website)

    2 handfuls of Good 4 U Lentil & Bean Shoots (available at most supermarkets)

    2 handfuls spinach

    a handful basil leaves

    50g hazelnuts

     

    Raspberry & Basil Vinaigrette;

    180ml extra virgin olive oil

    65g fresh raspberries

    60ml red wine vinegar

    1 tsp dried basil

    2-3 fresh basil leaves

    2 tbsp honey

     

     

     Method.

    1. Set up three plates like a little factory line for each the; flour, egg and panko.
    2. Coat each goats cheese firstly in the flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coating in the panko. Sprinkle a teaspoon of dukka onto the top of each goats cheese piece and press down lightly with the back of a spoon. Set these aside in the fridge on a foil lined baking sheet, for at least half an hour, or you could even do this the night before.
    3. Blitz all the vinaigrette ingredients in a food processor and set aside in the fridge.
    4. Pre-heat your oven to 200c / 180c (fan) / Gas Mark 6
    5. Arrange your salad ingredients either on individual plates or serving platter.
    6. Place the goats cheese into the oven for 15-20 minutes, but do keep your eye on them to avoid the Dukkah spice from catching on the heat.
    7. Remove from the oven, and place on top of your salad and serve with the dressing on the side. Slice the goats cheese rounds in half for serving.

     

    MORE: Salad recipes

  • CAR REVIEW | Jeep Cherokee M-Jet 11 Limited

    WOW. That’s how I will start the review for the new Jeep Cherokee. It has a lot of visual impact. There are shapes within shapes and then there are questionable things you point at. Then you wonder where the headlights are? They are not quite in the place you would expect them to be. They are thankfully there and present and on the front. They say it has a fresh and aggressive look. It’s not that aggressive. Fact is, the front is pedestrian hitting friendly and slung low. Quite the opposite.

    The LGBT community is known for standing out from the crowd so this car really does feel at home with me. I spent almost 9 hours behind the wheel of this Cherokee in its Limited spec and it was a nice place to be. Those hours ended up feeling quite effortless. It is loaded from bumper to bumper with goodies, it has driver aids and a less wobbly ride than you would expect.

    I don’t think anyone would have thought this would ever be said about an American car but with the help of Fiat, the Americans have finally made a vehicle worthy of Europe and the UK. It’s not brash and it doesn’t beep at you for random to no significant reasons. Always an annoyance in an American car.

    It all sounds good so you’d expect me to keep enthusing about it but I’ll briefly stop here. Some of those driver aids are a bit much. The Cherokee shares platform software as fitted to the Renegade and I don’t know if it was because the Cherokee is a bigger car, but when the lane assist kicks in during lane changes on the motorway it fights with a firm tug. Indicate and the system is switched off. It caught me out several times.

    Don’t get me started on the door mirrors. They are good in their operation. They contain blind spot indicators that proved useful. What they don’t do however is fold in when on the move! Anything more than 10mph and they fold open. A vehicle of this size and with off-road potential needs to have retractable mirrors on the move. Replacements are not cheap.

    That’s my moaning done. The rest of the Jeep works very well. The engine, 2.2 turbo diesel, is smooth. A little harsh in a few places but nothing that makes you wince from feeling you are being mechanically unsympathetic. These noises are only heard with the windows open anyway. Outside the idle is subdued with a muted diesel clatter. It doesn’t sound like a tractor anymore.

    On the move, the 197bhp power unit mated to the 9-speed auto will propel you forward to 60mph in 8.5 seconds. It’s not the quickest I will grant you so you will be happy to know it suffers no turbo lag and that gearbox of 9 cogs will instantly select one to aid your momentum up to the claimed speed of 127mph I am sure.

    I did question if 9 gears were needed at all. Surely 5 or 6 are ample. Those 9 make for a seamless move through the gears. Apart from coming out of first, I struggled to detect the next change up. You soon learn when it will change up. At around 1500-2000rpm is when it happens. Sometimes however when you play with the manual override you discover it’s jumped 2 cogs. It’s best left to the box to do its thing and you concentrate on driving.

