Mudchute Kitchen+E14

Who says you have to travel outside London to receive proper fresh food coupled with country charm ? You only need to make your way to the Isle of Dogs and the Mudchute Kitchen. Hidden away near the stables at the Mudchute Farm, this is the real thing. Eggs are collected fresh from the hens, smoked bacon used to roam free on the farm, and cheese and meat are smoked in their own smoke house. Much of it cooked on a wood-stove for a proper smoky flavour. Homemade baking is worth lingering over. Phillipa, the manager, and her team of volunteers, out perform many a professional cafe. Make a beeline. It's kiddy-friendly too.

Mudchute Kitchen
Open Tuesday-Sunday 9-5
020 75155901
Mudchute, Island Gardens DLR Stations

London Chocolate Guide: Richmond+TW9

William Curley
10 Paved Ct.
Richmond TW9
020 83323002

East London: Indian Food+E14

The Gaylord

Yes, It's really called the Gaylord. Once you're done snickering in the back there, we can get on with singing the praises of this little hole-in-the-wall Indian in the deepest depths of the Isle of Dogs. Ride the DLR to the very tip of the Isle, just before you would cross under the murky Thames to come out in Greenwich, and you'll find the unassuming pistachio green surroundings of the Gaylord. Apparently it's Enrique Iglesias' favourite Indian in London, although one questions how much time he really spends amongst the council flats at the bottom end of Tower Hamlets. But if it's good enough for Enrique, then it's good enough for you.

The Gaylord
141 Manchester Road
London E14 3DN
020 75380393

Digjest Images: The Isle of Dogs+E14

East London Guide: Chinese Food+E14

Lotus Chinese Floating Restaurant
Lotus restaurant is like one big happy family. The servers pop around to your table to exchange pleasantries and you might even get a joke or two. Many of the customers are regulars and have been coming here for years. Their Sunday Dim Sum is legendary and the lines snake out the door. No reservations, so you wait like everyone else. But it's certainly worth the wait. Made fresh to order. And there's no 'mystery' to any of it. Chicken tastes like chicken. Beef is really good quality. There's no wondering if the neighbour's dog or cat has strayed too close to the kitchen like at some Chinese restaurants. Just save some room for custard buns at the end. You'll be glad you did.

38 Limeharbour
London E14 9RH

London Digest: Alternative Press Festival. July 29-August 2 2009

Hurray for the small press ! (and i'm not talking about extra short reporters.) The "alternativepress.org.uk" will be celebrating zines, comics and other types of alternative press in a five-day bonanza of zine-making, zine-selling and zine-speaking.

Check out these events:

Collaborama !
1 August
The Miller, 96 Snowfields Rd, London Bridge, SE1 3SS
Mingle with visitors and exibitors, and create a "zine of the day". If you get bored of being creative, hang around for the films and talks. I'll definitely stay for the evening highlight - Resonance FM's Radio Orchestra will be performing a piece that will be interpreted and illustrated by artists using overhead projectors.

Alternative Press Fair
2 August
St. Aloysius Social Club, 20 Phoenix Rd, London NW1 1TA
A massive book fair of over 80 exibitors. Get your grubby paws on their treasure troves of radical literature, comics and poetry.

Zi Wong

Digjest Images: Notting Hill Carnival 2009

Notting Hill Carnival August 30-31 2009