THEGAYUK

Tag: UK

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Las Iguanas Restaurant, Royal Festival Hall

    ★★★★ | Las Iguanas (Royal Festival Hall)

    It’s a new year, so it’s time to try new things. And I highly recommend Las Iguanas restaurant – they’ve got a new menu, and it sits perfectly alongside their other yummy dishes and drinks.

    With branches practically all over London, including Spitalfields, the Brunswick Centre, Stratford, the O2 and many more, the most centrally located is located on the busy walking path between Charing Cross Bridge and Waterloo Train Station. Right next to the Royal Festival Hall – it’s a pathway where people are in a rush to catch their trains home, so they’re focusing on either the north or south of the river train station. Well, I highly recommend a stop at Las Iguanas because there is so much on offer you’ll have a hard time deciding what to eat, so will need to go back just to satisfy your curiosity.

    Their new menu has an excellent selection of new dishes that must be tried. First and foremost may I recommend the Seco de Cordero (Dry Lamb) – but it is not dry at all! It’s a lamb shank (a huge portion), slow cooked in a golden ale, red wine and Amarillo chilli sauce, served with amazing roasted sweet potato mash & crispy chilli and onions, and at only £18.95 it’s worth every pound! From their Mexican menu, try their Vegetarian Burritos. It’s sweet potato, butternut squash & chickpea chilli all nicely rolled up in a wheat tortilla and also stuffed with rice, refried beans and comes with crunchy slaw & cheese with salad, sour cream, guacamole & roasted tomato salsa on the side, and that’s a whole lot of food for only £10.50. How about going for something entirely different and try a Cuban Sandwich. If you’ve never had one before, I highly recommend one. It’s Roasted pork belly, Emmental cheese & ham with sweet mustard & green pickle relish layered in a buttery toasted bun, with slaw & choice of fries or salad (£10.50). Also very very different is the Cauliflower & Corn Quinotto. What’s a Quinotto? It’s Peruvian-style quinoa risotto that comes with smoked cheese, roasted cauliflower & charred baby corn, topped with puffed quinoa & crispy chilli (£9.95). Besides these amazing (and new) dishes, Las Iguanas still also serves your favourites from Brazil. Dishes like Bahian Coconut Chicken being one of them, Cuba (Havana Club & Jerk BBQ Pork Ribs – yummy!), Argentina (Gaucho Steak will do nicely thank you), and Mexican (Enchiladas, Chilli Con Carne, Fajitas, etc.).

    I mean there’s just so so so much on the menu I could go on and on…like, for instance, their amazing Taco Planks where you can mix and match what type of filling you want. Tortilla chips & dip while you are waiting to order; as well as of course Nachos, Calamari, Mussels, salads – there are just too too many to mention. And speaking of a mention, you also need, need, to try their Piña Colada Mess for dessert. It’s Piña Colada ice cream with caramelised pineapple salsa, crispy pineapple pieces & toasted coconut chips (£5.50).

    Now, why else would you go to a Latin Amercian restaurant if you weren’t going to sample their drinks, and Las Iguanas has it all. From their refreshing Strawberry Daquiris to their amazing Mezcal Watermelon Smash, and of course, you really need to have one of their Mojitos if you are feeling Cuban, or if you are feeling a bit Mexican than of, course have a Margarita. I urge you, urge you, to have a look at the drinks menu as you will not be able to narrow your choices down to five – there’s just so much to choose from.

    Las Iguanas lives for, and brings, food alive. They also bring and deliver, an entire Latin American experience with energy and enthusiasm. Everything on the menu is mouth-watering, and you’ll have a good time, I guarantee it when you visit one of their many restaurants. You will discover more tastes, experience new things, and will want to return again and again, like I did, to try different dishes and drinks. It’s a fun experience I want to repeat muchos veces (many times!)