    Inside you are greeted by sumptuous leather-covered seats that offer heated or cold air options. The materials chosen are the best Jeep have fitted to almost any of their vehicles to date. Areas that require touching are made to feel like you have spent your money on something very special. The ergonomics felt right once you had learnt where some of the minor controls were. It took me some time to grasp the concept used for the front wipers. A multi-clicked turn on the stalk activated them from about 4 types of intermittent wiper to normal slow and fast. It was almost over 180-degree turn. In a hurry when you want them it’s a bit of a bind.

    Thankfully on board, this model has the advance brake assist. It worked well when a little hatchback decided to stop abruptly for no reason during a left-hand turn. It also has a neat feature to prevent you reversing into things by slamming on the brakes. Marvellous I said. It did make reversing a doodle and the Jeep went back without a scratch on the bumper.

    The infotainment system is one of the best I have used. The DAB radio is by far the easiest I have yet come across. Everything is easy to find and the display shows almost all and everything you could wish for. I just wished it was angled a little more towards the driver. So many manufacturers get this wrong.

    What I do question is its off-road ability. Unlike Cherokee’s of the past this one lacks a decent ascent and descent angle. The overhang from the front and rear bumpers being to low. Cherokee once displayed a great advert about the bridge missing so having to use the dried river bed. You’d want to get that bridge fixed with this one.

    If you can come to terms with the looks you would be happy with the Jeep. Some will point and stare, others will run and hide. I would give you the thumbs up. I enjoyed my time with it. For that week I had it, it did everything I wanted in a calm manner and did it effortlessly. And who cares what it looks like, from the driver’s seat you don’t have to look at it anyway.

    Likes

    Driving
    Infotainment system
    Refinement

    Loathes

    Folding mirrors
    Limited off-road by bumper overhangs
    Overly powerful lane assist assistance

    The Lowdown
    Car – Jeep Cherokee M-Jet 11 Limited
    Price – £37,245 (as tested)
    MPG – 49.6mpg (combined)
    Power – 197 bhp
    0-62mph – 8.5 seconds
    Top Speed – 127 mph
    Co2 – 160 (g/km)

  • GARDENING | No Garden? No Problem

    GARDENING | No Garden? No Problem

    Since we moved to the smallholdings in Mid Wales our life has been far from ordinary. For 5 years, Andy and I have learnt incredible things about self-sufficiency, renovating an old cottage and the pleasures of gardening. Along the way we’ve found ourselves part of the most wonderful village community imaginable.

    Since opening the shop and café in the middle of the village last year, our lives have steadily moved away from the smallholding and the garden, and our focus has shifted towards the day-to- day running of the shop.

    As the shop steadily became busier, the animals, polytunnel and garden received less and less attention. So at the start of the year we decided to embark on our next adventure. In the last couple of months we’ve sold the smallholding and moved in above the shop – a gorgeous building but with no real garden!

    From the minute we moved in we’ve been seeking out small spaces and areas to grow plants. Gardening has become a massive part of our lives over the last couple of years and there’s no way we can live without it anymore. When all our hard work is in bloom and looking beautiful it’s one of the best feelings in the world. Working the garden is also a massive stress reliever when it’s time to get away from work.

    So with no garden to speak of, we need to find some other places to bring to life with plants (as you can see there’s a long way to go!).

     

    The first obvious place is the yard (above)- we want a beautiful place to entertain with a little privacy.

    IMG_5242

    The second is outside the basement window. The desk in the office faces this so we need an inspirational view.

    IMG_5259

    The side wall is just crying out for a colourful climber to brighten up the approach to the house.

    There’s an odd little glass room on the first floor so we’re going to use this as a greenhouse for a more exotic style of growing.

    The other wall is covered in windows that are perfect for window boxes.

    With all these different areas to work on the question is how to proceed with each one? We’re going to spend the next few weeks observing each area carefully, looking at the movement of the sun throughout the day and what happens when it rains. We’re also going to be researching style and techniques online. After recent trips to Amsterdam and Berlin we’ve been massively inspired by all the urban growing we’ve seen.

