Archive For June 2024
Texture and Taste. What a joy! Warmer weather and the opportunity for some al fresco dining. One might go on a picnic or stay at home and eat in the garden. Either way a cheeseboard is the perfect choice and a versatile crowd pleaser. I have been enjoying several French cheeses from CNIEL. Its main…
Danish Bakery Summer. At last, we have some warm weather. It’s time for al fresco entertaining, picnics and delicious summer foods. Ole & Steen are celebrating Midsommar, a Scandinavian festivity that recognises the summer solstice, by unveiling three special and super-indulgent cakes. Ole & Steen are Danish bakers who have built a reputation for quality…
Harrods Dining Hall. Harrods has long enjoyed a reputation for stocking the finer things in life. There are diamonds and watches aplenty, along with almost anything that a discerning customer might desire. The Food Hall offers provisions from near and far, and all perfectly displayed. Now we have Mediterranean Grill by Assembly in the Harrods…
Everyday Recipes from Singapore. I will say up front that this is one of my favourite Asian cookbooks of any ethnic persuasion. Agak Agak is a winner in every regard. ‘Agak agak’ is a colloquial term derived from the Malay phrase for ‘somewhat’: home cooks have an instinct for producing delicious meals, but this book…
A Taste of Scotland and Beyond. So many of us appreciate a well-crafted Scotch, but it’s likely that we don’t think of Kingston Upon Thames as the perfect location for a world class collection. That is unless you have discovered The Grey Horse. The whisky and whiskey (yes, there is a difference) menu is awesome….
Ole & Steen celebrate the Midsommar solstice. So far the British summer has been a wash out, cold days, rain, wind and limited sunshine to offer the warmth we all crave. With the promise of sunshine just around the corner Ole & Steen will celebrate Midsommar, a Scandinavian festivity that celebrates the summer solstice, by…
Unique cocktails. Giffard products have long been prized by barmen. They are the liqueurs of choice by professionals. Banane du Brésil offers lots of inspiration for unique and classy cocktails. Banana cultivation dates back 12,000 years and is an important part of history. Indeed, the banana tree is considered to be the first plant cultivated…
The Essential Pickles. Japan Centre has an impressive array of Japanese pickles called tsukemono, as well as Korean Kimchi. They are more than just a garnish, they are an essential part of every Japanese meal. Yes, we eat pickles in the West, but the variety is limited in comparison to those available in Japan. We…
Coastal spirit. Padstow Distilling, the Cornish spirits brand known for its small-batch approach and foraged and farmed ingredients, has re-released its vodka. Padstow Vodka is distilled from barley grown in the fields just above the beach at St George’s, just a mile away from the distillery. This is a smooth sipping vodka and has won…
Apothic Red and a BBQ! This Father’s Day the weather could be good enough for a summer BBQ. If it’s not, then a heaping platter of roast beef could be in order. Both would be complemented by a bottle of rich Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend. We are all feeling the pinch these days, but we…
You’ll be the Favourite. Come on! Use some imagination. Dad deserves more than socks or chocs for Father’s Day. Present him with That Boutique-y Whisky Company Deer-Licious Tasting set and get a year’s worth of sibling rivalry bragging rights. That Boutique-y Whisky Company is an award-winning independent bottler of whiskies from around the world. They…
International Picnic Day. Food often tastes better when eaten in the sunshine and International Picnic Day on Tuesday 18th June is the perfect opportunity to put together some delicious European alfresco snacks. If you are looking for inspiration for your summer snacking, below are a few tips for the perfect picnic so you’re all set for 18th…
Versatile Red. The name Trivento is derived from the names of the three local winds: polar, zonda and sudestada. They have helped to create the ideal conditions for the production of this Trivento Argentina Reserve Malbec 2022 and other polished wines from the respected Trivento stable. Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Andes…
Marvellously messy BBQ. It seems to me that there are only a few good eating opportunities in Kingston, but The Grey Horse, a Smok’d BBQ Pub, is a cut above, and well worth a look. The Grey Horse has all the elements of a traditional pub but with a contemporary twist. It has great cocktails…
Tim Johanson Productions, Glass Half Full Productions and Jamie Wilson Productions present. Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Photo by Tristram Kenton • NEW BRITISH MUSICAL TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) WILL EXTEND AT THE CRITERON THEATRE UNTIL 31 AUGUST 2024. • STARRING…
Doughnation Thin Crust. A new pizza destination called Doughnation has just arrived at 3 Henrietta Street in bustling Covent Garden. It occupies the ground floor of this historic townhouse where Gentlemen Baristas could once be found, and there is terrace on the piazza, too. 3 Henrietta Street is a five-storey building in the heart of…
The Friendly Spirit. Despite its Russian name, TOVARITCH! is made from 100% European wheat and is bottled in Latvia, part of the EU. The name means ‘friend’ and we all appreciate those. Although this vodka was originally made in Russia, in response to the war against Ukraine the company’s Swiss owners have moved production to…
Savoury Shiro Miso. We have been enjoying Japanese food in restaurants for years and now we have easy access to online ingredients from Japan Centre. Miso is an iconic food, and its delicious umami enhances so many dishes both European and Japanese. But what is Miso? It is a nutrient-rich, flavourful and versatile paste and…
Danish for Fine Bread. Oh, the joy of finding a first-class bakery without needing to search for a passport. Ole & Steen is a favourite. One can wax lyrical about French bakeries but this Danish bakery, in my opinion, is a cut above. Ole & Steen have a remarkable collection of breads and rolls as…
Add some Sparkle. We know we should drink plenty of water, but it isn’t something we crave. But a glass of something effervescent is so much more tempting than a glass of plain water. SodaStream ART™ offers sparkling water in beautiful fashion. SodaStream ART™ is part of the celebrated SodaStream range which has been gracing…