Started by couple Farah and Sam in 2022, after Sam began making soft serve at Leila's Cafe where he was head chef, Soft & Swirly has been popping up across London at places like Rambutan, Netil Market and e5 Bakehouse. Over the years, the pair grew the brand from soft serve (they've done flavours like salted black sesame, malted milk & vanilla, watermelon & raspberry sorbet, and ginger & star anise) to include seasonal scoops, ice cream tubs, sundaes and pies.
When people migrate, food is one of the strongest ways that people can stay connected to their homeland. Waves of migration from Vietnam to the UK, first after the Vietnam War in 1975 and the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979 (around 22,000 "boat people" came to the UK between 1975 - 1988), and then in the 90s and noughties as people sought out study and employment opportunities, has created a rich Vietnamese food scene in London.
The new spot has just opened on Mare Street Bar 161 on Mare Street is no more as new spot Paper Tiger has taken its place, with handmade dumplings and artisanal cocktails in tow. After a soft launch at the end of October and a Halloween event, which included pumpkin dumplings, Sichuan candy apples, Blood Moon Negronis and a costume competition, the bar is officially open for business.
Six-year-old Dachshund, Tosca, went on adventure in Hackney and disappeared down a fox hole. Thankfully, Homerton crews and Bethnal Green's Fire Rescue Unit came to the rescue and arrived with their specialist equipment, including a snake-eye camera that they used to locate the runaway pup. Tosca was found about three feet below ground level, stuck in a tunnel. After some careful digging, firefighters freed Tosca and safely reunited them with their owners.
Love it or hate it, no one can deny that Wetherspoons is one of the most reliable, affordable pubs on the high street. Whether its a huge £8 full English breakfast, a £10 drink and dinner deal or a £5.50 pint, you tend to know exactly what you're in for. So when a Spoons closes down, it can feel like a pretty big loss. And residents in east London are reportedly 'gutted' that their local is next in line.
E5 is actually home to one of London's oldest and most historic markets. We're talking about Chatsworth Road Market. Beginning in the 1930s, the east London bazaar used to be home to around 200 stalls and open up to five days a week. Now it's a Sunday market that specialises in street food and is home to independent sellers flogging everything from second hand books, to handmade jewellery.
MOTH Club, a cherished venue in east London, faces serious risks from two planning applications for flats that threaten its operation and future.
