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I’ve been to Love India a few times and have had varying experiences.

One memorable evening my other half and I were the only diners in the restaurant. The staff, as you might expect, were friendly and attentive - until it came time to pay our bill! Then no one could be found. The resulting hassle tarnished what had been a good meal followed up with my favourite Indian sweet, gulab jaman.

Recently we went back on a busier evening. We had at least three servers looking after us and none of them seemed to be enjoying their shifts at all. We were tersely asked if we were enjoying our meal several times - and the impression was that if we weren’t that was our own fault and too bad if not. We were not asked if we wanted dessert or coffee - this time the bill appeared without our request. And this was a shame as I’d have liked to indulge my sweet tooth!

This visit was last week and I think it will be our last to Love India. The food is pleasant enough - not outstanding - but the service is too variable for this place to ever become a reliable haunt.

Which is a shame because I do like the elegant black menu with the little pink heart, the cheerful be-costumed coat checker, and the elegant basement dining room. But none of these are a patch on my local choices in Kensal Green!

This is one of my favourite local pubs. It’s warm, welcoming and attracts a mixed crowd. Smokers will find they have a choice between tables lining the pavement outside the front door or the charming garden out back. Inside it’s dark and warm and very comfortable with tables for groups of any size from couples to after work gatherings. It’s treat to look around and see everyone from older gentlemen drinkers to young media types with their laptops all enjoying the convivial atmosphere. It’s a great place to bring a friend or two to start an evening out.

My tipple is cider and the Greyhound does not disappoint with Aspells on draught. Not cheap at £3 a pint but very nice indeed! Service can be a bit offhand but they’ll get to you eventually.

They do food, too. I haven’t tried it yet but the menu has an appealing gastro pub theme.

(Just a note: it’s a singular Greyhound not a plural!)

Update: 28 March 2008
Went there yesterday and was not impressed by my fellow punters. Yelling, shouting and carrying on as if they owned the place. Very unpleasant for the rest of us. Staff helpful and polite and Aspells on form but we had to leave after one - for these reasons the pub can keep its stars. But be warned and try somewhere else if the invasion proves permanent.

Update: 30 Jan 2009
I’ve heard this pub is no more. I’ve moved away so I can’t check in person!

The Anchor is more restaurant than a pub. That said, it's still a pub if that's all you want it to be - but you'll be missing out on some great food!

The Anchor used to be a dodgy place but it has been transformed into a family-friendly place which caters for all ages. There are even coffee mornings for mums and kids. Adult customers are not neglected - there is an excellent wine list to accompany the delicious gasto-style menu. And a quiz night.

The Eton Mess, made with local strawberries, is divine when in season. The Anchor's menu features organic produce and is local wherever possible. There is definitely care and attention to detail in the menu planning.

With luck this will become a North Oxford institution and there for years to come.

If you're looking for red flocked wallpaper, this is not the place for you. This is an elegant curry restaurant - all white tablecloths, shiny modern designed dishes, and shiny silver fittings. It's not too posh to be comfortable, it's just right.

The wine list is comprehensive and so is the choice of Indian lagers. Either choice won't disappoint.

The curry is presented elegantly on molton hot plates brought out to you by the Bangladeshi chef in person. He's happy to chat about his delicious creations - if he's not too busy, of course! The portions are just right, too. Not so much as to overfill - just enough to enjoy.

The Raj is a bit more pricey than some of its local rivals but its still well worth a visit. You'll go away full and satisfied.

Ye Olde White Bear in Hampstead is a traditional but lively pub not far from the Heath or if you're coming from the other direction, the tube.

It has a range of real ales on rotation and cider on tap. There's always plenty of choice and the service is quite friendly. The atmosphere is very pleasant with a young crowd balanced out by older drinkers. As you'd expect in Hampstead, there's an arty element and people involved with the nearby New End Theatre drop in. There's sometimes sport on the tele but it's non-intrusive.

