14 Comments
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Melisa Lalich's avatar

Agree about that last line. 😆 I'm not too keen on shredded wheat either!

WOW. To be able to see Picasso in in the flesh...

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Stephen Owen's avatar

This clip has just reminded me, that I must read that book again…always enjoyable to read

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hmmm...Daniel B. James's avatar

The last line got me. That was really funny. Great stories too.

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Linda Miracle's avatar

Your style of writing makes me want to read more! You have lived the most interesting and fun life, Simon, and you are very down to earth. What great fun you are!

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Simon Napier-Bell's avatar

Thank you Linda - you'll find five books by me on Amazon etc. So pleased you enjoy it.

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CAROLINE H BOURNE's avatar

Thanks for the reply. Do you remember going to that restaurant with any of your well-known musicians from Morgans?? People have talked about Princess Margaret going there and it being popular with celebrities but I don't have many other names - yet. Such an interesting time - probably Willesden's hey day!

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CAROLINE H BOURNE's avatar

Hi I am researching the Kuo Yan Chinese restaurant in Willesden as part of a wider research into Chinese heritage in London. I loved your colourful description of the restaurant in this article - especially as there are so few photographs/images around. I wonder if you remember the chef? I'm trying to create a stronger profile of him - age, character, looks etc., plus whether he had a wife or family. Do let me know any snippets you might recall from your visits. Thank you!

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Simon Napier-Bell's avatar

Hi Caroline. Lovely that you're doing something on that extraordinary restaurant. It was so surprising to find some of the best Chinese food in Britain in what was then quite a run down corner of London.

It's biggest advantage for me is that it was so close to Morgan Recording Studios, where at that time I was doing all my production work.

Sadly, though, I have no memories other than the ones I've already shared in that Substack piece. I think, though, it may have been the first place in London (Britain, even) serving deep fried duck in pancakes as a sort of ersatz Beijing duck. It was certainly the first place I ever had it - and my goodness how it caught on!!!

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John Horn's avatar

Fabulous Simon ... now I understand why eating out still plays a huge part in your daily life (photos courtesy of Yotin's Facebook ... he's a wonderful publicist😊)

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Simon Napier-Bell's avatar

He is indeed. 👍🏻🥂

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lorrie carse-wilen's avatar

How fabulous! What a life you have lived. Makes me want to read the books all over again.

Such a good writer!

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Simon Napier-Bell's avatar

Haha! Thanks Lorrie. Yes, life has been fun - still is. x

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Daniel Abineri's avatar

Fascinating and very funny as usual. Plenty of tasty morsels…

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Simon Napier-Bell's avatar

Thank you Daniel. 🥂

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