Category Archives: Beer

#BBQbound: Hillsborough, North Carolina

The small town of Hillsborough, North Carolina made a big impression on me, despite only being able to drop in for a short overnight stay. Completely off my radar before planning my BBQ Bound itinerary, the town is now my top choice for a repeat visit of all the stops I made during my three weeks on the road. Continue reading

Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spitfire Ales: Why You’ll Be Drinking Mo’ Beer for Movember

November means Movember according to Maddie Salters who celebrated with Spitfire Premium Kentish Ale to kick off the month the raising money and awareness for sufferers of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental illnesses. It’s that time of year again. … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, Good Cause, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Leave a comment

The House of Peroni: Going Beyond Beer

For those of you who are missing the buzzy crowds and clinking rocks glasses of London Cocktail Week, there’s good news. The House of Peroni is all set to lift spirits as autumn rolls in and our desires turn to … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Create Your Perfect Pizza at PizzaBuzz, EC2

Custom-create your own pizza pie at newbie pizzeria, PizzaBuzz, on Worship Street (about halfway between Old Street and Moorgate Stations). While you’re there, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, have a beer, some burrata and maybe some homemade ice cream too. Whether … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pizza, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #46

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Lazy Arm With its 700mm … Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Celebrities, Drink, Entertainment, Good Stuff, London, Pubs, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Squid Kitchen Brings Madrid Street Market Style to The King & Co, Clapham

Continuing with its pop-up approach to pub grubbing, The King & Co in Clapham has opened its kitchen to Madrileño style street food vendors, Squid Kitchen. A match made in heaven? It is if crisp craft beer coupled with cones overflowing with calamari sounds like you kind of fiesta. I loved my nosh through the recent launch party and am happy to gloat … erm … share the highlights of that occasion with you. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ninth Ward, New Orleans Style Bar in Clerkenwell

Ninth Ward is a New Orleans style restaurant and bar that opened several weeks back near Farringdon Station (there’s a more established sister restaurant in New York as well). It’s a good place to consider for your next Clerkenwell drinking session with a menu of bar snacks and American fixings to abate any appetite. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Discounts and Special Offers, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tapas Revolution, Shoreditch

Opened back in the spring, Chef Omar Allibhoy’s Tapas Revolution in Shoreditch seems to have settled in nicely to its Bethnal Green Road digs. I had a lovely time recently, sampling a range of tapas over a couple of drinks at the restaurant’s gorgeous centrepiece copper-topped bar. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fire Station Hots up Waterloo Once Again

After a year long refurb, The Fire Station near Waterloo Station has reopened with a new look and menu. I tagged along to the relaunch last month and liked what I saw and what I tasted. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pizza, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brighton Bound? Bincho Yakitori for Japanese Grilled Greatness Near the Beach

Yep, the same Bincho that used to grace London’s foodie havens of Soho and Clerkenwell with its simple menu of mostly grilled meats made all the more moreish by a Japanese approach to flavour, style and service is now pleasing palates in cozy little Brighton nook only a few blocks up from the beach. Too bad so sad London, Brighton’s got ya beat this time around. I paid an early evening weekday visit a week or so ago, and had a delightful time sampling my way through the menu – at a fraction of the cost such a exploratory dabble of a meal would set me back here in London. A flight of sake to start things off (the list of Japanese drinks was impressive), followed by a pint of Super Dry Asahi and I was ready for a parade of izakaya hits. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, England, Food, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Food Yard Friday at The Artworks Elephant, Elephant & Castle

I had a blast and a lot of amazing street food (and drink!) during last week’s inaugural Food Yard Friday at The Artworks Elephant (a studio and retail hub comprised of shipping containers situated near Elephant & Castle Station). And now that it’s Friday again, here’s your chance to partake in this delicious new series “of food, drink, art and music shebangs.” Whether you’re passing through or making Elephant & Castle your base for the evening, I highly recommend paying a visit. Just make sure to bring a hearty appetite! Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Street Markets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pizza Union, Pentonville Road, King’s Cross

