Monthly Archives: September 2013

Lunch at Lima: Wow.

Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez’s much lauded London outpost, Lima, has just received its first Michelin star – and the first one ever granted to a Latin restaurant in Europe. Guess who was lucky enough to enjoy a leisurely lunch there the day after the big announcement? Yep. And I loved every last bite of my experience too. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Keeper’s House at the Royal Academy

The Keeper’s House at the Royal Academy opens to Friends of the Academy and to the general public today. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Chelsea Embankment

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Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2013 (OneTravel)

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival is an annual showcase of the world’s best new Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and Cult Movies. Entering its eight year with “nine nights of cinematic mayhem,” the 2013 festival runs from the 17th to the 25th of October – just in time for Halloween! Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Here’s a quick little list of good stuff I’ve recently come across and thought was worth sharing with you. Enjoy! Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: FAIR Rum at Skylon

I took a premium booze pit stop the other night at Skylon to meet bar manager Nebojsa Kutlesic and Matthieu Boulas, sales manager for FAIR Spirits and sample FAIR Rum, the UK’s first fair trade, premium rum. Made in Belize from molasses and then aged for five years in American oak barrels, FAIR is then shipped to Cognac in France where a master distiller “perfects” it. If you like rum, you might find this one to be perfect. I certainly enjoyed sipping it neat and in a couple of cocktails. Continue reading

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Win a Pair of Tickets to Salon du Chocolat #BigChocolateWin

Salon du Chocolat, the world’s biggest chocolate show, is teaming up with Chocolate Unwrapped, London’s annual chocolate festival, to create what will be the most chocolaty day in British history yet: Salon du Chocolat London. Keep reading for your chance to win a free pair of tickets. Continue reading

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Crown & Shuttle Pub in Shoreditch Ups the London Burger Ante

New(ish) Shoreditch High Street pub, Crown & Shuttle, has recently launched a new burger menu big on flavour and full of umph. I dropped by yesterday for lunch and found my burger and the venue to be well worth a recommendation. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: World’s Largest Gin & Tonic Tasting

Last night Fever-Tree hosted Gin & Tonic Fever. Billed at the “world’s largest G&T tasting”, the event was held at Chelsea Physic Garden and featured well over 100 different gins from around the world to sample along with all of Fever-Trees tonic waters and mixers. Continue reading

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Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving in Toronto (OneTravel)

Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on the second Saturday of every October. This year the date falls on the 14th. Differences between the Canadian and American versions of the holiday are nuanced with both celebrations centering around a family feast of turkey with all the trimmings. Essentially, Canadian Thanksgiving is just a lot earlier and further north – but just as delicious! Continue reading

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Brazilian Film Festival of London: 27 September to 1 October

The Brazilian Film Festival – the premiere platform for contemporary Brazilian cinema in the UK – returns to London for a fifth year tomorrow and runs until the 1st of October offering loads of movies for cinema fans as well as an excellent opportunity to try some of London’s finer Latin restaurants. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Les Dioscures, Jean Cocteau

LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair opened this week at Berkeley Square and runs until Sunday 29 September. I took a sneak peek at the Press preview a couple of days ago and reckon it’s well worth a visit if antiques and contemporary or classical art are your thing. Continue reading

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Like Sunday Lunch for a Tuesday Tide Over at West Cornwall Pasty Co

So I was running around all over town yesterday without a chance to stop for a meal. At one point, I found myself at Waterloo Station (en route from Mayfair to South Bank with Soho, Camden and back home to Hackney lined up after that) and went with an old reliable for my din-din on the go: a pasty from West Cornwall Pasty Co. Continue reading

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Get a Taste of Brazil during London’s Brazilian Film Festival (CheapOair)

The Brazilian Film Festival – the premiere platform for contemporary Brazilian cinema in the UK – returns to London from the 27th of September to the 1st of October, offering a riveting presentation of Brazilian culture on and off the screen. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Lutz Bacher at ICA

Black Beauty, the first major solo exhibition in the UK by American artist Lutz Bacher, which opens today at the ICA. The show provides a unique opportunity to see Bacher’s new works made specifically for the ICA together with recent work for the first time in London. Continue reading

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World’s Biggest Chocolate Show Coming to London This October (CheapOair)

Salon du Chocolat, the world’s biggest chocolate show, is joining forces with the organisers of London’s annual chocolate festival, Chocolate Unwrapped, to create what is slated to be the most incredible chocolate show the UK has ever seen: Salon du Chocolat – London. Continue reading

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Breakfast at Aqua Shard

Yes of course, the view is the main draw at Aqua Shard, but don’t let that get in the way of enjoying the food and stylish setting. I recently had breakfast there and left feeling nearly as pleased with my full English as I was with this upscale restaurant’s full-on vistas. For a (high) rise ‘n shine that towers over the competition, the newly introduced breakfast menu at Aqua Shard is tops. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: History

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Recipe: Rachel Green’s Peas on Toast

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious.Here’s the recipe for a basic but really inspired dish, peas on toast. Read more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Untitled

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Win a Free Signed Copy of Camilla Stephens’ The Higgidy Cookbook: 100 Recipes for Pies and More!