    Check out our Pinterest boards (Search and9839 and select ‘pinners’) to see the kinds of things we’ve been thinking.
    So we’ve gone from nearly an acre of land to no real garden to speak of at all – but that doesn’t mean our gardening has to stop. With a bit of research and some European inspiration we’re really excited for the future!

     

    Follow Andy and Adam on Twitter

  • Are we heading for a sexual health crisis? 10 per cent increase in STIs for gay and bisexual men

    Figures published by Public Health England (PHE) today show that once again that Britain’s gay and bi men’s sexual health is heading into a crisis.

    © sakkmesterke | Depositphotos
    © sakkmesterke | Depositphotos

     

    Figures released by PHE today show that in total there were 434,456 sexually transmitted infections reported in England in 2015. Well over 10 per cent of those (54, 275) were from gay and bisexual men. The greatest impact age group for those presenting sexual transmitted infections is within the 25 and under age bracket.

    The increase of 54,275 gay and bisexual men reporting sexual transmitted infections represents a 10 per cent increase on 2014’s statistics.

    Overall there was a small decrease, around three per cent, in reports for the entire population, but gay and bisexual men bucked that trend.

    Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at PHE said,

    “The new statistics show STI rates are still very high among gay men and young adults.

    “We need to do more to raise awareness about STIs and how they can be prevented, especially the effectiveness of using condoms. We recommend that anyone having sex with a new or casual partner uses condoms and tests regularly for HIV and STIs. It is also vital to ensure there is easy access to STI testing and treatment services that meet the needs of local populations.”

    NHS England came under intense criticism earlier this year when it “washed its hands” on providing PrEP for the gay and bisexual community.  It announced it was removing the anti-HIV drug known as PrEP from the the official commissioning process.

    The PHE have reiterated their advice for sexually active men, suggesting,

    Consistent and correct use of condoms can significantly reduce risk of infection and regular testing for HIV and STIs is essential for good sexual health.

    Anyone under 25 who is sexually active should be screened for chlamydia annually, and on change of sexual partner. Gay and bisexual men should test annually for HIV and STIs and every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners.

    THEGAYUK runs an online Q&A sexual health service for free – ask your questions anonymously here.

  • CAR REVIEW | Citroen DS3 Cabrio

    ★★★ | Citroen DS3 Cabrio

    The DS range of Citroens are the more Avantgarde models and a welcome return from a manufacturer rich in a history of innovation and design. It’s also a car maker that gave us the 2CV, widely futuristic dashboards and the subliminal grand tourer with the SM. So they know a few things about cars.

    Though largely forgotten, Citroen have at one point or another offered the motorist open top fun. The 2CV and Dyane were cheap open top motoring. The short-lived 4 door Visa decapotable with its unique pram type hood. And the Plurial that was a bit of a hash job with its removable sides that had nowhere to go so you never took them off. The DS 3 is the smallest offering in this DS range and the Cabrio adds some open top fun to an already accomplished car but does it make it any better?

    The answer to that is no. It actually makes the DS 3 worse. What you need to realise is that with any open top car there is always a pay off that must be accepted for the fun a missing roof will give you.

    In this case it’s the boot. The opening is hopeless. I for one did not expect it to lift upwards. In doing so it covers up an already small hole. The boot area itself is quite large, deep and cavernous. It’s just that you can’t actually get to it. Should the boot lid drop downward then it would solve at least half these problems.

    And there lays the problem with the DS3 cabrio over its hatchback sibling. For an extra £2000 you get a boot that you can’t use. What you do get though is an electric roof that pretty much works on a one-touch system that when open causes no buffeting. Fully open (rear window gone, followed by rearward vision also) you get a gentle breeze over your shoulders and long hair gently tussled. Yes, the rearward vision is blighted when the top is completely retracted. At first I thought this would be a problem. However with a little tug and wiggle of the finger the door mirrors can be angled to pretty much rectify this and the model I had here came equipped with a reversing camera.

    All in all then it’s pretty much shaping up to be what every car with a removable top is like except this cabrio retains the sides. In essence that means it isn’t a full convertible. It also means there is no scuttle shake felt through the steering wheel thus adding to the already solid feel of the Citroen. Another thing those side do is add a little security. You can feel incredibly exposed in a full cabriolet.

