Me really, really heart sushi

For most mid-range restaurants, passing trade is a really big deal. Customer interest is piqued by walking past a place and seeing it heaving with happy clientele. If you’re off the beaten track, you probably have to work that little bit harder and develop a reputation: the other massive tool in piquing consumer interest. I often feel bad for the restaurants based in Imperial Wharf. Hidden away from Townmead Road in a smart, but slightly apart, housing development, the only passing trade they can count on are residents, and many of those appear to be fairly absentee. However, the one advantage is: those restaurants really have to work harder and develop a reputation. Imperial Wharf newbie Blue Elephant developed a fantastic one over all those years at Fulham Broadway, and can rely on it to tempt customers into their quieter riverside location in South Fulham. Having sampled the delicious food at Yamal Alsham too, it’s clear that restaurant is betting their success on developing word of mouth recommendations about how god damn tasty their dishes are. Today, I’d like to throw in another recommendation. You’ve got to check out the amazing Japanese food at Me Love Sushi.

The restaurant interior is slick and fairly minimalist, but it benefits from a large bar area out front with all the usual cocktails, comfy sofas and a surprisingly decent price point (£6.50 for a mojito is not bad going in Fulham). What it lacks in buzzy atmosphere, my Wednesday evening visit found the restaurant pretty quiet, it certainly makes up for once the food lands on your table. I visited with a strict vegetarian, and our vegetable tempura was beautifully light and fresh tasting – none of the oily, broiled rubbish you often find. We followed with delicious pumpkin fritters, served with a deliciously fresh and sharp dipping sauce and a full variety of rainbow vegetable futomaki. Considering sushi restaurants usually square their offering at fish-lovers (makes sense really) I was pleasantly surprised at the huge variety available for those not so keen on our sea-dwelling friends. There are interesting spicy meat and vegetable salads, noodles and rice dishes, as well as an enormous range of seafood. In fact the range in general was fantastic, and many dishes were exciting and inventive. Soft-shell crab, deep red salmon and fresh tuna all featured heavily and my favourite dish had to be my soft shell crab tempura futomaki, which was a fab mix of fresh, soft and crunchy, all at once.

The prices are fairly high. But the quality is undeniable. I think it would be great for a quick girly catch up with friends, especially if you indulged in a few of the cocktails at the bar first. I took advantage of their 2 for 1 offer with Tastecard: half the price equals twice as nice!

Me Love Sushi
8 The Boulevard
Imperial Wharf
Townmead Road
London SW6 2UB

Very Vintage

Following a recent Vintage themed work trip to Paris I have a new found fascination with all things vintage and jumped at the chance to visit ‘Frock Me’ at Chelsea Town Hall last weekend. Having spent a weekend enjoying Madame Tra la la’s vintage master class I was thrilled to see Tara Munro, founder of ‘Ooh La La Vintage’ again, but this time sadly in the heart of Chelsea and not gay Paris.

The building lends itself so beautifully to the event, the intricately illustrated ceiling enhancing the atmosphere of stature and elegance reminiscent of a deeply sophisticated era. The various rooms were adorned with rails and rails of fabrics ranging from the softest silk to the blindingly embezzled. Tara’s stall featured some beautiful pieces with lace so delicate and colours vivid enough to excite even the most conservative of dressers.

Pieces ranged from the prettiest 1920’s tea dresses to mesmerizing patterned 1960’s dropped waist numbers. Every item had a story, and interestingly the shoppers were just as diverse as the clothes. I spotted girls as young as 16 bustling alongside 70 something vintage aficionados pawing over the bargain booty.

Once we were rail raided out we headed to the charming tea rooms for a traditional vintage tea, complete with bone china and scones. Frock me has a huge cult following and is increasingly popular, so much so that the waiting list for vendors is apparently years long. The next Chelsea Town Hall event is on the 29^th April and runs from 11am- 5.30pm. Whether you are a vintage nut or fancy a culture change on a Sunday afternoon I highly recommend checking it out, but don’t forget to find Tara Munro- if anyone knows vintage it’s her!

Blue Moon, I saw you standing alone...

That dreaded V word has come around faster than usual and soon SW6 will be full of couples holding hands, gazing into each other’s eyes and clutching roses. However, if you are not blissfully loved up you don’t need to hibernate at home stalking your ex on facebook, eating pizza and wondering where it all went wrong.

The Hurlingham Pub on Wandsworth Bridge Road is putting on a ‘Valium-times day Party’ on Tuesday 14^th which promises to be “dating gone mad”. A bevy of “hot people” (this is yet to be confirmed) can enjoy drinks and canapés, a weird fact bingo, speed quiz, board games and entertainment from two comedians.

Prior to attending the sw6 singletons have to send a picture of themselves, a weird fact and buy a £3 present for a blind pick and present mix. Whether you are mingling with David Gandy and his mates or not, it promises to be a hilarious evening that will ensure you’re laughing on Valentine’s Day as opposed to sobbing into your ice cream.

Tickets are £20 and have to be purchased in advance. With every ticket you buy you get one free for a ‘fit member of the opposite sex’ too so perfect for taking a boy mate for some moral support. Tickets also include a free drink and canapes.