Ghosts and Gastronomy

Well, it’s been a while since our last post (and for that Blue Door is truly sorry). We’ve been busy bees however not least with the paperback publication of our launch titles, Jon Stock’s Dead Spy Running and Anne Berry’s The Hungry Ghosts.

Sumptuous posters adorned the London tube network this week advertising The Hungry Ghosts, a haunting debut novel which has already won the Amazon Rising Stars Award and is a Waterstone’s Book Circle choice. So what better way to celebrate than to go on an Anne Berry gastronomic tube crawl spotting all of her posters along the way? If you find yourself at a loose end I can definitely recommend every single one of the establishments below.

What you will need:
An empty stomach
A copy of The Hungry Ghosts (available from all major retailers now)
Fairly loose-fitting clothes

10am
Start the day at Bread Etcetera on Clapham High Street. Perfect for whiling away a Saturday morning, you’ll only have time to take in a quick breakfast today. Might I recommend the boiled egg with their gorgeous sourdough bread.

Jump on to the tube and catch the Anne Berry poster by the escalators – truly a poster of beauty!

11am
Make your way up to Waterloo on the Northern Line and head to paradise for cake aficionados everywhere, Konditor and Cook www.konditorandcook.com I have sampled many a fine cake, tart and slab here. But let’s remember that we’re pacing ourselves for the day – if you have one thing go for the orange lavender slab cake.

1pm
After all that you’ll probably need a rest so take a gentle stroll down to London Bridge and get a refreshing cuppa at Borough Market from my favourite tea guru Rob Green www.ceylon1.com
Make your way onto the tube (spotting yet another poster of course) and travel up to King’s Cross. If you don’t already have a copy of The Hungry Ghosts pick one up at WHSmith’s – it’s their read of the week. Then if you haven’t sampled it before, head to the British Library – it’s the perfect place to dip in to Anne Berry’s world. You can even adopt a book whilst you’re there.

3pm
After all that reading, you’ll probably be quite hungry. Jump on the Piccadilly line and head for Holborn. Bea’s of Bloomsbury (www.beasofbloomsbury.com) is the perfect place for afternoon tea and at £13, is a snip (booking essential). A pot of Chinese tea and a bea-utifully scented cupcake is the perfect accompaniment to your reading and you can admire the skills of the pastry chefs in the open kitchen area. I cannot recommend this little gem enough.


5pm
A day of luxurious treats requires equally luxurious wine. Hop on the Central line and make your way over to Holland Park to Royal-favourite Julie’s, http://www.juliesrestaurant.com passing the lovely Daunt Books store on your way (they have supported Anne from the very beginning).

Every wine on Julie’s list is a delight so you will be spoilt for choice.

7pm
The dinner hour is fast-approaching and since the book is firmly rooted in the Orient, why not indulge in a Chinese feast. Anne’s evocative descriptions of food are enough to make anyone salivate and you will not be disappointed by Memories of China in Victoria. Take the Circle line (and perhaps a comedy photo next to Anne’s poster) and head to Ken Lo’s fantastic restaurant www.memories-of-china.co.uk/ This is a restaurant worth saving for!

9pm
After a day of true indulgence there’s only time for one more stop. Jump on the Victoria line, give the posters a final wave and head to Chimes in Pimlico (www.chimes-of-pimlico.co.uk) for a glass of silver birch wine (or if you're feeling brave, their walnut liqueur) to round off the day.

And after all that, the only thing I can recommend is a book at bedtime - if you haven't reached the end of The Hungry Ghosts now is your chance. You won't be disappointed!