    The insides of the DS 3 are above par for this kind of car. It’s all well put together. The materials chosen are tactile and the dashboard has a feel that makes you want to squeeze it. However in this model it comes with a gaudy strip across the dashboard in what looks like really cheap carbon fibre you’d find someone sticking on their 1991 Vauxhall Corsa. Check out Citroen’s option packs and spec sheets. This can be rectified. It absolutely ruins an otherwise nice interior. Thankfully this is a £150 cost option so you don’t need to have it.

    Everything works as it should on the move. The clutch is light and the gear change direct. Strangely more so than in the 208GTi Sport I tested a month or so ago. In total it felt more fluid. What wasn’t quite so fluid in its execution was the ride. Where I had praised the Citroen C3 hatchback for being fantastic in its ride and handling, the DS 3 can’t match it. It rides a little to harsh for me. It also makes the handling a little skittish when pushed hard.

    The engine on the other hand is from the PSA award winning range of power packs. So smooth in its operation that you could be confused into thinking this is more than a 4 cylinder. It’s easy to live with and the 1598cc engine delivers its 165bhp with little effort. Sometimes you feel that 165 horses just isn’t enough. You feel the DS3 needs more urge. It’s only when you look at your speed do you then realise that you need to back off a little.

    With the roof folded back it is quite cosy. The heater and its many vents positioned to keep you warm even on the cold days. You can select to have the roof back as far as you’d like. Quite pointless if I am honest. You’ll probably find that you will have it as far as it will go on most days. With the roof up it cosseted you with the exact same feeling you would have with a hatchback. I’ll come clean though and say that apart from at night when I parked it up, l had the roof open as much as I could. You don’t buy a car like this to keep the roof up yet we Brits seem to do just that.

    The week was over, the DS3 had to go back. From the Citroens I had in my motoring career (and there have been a fair few) Citroen isn’t what it use to be.

    Twangy doors and creaky trim are a distant memory. Build quality is up there. Some of it felt better than the Germans. I liked the DS3. I could live with the challenges it possesses but it would have to be as a second car. It’s too flawed in its everyday areas to warrant me to trade in my old nail.

    Likes

    Engine
    Roof operation
    Little buffeting with the roof open

    Loathes

    Boot opening
    Carbon fibre dashboard trim
    Infotainment system difficult to see with the roof open

    The Lowdown
    Car – Citroen DS3 Cabrio THP 165
    Price – £23,340 (as tested)
    MPG – 50.4mpg (combined)
    Power – 165 bhp 6000 rpm
    0-62mph – 7.6 seconds
    Top Speed – 135 mph
    Co2 – 129 (g/km)

  • CAR REVIEW | Renault Twingo

    ★★★★ | Renault Twingo

    It’s always a problem when you give a name to a car on review. It becomes personal and trying to be subjective about it is wholly difficult. Its flaws covered up with candy floss and its better bits celebrated with raptures of delight.

    If I lived in Toy Town I would drive a Twingo. In fact Noddy would have one too. In its third incarnation Renault have returned to a layout last seen in 1971 with their rear engined rear drive 8 and 10 models. This car shares a platform with Smarts For4. It’s just been dressed in prettier clothing.

    Turn the key and the engine giggles into life. Now I know that makes it sound like I have lost the plot somewhat and to be fair I have with this little Renault. It’s such an easy car to love.

    ‘Giggles’ as he became known arrived to me with bright red paint, go faster stripes and pretty polished alloy wheels. The stripes and wheels themselves were reminiscent to those offered by Renault in the 1970’s boutique range of accessories. This car possessed some nice retro touches. The rear was very pretty. The front however had the face only a mother could love. The problem is with the daytime running lights that look like he’s had his top lip pierced twice! You’ll soon grow to accept this.

    While I had the Twingo with me I had a party so parked him in the back garden. There were some picky queens whose car delights ranged from all things Citroen, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. With alcohol flowing the Twingo was subjected to a clinic style review. It was thumbs up on a lot of things. Your friends would approve but choose wisely. Despite the being able to accommodate well within the space available, the Twingo is a strict 4 seater.

