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Tag: UK

  • THEATRE REVIEW | The Service at Café de Paris

    ★★★★★ | The Service, Cafe De Paris

    Café de Paris in Central London is host to The Service – the best burlesque and cabaret show in town.

    The Service is a theatrical and highly immersive show that is unique in that it takes the audience back to the time that Café de Paris was a roaring club back in the 1920s, through to the 40s – it’s one of the world’s most renowned clubs. The Service plays such jaw-dropping performances that capture the history of the club – it’s amazing nine-decade history. The Service is fast-paced, hilarious, outrageous – it’s a fun and sexy night where the ghosts of every era of Café de Paris come alive.

    Told by the very funny and sarcastic Reuben Kaye – the evening’s host and Maitre d’ – who guides us through the evening by a gang of performers who bewitch, bewilder, and excite the audience. it’s an unforgettable experience and an unforgettable night. And hot and sexy Craig Gadd ends the show in a moving and memorable performance of balancing on one hand while war footage is displayed on his chest – it’s a pinch-me moment. Even Josephine Baker makes an appearance. The Service is must-see cabaret in a venue made for cabaret.

    THE CAST

    Prepare to be captivated by the brilliant, award-winning, internationally acclaimed cast. Princess Margaret is played byBettsie Bon Bon– known as ‘the body of burlesque’ and voted Best Burlesque Performer 2016; whilstSammy Dinneen, aka the Valet, is one of the best and most technical hand balancers in the UK. Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson, the star of Britain’s black swing movement in the 1940s, is played by Korri Aulakh, who trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts and the National Circus School of Montreal.

    Anna the Hulagan, who plays The Club Kid, is one of the UK’s leading hula hoop teachers, best known as ‘London’s cult hula hoop artiste’ (The Times). As the winner of the Triple Crown award at the World Burlesque Games, Hulagan delivers performances that are as fun as they are sexy.

    For an unforgettable evening of entertainment, there is nowhere more magical to celebrate than at the world-famous Café de Paris.

    Tickets for Café de Paris’ The Service can be purchased via Design My Night

     

    Café de Paris

    The Service: 18:00 – 22:15 Nightclub: 22:15 – 03:00

    3 Coventry St, London W1D 6B

    The Service launched Friday 23rd March and takes place every Friday thereafter.

    Ticket Information

    General Admission – enjoy the show from Café de Paris mezzanine with waiter and bar

    service – £20 per person

    2-course dining (starter and a main) in the main ballroom – £55 per person

    3-course dining (starter, main and dessert) in the main ballroom – £60 per person

    Gold Package (6 guests minimum) – Reserved seats, canape platters & drinks – £75 per person

    VIP dining – 3-course dining, half a bottle of prosecco per person and best seats: £80 per person

  • Gay couple barred entry to “mixed couples only” bar

    A bar in Leeds is investigating why two gay men were told that they could not enter the venue because they were not a “mixed sex couple”.

    Gay couple barred from venue, leeds
    Jake’s Bar in Leeds where gay couple Jake and Patrick say they were barred entry and told it was because they were not in a mixed-sex couple.

    Patrick Hannon, 30, and Jake Archer, 25 were told that they could not enter “Jake’s Bar” in Leeds on the 24th March. The couple were left “speechless” after being told they could not patronage the bar because they were both men, the BBC reports.

    Public sector worker Jake said that neither he or his partner were drunk when they tried to enter the venue and that there was no queue outside the bar. The couple has been together for 2 and a half years.

    “We were a bit taken aback to say anything,” he said.

    “I was just thinking that if Paddy was my girlfriend then we would have been allowed in. It’s discrimination.”

    After the incident, Jake took to Twitter to complain to the bar, saying, “I have just been turned away from your bar for not being “in a mixed-sex couple” – I was out with my boyfriend. Don’t you think this is discrimination: if I was with a girlfriend this would have been fine as you were only allowing mixed male and female groups in?”