    To find your nearest Las Iguanas, and for opening times visit: https://www.iguanas.co.uk

  • Homophobic abuse on the UK’s train system continues with another incident

    Police are appealing for information after a passenger was homophobically abused by a fellow passenger.

    A passenger on a train travelling between London and Birmingham on the 23rd December was homophobically abused while waiting to use the onboard toilet, British Transport Police say.

    The passenger who is 23, was waiting to use the toilet when a fellow passenger allegedly started to make homophobic comments.

    Onboard CCTV shows the man later putting another passenger, a teenage boy in a headlock.

    The individual that police would like to speak to alighted the train in Wolverhampton. If you know the man picture BTP would like to hear from you.

    They told us, “Hate crime of any description will not be tolerated on the rail network”.

    Do you recognise the man in this image? Officers would like to speak to him as they believe he may have information which could help the investigation.

    String of homophobic incidents

    This incident is just the latest in a string of homophobic attacks that have taken place on the UK’s train system. In early December a man allegedly abused two women, and two teenagers were arrested following an attack where a young man was forced into a headlock and told to apologise for being gay.

    In November, another man was “punched repeatedly” outside Charing Cross station, just a few hundred meters from one of London’s highest-profile gay clubs, heaven.

    In September a woman hurled homophobic abuse at two men on a train between Havant and Pulborough, with one of the victims suffering an injury after the women threw a glass jar at them.

    In September, three teenagers pleaded guilty to attacking two boyfriends on a train in Ealing. They were jailed for their attack.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016, with reference 495 of 23 December.

  • Actually, it seems Tim Farron does think gay sex is a sin

    Tim Farron misled the British people on his views on homosexuality – can he ever be trusted again?

    Former Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, who was asked repeatedly during the General Election 2017 whether he thought gay sex was a sin or not has revealed that he actually regrets some of the things he said during the GE2017.

    Farron stepped down as the party’s leader shortly after the results of the General Election were announced.

    Today during an interview with Premier Christian Radio the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale said that he had felt under pressure to mislead the public on his true thoughts about the subject and that he had regrets for some of the things he said during the many times he was questioned about his beliefs.

    He told them,

    “The bottom line is, of course, I did [feel pressured] and there are things – including that – that I said that I regret.

    “There was a General Election and all they wanted to do was talk about my Christian beliefs. I foolishly and wrongly attempted to push it away by giving an answer that frankly was not right.

    He added, “I found myself in a situation, partly because of events beyond my control and partly because of things that were my fault, where I either had to be compromising my faith and say things that were not true – or be true to my faith, and be in a situation where I sucked all of the attention away from our main message.”

    Dodging gay questions

    During the election, the Prime Minister hopeful repeatedly dodged questions about his beliefs. He finally, during an interview on the BBC, said specifically that he didn’t think that gay sex was a sin. The week before he told the House Of Commons that he didn’t think that being gay was a sin.

    During his time as an MP, according to TheyWorkForYou.com Farron has for voted for gay equality six times, once against and was absent for three votes.

    ‘Christians have a clear idea of what sin is’

    Continuing with Premier Christian Radio, Farron said,

    “It’s tricky really. In the end, if you’re a Christian you’ve got a very clear idea of what you think a sin is. It is us falling short of the glory of God. That is something that all of us share.

    “To be asked that question is to persecute one group of human beings, because sin is something we are all guilty of.

    “If you’re not a Christian, what does sin mean? It’s to be accused of something, it’s condemnatory. We’re talking different languages.

    “Maybe I could have explained that, and the Biblical teaching on sex and sexuality. But let’s be brutally honest, with the exception of programmes like this you don’t get more than 20 seconds to get your message across.”

    Watch the full video here above.

     

     

  • Two men wanted after a “vicious” homophobic assault outside London nightclub

    Detectives in London are on the hunt after a victim was left with a fractured cheekbone in an attack described as vicious by two men.

