Category Archives: Guests

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Inamo, Camden

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Inamo Camden is the fourth branch of the Inamo chain, which describes itself as a pioneering Asian fusion restaurant and bar group. Specifically what the group is pioneering emerges as we are led to our table (worth mentioning they were the best seats in the house with a view straight into the kitchen – request if you can): Inamo has found a point of difference from the many mid-value fusion restaurants in London with an interactive ordering system, developed by sister company Ordano.

Inamo Camden

After an introduction to the restaurant, we are left to play around on the table iPad, and play we did, with everything from the tablecloth to the chef cam (a decent alternative if you don’t land the top table), and most importantly, the menu.

Inamo Camden

Broken down into Sushi, Asian Tapas, Curries, Salads and Inamo Classics, there was a lot to take in, and the opportunity to preview our order and review before clicking send was appreciated.

The menu also included a cocktail list from which we sampled a Passion Fruit Martini and Kyuri Plum Sour, both easy drinking and a refreshing start to the meal. In warmer weather, the Camden branch will make a great destination for afternoon and early evening with its roof terrace, complete with bar, outdoor heaters and attractive view of the surrounding area.

Inamo Camden

Service was fast, arguably a little too so as our table (complete with water lily tablecloth) quickly became laden with the entirety of our dish selection. Once we had decided where to begin, the Yum Buns turned out to be a fun and full flavoured sharing dish, the beef a little tough but the pork and duck delicious with the hoisin sauces and herb salad. The Chicken Karaage, hot, crispy and expertly cooked was decadent and moreish, but the stand out was undoubtedly the Claypot Green Chicken Curry. A stalwart feature on the majority of fusion menus, Inamo’s version didn’t disappoint. Rich, creamy and with the perfect level of spice,  we were close to ordering a second portion – all the more tempting when it can be done in one click.

Inamo Camden

Finding room to squeeze in a dessert, we continued along the evening’s playful  theme with the Chocolate Popping Candy Dipping Sticks. Reflective of the overall Inamo experience, the dish was fun, tasty, perhaps too gimmicky for some discerning diners, but likely to leave you with a smile on your face.

If Camden is a trip too far for you, perhaps give the Covent Garden branch a try – they’re celebrating their first birthday, and until January 12 diners can receive an enticing 25% discount on food AND drink when quoting “anniversary”. Happy dining!

More information and book a table at Inamo Camden here.

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Lucy Freedman.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: Maps and the 20th Century

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Maps and the 20th Century at the British Library is an educational and aesthetic wonder – the history of the century is told so eloquently and convincingly through its maps.

maps

Here we have maps as paintings and paintings as maps, maps that tell the future and mourn the past, maps that charm: the post-traumatic 1918 map of Fairyland, and maps that might offend: all that hubristic pink in the possessions of the British Empire.

The maps of conflict are among the most extraordinary: a 1914 map showing countries as animals biting and clawing at one another, or a minutely detailed Soviet map of poor little Brighton hinting at some nefarious intention.

Scale is obviously key in mapping and there is such poetry in the minor becoming major and vice versa: a little globe not of the earth but the moon, or Jeremy Wood’s GPS autobiography, a spidery white line documenting all his movements around London over the past sixteen years.

Exhibition continues until 1 March 2017, more information here.

Written by Chris Kenny.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Pearl Fishers, ENO

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The Pearl Fishers was not well-received when first debuted in 1863, but Bizet’s much-critiqued three-act libretto has been transformed by director Penny Woolcock and conductor Roland Boer in this co-production from the ENO and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Pearl Fishers ENO

Set in an underdeveloped Far East village where the only source of income to the inhabitants is the work of the brave pearl fishers, the story follows the love triangle of Zuria, Nadir and the object of their life-shattering obsession, Leila.

The first thing to notice in this production is the intricacy and realism of the set design. Rickety shacks, a backdrop of the ocean, moving fishing boats: this dynamic set is as intriguing as it is beautiful, and keeps the audience captivated throughout. The highlight of the visuals was, however, the underwater world created in the third act. This stunning display evokes the immense sense of disaster that ripples throughout the fictional town, and echoes the disturbed thoughts of our main characters.

The score is dynamic and uplifting: the chorus is almost a wall of sound, providing bursts of energy throughout, and uniting the story’s themes- desire, rejection, loss- through the emotion of these secondary characters. A stark comparison to this is the unique duet moments that pepper the score with delicate harmony. The famous Pearl Fishers duet- demonstrating the doomed loyalty of Zuria and Nadir’s friendship- does not disappoint in this case, but Leila and Nadir’s love-struck moments are just as heart-felt and touching.

This stunning representation is at the ENO until the 2nd December- if you want to be captivated by a strikingly boisterous yet graceful score and a stunning stage design, I would highly recommend The Pearl Fishers.

Find out more & book tickets here.

Written by Jade Phipps.