The Askewniverse (W12)

Anything happen while we were away?

The plan is for us to mainly be on twitter, but if there are any longer form pieces to be written, this is where they'll posted. 

All good things... must come to an end  need lots of love and attention and time devoted to them if they are not going to join the 80% of the internet that is just shite.

And as a friend has just pointed out, I've done nothing with this blog for far too long (actually about 10 months).

Why? All the usual excuses are available in most sizes and colours, so feel free to help yourself. I still live off this wonky road and love it to bits and particularly adore the way no one seems to be able to spell cappuccino.

So I'll leave it up (as lots of site have linked to things here) and if anyone local wants to take it over, just let me know. And who knows, I may find the time to actually write some more one day...

Alpacas and the Askew Road - not two phrases you often see together in one sentence.

But it turns out that the excellent Alpaca Pie is based here in the heart of the Askewniverse and the brilliant designer Kathleen Holland is one of us.

She founded Alpaca Pie which is famous for it's brilliant kids clothes - partly because the designs are great but also because Alpaca wool fibre feels like cashmere but is about 100 times tougher and needs a lot less washing.

She makes rugs and pashminas and lots of kids clothes.

But it turns out that the screaming, demanding, disease vectors are no longer the only ones who get to wear Kathleen's designs as she's trialling a few jumpers for men too.

Details are scarce, but we love her stuff and if she really is bringing out clothes for grown ups, the style sections of the Telegraph, Times and Evening Standard will be across it like a rash in the coming months.

So, as they say, you heard it here first and if you want to find out more about the adult Alpaca Pie range, get in touch with Kathleen.

This Bup Is Close Mugs - Every (#bushw12) home should have one.

Sometimes opportunity knocks and you just can't resist.

It pops up unexpectedly. Hanging there in front of you like a big fat Piñata or Alex James.

And then, just at that moment, life hands you a great big stick and - well the rest is history and you're guilty as charged...

And so, please say a big hello to www.thisbupisclose.com

What started as a joke turned into a website front page, then a few links and now a shop.

Ok, so we forgot ourselves and just got carried away - like with Alex and the big stick after his piece in The super soaraway Sun about MacDonalds and KFC.

Like everything else here in the Askew Road it's a mixed bag of absolute gems and some right old tat.

STOP PRESS: Askewine now selling really nice artisan beers.

Sierra Nevada and Brooklyn join a bunch of excellent Belgians and Germans on the shelves of the little wine shop that could.

So - to recap -Askewine is now selling great wines, great cheese and great beers.

Well if that didn't grab your attention... Anywhoo... it seems the ever excellent Thai 101 in Kings Street have upped their game on Facebook and are also no running classes and engaging with their customers and trying to spread the word about really authentic Thai Food.

We've been going there regularly pretty much since it opened and have never ever had a bad experience. The staff are great, the experience is unique and the food is to die for.

Like their facebook page (the one linked above, not their old one) and then make it your New Year resolution to give it a go if you've never been (or go again if you have).

You know what? I think things have got so good here for us citizens of Askewniverse-ia that everything we need for a really great Christmas is right here in the Askew Road.

Wine, beer and Christmas spirit [EDIT: and now really fantastic CHEESE] from Mallek at Askewine, meat from the the Ginger Pig, mince pies from Laveli and no shortage of good veg from any of half a dozen places. Just pick your favourite/avoid the ones you hate for whatever reason suits you best.

Trees from Shoots & Leaves, cool presents from Starch Green, Max Inc and a dozen other little local places that do cool one-off stuff.

So. I'm declaring that this year it's not Christmas, it's an M&S Askew Road Christmas!

Let's face it, if for no other reason than for trying to turn their Xmas ads in to heart-wrenching mini-movies, using the X-Factor rejects hopefuls or letting Brucie loose with the eyeliner, the big boys should all be avoided.

And simply saying "Think Global, Act Local" really is enough - as long as being a smug, Guardian reading twat is the look you're after this holiday season. 

Look - it's really simple, but for the hard of thinking let me spell it out.

We are now surrounded by nice stuff. And in most cases the nice stuff is made and sold by nice people. So if you've got any money this Christmas and plan to spend it, leave the car at home and spend your cash locally.

Maybe everyone at the Askewniverse knew this already, but I only just found out about it - the Manics song about our own dear road!  Bit of a miserable song, but there you go.  Maybe if they'd been here for the opening of Laveli's and the forthcoming Ginger Pig they would have cheered up a bit...

It had to happen.

The Evening Standard has woken up to the joys of the Askewniverse in this piece all about NoGo - North Of the Goldhawk Road.

Actually, I love this new moniker - and secretly wish I had thought of it first...

Sums us up nicely actually. Not to green, not too hip, not too fluffy and a bit "Have a good look before you settle down there..." about it.

Now if you're one of those people that likes a glass of wine or six and is forever telling yourself that you should be drinking "less but better", then boy - do we have a tip for you.

The Princess Victoria - which is already our favourite local anyway - is now doing special wine Mondays.

In short, order a main course there at lunch or dinner and you get to choose your wine from the excellent restaurant wine list but you only pay the off licence list price.

Let me just say that again - you only pay the off sales list price, not the restaurant list price.

This can be a mahoosive saving - and as the PV has one of the best wine lists we've seen in a pub for a long time, means you can enjoy a much better bottle of wine than you would normally.

And it almost makes it worthwhile getting a bottle, even if you end up popping the cork back in and taking it home...

They don't seem to be shouting about it very much and the PV is a bit slow off the mark when it comes to the social medias (and its rather ropey website etc etc etc).