on the inside | team loti

Want to know the people behind LOTI? Well here you go. Our first monthly blog post that gives you a little insight into who we are, what’s on our minds and what we get up to. We might even pick your brains a little too when it comes to exploring LOTI developments – don’t worry, we promise we won’t ask dating advice. Enjoy

LOTI DIARY | London On The InsideJules Pearson
Co-Founder

What rocked in 2017?

The food scene in London was off the charts in 2017, with so many openings even I couldn’t keep up. There was Lupins in London Bridge that I went back to twice in one week, so many good Japanese places which I found after a trip to Japan where I became obsessed with eel, Breddos Tacos where I’ve eaten A LOT this year, Smokestak, Yard Sale pizza, Doms Place and Park Chinios which transports you back in time to a very decadent (very expensive), Chinese restaurant. Yup, my Amex bill is 100% food.

What flopped in 2017?

Pop-ups. I hate to say it because 50% of pop-ups are really great but 50% are just s**t. We try and only write about ones we have tried or weird and wonderful ones which we think people will want to go to.  The latest example was the unlimited cheese board which switched to unlimited cheese fraud on the day.

Whilst the pop-up culture has given many people a testing platform and provided a step to a perm restaurant, there’s still a lot of jokers out there who don’t know what they are doing.

What would be your desert island dish?

That’s a hard one but it stays the same yearly, it’s gotta be the prawn and crispy bean curd cheung fun at Yauatcha although I recently ate a banging eel and crispy seaweed version at Shikumen which I will be going back for.

What we’re looking forward to in 2018? 

Eating more food – I already have a long list of places to tick off across London, travelling to more great places – kicking off with 3 weeks in Cambodia (send tips please!), launching a new arm of LOTI (watch this space), getting really fit (who am I kidding).


LOTI DIARY | London On The InsideBen Smith
Co-Founder

What rocked in 2017?

Getting to go to Osea island with Island Records was a beaut. I didn’t even know Osea Island existed before getting to go there. The best thing about the mini-festival, a party form the free beer…oh and the free food…Patty & Bun for breakfast (yes)…was being introduced to Sigrid. It’s not often you see someone live for the first time knowing very little about them and be totally blown away by the immediacy of her talent. And look at her now. BIG TIME.

What flopped in 2017?

My ability to shake off a fear of heights at the Go Ape Treetop Adventures at Ally Pally. Yes on the top level I have no shame in admitting I was absolutely s**ting myself.

What would be your desert island dish?

It’s an obvious one looking at Uber Eats…DOMS…even now thinking about THAT chicken wrap or the lamb on a plate, I’m close to ordering one. 186 orders man. Beat that!

What we’re looking forward to in 2018?

Taking LOTI to the next level. We’ve some exciting plans we’re working hard on and it will be interesting and exciting to see how they are received. That doesn’t give too much away but it’s all I think about….along with DOMS.


LOTI DIARY | London On The InsideChristina Dean
Content & Social Media Writer

What rocked in 2017?

Food wise, finally getting to Bar Douro, Blanchette East, Kiln and Smokestak, all. The Cheese Bar and The Oystermen were two of my fave new openings of the year, with Smoking Goat sneaking in as a late entry…lardo fried rice is the one.

What flopped in 2017?

Getting around town just felt extra stressy to me this year.  Southern Rail just seemed like a total nightmare this year (luckily I don’t travel that way), I got caught up in more delays in and out of Euston then I ever have before and then we get a little bit of snow and the whole city grinds to a halt. Defo room for improvement.

What would be your desert island dish?

Can I have an entire menu? The Barbary (and The Palomar actually) are both BANGING. That octopus mashawsha though…get me another plate of that.

What we’re looking forward to in 2018?

I’m in Australia in January so starting 2018 off very strong! Looking forward to working my way through the restaurant list in my Notes app (seems to be getting longer not shorter) and there’s been a lot of change on the London festival scene for 2018, especially in Victoria Park with established festivals moving out and a brand new one coming in, so it should be an interesting summer.


If you, yes you, our readers want to talk to us, tell us about something, suggest an idea, or something that annoys you we’d love to hear it. Just ping us an email at suggestions@londontheinside.com

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