The big event is one week away and for the third year running I will be volunteering. Previous years I have helped the exhibitors, artists alley and general set up.

Why have I helped out and why you should BOOK YOUR TICKETS: MANY REASONS:

• My brother helps to run the event
• I know the organisers
• COSPLAY - unbelievable costumes of all your fave characters. It is amazing to see people go through all the effort to please fans

• Amazing Artists - Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spiderman), Tyler Kirkham (Green Lantern and X-Men)

Those are just a few reasons. So if you haven't bought your tickets yet, please do. Three days of fun in North London. Free for children under 4, Burger offers from MEATLiquorN1 and a club night at the o2 Academy.

Book your ticket and join the fun over Bank Holiday Weekend.

Although I like my meat, good food is the priority. If that means no burgers, or lots of burgers; it is all about quality.

​For this edition of Life of Shayan, I was recommended a Fried Vegan burger by the team from Temple of Sietan. At the time, the thought excited me and did not faze me. I mean, why should it, I have had veggie burgers before. The only difference this time, was that this was fully vegan. 

What is Seitan? Well according to the Spruce it is:
"Although it is made from wheat, seitan has little in common with flour or bread. Also called “wheat meat”, "wheat protein", “wheat gluten” or simply “gluten”, seitan becomes surprisingly similar to the look and texture of meat when cooked, making it a popular meat substitute."

To be honest I didn't really care, what it was. I just wanted good food.

Previous Veggie burgers I have had before have been mixed. Sometimes I feel they try to overcompensate for the lack of meat and pack way too much in. 

The best veggie burger I have had to date is Shake Shacks Shroom burger. A fried mushroom which has cheese in it. Oh Yes!

So let's get straight to the verdict and you can see how I feel with my video below. ENJOY

GOOD TIMES: It is Vegan, packed full of Protein and popular in trendy East London

WATCH OUT: Lacks real depth to the flavour. Needs a bit more to it

​OMG: It is Vegan. NUFF SAID

1st year wedding anniversary, meant a special treat for my wife and I. Our baby boy was left with his grandparents, so we ventured out for a night of good food and some silence too. 

For this special occasion, we decided to go to ROKA in Charlotte Street. I had been before, however, for my wife this was her visit. Good choice? I think so. How did she find it? Let's find out.

A bit of background first from ROKA themselves (copy taken from their site):
"The name ROKA carries great meaning - ROKA is a meeting place where food and drinks are shared with friends (ro) and heat, warmth and an all-embracing energy surround (ka). the principle cuisine is from the robata grill, which originates from the fishermen of the northern coastal waters off japan, who would cook the fish on the boats with different charcoals and share the bounty with one another using their oars.

the robata grill itself is located amid diners and forms an integral design element of all the restaurants. not just a feature, the robata is more the beating heart of ROKA, the area from which all energy flows. an energy that offers warmth and enjoyment while guests admire the respect given to the food as each dish is prepared."

Sounds very classy and fancy. This was exactly the reason why we went there. One dish which resonates clearly with this and one that I was looking forward to was Black Cod. One of my most favourite dishes ever.
What did we order:​

• age watari gani maki (softshell crab, cucumber, kim chi and chilli mayonnaise)
• ebi furai to avocado maki (crispy prawn, avocado and sweet soy)
• Tuna Sashimi
• ​Octopus Sashimi
• yaki asparagus (v)
• asparagus with sweet soy and sesame
• tuna tartar with cavair and quail egg
• Lamb ribs
• Black cod
• Yoghurt Cake

For a hungry couple we were not entirely sure if this was enough initially, but the waiter assured us we were good. I think he even thought we ordered too much.

So, was Laura impressed. Hell to the YES!
What is there not to like from that list above. Maybe the rolls NOPE, there were good. What about ribs. Sorry, they were sticky, sweet and delicious. I wouldn't usually go for ribs at ROKA, but these were awesome. Tender and full-off-the-bone straight into my mouth type of goodness.

So three for three. What else was amazing? All of it! the Black cod melted even before it entered our mouths, the buttery goodness flaked off the skin and was transported via chopsticks to two hungry and happy mouths.

I honestly think that if you order everything we had, you will be happy. Your wallet and finances may suffer a bit. But, so what. Your taste buds will be so happy.

​Good service and more importantly good food. Cocktails to start as we were celebrating.

GOOD TIMES: Black cod is always a winner

WATCH OUT: Not a bad word to say; on the pricey side so you have been warned

OMG: the dessert was lovely, sweet and tangy. Do it!