E&O ain't what it used to be. Gone are the days when Mads and Stella issued death stares over dinner, Jade and Assisi popped by for breakie and Elle got smashed over supper.

Too much exposure ensured the bridge and tunnel crew flew the cuckoo effect into West London's favourite pan-Asian, and the It crowd moved onto the Ledbury and other pastures new.

Now that the Hawley Arms is no longer the secret of the Primrose Hill set, we're guessing that, like a few of the much-loved front-of-house faces at E&O, they'll be hiding out in Will Ricker's newest venture (before Lucky Cheo's is unveiled later this year): XO.

I was once resident in lovely Belsize. It was an unusual period that I'll save for another time, but what with the Camden renaissance, Primrose swinging and Ricker's revival, it seems that solicitor-land may be gaining a little edge.