Gareth Johnson
Bio
A non-smoker who loves to laugh... (and binge on travel, food, movies, fashion, and theatre...). Find me on Twitter @gtvlondon
Stories (83/0)
I Write Erotic Gay Fiction (and I’m Not Embarrassed About It)
The idea of being able to call myself a writer has always appealed to me. Over the years, I've had numerous unsuccessful attempts at writing a great novel. I struggled to convince myself that what I was writing was any good, and I could never seem to write anything longer than a short story.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Filthy
Walking In the Footsteps of the Ancient Romans
I have always been a bit fascinated with the Romans. I won’t bore you with the detailed distinctions between Ancient Rome, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire, but suffice to say that the centuries defined by the power of Rome was an incredibly exciting period of history that really shaped the world as we know it today.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Wander
Six Places to Travel by Train In Europe
With the advent of discount flights, the default way of travelling around Europe seems to have become flying. Trying to cram everything into a small carry-on suitcase, having to limit your liquids to small bottles that won’t trigger any security alerts, getting to the airport at least an hour before you leave, standing in endless queues, and trying to stay upbeat and positive when everyone around you is become increasingly irritable and grumpy. There’s not much to love about flying.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Wander
My Guide to Coffee and Cake In London's Soho
Bubbleology – Rupert Street Bubble tea used to be seen as a weird Asian food fetish, but it's now everywhere. Bubbleology in Soho’s Rupert Street brings a touch of quirky cool to this unlikely line of beverages. I usually go for a plain assam milk tea, but the fruit teas with “popping bobas” (small taro balls filled with juice that burst in your mouth) seem to be the most popular.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Feast
Six Great UK Coastal Destinations
An island nation, it’s not surprising that the United Kingdom is blessed with some fantastic coastal locations to explore and experience. While the weather may not always lend itself to lying on the beach, sipping cocktails, and working on your tan, nevertheless there is plenty of interest around the coast of Great Britain.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Wander
My Favourite Japanese Restaurants In London
Bone Daddies After their first outlet in Soho was such a huge success, there’s now a couple more of these Japanese/Korean fusion ramen joints across town. Cool, noisy, busy, and great ramen. Their soft-shell crab is one of the best in town; their salmon sashimi irresistible; and I always order their “T22” ramen which comes with “cock scratchings” (true story).
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Feast
How to Live Like a Local In London
When you’re visiting a new or unfamiliar city, it can sometimes feel a little difficult to really get to grips with the place within a relatively short period of time. As a visitor, it's hard to get under the skin of a city – you inevitably feel like an outsider, like you're somehow skating across the surface and missing out on some of the real gems that only the locals seem to understand.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Wander
Where to Find the Best Burgers In London
Burger & Lobster This is a simple concept, but they're executing it well. Primarily a celebration of lobster, but they do burgers as well. It’s good, but if you're just going to order a burger then this is an expensive place to get your burger fix. Service is friendly and professional, and the food is on your table pretty quickly – this isn't the kind of place where they want you to hang around. There's something about Burger & Lobster that feels innately uncool. I can't quite put my finger about it, but there's a sense that you're somehow being taken advantage of by accepting that a restaurant like this is actually a thing. Outlets around the world, including ten in London.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Feast
Live Like a Local In Paris
On my first few visits to Paris I only ever stayed in hotels — usually in the Opera district, and then amidst the nightlife of Le Marais. Whatever your budget, a good hotel in a great location is the perfect introduction to this vibrant and beautiful city – enabling you to see the sights, test your language skills, and get a feel for how everything works.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Wander
Where Do You Find the Best Pizza In London?
Franco Manca Franco Manca is a chain of pizza restaurants in London – at last count they had at least 25 outlets. This is quality pizza, using fresh ingredients, and served up at an affordable price. I often succumb to their Bermondsey Street branch — a bright, modern space; friendly and efficient staff; and top-drawer pizza. One of the strengths of this place is that it keeps everything fairly simple. There’s six pizzas to choose from on the menu, plus a couple of specials on the board. You can choose to add extras, such as anchovies (always!). They also make a mean chilli oil — I can’t seem to eat pizza anymore without drizzling a bit of chilli oil over everything. This is quality pizza and reasonably priced.
By Gareth Johnson7 years ago in Feast