Even when it's crowded - as it is on Sunday afternoons or for the Thursday night quiz - there's a place to settle in. The pub is bigger than it looks and there are several smaller tables tucked in unlikely spaces.

If you're lucky you might get a glimpse of the resident black cat!

Yes, the Cafe Rouge in Hampstead is part of a chain. But once inside it doesn't really feel like it.

There is loads of space but it's used well. You can pop in just about anytime for meals, coffee, desserts, or whatever takes your fancy from the French inspired but unpretentious menu.

The usual choices include steak frites, poulet Breton, salmon fishcakes, and mussels. There's always a special on offer but someties it's so popular that it sells out.

The atmosphere is warm yet lively - there's often a buzzy feel on a Sunday afternoon as shoppers take a break from the temptations of Hampstead High Street. Diners of all ages are welcome and so are groups.

Edith Piaf, of course, is often heard warbling through the air and the waiting staff are all fluent in French. (They're also quite nice about my lack of fluency! More than you can say for a 'real' French cafe!)

A safe choice for a nice meal in a pleasant surroundings.

I was curiously disappointed by a visit to Kensington Palace. I've wanted to go for years and this year I've got a season ticket to all the Historic Royal Palaces and so I finally made it inside.

I'm a historian and my special interest is the early modern period so I was on a mission to find William and Mary in their country retreat. They're there but to get to them you need to go through a HUGE tribute to Princess Diana. If you love Diana, you'll love this! Giant video screens show scenes from her life. Her dresses are there to be admired. But it's all rather overpowering.

The rest of the state apartments are more subdued and almost a little depressing. Until the 17th century bit, of course! (For me anyway!) I'd go back just for that now that I know my way around. There is also an interesting display of court dress for costume fans.

The views over Kensington Gardens are lovely and is the view of the Palace from them.

The shop seemed well equipped with the usual Royal Palaces range but was about to be closed for a stock take when I went through. Presumeably this is not a frequent event!

Overall maybe I wasn't in the right mood. I may go and visit again and will do an update if I do.

I've just finished a taught MA with Birkbeck and the experience was great! The courses were challenging, most of the lecturers were top class, and overall it was a brilliant two years.

I studied part time as I work full time and I found the College to be very understanding of the stresses and strains of people in my situation.

The library is quite good and the access to online resources was a huge bonus as I couldn't always visit in person. That the library was being refurbished during my time will help future scholars but I found the closure of summer 2007 inconvenient as my dissertation was due in September. Luckily Birkbeck's location encourages use of other local resources.

I would recommend evening study to anyone. It has changed my life for the good and I'm sure it will be beneficial to others.

Mabel's Tavern is well-placed for meeting up near Euston or St Pancras. It's just off the beaten track that is the Euston Road and it is a traditional pub inside and out which it attracts a varying crowd.

It won a CAMRA award for beer last year but as I'm a cider drinker I can't really offer any insight into that!

Mabel's has different moods. Sometimes it's a quiet pub that even tourists and students would feel welcome in. But sometimes, usually when there's a football match on the big screen, it is descended on by what I can only describe as 'geezers'. Best avoided then.

Food is simple of the anything with chips type. Which is sometimes the perfect thing!

It's supermarket shopping, but not as we know it. Waitrose in Marylebone High Street is a hybrid between a regular Waitrose and a market.

From the moment you walk in, you know you're somewhere special. The fruit and vegetable section heaves with organic specialties. Keep going and you find an impressive range of specialist food counters featuring cheese, meats, fish, take away hot meals, and there's even an olive bar. The effect is more market than supermarket. You'll find all your usual groceries but you may want to forgo them in favour of some of the many locally (within 30 miles of the store) sourced products.

The range of stock is truly impressive and your conscience will be clear as you enjoy your ethically sourced goodies.

The shop is generously proportioned and, even on a Saturday afternoon visit, does not feel crowded. I'm not usually one to browse in supermarkets but here I make an exception.

Pricey, maybe, but a pleasure.