Author: Paul Southgate
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Review of The Castle Inn, Castle Combe: An English Roast with All the Charm of a Titleist Pro V1
There are a few rituals that are quintessentially British, the kind of things that cement one’s English credentials. A Lord’s Test match, afternoon tea at The Ritz, changing of the guard – or the ever-present queue, which we endure even if it kills us. And, of course, there’s the post-defeat “chin up” ritual after every…
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NIRI Abu Dhabi: A Lively Spin on Japanese Cuisine That Packs a Punch
Japanese restaurants have become what Italian restaurants once were—the go-to option when you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for. They’re everywhere, from boutique city corners to plush hotel dining rooms, and always seem like a safe bet when the indecision kicks in. NIRI in Abu Dhabi is no different, except that it…
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TOTÓ Abu Dhabi: Italian Glamour Worthy of Champions
What do Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and I have in common? Well, it’s not sporting prowess—my golf swing is as hazardous as a toddler with a cricket bat. It’s not the money either; I wore trousers last night that last saw the light of day when Oasis was still topping charts. No, the answer is…
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Blacklock: A Glorious Return to Real Life
In a time when half the population seems to avoid anything with a heartbeat on their plate, and drinks are mostly oat milk lattes or craft kombucha, the simple joys of steak and wine can feel like relics of a bygone era. But then, you walk into Blacklock on a Monday night – that’s right,…
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The Church Pub: A Glorious Return to Proper British Pubbing
One of the great, unheralded delights of life is walking into a pub with zero expectations and being utterly floored by what you find. And, let’s be honest, in an age where chain restaurants and the ghastly Wetherspoons have sucked the soul out of so many British high streets, such a discovery feels almost miraculous.…
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Goram & Vincent: Where the View Outshines the Kitchen
There’s one place everyone brings friends or family who are seeing Bristol for the first time: to marvel at the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s an obligatory pilgrimage for visitors, even if the iconic view has been marred by scaffolding for two years now. Most people head to The White Lion, the pub next door at…
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Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Ah, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Well, if you’ve ever wondered how the other half live, allow me to spoil the surprise: they live in palaces. Real ones. Not those “we slapped a few chandeliers up and called it a palace” palaces, but the sort where you half expect a sultan to wander past, polishing a…
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Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi: Bright Lights, Dim Experience
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi is, on paper, everything you want in a high-end Indian restaurant. Hemant Oberoi, the man himself, is culinary royalty. You expect fireworks—layers of spices, textures that dance, aromas that seduce. What you don’t expect, though, is a restaurant that feels like a dentist’s waiting room lit by a thousand suns. Seriously,…
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Black Tap Review: Burgers & Cocktails – The new Champagne and Caviar
Opulence, once the reserve of caviar and Champagne, now seems more accurately embodied by a burger stacked so high it could double as a skyscraper. At least, that’s how I felt standing in front of Black Tap in Abu Dhabi, considering the mounting tower of melted cheese, crispy onions, and whatever “award-winning” accolade they’ve slapped…
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Raclette Abu Dhabi: Melting Expectations, Not Hearts
Raclette in Abu Dhabi: a place that promises so much on paper—great location, a fun concept (melted cheese! Who doesn’t love that?), yet somehow manages to feel like the restaurant version of a failed soufflé: collapsed and baffling. The service? Blisteringly fast, but not in a Michelin-starred way. More like they’re trying to push you…
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The Travel Critic 