Last week I had a delectable pleasure of getting to meet Camilla Stephens, founder of Higgidy, a “little company of piemakers creating pies, quiches, tarts and slices in the seaside town of Shoreham-by-Sea”. Camilla was in London to meet with a small crew of food writers and get our opinions about a few upcoming pies (I loved her sweet potato offering!) and to give us a sneak peek at her new book. Keep reading for your chance to get hold of a copy of The Higgidy Cookbook: 100 Recipes for Pies and More! Continue reading

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Recipe: Rachel Green’s Salsa Verde

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for a very tasty salsa verde. Check back soon for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Strand

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British Ceramics Biennial at Stoke-on-Trent (OneTravel)

The British Ceramics Biennial returns this autumn to the English town of Stoke-on-Trent, the world capital of ceramics, with its biggest line-up to date. Set to run from Saturday the 28th of September to Sunday the 10th of November, the Biennial celebrates the best in contemporary ceramics and brings together 150 leading artists through a series of exhibitions, installations and events while drawing on the local area’s heritage and significance in the ceramics industry. Continue reading

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Recipe: Rachel Green’s Aioli

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for a simple yet satisfying aioli. Check back soon for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

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Golden Lane Estate and Me: Documentary Screening at Exhibit Gallery, EC1

As I told filmmaker Esther Johnson, the year I lived at Golden Lane Estate was “very potent”. That she happened to come round the estate looking for residents to interview for her film, The View From My Window Tells Me I’m Home, just seemed like a fantastic coincidence to have someone there to document it for me. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: In the Studio at Kettner’s

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Recipe: Rachel Green’s Guacamole

Chef Rachel Green, a “woman for all seasons” who’s “cooking for Britain” was an absolute delight to cook alongside and to learn from. Observing her in the kitchen (not to mention getting to sample here her excellent food) was the highlight of the week. Nothing fancy but big on yum, Rachel’s recipe’s were down to earth, easy to follow and (most importantly) delicious. Here’s her recipe for one of my favourite dishes, guacamole. Check back tomorrow and later in the week for more of Rachel’s recipes from our day with John Lewis and Cole & Mason. Continue reading

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International Car Free Day at Seven Dials: Pop-Up Forest, Free Pizza and More

For one day only – tomorrow, Saturday 21 September – Camden Council will transforming the streets of Seven Dials to see the area become traffic-free with dozens of five-metre trees plotted around the monument as part of International Car Free Day. Inside the urban pop-up forest, there will a range events and activities taking place including an Orchard Juice Bar, complimentary cycle maintenance courtesy of Dr Bike, live music and complimentary food and drink such as homemade lemonade at Patagonia and pizza slices a la a mobile wood fired oven outside the Rossopomodoro pizzeria on Monmouth Street. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Stanley Donwood at The Outsiders London

Stanley Donwood’s latest exhibition Far Away is Close at Hand in Images of Elsewhere is now open at The Outsiders London (Greek Street, Soho). Vibrant and eerie, the show’s well worth taking a look at. Many of you who might not immediately recognise the artist’s name might actually have some of his work in your homes. Donwood has been collaborating with Radiohead for cover artwork since the band put out The Bends almost a decade ago. Continue reading

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Top Benjamin Franklin Sites in Philadelphia (OneTravel)

With the newly renovated Benjamin Franklin Museum (formerly the Underground Museum at Franklin Court) having just reopened in late August, this autumn is an excellent time to explore the rich and historic legacy of Philadelphia’s most famous son: the one and only Benjamin Franklin. Continue reading

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London Daily Photo: Honky Tonk Clapham

Honky Tonk Clapham opened about a week and a half ago, riding the cibus Americanus wave south of the river in the hopes of finding the same success that sister bar and restaurant, Honky Tonk Chelsea has.

I dropped by Honky Tonk Clapham last night for the launch party, munched on some pretty decent chicken wings and enjoyed a Maple Trace cocktail (essentially an Old Fashioned with cinnamon and maple syrup infused bourbon). Yee haw. Continue reading

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Top Tips for Tahiti and Her Islands (Travelbag)

Comfortable, convenience and gourmet – what else could you want? How about top notch service, nightly entertainment, and long list of amenities and activities. From its very own lagoonarium to “Overwater Motu Bungalows” and much, much more – there are plenty of amazing reasons to make the Intercontinental Resort Tahiti your base while discovering the joys of French Polynesia. Continue reading

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Karate Cap with Misha B and Dynamo

Check out how Mancunian rap sensation Misha B’s reacts when magician Dynamo plays a fantastic trick on her at this summer’s Yahoo! Wireless Festival. Can you spot how he did it? Me neither. Maybe I should give it another viewing … but I’ve already watched the clip about a half dozen times. Argh. Man, that guy’s good. Continue reading

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Happy (Early) Halloween from Houston (CheapOair)

Trick or treat, y’all? October’s just around the corner, and Houstonians are preparing for a frightfully fun Halloween. Here’s a selection of five events around Houston, whether you’re looking for family friendly activities for the little ones or something more mature for the witching hours. Continue reading

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