The Observer restaurant critic’s most biting reviews have now been collected in a book. Here, he defends the art of negative criticism – after all, it’s just a part of the job
The Qixi festival stems from a simple romantic tale, but luxury brands have made it their own
The catwalk positively oozes fossil fuel just as we begin to uncouple our lives from it
My skincare ritual is the closest I get to religion these days
From Ikea cat beds to puppucinos, pets are taking over the world. We think we own them, but in reality it’s the other way round
There’s something deeply nonconformist about small islanders. But Scotland’s new laws give communities such as that of Ulva the chance to buy land themselves