Now at tikichris.wordpress.com

Hi. I’ve decided to consolidate my personal blogging activities and have started a wordpress blog, tikichris.wordpress.com. Anything that I might have posted here at ontoLondon will now be posted there. Same goes for content that I might have published at ontoTravel or The Adventures of Tiki Chris: it will now be posted on the new site. I'm not doing away with these old sites - just not actively posting on them anymore. Indeed, I may find some need to publish content through them in the future.

To be sure, there will be plenty of London related content on the new blog. And for the time being, I intend to carry on my London Daily Photo series on that site. For off-the-cuff mobile blogging, I’m keeping my Tumblr blog, tikichris-to-go. If you haven’t checked it out yet. I hope you will, I have a lot of fun with it.

Thanks so much to regular followers of this blog. It means a great deal to me to have had you “tuning in” these past few years. I look forward to continuing the journey with you!

Sincerely,
Chris
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Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris

Hey! That's me! Very cool, but I'm gonna make you visit the actual Londonist post to see the shots.

Londonist Behind The Lens: Chris Osburn AKA Tiki Chris
By Londonist
Londonist
January 24, 2009

London is (or at least often can be) such a photogenic place. There's just something about it. I mean, for the most part, it's not incredibly beautiful … not like Paris or Barcelona anyway. Nor is London terribly stunning; you really can't compare it to the vertical awe of Manhattan or the mind boggling expanse of, say, Shanghai. However, the story London tells through its streets, landmarks and faces (oh the faces in this town!) is as compelling as any I've ever experienced. The story is one of weathering crises with resolve and engaging the world on its own terms. Through my photography, I hope to share that story with the viewer. Sometimes I think I come close to succeeding.

Read the complete Londonist Behind The Lens post and see the photos at Londonist.

Vodka with a View (Londonist)

Vodka with a View
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
January 15, 2009



Located on the terrace at Plateau Restaurant, the Smirnoff Black Winter Ice Lounge is a covered outside bar with thick faux fur blankies for cuddly nights out under the stars (and skyscrapers).

Read the complete Vodka with a View review at Londonist.

Basement Barbers at Exmouth Market (Qype does London)

Basement Barbers at Exmouth Market
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
January 12th 2009



Having just posted a glowing review of Basement Barbers on Qype, I figured I’d take advantage of the Qype does London blog to rave about this Exmouth Market gem a little more.

Read the complete Basement Barbers at Exmouth Market post at Qype does London.

London, I’m Coming Home (Qype does London)

London, I’m Coming Home
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
January 11th 2009

I’m sitting here at Hartsfield International Airport (ick) in Atlanta waiting for my flight back to Heathrow (double ick). Despite the prospect of an especially sinister case of jetlag and an ever increasing pile of work waiting to gang up on me across The Pond, I’m more than ready to return. Three weeks is a long time to be away. I miss my wife, my kitties, my daily routine and the city I call home.

Read the complete London, I’m Coming Home post at Qype does London.

Pub Quiz Winner! (Qype does London)

Pub Quiz Winner!
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
January 7th 2009



To be honest, this was my first pub quiz, something I’ve always associated with London. Maybe they used to have them back when I lived here, but I don’t remember ever hearing about pub quizzes then or on any past visits. Anyway, our team won ...

Read the complete Pub Quiz Winner! post at Qype does London.

Zebedee! (Qype does London)

Zebedee!
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
January 6th 2009



Who needs fancy-schmancy Westfield or stodgy Harrods when ya got … ZEBEDEE? I mean, where else can one acquire nipple tassels and novelty ashtrays as well as a variety of cheap ...

Read the complete Zebedee! post at Qype does London.

“London Style” Fish & Chips in Chattanooga, Tennessee (Qype does London)

“London Style” Fish & Chips in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
January 2nd 2009



Driving around Chattanooga, Tennessee the other day I happened upon the above pictured van advertising Tugboat “London Style” Fish & Chips. I thought all you folks back in the UK would get a kick out of it.