    Police are calling on witnesses after a man, who was attending a themed night in a Tower Hamlets’ nightclub, was allegedly attacked by two men. The victim, Gordon Maxwell says he believes he was targetted because of his sexuality and is now afraid to leave his home.

    At the time the victim was wearing a white dress, ‘Doctor Martin’ boots and a brown jacket. He is around 6ft tall, of a slim build, with a goatee beard.

    Homophobia

    A man (Suspect One) was standing at some nearby barriers outside the club and made a homophobic comment towards Mr Maxwell.

    He is described as a white man, of medium build. He was wearing a blue coat with the hood up and a white peak coming out of the hood.

    The second attacker is described as aged between 19 and 28 years old, of an Asian or black appearance. He was wearing a blue puffa-style jacket with the hood up and a silver/white emblem on the left upper arm, dark tracksuit trousers with white lettering on the left leg and dark trainers with thick white soles.

    Following the attack, Mr Maxwell went back to the club and sought medical assistance from door staff.

    He later attended hospital where it was confirmed that he had a fractured cheekbone that would require reconstructive surgery.

    Shattered Confidence

    Mr Maxwell, from Greenwich, said, “I fully believe I was targeted that evening because of my sexuality.

    “I did not see the man that punched me; he ran at me from out of the blue, hit me and ran off.

    “This incident has had a massive affect on all aspects of my life. I am afraid to leave the house and to be at home alone. It has totally shattered my confidence.

    “I cannot feel the right side of my face including my right side of my nose. The surgeons say I may have permanent nerve damage. My mouth and right eye does not open fully and I have lost my sense of smell through one nostril.

    “I would like to urge anyone who saw the attack or thinks they know the people involved to come forward as I fully believe they may strike again – they must be stopped and brought to justice.”

    Caught on CCTV

    Detectives from Tower Hamlet have today released CCTV footage of the incident and a still image of the man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

    Detective Constable Alice Tiritas, from Tower Hamlets CID, said, “This was a vicious attack that took place very quickly outside a nightclub and has had very severe effects on the victim, both physically and mentally.

    “We take hate crime like this extremely seriously, and will do out utmost to bring perpetrators of this type of unacceptable attack, to justice. If there is anyone out there who saw these two men or heard them abused Gordon, please contact us as a matter of urgency.”

    Anyone with any information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020 7275 4601 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

     

  • Anti-gay equality MP, who voted 28 times against LGBT+ laws, Knighted

    An MP who has voted against LGBT+ rights a staggering 28 times gets a Knighthood.

    (C) Parliament.UK

    A Conservative MP who has stood in Parliament twice and voted against laws which equalised the rights of gay people in the UK has been Knighted by the Queen in the New Year’s honours.

    Sir Christopher Chope, the MP for Christchurch in Dorset first entered parliament in 1983. He was then defeated in the 1992 General Election but won his seat back in 1997. He has voted against equal gay rights since 1999, and in 2004 he voted against Civil Partnerships and again in 2014 he voted against same-sex marriage.

    He has also voted against and was absent for all laws which promote equality and human rights.

    He served in both Margaret Thatcher’s and John Major’s governments.

    Chope was honoured for his political and public services.

    He was made an OBE in 1982.

     

  • ‘Homophobic’ man wanted by cops after a couple threatened on train

    A couple of women were threatened and physically assaulted according to cops, who launched an investigation to find a man they wish to speak to in connection with a homophobic and racist incident.

    British Transport Police are on the hunt for a man they’d like to talk to in connection with what police are describing as a “sustained” and “frightening ordeal” on two women who boarded a train from London’s Kings Cross to Peterborough.

    On the 9th December, two women boarded a train at 8.22 PM from Kings Cross in London heading towards Peterborough. According to a police report, a man started loudly saying racist and homophobic comments. The women interjected, and the man responded by assaulting one of them by pushing her on the shoulder and inappropriately touching the other.

    He then threatened them both.