    Manager Paul Lane said it has a “strict equality and diversity policy” and would “never discriminate” against anyone.

    The bar has launched an investigation into their “external door team”.

    He said, “We have many customers who identify with LGBTQIA+ communities who frequent the bar regularly.”

    It is against the law to discriminate against anyone on the basis or the perception of someone’s sexuality. A bar cannot, for instance, bar entry because they are gay or a gay couple.

     

  • A new film season marks Exeter Pride’s 10th Anniversary

    This spring, Exeter Phoenix and Exeter Pride are celebrating love, life and LGBT+ with Cine Queer – a new film season at Studio 74 as part of Exeter Pride’s 10th Anniversary. In a cinematic celebration of diversity and acceptance, this special film season will feature new releases, cult classics, documentary, panel discussions and more.

    Cine Queer season opens on Friday 20th April with French film 120 BPM, an exhilarating drama following the actions of Parisian AIDS activists in the early 1990s. This screening will be accompanied by a special introduction about those living with or affected by HIV. The season runs until Tuesday 15th May, where it will conclude with the visually spectacular film The Wound.

    Cine Queer will also feature screenings of groundbreaking new release Love, Simon, the first studio-made teen rom-com featuring a gay protagonist. A special event for drag performance documentary Kings, Queens and In-Betweens will be followed by a panel discussion on gender ambiguity with guests, The Ambiguous-A and Alyssa Van Delle, from the South West’s own drag scene. Screenings of cult-classic But I’m A Cheerleader and the eye-opening Signature Move complete the season.

    Speaking this week, the season’s programmer Alix Taylor said ‘Exeter Phoenix is proud to be marking Exeter Pride’s 10th Anniversary with this brand new film season, which firmly place LGBT+ cinema in Studio 74 and opens our programme up to a wider, more diverse audience.’

    Exeter Pride, one of the South West’s biggest celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) communities, will take place at venues across Exeter on Saturday 12th May. The day promises to be an explosion of colour, positivity and pride.

    Cinema tickets for Studio are £7 or book 3 films for £18. Under 25s can enjoy £5 tickets to all films at Studio 74. Tickets are available here: http://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/category/cine-queer/ or by calling the box office on 01392 667080.

     

    Listings Info

    120 BPM: Fri 20 Apr, 7pm

    Signature Move: Tue 24 Apr, 7pm

    Kings, Queens & In-Betweens: Tue 1 May, 7.30pm

    Love, Simon: Tue 8 May, 7.30pm

    But I’m A Cheerleader: Sun 13 May, 4pm

    The Wound: Tue 15 May, 7.30pm

  • Mother argues boys need protection against “male genital mutilation”

    ‘He has been mutilated and suffered permanent damage.’

    Mother argues boys need protection against "male genital mutilation"
    Mother argues boys need protection against “male genital mutilation”

    A mother is suing a doctor after her baby son was circumcised, allegedly without her permission. The 26-year-old mother is planning to sue the doctor after her son, was left in pain, bleeding and unable to wear a nappy.

    The boy was reportedly taken to the doctor, by his paternal grandmother.

    The baby’s parents are separated and the father is not named on the boy’s birth certificate, but was allowed visitations to his son. In 2013 the Nottinghamshire mother left her baby with its father during the Eid festival, and allegedly his mother took the boy to be circumcised, according to The Sunday Times.

    Male genital mutilation “an unnecessary assault”

    If the boy’s mother is successful, campaigners say that it could open the floodgates to other victims of “male genital mutilation”, who claim that the circumcision procedure was done without their permission as children, before they could decide whether they wanted the operation or not.

    The mother claims that her son, neither can be named for legal reasons, was left in pain saying that her son was “mutilated and suffered permanent damage.”

