Category Archives: Wine

A Few Top Tips for Tahiti (OneTravel)

Io rana! I’m just back from spending a week and a half in French Polynesia. Tahiti and her islands are gorgeous – and definitely live up to all the hype! That said – and no matter where you’re coming from – this South Pacific archipelago isn’t somewhere you simply hop over to for the weekend. To make the most out of your time in paradise, here are a few top tips so you won’t have to hit the ground running but instead can assuredly stroll along in leisurely style to the beach. Continue reading

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Foodie Fun at England’s Seaside in Sussex (CheapOair)

Located along the coast in Southeastern England, Sussex offers the best of British surf and turf for gourmet travelers visiting the UK and all within easy reach of London and its two main airports – Heathrow and Gatwick. Indeed Gatwick is located halfway between London and Sussex seaside communities of Brighton and Hove. Here’s a selection of upcoming food and drink events around in Brighton and Hove and surrounding Sussex countryside. Happy eating! Continue reading

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Tapas Recipe: Apple Crumble Crema Catalana by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed … Continue reading

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Tapas Recipe: Beef and Pimentón Yorkshire Mini Puds by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

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Tapas Recipe: Fish and Chips Tostados by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

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Tapas Recipe: Shepherd’s Pie Croquetas by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

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Tapas Recipe: Full English Sourdoughs by Jose Pizarro

A few weeks back I had the pleasure sampling the results of chef Jose Pizarro and Codorníu cava teaming up to create a series of “Great British Tapas”. You can read about that experience in my write up for Blue Tomato. I really enjoyed tasting … Continue reading

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The Bristol Hotel (CDCLifestyle)

Right on the harbour and just a block over from picturesque Queen Square, The Bristol is an ideally situated hotel whatever might bring you to the vibrant and compact city of Bristol. I certainly didn’t have any problems getting around the city centre on foot while keeping this comfortable hotel as my base during a recent visit. Continue reading

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Red, White or RAW? (Great British Chefs)

Whether you’re looking to quaff some environmentally friendly vino, keen to sample something dramatically different than that same old pinot grigio or you’re simply curious about what might just be the next big thing in viticulture and in the cellars of the world’s top chefs, this year’s RAW takes place at London’s Old Truman Brewery in London on the 19th and 20th of May. Continue reading

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Bubbles, Berries and More – a Brilliant Time in Bristol

Some work-related reasons led me to Bristol for an overnight stay. Kemey was able to join me for the trip, and we found plenty of pleasure to go along with the business during our short time in this small but vibrant town. Maybe it was the gorgeous sunshiny weather? we really didn’t do all that much while there but had an absolute blast. Here are some of the highlights from a chilled out 24 hours in Bristol. Continue reading

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Guest Post: 3 Steps to Getting the Best Deals on Wine

Last week, Pierre decided to invite his three friends, Toulouse, René and Vincent for an evening meal the size of the Waterloo Banquet. Eager to impress, and desperate to knock that old gloater Toulouse off his pedestal, Pierre picked exactly … Continue reading

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The Great British Tapas Project with José Pizarro and Codorníu (Blue Tomato)

With his eponymous and popular tapas bar and an equally adored sit-down restaurant (each just a minute’s walk away from the other on the trendy restaurant row that is Bermondsey Street), chef patron José Pizarro knows a thing or two about tapas and the British palate. Now, this master of the London tapa (before opening his own eateries, José was a chef at Eyre Brothers, Gaudi and Brindisa) has teamed up with cava brand, Codorníu, to add a Spanish twist to some of Britain’s most popular dishes – with the launch of the Great British Tapas project. Continue reading

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So Impressed! Mozzarella & More, King’s Road SW3

Mozzarella & More is the newest outlet (and concept) from the Made in Italy restaurant group. One part trattoria, one part mozzarella bar and one part deli, M&M is located just a couple of doors down from the original Made in Italy restaurant. It’s also the only restaurant in London producing its own mozzarella. Continue reading

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Raw Wine Festival Returns to London (OneTravel)

Coming to London next month is RAW, a “totally independent” wine fair created and organized by “Crazy FrenchWoman” and the first French female Master of Wine, Isabelle Legeron. The two-day fair celebrates natural wines from around the world that, as Isabelle puts it, are “authentic expressions of place” and the “polar opposites of industrialized, big-brand, manufactured, nothing-but-alcoholic-grape-juice wines, that use imagery and suggestion to sell a product.” Continue reading

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GB1 Seafood Restaurant & Bar at the Grand Brighton (CDCLifestyle)

Newly opened at the recently refurbished Grand Brighton hotel, GB1 Seafood Restaurant & Bar serves up a treat for lovers of fresh and expertly prepared fruits of the sea. Continue reading

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Guest Post: Will Britain See an Influx in Chinese Wine?

When asked to name the top 10 wine producing countries, who would you pick? Most people would start with the old world regulars such as Italy, France and Spain, but who follows? Australia, South Africa and Chile will probably get … Continue reading

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Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika (CDCLifestyle)

Dishes are as attractively presented as the setting and taste just as gorgeous. Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Continue reading

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Argentina Meets East London at Cambalache (OneTravel)

Guests to Cambalache will get the chance to try up to 150 wines from 28 of Argentina’s top wineries. Everybody’s heard of – and rightly loves – the mighty Malbec. But Cambalache will feature wines from all of Argentine’s major producing regions, stretching over 2000 km from Salta in the North to Patagonia in the South, passing through La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza along the way. Continue reading

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Wine and Music Pairing with Charles Spence and Barry Smith

Cambalache will feature 150 wines from 28 of Argentina’s top wineries. There’ll be street food from Borough Market’s Argentine specialists, Porteña; cocktails from Galante Bar; dulche de leche ice cream from The Ice Cream Union; live graffiti mural painting; tango performances and much more. Continue reading

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“Menu Relief” at MASH

Feeling a little second tier as a foodie and a London blogger, I finally made it to MASH for the first time last night. Definitely worth the wait, I enjoyed my special “Menu Relief” dinner of a three courses, including MASH’s signature steak and cheesecake, for £50 with £20 of the proceeds going direct to Comic Relief.  Continue reading

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Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika Restaurant, London (OneTravel)

Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Case in point is the hearty yet dainty starter, pan-seared spiced scallops with sautéed cavolo nero and pumpkin sauce. Equally delicious, a main course of king prawns simmered in a rich coconut cream sauce flavoured with lime leaf proves curry prowess and gourmet subtly needn’t be mutually exclusive attributes. Continue reading

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A Beguiling Ode to Great Britain at Alvin Leung’s Bo London (CDCLifestyle)

It’s been a little over a month now, yet I still find myself carrying on about how lovely my dining experience at Bo London was. I’ve enjoyed a fair number of fine meals since but, still, something about my time there lingers. Odds are my dinner will go down as the best meal of the year. And if not, well then, the rest of 2013 promises to be one of exquisite culinary delight. Continue reading

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Wine of the Month: Soryu Koshu 2010

Japanese wine … yes, by “wine” as in fermented grape juice. Who knew? Not me until very recently when I attended the fourth annual Koshu of Japan UK Trade and Press Tasting late last month at the Westbury Hotel. Continue reading

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MASH Offers Special Menu Relief Fundraiser Monday 11 March

Combining its informal Danish style eating and drinking with plush and comfy experience of a “modern American steakhouse” for a noteworthy cause, MASH restaurant will host a special foodie fundraiser dinner this coming Monday (11 March) to celebrate Red Nose Day’s new Menu Relief initiative. Continue reading

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Sophisticated Indian Flavours at Zaika, Kensington High Street

Dishes are as attractively presented as the setting and taste just as gorgeous. Head chef Navin Prasad’s kitchen delivers refined and delicate dishes that nonetheless check the boxes for filling and yummy. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

Here’s a quick list of good stuff I’ve come across lately but for whatever reason didn’t make it to a post here, my tikichris-to-go Tumblr blog or one of my client blogs but are well worth me mentioning and you checking out! Continue reading

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In Search of London’s Best Tiramisu (CheapOair)

Lusciously layered Savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone cheese, and flavored with marsala wine and cocoa – a dessert dish of tiramisu often provides a great litmus test for determining the merits of an Italian restaurant. Too bad it’s served at the end of a meal! Here are but a few of London’s most moreish tiramisu offerings. Continue reading

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Guest Post: Fifty Shades of Pinot Grigio

The crisp, dry white which has always been a grey area amongst wine drinkers continues to divide both the connoisseurs and the commoners. While some find the sharp acid flavours too much to bear, others enjoy the light and refreshing … Continue reading

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High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction: March 20 – 23 (CheapOair)

Netting almost $2 million in 2012, the Wine Auction is Atlanta’s top charity fundraising event, the fifth largest charity wine auction in America and the number one charity wine auction to benefit the arts in the world. To date, the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction has generated more than $20 million during the past two decades. Continue reading

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Volare con Vino on Your Flight Back from Rome (CheapOair)

But what do you do when you want to take a bottle of the good stuff back home with you on your flight? Packing glass bottles containing liquid in your check in luggage can be messy – especially if the … Continue reading

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Wine of the Month: 2011 Monte delle Vigne Lambrusco 2011

It’s crimson and velvety. It sparkles. It even comes from the ancestral lands of St Valentine. So why Lambrusco isn’t the official wine for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day is a bit beyond me. Having recently tried Monte delle Vigne Lambrusco 2011 during a low key and rather romantic evening out, I thought this lightly frizzante vino rosso would make a fine choice for February’s Wine of the Month. Continue reading

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Bo London by Alvin Leung (Great British Chefs)

Yes of course, sex sells. We all know that. But what about the after effects of a completed romp? Surely, all that leftover stuff is best left unmentioned … and certainly not exalted as the inspiration of haute cuisine in some fancy schmancy Mayfair restaurant? Continue reading

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Fantastic Tapas at a Nice Price: Brixton’s Boqueria

During our visit, portion size for most dishes was more than ample; service was brisk and attentive; and the vibe was delightfully low key with a bit of a buzz in the air. The mostly local guests seemed to come in all ages and varieties – couples, families with small children, groups of friends catching up – and all appeared equally excited to be spending a lovley evening out at La Boqueria. Continue reading

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Wine of the Month: Sophie’s Reserve Rouge 2011 – House Red at Sophie’s Steakhouse

One aspect to my lunch at Sophie’s still stands out as exceptional: the house red. Sophie’s Reserve Rouge 2011, IGP d’Oc is a great wine. At £4.75 for a 175ml glass and £16.95 for a bottle it’s great value too. A blend of Syrah and Grenache created by the restaurant’s “own team”, I liked it from the first sip and thought is was an especially smart and easy drinker to go with red meat. Good ‘n’ juicy with a medium body, it’d be a nice one to drink on its own if slipping into Sophie’s for an evening at the comfortable (and I hearing ridiculously popular) bar. Continue reading

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In Parma … in London

Just under a year old, Fitzrovia restaurant, In Parma, has been bleeping wildly on my foodie radar all this time. I finally got round to having a meal there earlier this week, and I’m happy to report that my visit was just as delightful, delicious and autentico as what I experienced in the actual city of Parma itself. Continue reading

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