    The man, who was wearing a bright blue top and described as bald and heavy set, alighted the train at Huntingdon.

    Investigating officer PC, Christopher Marshall said, “This was a sustained and frightening ordeal for the two women, who did nothing to incite such violence.

    “We will not stand for hate crime of any kind, and so if you have any information in relation to this offence, please contact us as soon as you can.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 with reference 590 of 9 December.

    There have been a number of attacks on the UK’s transport network in the latter quarter of 2017.

    homophobic attacks on London underground

    Earlier in December, two teenagers were arrested following an attack where a young man was forced into a headlock and told to apologise for being gay.

    In November, another man was “punched repeatedly” outside Charing Cross station, just a few hundred meters from one of London’s highest-profile gay clubs, heaven.

    In September a woman hurled homophobic abuse at two men on a train between Havant and Pulborough, with one of the victims suffering an injury after the women threw a glass jar at them.

    In September, three teenagers pleaded guilty to attacking two boyfriends on a train in Ealing. They were jailed for their attack.

  • Man jailed for ‘vicious’ homophobic attack in London

    Man told police, during his interview, the reason for his attack was that his victim was gay.

    A Polish man has been jailed after being found guilty of a vicious attack which left one man with a broken leg. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the north London, Wood Green Crown Court.

    Kamil Wladyslaw Snios, 29 attacked two men in Tottenham in an unprovoked assault which left one of the men with serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

    “Trophy”

    The victim, a 36-year-old man was on his way to nearby shops in Stamford Road with a friend when he was approached by Snios.

    Snios shouted at them in polish and then slapped and kicked the victim hard enough for him to fall onto the floor. Once down, Snios continued to kick the man as he tried to crawl away and slapped his friend beside him whilst in shock. Sinos then took a packet of cigarettes out of the rear pocket of the man’s trousers and held it above him as a trophy to show his friends, who were nearby.

    The attack happened on Stamford Road in North London.

    Reason for attack

    Officers from Haringey arrested Sinos and upon interview he made a number of homophobic remarks, sighting this as a reason he attacked the men.

    Detective Constable Mark Nicholls from Haringey CID, said, “We are pleased to have secured this sentencing for a needless, unprovoked and sustained assault that left the victim seriously injured and frightened.

    “It is evident that the Met will not tolerate homophobic attacks and will work to bring offenders to justice.”

  • Boyfriends killed in hotel fire in Scotland

    Two men were killed when a fire ripped through the Cameron House Hotel.

    Couple Simon Midgley, 38 and Richard Dyson, 32 are reported to have died on Monday when a fire broke out in the Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond.

    Police have yet to announce the names of the victims, however, the BBC is reporting that relatives of the men have taken to social media to paid recognition to the couple.

    More than 200 guests were evacuated from the luxury hotel, when the fire started in the early hours of Monday morning at around 6:40 AM. All reports suggest that only the couple were fatalities of the fire.

    Last message

    Mr Midgley posted a photo of the pair enjoying a Christmas film in their room at the Cameron House Hotel just hours before the fire, on Instagram and wrote, “Home for the weekend.”

    It is believed that the pair lived in London.

    Simon worked as a freelance journalist for the London Evening Standard as well as running his own PR firm while Richard is believed to be a TV producer.

    “Heartbroken”

    Mr Midgley’s sister posted a photo of her brother and captioned it, “I’m beyond heartbroken.”

    A statement on the website of Cameron House Hotel said, “Due to an ongoing incident please be aware that Cameron House will remain closed to arriving guests for at least the next 48 hours.

    “We would ask all guests and customers to remain patient as we work with the emergency services to establish the extent of the damage and ascertain when we will be able to re-open.”

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | La Bohéme – Trafalgar Studios, London

    ★★★★★ | La Bohéme

    La Bohéme, an opera in four acts, had its world premiere in 1896 in Turin, Italy. Since then, it’s been copied and re-interpreted in so many different ways that each version is unique in its own way. Another reincarnation of this very famous opera has just recently opened up at Trafalgar Square Studios, and it’s definitely one Londoners can identify with.