    The mother made a complaint to the police and also to the General Medical Council in 2013, when the operation took place, however, the police found there was “insufficient evidence” for a successful prosecution. The mother’s lawyer, Saimo Chahal QC, is seeking to “Crown Prosecution Service’s decision last November not to prosecute”.

    Chahal QC said, ‘This mother clearly did not consent to her son undergoing the circumcision procedure, which could constitute a criminal offence.

    ‘While some people with religious beliefs see circumcision as normal, there are others who see it as an unnecessary assault which can be physically and psychologically harmful.’

    It is currently illegal to perform female genital mutilation. There are no such laws in place for males.

  • Over 700 LGBT+ domestic violence incidents logged in Manchester last year

    “These figures are a positive step in supporting victims and ensuring they are signposted to the right services that are then able to provide appropriate care.”

    Over 700 domestic violence incidents recorded in manchester

    In the first year where Manchester’s police force recorded domestic violence incidents between same-sex and LGBT+ couples, 775 incidents were recorded.

    Last year the force created the D66 code, specifically to record incidents of domestic violence between LGBT+ couples.

    It is hoped that recording these incidents will identify trends and patterns which will help implement appropriate practices to support survivors of domestic abuse.

    “Positive Step”

    Detective Superintendent Denise Worth from Greater Manchester Police said, “These figures are a positive step in supporting victims and ensuring they are signposted to the right services that are then able to provide appropriate care.

    “The D66 coding is a simple process which enables us to identify the community affected and provide local authorities with latest figures which allows them to commission relevant services to support victims.

    “Our findings and processes have also been shared nationally and we hope this will assist other forces in adopting their own practices to help those victims.”

    The Force is also continuing its partnership with the national LGBT domestic abuse helpline at Galop to better understand the issues surrounding domestic abuse in the LGBT community and encourage victims and friends and family of victims to report the issue and have the confidence to come forward.

    Peter Kelley Head of Domestic Abuse Service at Galop said, “Every day staff at our National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline are contacted by LGBT+ people looking for help and support with domestic abuse and violence. It’s really important that victims and survivors get the help they need without facing additional barriers because of their sexuality and gender identity. Galop fully supports the continued efforts of Greater Manchester Police to increase the number of LGBT+ people reporting domestic abuse through the D66 initiative and we hope that its success over the last year will encourage other police forces across the UK to adopt similar initiatives.”

    Joanne Simpson, manager at Independent Choices said, “The implementation of the D66 code has revolutionised accessible and appropriate support for LGBT domestic abuse survivors. Independent Choices are proud to offer a domestic abuse support service that is Greater Manchester-wide in partnership with the LGBT Foundation. GMP using this code has meant that the service has run to capacity from the offset and that barriers have been broken down enabling LGBT Victim/survivors to receive appropriate, timely and accessible support.”

    Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Bev Hughes said: “Greater Manchester has led the way as the first area to record domestic abuse within LGBT communities and now, one year on, we can show the positive impact of this work. This reporting code is giving us a clearer picture of abuse, helping to break down barriers and encourage people to report it.

    “Vitally, this also means that we can ensure the right services are in place to support victims of domestic abuse while continuing to work with LGBT people to raise awareness of domestic abuse and empower more people to take that first step to seek help and support.”

  • Three years after its closure, The Black Cap still stands empty, unused

    It’s “an insult to the people of Camden and the LGBTQ+ community”

    What happened to the Black Cap
    Three years after its closure, The Black Cap still stands empty, unused

    Three years after one of the UK’s longest standing gay pubs, The Black Cap stands empty, still boarded up and unused. For over 60 years members of the LGBT+ community called the beautiful and historic building in Candem their safe space, that was until it was closed, almost without notice three years ago. The building lies empty and is covered with graffiti.

    Now campaigners are demanding change.

    Alex Green, #WeAreTheBlackCap spokesperson said, “We stand firm, despite the continued frustration of trying to work with the owners to get the legendary and important LGBTQ+ performance venue and stop the Black Cap becoming yet another sterile, overpriced food outlet and unaffordable flats. The continued closure of this flagship LGBTQ+ venue is very bad for the Borough of Camden’s reputation as a leader in terms of diversity, arts and culture.”

