It’s been the most persistent rumour in West Hampstead since I’ve been running this website… Pizza Express is closing and Marks & Spencer is moving in. It had such traction that I wrote to Pizza Express a few years ago … Continue reading →
Picasso’s – West Hampstead’s short-lived and misnamed pizzeria – is rumoured to be becoming another pizzeria. If true, probably a bad idea. Whenever a retail or restaurant unit becomes available, the clamour begins as everyone says what they’d like to … Continue reading →
After several weeks of anticipation (actually only six, though it’s somehow felt like more), Mamacita, the new Mexican restaurant on West End Lane, finally opened yesterday evening. I was fortunate enough to be the first person through the door, greeted … Continue reading →
When it opened back in April 2011, we all thought that it was a brave choice of name. There were a few sniggers. The intellectuals pointed out that it meant “papaya leaf” but that didn’t stop the comments. Mercifully, the … Continue reading →
Congratulations to all those West Hampstead restaurants, cafés, bars and takeaways that have scored a maximum 5/5 on their Food Standards Agency inspections. A pleasingly high number of our local establishments have received top marks, with a similarly healthy number … Continue reading →
I’d just come back from Switzerland where I’d had a really good schnitzel. “I wonder who does the best schnitzel in West Hampstead”, I thought to myself. Suppose I better find out. Then I looked at my waistline and decided … Continue reading →
Yesterday afternoon, everyone’s favourite independent bookshop tweeted: Bet yr *really* well read! Want to show how clever you are? Send list of fave books & if we like ’em we’ll add shelf with your name & books!— West End Lane … Continue reading →
Great photo montage here from Peter Livingstone of many of the closed premises on West End Lane. You can read the background to the most recent closures here:
Continue reading →A lot seems to be changing in West Hampstead right now. The demolition of the parade of shops between the tube and the Overground and a sudden rash of shop closures and new openings has highlighted that no urban area … Continue reading →
[original post May 10th 3.30pm] [updated May 12th 10.30pm] [updated May 15th 3.30pm] If the retail landscape hadn’t changed enough with the knocking down of the strip of shops opposite the post office, this week’s seen four units close on … Continue reading →