    This version of La Bohéme, written by Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Becca Marriott, had its debut at the King’s Head Theatre last year. And luckily for us, it’s making a return in a central London venue. Set in present-day East London, the show presents to us broke and down and out young men and women who can barely scrape together money for the rent, or in one case, to buy drugs.

    Ralph and Mark (Roger Paterson and Thomas Isherwood) are roommates in a flat on Christmas Eve in Dalston, and when someone knocks on their door, they instinctively hide because they suspect it’s their landlord collecting rent – they even have a window that acts as a backdoor to escape. Then there is Mimi (Marriott), broke and very thin, and always cold, who finds her way into the boys’ flat and meets Ralph – they have an instant connection and take a liking to each other.

    Then there is Musetta (Honey Rouhani), who, with her beautiful looks and luscious lips and curves that go on for miles, is the troublemaker and ingénue who sweeps in and out and leaves her mark. If these characters sound familiar, they also make up some of the cast of the characters of Rent – that classic 1990’s musical rock opera that won a slew of awards, with very memorable songs such as “Seasons of Love” and “Take Me (For What I Am)”. Rent has withstood the test of time as one of the greatest musicals ever made.

    La Bohéme is also very good – it’s an opera for this generation, a generation that seems to live life through their mobile phones 24/7. And this La Bohéme involves a bit of audience participation – Musetta gets cosy with some uncomfortable-looking male members of the audience, while Mimi asks for spare change – it’s surreal and hard-hitting but even more so when those who get asked all shake their heads and say no, with a look of guilt on their faces. Trafalgar Studios is quite a cosy place to put on a show this big, but it works. The cast is all amazing, and by the end, I almost really believed what I saw was real. The cast (some of the actors rotate with other actors on various nights) are accompanied by the Musical Director, Panaretos Kyriatzidis, on piano and Alison Holford on cello. It’s a must see!

    La Bohéme is now playing at Trafalgar Studios until January 6, 2018

  • Man told he and his husband “not welcome” in homophobic attack in London

    A man and his husband were told they were “not welcome” as they walked together just weeks before another gay man was violently attacked in Walthamstow, east London.

    Police say a man and his husband were homophobically attacked and told they were “not welcome”, just weeks before another violent attack on a gay man in the Walthamstow area of London.

    The second attack in early November left a 31-year-old victim with a black eye, cuts and bruises.

    In the first incident, the married couple were approached by a man who asked them if he could take a picture of them, and then asked if they were gay. When the couple started to walk away, the suspect then grabbed hold of the victim and said “you are not welcome” and grappled with him.

    The first incident happened on Walthamstow High Street.

    The victim was then pulled away by his husband before they walked away and called the police. The victim was not injured in this incident.

    Second attack

    The second incident took place, on Hoe Street very close to the High Street

    In the second incident on Saturday, 4 November, the victim, a 31-year-old man, was walking along Hoe Street, E17 with two friends.

    They were approached by three men who were unknown to them. One of them punched the victim in the face and shouted homophobic abuse at him. The punch caused the victim to fall to the floor, and the attacker made off.

    The victim suffered a black eye and cuts and bruises – he did not require hospital treatment

    The victims, who were both left extremely shaken after the incidents, provided detailed descriptions of the attacker from which the two e-fits were produced.

    A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said, “Based on these descriptions and the locations where the assaults happened, officers have not ruled out the possibility that the attacks may well have been carried out by the same man.

    “Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call Waltham Forest police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC.

    “To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org”.

     

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Victory Mansion, Stoke Newington, London

    ★★★★★ | Victory Mansion

    Dalston is a hive of Kabob shops, loud bars and clubs, and lots and lots of Turkish supermarkets. But a bit further north in Stoke Newington is a place that stands out on Stoke Newington High Street just down the road from the local Wetherspoons – it’s Victory Mansion.