    Campaigners are planning a 3rd anniversary protest outside the landmark venue on the 14th April from 2 PM.

    #WeAreTheBlackCap CAMPAIGN 3rd ANNIVERSARY PROTEST 14th April 2018, 2-4pm. Outside The Black Cap, 171 Camden High Street, CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON.

    14th April scheduling is:

    1.30: Welcome and thanks/messages of support
    2pm: Media interviews (at the right side nr Boots for this)
    2pm; Black Cap Campaign ‘singers’ – Outside and other campaign classics
    2.30 Speakers – Will update on campaign and call to action for next steps
    3pm Followed by more singing out

    The campaign’s focus now is to finally restore the Black Cap to its place at the heart of Camden’s diverse and exciting cultural economy.

     

    1. Bring the actual pub mortgage lenders to the negotiating table, while also renewing our engagement with Camden Council and City Hall
    2. Building a consortium of community and business partners who will push to take over the pub for the Camden and the LGBTQ+ community.
    3. Continue to protest and campaign until the pub is reopened as a LGBTQ+ performance venue:
    • This Saturday 14th April, 2-4pm, as we still can’t perform inside, singers and supporters will perform songs and tributes to celebrate the past and future of the legendary Black Cap which has been a cultural home to LGBTQ+ community and its allies for 60 years.
    • Regular Saturday protest vigils will continue with the new campaign theme, ‘I am the Black Cap’ – to highlight the many reasons why people all over London and the world love the Black Cap and want it back
    • 2nd May we are staging a fabulous night of LGBTQ+ cabaret at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to show what a night at a resurrected Black Cap could be like (details: http://www.vauxhalltavern.com/events/event/not-another-night-at-the-cap/?oid=1930).

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Ember Yard, Soho London

    ★★★★☆ | Ember Yard

    A feast is waiting for you at Ember Yard.

    Conveniently located on the Soho side of Oxford Street, Ember Yard is a welcoming restaurant that feels just as warm and cosy just like your grandfather’s log cabin. And on Sundays they roll out their Sunday Feast meal – and boy is it a feast! For a mere £35 per person, it’s a meal of four courses with free-flowing drinks, and did I mention it’s a yummy feast?

    The first course – Antipasti – is just superb. The Jamon Serrano was just tasty, and there was a lot of it! The Gorgonzola Dulce was superb enough to wow my dining companion. The Grilled Flat Bread, topped with thyme and smothered with smoked butter, was bread to kill! Lest I forget the Jasper Baked Mushrooms topped with a quail egg, and a smattering of walnuts, crackers, and honey to top it off – bravo!!!

    Then came Primi – which was another round of excellent yet different combinations of foods that you’d never make at home. One dish consisted of Salt Cod, peppers topped with potato crisps, and the other dish was tasty Pecorino Soft Polenta, expertly grilled stem broccoli, and pecorino cream and smoked almonds. It was more than plenty for two people. And our waiter Fabio recommended a pairing with what is perhaps the lightest white wine I have ever drunk – Alasia Piemonte Cortese – as mentioned it was very light and crispy – it was superb wine – enough so that I plan to seek it out again, and I am not a wine drinker.

    The Secondi was certainly the best for last. Smoked and Grilled Lamb Rump, that was perfectly cooked, was just superb. And the dish came with Pancetta Braised Lentils that were just as superb as the lamb, and a carrot puree on the same wooden plate gave the dish an amazing colour and look. The other half of Secondi was Smoked Haddock Risotto, soft eggs with spinach and Gremolata, served as one in a bowl. Just so much food, paired with Spanish Borsao red wine which complemented both the meat and the seafood. But we were not done yet – there’s always room for Dolce. We were given Pistachio cake topped with ice cream and blood orange sauce with unique slices of grapefruit that was a very good combination. The other choice was Lemon and Limoncello Posset, Poached Rhubarb and yoghurt sorbet cleverly served in a glass.