Read the complete “London Style” Fish & Chips in Chattanooga, Tennessee post at Qype does London.

What was for Lunch in 2008 (Londonist)

What was for Lunch in 2008
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
January 31, 2008



How was lunch in 2008? Good, for the most part. Here are a few lessons we're taking away from the last twelve months ...

Read the complete What was for Lunch in 2008 post at Londonist.

What’s for Lunch? Paolina’s (Londonist)

What’s for Lunch? Paolina’s
by Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
December 23, 2008



The endearingly cartoonish plaque on the endearingly wood panelled wall (just above the “5 EASY STEPS AT PAOLINA” instructions) at this quaint King’s Cross eatery reads “Voted Best Thai Café in the World!” By whom? We dunno, but probably by some sensible folks that like homey food served in a welcoming setting.

Read the complete What’s for Lunch? Paolina’s review at Londonist.

What’s for Lunch? Camden Food Co (Londonist)

What’s for Lunch? Camden Food Co
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
December 16, 2008



Blech. We thought we were doing ourselves a favour (or choosing the least harmful of a handful of sorry options) when we slid into Camden Food Co's Liverpool Street Station franchise on the run and desperate for a spot of lunch. But a few bites into our corned beef, cheddar and pickle sandwich (for only £2.89) and we knew we were no better off than if ...

Read the complete What’s for Lunch? Camden Food Co review at Londonist.

Review: “Hark the Herald Angels Blog” London Bloggers Meetup (Londonist)

Review: “Hark the Herald Angels Blog” London Bloggers Meetup
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 10, 2008



For regulars to the (not quite but usually) monthly get-togethers, last night’s mingle session presented much of the same camaraderie as previous ones ... Adding to the the meet ups festive vibe, Robert McIntosh of wine blog, wineconversation.com shared his knowledge (and his wine!) with a free tasting.

Read the complete London Bloggers Meetup review at Londonist.

What’s for Lunch? Kipferl (Londonist)

What’s for Lunch? Kipferl
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
December 9, 2008



What a sweet little place that we hope to return to soon! A more than agreeable lunch at Kipferl (London’s only Austrian delicatessen) warmed our already winter-weary hearts with a few of our favourite Alpine treats and tempted our taste buds with a list of homey, Teutonic dishes! We tried the kaesekrainer (pork wurst with cheese inside), three fresh and tasty salads, mustard and rye bread for £6.50 (and have been yodelling its delicious value-for-money virtues since).

Read the complete What’s for Lunch? Kipferl review at Londonist.

Outsider Tart Yumminess!

Yesterday I reported for Londonist about Outsider Tart's delicious baked goods (and by report I mean raved). See below for a link to that post. I'm also happy to confirm that my cats, Marmo and Sandokan, gave Outsider Tart's homey treats their seal of approval.

Walnut Brownie Chunk Cookie Goodness from Outsider Tart
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
December 3, 2008



Happiness is a walnut brownie chunk cookie. Don’t believe us? Here. Have a bite of ours and check out its makers: the “new culinary enterprise” Outsider Tart, a hobby-turned-business for David Lesniak and David Muniz, two American business and life partners who’ve set out to rectify what they saw as a dire situation: that “good wholesome, homemade cupcakes, sweet pies and fresh tarts are pretty hard to come by” here in London.

Read the complete Outsider Tart review at Londonist.

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Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. Can't see the pics? Click here to see them all on Flickr.


FYI: Never (ever!) feed sweets - especially chocolate - to cats or dogs. These photos are not meant to suggest that the cats pictured ate any of the food. They didn't (but actually may have got a lick or two in).

