From the road it looks like a fairly ordinary pub but once you go in it is very different indeed. The long single room is like a cross between a carriage on the Orient Express and the Tea House of the August Moon. Lighting is fairly low. There is a mixture of sofas, armchairs and banquettes with a well stocked bar on one side and tall chairs and tables on the other. There are palm fronds, Chinese lanterns, fans and mirrors. The floor is of dark wood with the occasional deep red rug.

We’ve eaten here twice, and I’m booked to go again tomorrow. The first time was the day before we left for a month in Alaska, and no time to write a review, although I did quickly email all my neighbours that there was a terrific new Italian restaurant in the Holloway Rd. About six of them replied saying the same thing: “thanks – it’s great, but what a shame there were only about five people there when I went.” As soon as we got back to London, we returned, and it was even better, but (spooky this) only five people. We were welcomed with a basket of hot, home made breads, and settled down with the menu. My bresaola, rocket and parmesan salad starter was an extremely generous plate, and fresh as you like, while L’s asparagus risotto was exactly right, with the asparagus flavour right up front. Asparagus is very easy to overcook, and ruin by destroying the flavour, only chefs who know what they’re doing get it right.

It's kebabs gone posh. Shish in Willesden Green, adjacent to the Tube station, is one of 3 Shish outlets that have garnered popularity amongst locals and critics alike. At £20 per head, it's not a cheap meal, but it's definitely worth the pounds. The spinach borek was crisp and fresh, although a little oily but the mains are definitely the highlight of the menu. Skewers of meat and haloumi cheese with potatoes, roasted capsicum and onions, next to a bed of salad and fries is done to perfection. And for dessert, don't go past the halva ice-cream with baklava.

Another pre- Arsenal match, feeding and watering stop on the greasy Holloway Road. Why does it always look as if the pavements need a good hosing down and a steam clean? The restaurant is the usual set-up of revolving kebabs in the front takeaway part and long queues of punters on match days who prefer the sidewalk eating experience. The inside is fairly basic-tiled floors and formica tables. However the star of the show is the charcoal grill man (there must be a name in Turkish) who sits at the barbecue, expertly rotating the kebabs, and chops, and chicken fillets, like he's playing an instrument, and shouting at the staff.