    We were offered, and couldn’t say no, to two espresso martinis – and they were some of the best I’ve ever had. Served nice and chilled, with espresso grounds sprinkled on top, it was a delicious, and perfect way to end the evening.

    Ember Yard’s Sunday Feasts change weekly, so what I had may not necessarily be what you are served. But you can guarantee that you’ll get excellent food with both a Spanish and Italian twist, using their method of cooking over charcoal and wood. Ember Yard is a lovely two-story restaurant and bar, with an open plan kitchen and a cosy bar on the lower ground floor. It’s a cool place for dinner, drinks, tapas or whatever you fancy, all in all, it’s a great place to be.

    60 Berwick Street
    London
    W1F 8SU

    OPENING TIMES:
    MONDAY – FRIDAY: 12PM – 11PM

    Saturday: 12pm – 12pm

    Sunday and Bank Holidays: 12pm – 10pm

    CONTACT:

    +44 (0) 207 439 8057

    info@emberyard.co.uk

    http://www.saltyardgroup.co.uk/ember-yard/

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Devil With the Blue Dress, The Bunker

    ★★★★☆ | Devil With the Blue Dress, The Bunker

    THEATRE REVIEW | Devil With the Blue Dress, The Bunker
    Devil With the Blue Dress, The Bunker

    If you’re old enough to remember 1998 then you’ll recall a lot of fuss about a certain chalky stain down the front of Monica Lewinsky’s dress and a gag-worthy tale of a cigar being inserted into somewhere distinctly non-oral. Old news? Well, yes and no. Whilst Monica might not have dry-cleaned that dress, Hilary Rodman Clinton certainly cleaned up in the popularity polls and a chain of events began that came to an abrupt halt during the recent election. Sometimes being the wronged wife has its fringe benefits and the other woman isn’t always the villain of the piece.

    Kevin Armento’s witty take on the tale is a meta-theatrical absurdity. The characters know they’re in a play and the story is told by five women who featured in the story of Bill definitely ‘having sexual relations with that woman’. Hilary and Chelsea and the Bill’s secretary/go-between meet on stage with Monica and her confidante/betrayer Linda. Bill doesn’t appear but is voiced by the women around him as well as a plaintive saxophone. Whilst it’s a clever piece, it occasional lacks dramatic climax (unlike Mr Clinton) and feels more like reportage but it’s fun and thought-provoking nonetheless.

     

    Booking now

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Fat Friends The Musical – Birmingham

    ★★★☆☆ | Fat Friends The Musical, Birmingham

    *Review taken from the Sheffield production*

    As her wedding day approaches, Kelly buys her dream wedding dress, even though it is two sizes too small for her.

    When Julia Fleshman, the head of a national slimming club chain, comes to town to judge a slimming contest live on TV, Kelly ends up going viral with her body confident comments; and seizing the opportunity for some publicity, Fleshman offers to pay for Kelly’s wedding if she can slim into the dress in time for the big day. But with the wedding only six weeks away, the pressure is on…

    Fat Friends is very much a piece of crowd-pleasing theatre. Pulling together multiple stories of the good folk of Headingly, a town near Leeds, the stage is filled with likeable, if slightly caricatured, characters and is a straightforward evening of undemanding fun.

    The show boasts a good cast, with Jodie Prenger taking the lead as Kelly, and doing so with a cocky northern confidence and a belting singing voice. Sam Bailey (The X-Factor) is great as Kelly’s Mum and Natasha Hamilton (from Atomic Kitten) is the scheming Julia Fleshman. Thrown into the mix is an affable turn from Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) and ex-cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, who takes to the stage and fares better than expected with a slightly stilted, if not tongue in cheek, portrayal of Kevin, Kelly’s nice but dim fiancé.