An Evening of Whitley Neill Gin Cocktails (Qype does London)

An Evening of Whitley Neill Gin Cocktails
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
December 2nd 2008



Four fantastic bars. One fantastic gin. A crew of appreciative bloggers. Sounds like a crawl! Throw in a few more nice people (including Johnny Neill, creator of Whitley Neill London Dry Gin) and you’ve got the makings for one helluva night. Thanks to Sally Bishop from Relish PR and the kind folks from Whitley Neill as well as some of central London’s finest bartenders for inviting yours truly along to what turned out to be a fun evening of cocktail sampling!

Read the complete An Evening of Whitley Neill Gin Cocktails post at Qype does London.

What’s for Lunch? Indali Lounge (Londonist)

What’s for Lunch? Indali Lounge
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
December 2, 2008



Upmarket burgers and downmarket burgers. Cheap pizza and bounteous tapas. Last month’s lunching has Londonist longing to lounge and eager for some healthy eats (especially considering the inescapable festive season’s soon to be in full swing)! So, when coming across an Evening Standard article about Indali Lounge, the so-called “healthiest curry house in world,” opening on Baker Street, we thought that’s one for us!

Read the complete What’s for Lunch? Indali Lounge review at Londonist.

Herakut in London (But Not for Long!)

Preview: Herakut Airing Their Dirty Laundry in London
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 28, 2008



... think darkly witty feminine broad strokes (that’s the Hera contribution) emboldened by the thoughtful and masculine touch ups of Akut.

Read the complete Herakut review at Londonist.

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Photos: Herakut's "Dirty Laundry"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Monday, 01 December 2008












If you can't make it to Convent Garden to see their stunning Dirty Laundry in person, don't worry, we've got all you need in more exhibit photos here.

See all of Herakut's "Dirty Laundry" photos at Juxtapoz.

Tequila with a Gran View (Qype does London)

Tequila with a Gran View
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
December 1st 2008


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. Can't see the above photos? Click here to see them on Flickr.

At Paramount, I was in equal measure blown away by Patrón’s range of tequilas and by the stunning view of London. The staff was kind enough to let me take a few snapshots (I think photography is usually prohibited). Aptly named, Centre Point (just above Tottenham Court Road Tube Station) offers a panorama unlike any other in London. More than the tasty drinks and awesome sights, the best part of the lunch was simply getting to sit and chat with Francisco for much my time. What a gracious guy! His knowledge of tequila (but ability to talk about pretty much anything) made for a most enjoyable conversation. The Gran Patrón Burdeos was, indeed, among the most satisfying drinks to ever touch my lips.

Read the complete Tequila with a Gran View post at Qype does London.

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Oil

Last night I had the honour of dining with Henry Braham and Glynis Murray, their gracious (and top chef!) son Ben, a few of the friendly folks from Splendid Communications and a gaggle of London's food blogging usual suspects:

eat like a girl - Epicurienne - Fake Plastic Noodles - Food Stories - Hollow Legs


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Good times (and Good Oil)! It was awesome hanging out with everybody and a delight to feel so welcome in Henry and Glynis's home. See below for my Londonist write-up.

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London Filmmakers’ Oily Hemp Seed Goodness
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 21, 2008



It’s always inspiring to hear about Londoners making a go of a dream, especially when the dream is based upon a healthy, sustainable idea. Take West Londoners Henry Braham and Glynis Murray for example. Not content to rest on their laurels and relish in their successes in the film industry, Braham and Murray have connected to their farming backgrounds to produce Good Oil, a “high-quality and healthy UK product” made of hemp seed. According to the cinematographer and film producer partners, the reintroduction of hemp seed (one of the oldest crops to be grown in the UK) to British soil was just the inspiration they needed.

Read the complete London Filmmakers’ Oily Hemp Seed Goodness post at Londonist.

Yet Another Brilliant London Bloggers Meetup

Yep, last night's Blogladi Bloglada meet-up at Corney & Barrow in the City was yet another good time with plenty of friendly faces (both familiar and new). I especially enjoyed checking out Ms Melanie Season's speechifying about being a blogger. But, why say anymore when the esteemed guest speaker's already summed it all up so well on her own Fake Plastic Noodles blog?