Read on Twitter
There now follows a shopping list of places I want to go and sit down in when such things are possible.
1 - The Laurieston, Glasgow.
I used to pass this pub on the way over the bridge to the Glasgow Academy whenever I played there and thought it looked terrifying. Then I went in, and it turned out it was absolutely fantastic. Always go in before deciding.
I used to pass this pub on the way over the bridge to the Glasgow Academy whenever I played there and thought it looked terrifying. Then I went in, and it turned out it was absolutely fantastic. Always go in before deciding.
2 - The Southampton Arms, London
Anyone who really knows me is well aware of my sincere affection for wedging myself into the corner of a small quiet pub, buying a Guinness and reading a book. This is one of the best places I’ve ever found to do that.
Anyone who really knows me is well aware of my sincere affection for wedging myself into the corner of a small quiet pub, buying a Guinness and reading a book. This is one of the best places I’ve ever found to do that.
3 - La Bonbonniere, New York
On holiday in New York the other year, we ate breakfast here every day. It was so nice to eat pancakes, plan our day, and watch the Greenwich Villagers do the same. What a good place.
On holiday in New York the other year, we ate breakfast here every day. It was so nice to eat pancakes, plan our day, and watch the Greenwich Villagers do the same. What a good place.
4 - Jemaa El-Fnaa, Marrakech
A giant square that lights up as it gets dark where, for small sums of money, people will place a sheet of white paper in front of you and dump a heap of delicious food and a bread roll on it. I can’t imagine anything better than that.
A giant square that lights up as it gets dark where, for small sums of money, people will place a sheet of white paper in front of you and dump a heap of delicious food and a bread roll on it. I can’t imagine anything better than that.
5 - The Glenn Miller Cafe, Stockholm
Stockholm’s best jazz club and, in happier times, my second home. I miss it more than i’m able to express helpfully in words.
Stockholm’s best jazz club and, in happier times, my second home. I miss it more than i’m able to express helpfully in words.
6 - T&K Seafood, Bangkok
Night time, sweating, sitting on a plastic stool right beside a busy road filled with honking traffic, cracking open a crab in curry sauce whilst sipping from a bottle of lager that’s too cold to hold for more than a couple of seconds. Very, very good.
Night time, sweating, sitting on a plastic stool right beside a busy road filled with honking traffic, cracking open a crab in curry sauce whilst sipping from a bottle of lager that’s too cold to hold for more than a couple of seconds. Very, very good.
7 - Kihoskh, Copenhagen
Beer wise, possible the best off licence on earth. Anything you buy you’re welcome to drink at the tables outside, accompanied if you wish by a pizza from the very good place next door. Again, if you know me, that I love this place won’t surprise you.
Beer wise, possible the best off licence on earth. Anything you buy you’re welcome to drink at the tables outside, accompanied if you wish by a pizza from the very good place next door. Again, if you know me, that I love this place won’t surprise you.
8 - Ekici Restaurant, Antalya
Now for all I know this place is a total tourist trap, but I once sat there with a giant Efes whilst the waiter stood two metres away pulling up a lobster pot to see if there were any new arrivals, and I take that kind of thing as a good sign.
Now for all I know this place is a total tourist trap, but I once sat there with a giant Efes whilst the waiter stood two metres away pulling up a lobster pot to see if there were any new arrivals, and I take that kind of thing as a good sign.
9 - Szimpla Kert, Budapest
I wound up here on an evening off on a festival tour with the Paolo Nutini guys. They’ve always been a fun lot to hang around with, and I remember everyone feeling faintly euphoric for some reason. The bar’s really magical.
I wound up here on an evening off on a festival tour with the Paolo Nutini guys. They’ve always been a fun lot to hang around with, and I remember everyone feeling faintly euphoric for some reason. The bar’s really magical.
10 - Mundial, Barcelona
Another tour day off. I ate a pile of fried aubergines topped with soft goats cheese and honey whose flavour I’ve been trying and failing to recreate ever since. Also, a load of octopus in garlic and a spanking cold beer.
Another tour day off. I ate a pile of fried aubergines topped with soft goats cheese and honey whose flavour I’ve been trying and failing to recreate ever since. Also, a load of octopus in garlic and a spanking cold beer.