    The songs are amiable enough and used to move the story forward, and whilst they were perfectly pleasant to listen to and shoehorned a few laughs into the lyrics, they served their purpose well enough in terms of keeping up the show upbeat and jolly, but were ultimately fairly forgettable. The live orchestra added to the atmosphere within the theatre and the set design was a colourful cartoonish affair which was well lit and effective in its simplicity.

    Written and directed by Kay Mellor, who wrote the original TV series that the show is based on; Fat Friends is a rather loud, boisterous and upbeat show, which really resonates with its target audience. It’s a rather clichéd musical by numbers, with a heavy-handed script, fairly trite lyrics and a rather unsubtle approach to its humour, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for with likeable characters, a few good belly laughs and buckets-full of near the knuckle, northern charm.

    Fat Friends is at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until the 7th April 2018, book tickets click here

  • COMPETITION | Win Tickets To See Young Frankenstein in London

    WIN TICKETS TO MEL BROOKS HILARIOUS MONSTER MUSICAL – STILL THE FUNNIEST SHOW IN LONDON

    Legendary filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks brings his classic monster musical comedy Young Frankenstein to life on stage in an all-singing, all-dancing musical collaboration with Tony-award winning Broadway director and choreographer Susan Stroman. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced ‘Fronk-en-steen’) inherits a castle in Transylvania leading him to fulfil his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life. With help and hindrance from hunchback henchman Igor, buxom assistant Inga and needy fiancee Elizabeth, his experiment yields madcap success and monstrous consequences.

    STARRING Hadley Fraser, Lesley Joseph, Cory English, Dianne Pilkington, Summer Strallen

    Competition terms and conditions apply. All prizes are subject to availability for any Monday to Thursday show until 30 May. The winner will be contacted with details on how to claim their prize. Certain black out dates apply.

    BOOK ONLINE NOW (TICKETMASTER) | BOOK ONLINE (LONDON THEATRE DIRECT)

    BOOKING NUMBER 0330 333 4811

    Booking Until
: Saturday 29 September 2018
    Tickets From
: £20
    Show Times: 
Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm
 Wednesday & Saturday, 2.30pm
    Running Time 
Approximately: 2hrs 20mins including one interval
    Theatre
: Garrick Theatre
    Age Recommendation: 
Parental Guidance

    Competition Terms

    All entrants must be over the age of 18.

    Entry to the competition is free.

    The competition closing date is: 1st May 2018.

    All prizes are subject to availability for any Monday to Thursday until 30 May.

    Except where it is expressly stated that the winner will be the first correct entry or entries drawn at random from the total entries submitted.

    THEGAYUK.com reserves the right to change the rules or void the competition at any time.

    Winner(s) of prizes will be announced on the THEGAYUK.com website and/or notified within seven days after the winner(s) have been ascertained. Names of winners and results competitions will be available on request, enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope.

    If a prize winner cannot take part or does not claim their prize within seven days the prize will be awarded to another randomly drawn entrant.

    Entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions.

    This prize is for two tickets only, winners are responsible for their own travel, food and accommodation while in London.

    There is no cash alternative in any circumstances whatsoever to the prizes offered. Prizes are not transferable unless otherwise stated. If for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable TheGayUK.com reserves the right at its absolute discretion to substitute a similar prize of equivalent or greater value. Only one prize will be awarded per household.

    Tickets to be picked up in person at the box office.

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  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | The Lost And Found, Birmingham

    ★★★★☆ | The Lost And Found, Birmingham

    The Lost & Found recently refurbed the whole of bar and restaurant area, and when I entered, there was a lot to catch the eye.

    When I arrived, Jack offered us a friendly reception and took me round to see the new Bookcase bar. He also explained how it is for private hire. The upstairs terrace bar was a stunning new addition where folks could a have drink without needing to book. This is named The Gallery which is adorned with leaves etched into the ceiling.