    Inside was a pleasant change from austere black that is so the norm these days. The Twingo had the options list ticked and came with the red and white plastic inserts on the doors and contrasting red stitching on the seats. The white plastic will get grubby. You can’t deny that so getting the bucket out on a Sunday for a wash and wipe won’t become a bore because you’ll love the little Twingo. Despite living in the sticks I have never once washed a car I had to return but I just couldn’t return ‘Giggles’ to Renault covered in dirt.

    It was easy to get into a suitable driving position. The high backed seats took a bit of time to get used too but after a day or two  it all felt quite normal. What wasn’t was the position of the window switches. No matter how short or tall you are they are always about 4 inches too far back. Thankfully the ventilation system is up to the job. The pop out windows in the rear doors working well in promoting greater ventilation with minimal wind noise.

    The driving experience of the Twingo is unique. It’s not how you would imagine it to be. A rear engined rear drive layout it might have but thoughts of a tail happy little car are not what you get. The stability program is always on and will always get you out of trouble even if you provoke it wildly with enthusiastic movements. What you will prefer though is to drive it in its manual mode. The auto box will still change up and down but it will do so at a higher rev and for this increase in enthusiasm you won’t pay dearly at the pumps. Chances are you won’t notice a difference at all.

    Stuart_Bird-060215ren3

    The auto gear box does however have a few niggles. In traffic it can become a bit snappy if you are heavy with the right foot. At parking speeds it just won’t engage without a little throttle. Several times I “that’ll do” parked it instead of risking ploughing into the car in front. Strangely enough though is that it works better in reverse. Thankfully the turning circle is small so backing into a space is easier. I went out to find small spaces just to drive round and round. It had me laughing.

    Now for the science part. The 898cc engine will make your mother happy. She’ll be happy you don’t have one of those big engined fast cars. What you don’t need to tell her is the little turbo attached to it propels the Twingo at quite a rate in forward motion. It will startle you at just how nippy this little car is. As is typical with a rear weight bias layout though is susceptibility to side winds. It can get buffeted about a bit. This was noticeable at those great speeds it could travel at. Kept within 70mph and it wasn’t such a problem.

    Living with the Twingo is easy. There are cubby holes where you wouldn’t expect them to be and that high rear boot floor that hides the engine is perfect height for loading. It also turns out it is also the perfect height as a seat. The insulation over the engine so epic in its padding that it makes for a cushiony soft seat to sit on and ponder life. It’s also good at not allowing heat into the boot so your picnic and your chilled prosecco won’t be ruined.

    One innovative trick Renault have missed out on is the centre consoles removable cubby box. Add a snap-on strap and you get yourself a swishy Twingo bag for your oddments while also having a handy place for it to go when on the move.

    What did annoy me the most was getting to the service items. The bonnet pulls forward to reveal the brake fluid, screen wash, coolant and battery. It’s a bit of a faff and all items are accessed by leaning over the bonnet. Chances are the coolant will never get checked and the screen wash will always be empty. Normal bonnet hinges would correct this and probably allow for some extra storage up front. Like wise to check the oil you need to go through the boot floor. Removing the floor isn’t as easy as it could be and makes it a bit of a chore.

    Since its launch I had always wanted to test a Twingo and l am glad I did. As a run around this car gets my thumbs up. It also gets the sides of my mouth up too. l can’t stop giggling.

    Likes

    Fun to drive
    Cute
    Turning circle

    Loathes

    Auto box jerky
    Poor access to service items
    Window switch posistion

    The Lowdown
    Car – Renault Twingo Dynamique TCe
    Price – £ £13,900 (as tested)
    MPG – 58.9mpg (combined)
    Power – 90 bhp 6000 rpm
    Top Speed – 104 mph
    Co2 – 108 (g/km)

  • Have an Absolutely Fabulous drink sweetie

    The sun has finally started to shine through like the South of France, the new garden smoker has been lit, the guests are turning up… Twiggy… Kate Moss… Giorgio… so just what on Earth are you going to serve them? They don’t drink tap water… They’re not boring old, toilet going, tap water drinkers sweetie… no. They want a proper hard kick from something classy, sophisticated and absolutely fabulous.

