Archive For April 2015
The name ’24-Hour Food Frenzy Safari’ might, to the untutored, give the impression of something of a greedy teen munchies extravaganza. Well, in truth, it was an extravaganza of street food but the message behind the event was serious. Eating for a solid 24 hours with no designated sleep breaks is not for the faint-hearted….
Kingly Court is tucked away between Carnaby Street and Regent Street. It’s an area famed for smart boutiques and cosy eateries and for its ‘swinging‘ reputation of the 60s when the air was filled with the heady aroma of joss sticks and other kinds of smoke and the streets were filled with chanting Hari Krishna…
Most of us might have learnt a little French or German at school, although in the 60s when I was treading the corridors of wisdom acquisition, there were few prospects of leaving these shores. These days we can easily travel the globe as independent explorers. But to be an adventurous and also a confident voyager…
Brooklands is rather unique. It straddles contemporary design and the historic connections that its very name evokes. One might not be familiar with Brooklands Hotel but almost everybody will have heard of the Brooklands Racing Circuit. The restaurant is called 1907 and that doesn’t refer to seven minutes past seven in the evening. It’s the…
Carom the restaurant: named after the Indian spice. Carom seeds have a taste similar to thyme and are popular in Indian savoury snacks, so even the restaurant’s name invites the visitor to expect something delicious. Carom is a part of the D&D London restaurant group. They operate over 30 leading restaurants in London, Leeds, Paris,…
The area now known as King’s Cross is approximately 2 km north-west of the original Roman settlement of Londonium, and it’s thought to have been the site of a crossing of the Fleet River. It is also believed to be the location of the battle between Queen Boudicca and the Romans. Monks arrived in Essex…
The name Zaika means ‘fine flavour’ in a South Indian dialect, and this restaurant has been known for that since its opening in 1997, although now the owners, chef and managers have all changed. It’s a Grade II listed former bank building which would be described as having “many original features, with a striking dining…
I am biased, it’s true. This book was destined to have a good review on two counts. Firstly I adore the author, Will Torrent; and chocolate comes a close second to Will. Will Torrent has worked with the best – with such culinary worthies as Brian Turner CBE and Gary Rhodes. He is also a…
From BBC Food This chicken recipe is easy and impressive: it’s perfect for a dinner party. Ingredients 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless 4 tbsp cranberry sauce 300g/10½oz gorgonzola cheese 24 slices of pancetta Italian olive oil salt freshly ground black pepper For the green bean salad 4 handfuls green beans ½…
Well, perhaps not the man himself, but The Kensington Hotel is presenting a delightful afternoon tea that is inspired by the fashion designer who is the focus of an exhibition in London called Savage Beauty. Alexander McQueen was born in London and was known for having worked as chief designer at Givenchy between 1996 and…
I live in West London but whenever I consider a weekend break I turn right instead of left at the end of the road. That takes me to central London with the thronging crowds, fuss and rush. Lots of excitement, it’s true, but it hardly constitutes relaxation, and perhaps if I turn left there could…
One is spoilt for restaurants in London. High-end Michelin-starred, white-tableclothed establishments abound. There are exotic and periodically good curry houses. There are trending trucks offering all manner of international fare. And then there are those enduring restaurants that specialise in meat. Think of some prime beef served with an array of vegetables, and there could…
Bern might not be the first place one would think of for a short city-break. In fact, Switzerland probably isn’t a country one would list first for a quick holiday. It’s all Alps, chocolate, or chocolate in the shape of Alps, isn’t it? Well, no! And it’s easier to get there than one might expect….
One is spoilt for restaurants in London. Highend Michelin-starred, white-tableclothed establishments abound. The weather becomes warmer. We dream of those balmy days and longer evenings with friends. The picture might include floral frocks, a bowl of salad, a platter of salmon and, of course, a bottle of champagne. It is, for those gatherings, the dot…
From BBC Food This delicious mulligatawny soup recipe is a meal in itself, perfectly balanced and fragrant. Ingredients 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 carrots, diced 1 parsnip, diced 2 garlic cloves, sliced 3 tbsp curry paste 1 baking potato, diced 50g/2oz basmati rice 2 litres/3½ pints chicken stock salt…