    Jack showed us to our table and I had a great view of the whole bar. The bar has changed its position towards the back creating more room for diners and drinkers to take a more centre-stage. I also noticed more room between tables, so there is more of intimate feel with each party. The cosy, Victorian feeling never left.

    I cannot help but get excited when I think of the cocktails we had. My first drink was TO BETTY’S FOR TEA containing Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin – Tea Edition, Briottet Crème de Bergamote, Teapot bitters, Egg white, Lemon juice & sugar syrup, Milk & cream (£8.95). Served with a chocolate digestive, said the menu, but I think they ran out of chocolate ones today, but it’s just as well I like plain digestives too. This was a feast for the eyes as well as for the palate – it was like drinking cheesecake. Dunking my digestive was definitely a good shout, thanks Jack! My lady friend, Danni put my manlihood to shame with her OLD FASHIONED cocktail, persisting of Bourbon/Rye whiskey/Rum of your choice, Angostura bitters, Orange peel, Maple syrup (£8.95). She said the advice for sweet whiskey was a good one. She must have liked it, she ordered it twice!

    For starters, I had the SMOKED SALMON gin & tonic pickled cucumber, lemon cream cheese and malted brown bloomer (£8.50), and Danni had the LIGHTLY DUSTED SQUID Asian slaw, sriracha mayonnaise and charred lemon (£7.50). My salmon was a work of art – colourful, symmetrical, and so much fun. Though petite in size, it sure satisfied the first bouts of hunger; while my friend’s starter was a mixed bag. The portion was very generous, and I had to help her finish – this is not a bad thing! However, as much as the salad was scrumptious, the squid was very tough and rubbery resembling mini boxing gloves. It was hard to cut and chew; don’t know if it was an old animal or overcooked? A small shame as the rest of the dish was dreamy.

    We both opted for steak mains. I had 8oz FILLET served with confit tomato and your choice of peppercorn sauce, Béarnaise sauce or garlic butter (£24.00). I went with peppercorn sauce as I always do, and a side of Fried potatoes, garlic mayonnaise & rosemary (£3.50) while Danni had the 8oz SIRLOIN STEAK served with confit tomato with garlic butter (£18.00) and a of Blistered green beans, chilli, garlic & sesame seeds (£3.50). Both steaks delivered in flavour and presentation, and it had us feeling very full by the end. The fried potatoes were very moreish too. But, there is always room for pudding, is there not? Jack described some dessert options and warned they are not what you would expect. True he was. EARL GREY PANNA COTTA with blackberries and mini shortbread biscuits (£7.00) was a delicious, neat pudding. Small portion but it was accompanied by a very tasty and citrusy cocktail called Haymans Old Tom Gin for an extra £3. However, the star of the show was Danni’s MILLIONAIRE’S SHORTBREAD with dark chocolate, sticky whisky caramel, honeycomb and a rich chocolate ice cream shortcake (£8.00), it was a field day for the senses. I use the field pun unashamedly since the dessert resembled a wild brook. It was beautiful to look at and very tasty too.

    Meanwhile. my second cocktail was a palate-boggler, still not sure what to make of it; it was called SANTIAGO SWIZZLER, containing QuiQuiRiQui Matatlan Mezcal Espadin, Velvet Falernum, Briottet Crème de Mûre, Damson plum jam, Plum bitters and Lime juice (£8.50). I didn’t recognise many of the ingredients, but I took a gamble. Danni didn’t like the taste of it, and I asked Jack about it who said it is a very popular drink during Christmas time, but almost extinct from the menu. I don’t think I would have it again, yet intrigued by its eclectic bursts of flavours and colours.

    What I always love about The Lost & Found is the atmosphere- the music was on point with the swing-style beats. The service is always on point and overall the food was delicious, fun and unexpected, with minor errors in cooking with one dish.