    Victory Mansion is both a restaurant and a bar and is doing things a bit different, delicious and decadent, than most, if not all, of the places on this side of town.

    Victory Mansion, named after a mansion block that used to be on this site, is a restaurant/bar that intertwines its food and drinks with literature to create an amazing and memorable experience.

    Victory Mansion, first off, has an absolutely amazing cocktail menu that’s practically scientific in its design. There’s an amazing array of drinks, drinks that are named after characters in famous books. There’s the Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye), a drink includes Aylesbury duck vodka, lillet rose, raspberry, apple and soda and the Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) which has Wild turkey bourbon, plum sake, lychee, lime, chilli & peach bitters and ginger, among many others. We had a few of the others – one was the Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) which was a superbly delicious blend of Calle 23 tequila, banana and chocolate wine – it needs to be tasted to be believed! If you like it sweet, and who doesn’t, then please try the Henry Chinaski (the literary alter ego of Charles Bukowski) which was blended with Plantation pineapple rum, cognac, limoncello and pineapple sugar – it’s so sweet and so good. Victory Mansion’s cocktail menu is like a book, and I recommend you read it from cover and cover and sample as many as you can. It’s is an absolute standout menu.

    But it’s not just the drinks where Victory Mansion is king, it’s their new Ta-Ko menu, introduced a month ago, that’s also a standout.

    There are so so many choices of tacos (or as they would like to call them Ta-Ko) that you’ll be spoiled for choice. I highly recommend their Crispy Cauliflower, black bean & tamarind ragu with avocado and pepper mayo. It’s crunchy and is absolutely delicious. The charred sprouting broccoli & spring onion is also a standout – it sits in a nice dollop of salted duck egg relish for a creamy delight. Both the Nahm jim chicken and the Palm Sugar glazed beef short rib are deliciously filled – the chicken with pickles, crispy onions and mayo – and the short rib with pickled watermelon and blackberry sriracha, which were a burst of flavours in the mouth. All their Asian-inspired tacos are so good they really need to be tried. And while they are not Mexican-style (i.e. large) tacos, if you order several of them they will quickly fill you up. Each flavour comes with two tacos – so perfect for sharing for two so that you both are able to try each one. Other tacos that we didn’t get to try, but no doubt probably just as delicious as the ones we had include tacos with Blackened river trout, torched seabream, red pepper pork neck as well as one with fermented yellow bean leas, halloumi, sweet potato and mustard relish – it’s one I would definitely go back for. As a matter of fact, I would go back to Victory Mansion for pretty much the entire experience again. My dining companion and I enjoyed everything so so much, we want to go back again, and next time bring more friends. It’s just that kind of place, warm, hip but not trying to be, knowledgeable and very friendly staff, it just ticks all the boxes. Even the prices – those amazing cocktails previously mentioned go for between £8 to £10 each, and the Ta-Ko’s range in price from £3.50 to £4 and their absolute must sides (Asian cole slaw, charred corn, shredded beetroot, and MSG fries – basically Nori friend potatoes that are a must), all go for between £3 to £4 each. So there you go, all the above are reasons why you should go to Victory Mansion – what are you waiting for?

    Victory Mansion does a 2 for 1 – 12 pm to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday Brunch where you get brunch Ta-Ko’s and £5 brunch cocktails.

    There is also a basement that is perfect for private birthdays or dinner parties, for 30 – 70 guests.

    18 Stoke Newington High Street
    London N16 7PL

    https://www.victorymansion.co.uk

    Closed Mondays
    Bar
    Tuesday – Thursday
    5 pm – 1 am
    Friday
    5 pm – 2 am
    Saturday
    Noon – 2 am

    Restaurant
    Tuesday – Friday
    6 pm – 11 pm
    Saturday and Sunday
    12 pm – 5 pm
    6 pm – 11 pm