    (more…)

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Suvlaki Restaurant Review (London)

    “Just a light lunch”, is what we said to each other a few minutes before ordering Suvlaki’s Exuberance menu (£34), which for 2 people consists of two skewers, two mini wraps, four sides, & Greek burgers stuffed with feta. A tempting selection of meaty varieties to choose from to go in your skewers or wraps, including free-range pork sourced from Essex, and wild boar sausage from Greece.

    I simply cannot ignore a boar when it’s on the menu, so a skewer we had of this, which whilst the flavour was really lovely, rich and warmly spiced, I was put off by its tough encasing that reminded me of Frankfurter. For my friend however, the boar sausage was her favourite thing on the platter.

    Now, I kinda wish I hadn’t taken one for team vegetarian by ordering both a skewer and a mini wrap containing the mediterranean style veg. In both, the vegetables were undercooked, whilst the meat we had throughout was perfectly cooked.

    If you’re cooking on a Robata (charcoal style grill- which, by the way, Suvlaki carefully source the charcoal of, to ensure a chemical free and responsibly sourced experience), you’re gonna have to give me some char! The vegetables were barely warm and were oily as they hadn’t been given long enough on the grill. The Chios island mastelo cheese chunks that came on the vegetarian skewer were humongous with a flavour very much like a slightly salty halloumi, but with a softer pillowy texture, and a suspicion of something sweet from their honey mustard glaze.

    The star of the wraps was the actual pita itself, which Suvlaki sources directly from a friend in Athens. Good portion size, warm, soft and chewy in the best kind of way. All of this, girthing something like the silky soft strands of tangy pulled pork we had, made a corker of a combo.

    The greek and lentil salads were very well put together, lightly dressed and really fresh. The beetroot and walnut dip was also tasty to dip a bit o’ pita into. But let me just gush for a moment over the plump, moist meat in the Greek burgers made from pork, lamb, and beef. Beautiful seasoning and spicing using classic garlic and onion, and if you’re not seduced by the first mouthful, then the mouthful where you find the oozy middle of melted feta will have you!

    Suvlaki’s chocolate biscuit cake (£5) does exactly what it says on the tin and provides you with an intense and rich chocolate hit, served with a subtly flavoured coffee ice cream. Definitely one for chocolate lovers.

    If you are a fan of ice cream and gelato, then definitely try their Kaimaki (£4), a buffalo milk Mastiha ice cream which was simply epic. The hint of mint that’s in there tickles on your tongue, and compliments the creaminess to bring about a masterful dessert of flavour and simplicity.

    The tables on the left hand side as you walk in to the restaurant, are not very practical, so opt for the right hand side of the restaurant (the side with comfy seating). Both our forks falling off the table due to over crowding of plates.

    However, dining in the restaurant is not the only way to enjoy Suvlaki, they offer a take away service, and delivery via Deliveroo (Check Suvlaki website for details). We were served by Richard, a lovely looking French chap who didn’t let us want or need for anything, despite having a busy lunchtime restaurant, and appearing to be the only waiting staff on duty.

    Whilst you’ll definitely be sorted for beers to choose from with their selection of Greek microbrewery beverages, those that prefer an extensive wine list may not get on with the limited menu.

    Souvlaki is often served as a type of fast food in Greece, it’s simple, tasty, and cooked well. Suvlaki of Bateman Street, London, channels this entirely.

     

    REVIEWED BY : @Lohanjordan

    ADDRESS: 21 Bateman St, Soho, London, W1D 3AL

    TELEPHONE: 0207 287 6638

    PRICE: £££ (explained)

    STAR: *** (explained)

    TIPPING POLICY / RESERVATIONS / ORDER ONLINE : www.suvlaki.co.uk

  • NHS “Washed Its Hands” On Providing PrEP For Gay And Bisexual Community

    NHS England has come under intense criticism after it announced it was removing the anti-HIV drug known as PrEP from the official commissioning process.

    CREDIT: tashatuvango-bigstock

     CREDIT: tashatuvango-bigstock

    NHS England is facing a backlash from sexual health groups and HIV charities after it confirmed its decision to remove PrEP from the official NHS commissioning process, meaning that the anti-HIV drug will be inaccessible to people at risk of HIV.