I’m not sure which I love more: a great pizza or a great bargain. But if I can get ‘em both in one go at a convenient and actually rather stylish setting then I reckon that’s a big tasty win that warrants a shout out! Already a fan of the original restaurant in Spitalfields, I am so pleased to share the good news that Pizza Union has opened a second location on Pentonville Road near King’s Cross St Pancras station. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pizza, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #43

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Coffee, Drink, Food, Freebies, Good Stuff, London, Pizza, Pubs, Restaurants, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lunch at The Angel, City Road/Old Street

A few years ago I used to live just down the road from The Angel. Back then, like so many other things hovering near Old Street Roundabout, the pub was a very different place to what it is now. Following a major sprucing up, the once scruffy old boozer has reopened as a really rather clean and cosy place to have a drink. It’s still a good pub to keep in mind for enjoying a proper pint (now with a craft beer selection), you just don’t need to worry about your shoes sticking to the floor anymore. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beany Green at Broadgate Circle

Based on the throngs (moving through a swiftly served queue, mind you) of folks showing up for lunch at the Beany Green flagship café at Broadgate Circle on the sunshiny weekday when I dropped by last week, this newly opened City worker pit stop for Aussie coffee and clean-minded food hardly needs an endorsement from me to ensure steady patronage. Still, I was impressed with just about every aspect of my visit and could see why everybody else seemed so keen for Beany Green bites. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Coffee, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Taking it Easy with an Overnight Spa Break in Bath

Easter week, Kemey and I made a quick overnight trip to Bath for a bit of rest and relaxation with a dash of history and scaled down but nonetheless urban ease. Both of us had been to Bath before but ages ago and not together. We had so much fun during our brief stay in this compact and attractive city. It’s a great place for couples and super easy to get to from London. Of course, more time to explore Bath and the bucolic countryside nearby would have been ideal, but our overnight visit proved to be an amply replenishing pause before having to head back to the London grind. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, England, Food, Hotels, Pubs, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meaty New “Bunsmiths” BBQ Menu at Sebright Arms: Oh Hell Yes!

Pub grub never looked so mouthwateringly mountainous! A new (not pop-up) menu at Sebright Arms pub off Hackney Road brings some of the finest “low and slow BBQ cooked meat served fresh and fast in delicious buns” to the table to be washed down with something sudsy from one of London’s more carefully considered lists of craft and quality beers. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shackfuyu: Japanese Fun Food Pops Up in Soho

The izakaya good times keep rolling with another Bone Daddies opening in Central London. This one, Shackfuyu, is a pop-up in a failed pizzeria on Soho’s Old Compton Street. Is worth a visit? Here’s a nuanced take on the Nippon inspired nosh I tried there last week. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Lunch at the Crown and Two Chairmen, Soho

My lunch at the Crown was ace, and I loved the upstairs dining space, which was all but empty at 1.30pm (things picked up considerably by 2.30 though with hardly a free seat in the house). Highlights? To begin with service was efficient and friendly, seating was comfy, and I got a kick out of spotting a couple of celebrities out the window walking down street (if making a reservation, ask for a table by the window looking down on Dean Street). Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Food, London, Pubs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Den Udon: Time for Japanese Food Lovers in London to Rejoice?

Den Udon’s hip new venue just opened its doors to business, with a clean layout and alternating menus that convert it from a casual luncheon spot to a cosy place for conversation over dinner and drinks. The trendy, minimalist vibe and welcoming staff make you feel right at home, and hearty menu options offer an array of traditional Japanese food with a bit of a twist. Fair portion sizes, a long list of sharable appetizers, and communal tables make Den and especially appealing alternative if you’re dining with a large group. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 – Best of the Best

Going back over of the best sights, bites and more from the past 12 months was a fun and fruitful exercise in counting my blessings and strive for more. I hope my series of Best of 2014 lists may assist you in making the most of your time in the months to come. Cheers for reading tikichris in 2014! Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Coffee, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a De Beauvoir Deli Basket from The De Beauvoir Deli Co