    Both the National AIDS Trust (NAT) and the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) blasted the decision. With the NAT saying it was considering further legal action against NHS England.

    PrEP is an HIV prevention drug, proven to be effective in stopping HIV transmission in almost every case if taken properly. The decision by NHS England not even to consider commissioning PrEP came after 18 months of hard work from an NHS working group (comprising clinicians and experts from across the HIV sector) which demonstrated the need, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PrEP.

    Deborah Gold, Chief Executive, NAT, said,

    “NHS England is sitting on something that could be the beginning of the end for the HIV epidemic – if only it were made available.  The refusal to commission it for all those at significant risk is astonishing.   Seventeen people are being diagnosed with HIV every day. Weare extremely disappointed and we will now be looking at our options, including further legal action.”

    Terrence Higgins Trust called the decision “shameful” and said that NHS England had “washed its hands” of one of the most stunning breakthroughs in HIV prevention which disproportionately affects the gay and bisexual community in the UK.

    Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said,

    “Today is a shameful day for HIV prevention. This country used to lead the way in the fight against the HIV epidemic, but today, our national health service has washed its hands of one of the most stunning breakthroughs we’ve seen; a pill which, if taken correctly, is almost 100% effective in preventing HIV.  A pill which is already available in America, Canada, France, Kenya and soon to be Australia.

    “How did it come to this? It defies belief that, after 18 months of false hope, delays and u-turns in the battle to see PrEP made available on the NHS to people at high risk of HIV, today we are in a worse position than when we started.

    “It is a mess, and the people who will feel the effects are the 2,500 men who have sex with men who will be needlessly infected with HIV each year in the UK. This figure has not changed in a decade. Who will claim responsibility for the life-long impact this will have on people’s lives?

    “It’s not right that people who know themselves to be at high risk of HIV have to buy PrEP themselves from the internet at considerable personal expense. Many high risk people are living in poverty and they simply cannot afford to protect themselves against HIV. Currently, only those who can afford it are able to access this life-changing treatment, further widening the inequality gap by those most affected by HIV.

    “The battle for PrEP must continue until the day that people at highest risk have access to this groundbreaking pill that will protect them from HIV.”

  • BREAKING: Lesbian Couple Are Found Guilty Of The Murder Of Two-Year-Old Son

    BREAKING: Lesbian Couple Are Found Guilty Of The Murder Of Two-Year-Old Son

    A same-sex couple have been found guilty of two-year-old Liam Fee’s murder in Fife.

    Two women from Ryton in Tyne And Wear, have been found guilty of the murder of Liam Fee, Rachel Fee’s two-year-old son who was found dead at their home in Glenrothes in Fife March 2014.

    The toddler died from blunt force trauma which caused his heart to rupture. The court heard that he also suffered numerous injuries including bone fractures.

    Rachel Fee, 31 and Nyomi Fee, 29 denied that they had murdered Liam, but were found guilty after a seven week trial at the High Court in Livingston.

    They were convicted of all eight charges that were brought against them by the Crown Prosecution Service in Scotland.

    They were also convicted of assaults against two other boys in their care.

    The couple maintained that Liam had received the injuries from another child – one of the boys they falsely accused of Liam’s murder.  He cannot be named for legal reasons.

    A jury found the two women guilty after 10 hours of deliberations.

    Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton, MIT East,  who led the investigation said,

    “This was a complex, challenging and sensitive investigation which involved interviewing two young children to establish the level of abuse and neglect both they and Liam Fee had been subjected to.

    “It was because of their courage that detectives were able to identify Rachel and Nyomi Fee as being responsible for a wide range of serious offences against three children.”

    Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, lead officer for Major Crime and Public Protection, said,

    “Liam’s murder has had a profound effect on everyone involved in the investigation and our thoughts are with his wider family.

    “The death of a child is always traumatic but the murder of a child has a terrible and lasting impact on the family, on the wider community and on the carers and professionals involved.

    “Police Scotland places the highest priority on protecting the most vulnerable, most at risk people in our communities and in investigating criminality when it does take place.