Teaming up with the dynamic De Beauvoir Deli, I’ve come up with a great excuse to pop round this ace little shop by offering my readers the chance to win a De Beauvoir Deli Basket valued at £30. The lucky winner will need to be able to pick up the prize in shop and will walk home with a delectable assortment of treats in a handy dandy 12” basket. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Chocolate, Christmas, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Beer – 2014

Beer. I can’t say I really drank a whole lot of it in 2014 (especially compared to how much I’ve consumed in earlier years), but I can say I drank some very fine beer indeed over the last 12 months. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Bars (Everywhere Else) – 2014

A blogger walks into a bar … and has an amazing time! No joke! Here’s a quick write up of some excellent places to have a drink in a handful of awesome destinations I had the pleasure of visiting this year. Continue reading

Posted in Alabama, Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Greece, Hotels, Louisiana, Luxury, Music, Restaurants, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Bars in London – 2014

The options for getting one’s drink on in London continued to broaden and improve in 2014. I truly was impressed with the libations on offer at so many bars around town this year. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cheer in Style with Your Own Limited Edition Stella Artois Christmas Chalice

That’s right, Stella Artois has released a Limited Edition Christmas Chalice, available only while stocks last. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Christmas, Drink, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Riverford at the Duke of Cambridge, Britain’s Only 100% Organic Pub

The Duke of Cambridge – Britain’s first and only certified organic pub – has teamed up with Riverford (aka the organic veg box folks from Devon) to “champion seasonal produce” and offer Londoners an ethical and healthier option for quality pub grub. I dropped by the Duke earlier this week for a low key Monday lunch – and very much enjoyed the experience. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Christmas, Design, Drink, Food, Good Stuff, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bite Me Pizza, Westbourne Grove

An invitation to try out a new Notting Hill pizzeria proved a more than satisfying reason for me to mosey more westerly than usual for one of my all time favourite foods – pizza! Bite Me? With pleasure Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Parma, Pizza, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Far Rockaway Bar and Restaurant in Shoreditch

A couple of weeks back, a buddy and I hit Curtain Street’s Far Rockaway for a gab session over couple of beers and a pizza. The Shoreditch venue offers broad appeal if in a rather ‘dude-ly’ fashion. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pizza, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Restaurant Review: United Ramen, Upper Street

Ramen, ramen, ramen, ramen! Talk about a soup du jour! Londoners are slurping up this Japanese dish at a decidedly trendy rate. Newest noodles on the scene are those on offer at United Ramen, where I had a right tasty meal last week. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lobster Safari in the Koster Islands, West Sweden

The Koster Islands are situated off Sweden’s western mainland just south of Norway. It’s a beautiful part of the world – a rugged and ‘out there’ archipelago where wilderness and cultivation blend in such a way as to suggest that humans and nature actually can get along. Summer’s the main time folks visit this tranquil area, but I was there at the onset of autumn for the start of the lobster season. Lured by the prospect of catching (and eating!) the regionally renowned “black gold of the sea” lobsters for myself from one of the cleanest of nutritionally rich fjords in Scandinavia, I tagged along on a Lobster Safari “activity and dining experience” offered by the lovely little Hotel Koster on the island of Sydkoster. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Sweden, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Victoria, Mile End: Everything under (and on) One Roof!

Recently renovated and reopened under new ownership, The Victoria brings a taste of farm-to-table dining and hopeful community spirit to Mile End. I had lunch here about a week and a half ago and really enjoyed it. Here’s quick look at a few of this pub’s many highlights. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Pubs, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff

Good Stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, England, Food, Good Stuff, London, Pizza, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Forge & Co … and It’s Fabulous Speyside Beef and Ox Heart Burger

A friend (hey Peter!) and I dropped by the Forge & Co canteen in Shoreditch last night to give its new Speyside Beef and Ox Heart Burger a try … and were pleased to have done so. Cooked in a Josper Grill and served on a demi brioche, it proved a mightily meaty meal well worth recommending. Plenty of topping and condiment options were available, but I reckon it needed none such was it so full of flavour. Continue reading

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment